UN urges swift action to prevent impending disaster in besieged Gaza Strip [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Officials at the United Nations warned that the Gaza Strip will face an impending humanitarian crisis by 2020 if the world fails to intervene to solve the situation. The humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Maxwell Gaylard, said that Gaza will face an impending crisis in all sectors if the siege is not lifted.

Reporter, Male #2
After eight months of work, a specialized team from the United Nations released worrisome figures pointing to the Gaza Strip's population growth alongside problems in water, sanitation, health, and education. In addition, the report indicated poverty and unemployment are rising, describing the situation as catastrophic.

Guest, Male #3
By 2020, Gaza's population will have increased by about half a million individuals, which means an additional half a million people in need of food, shelter, education, and employment. As of today there is shortage in clean water, electricity, schools, jobs, and services in the Strip.

Reporter, Male #2
The cry for help issued by the officials here calls on all nations to bear their responsibilities in the face of what is happening in Gaza, considering that the slow economic growth, in addition to the increasing population, will result in a surge of the burden carried by the refugee agency in the fields of health, education, relief, and employment.

Guest Male #4
Five new medical centers, 220 doctors, and over 300 medical experts must be added. Right now, we have one doctor for every 100 patients on a daily basis.

Guest, Female #1
By 2016, potable water sources could dwindle and no longer be salvaged, so they will be unusable by 2020.

Reporter, Male #2
The report indicates that the Strip's needs for fresh water, homes, educational and medical centers and job opportunities will increase by almost 30 percent, a dangerous number in light of the sharp decrease in revenue and international aid that is needed to meet these necessities.

Reporter, Male #2
The report also points that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are in need of peace, security, and an end to the siege and isolation, in addition to encouragement and support to be able to confront the upcoming challenges. Shuhdi al-Kashef, BBC, the Gaza Strip.

--

Egypt: One man sentenced in absentia for 2011 attacks on Israeli, Saudi embassies [IBA, Israel]

A Cairo court sentenced one man to five years in prison in connection with last year's attack on the Israeli and Saudi embassies; 75 people were given one-year suspended sentences. Ironically, Omar Afifi, the only person who received a jail sentence, fled Egypt and was tried in absentia. Protestors stormed the Israeli embassy in Cairo in September following the killing of five Egyptian security guards who were caught in the crossfire between the IDF and a group who had ambushed and killed eight Israelis along the Sinai border. Some of the protestors also stormed the Saudi embassy.

--

IDF's military advocate general recommends criminal investigation into ex-chief Ashkenazi [IBA, Israel]

The IDF military advocate general has reportedly recommended launching a criminal investigation into former Chief-of-Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and his former aide, Colonel Erez Viner, on counts of misconduct during Ashkenazi's term as the head of the IDF. The case has been brought to Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein, who has to decide on the matter due to the fact that Ashkenazi is now a civilian. The suspicion is over the Harpaz Affair, in which Ashkenazi allegedly used Boaz Harpaz, a retired lieutenant-colonel, to collect incriminating information on Major-General Yoav Galant to torpedo his possible successor as chief of general staff, who was favored by Ehud Barak.

--

Israel rejects 'Welcome to Palestine' protestors trying to enter West Bank [IBA, Israel]

Israel has refused entry to dozens of left-wing pro-Palestinian protestors who attempted to cross into the West Bank from Jordan by way of the Allenby Bridge. The IDF stamped "Rejected" on the passports of the protestors, who said they wanted to travel to Bethlehem as part of a "Welcome to Palestine" campaign. The so-called "flytilla" campaign was foiled by Israel last April when several thousand activists were blocked from leaving European airports.

--

Kurds fight police in southeastern Turkey during PKK rally [IBA, Israel]

Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of Kurdish demonstrators who tried to stage a rally in support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in southeastern Turkey. Kurds took to the streets after Turkish authorities refused to give them a permit for the demonstration, and fought the police.

--

Iran hails summit of Non-Aligned Movement as diplomatic coup against the West [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
In Tehran, where the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned nations is held, expert-level meetings are concluding tonight after agreeing to a closing draft document. A positive atmosphere and cooperation reigned between the participating delegates, who will present the draft at the foreign ministers' meeting, which begins tomorrow and will be held for two consecutive days.

Reporter, Male #1
The first phase of the expert-level meetings at the 16th summit of the nations of the Non-Aligned Movement witnessed intense negotiations on both political and economic fronts impacting the member states. It aimed to reach an agreeable tone to the final draft declaration, which will be issued by the summit's presidency. Then, it will be presented on Tuesday and Wednesday to the ministerial-level summit.

Guest, Male #2 (Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs)
The importance of gathering top experts is that all the summit's documents presented here in a specialized manner can be scrutinized, analyzed, and strengthened. If sections need to be added or subtracted, the issue is discussed, then the findings of their work is presented to the meeting of foreign ministers.

Reporter, Male #1
The summit is held under the theme, "Lasting Peace Through Joint Global Governance," that Tehran hopes to push into a global discussion over the next three years, and to which the participating delegates responded with enthusiasm.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmad Yacoub, Libyan Foreign Affairs Ministry Director of International Organizations)
I think the theme or subject of governance and permanent peace through a joint international administration is a truly good slogan, a great one. In reality, the world today is lacking many of these joint efforts, which, under these conditions, ought to be able to promote peace, to fulfill peace, and for the international community to bear its responsibilities.

Reporter, Male #1
The second day's meetings, which will officially be limited to an evening session, were set aside for an economic and social document that will be produced by the conference. The final document consists of three chapters and 688 clauses, covering international, regional, and development related issues impacting the member states.

Guest, Male #4 (Ramin Mehmanparast, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
In the three-year period of the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement that will be held in the Islamic Republic, we will present projects and initiatives to elevate the level of economic cooperation between member states in an effective way.

Guest, Male #4
Organizers are saying that the average number of participating states, and the level of dignitaries at the Tehran summit, is larger than any of the 15 previous summits. It's noticeable through the movement of high-level foreign dignitaries in the capital. They are hereto participate in various meetings, and to hold talks on the sideline about various issues that impact member states, and they hail from the world's different continents, from Asia to Africa and Latin America. There is a noticeable presence of the issue of Palestine, Syria, and the Islamic awakening.

Reporter, Male #1
The summit's expert-level meeting witnessed an atmosphere of agreement and consensus over the clauses of the final draft document that will be issued by the presidency of the movement. The positive atmosphere that prevailed between the dignitaries and the Iranian host reflect hopes for a future of communal cooperation between the nations of the Non-Aligned Movement. Riad al-Akhras, Al-Alam, Tehran.

--

Two NATO troops killed in new 'green-on-blue' attack in Afghanistan [Press TV, Iran]

Another Afghan soldier has turned on US-led troops. Two American soldiers have been killed in eastern Laghman Province at a checkpoint when Wolayat Khan pulled out his gun and fired on US troops. Khan was also shot dead in return fire. More than 40 foreign troops have been killed this year across the country in these so-called "green-on-blue" attacks after the burning of the Quran by US troops last year, straining US-Afghan relations.

--

US arms sales reach record high as Gulf states stock up [Press TV, Iran]

Recent studies show that US arms sales for the year 2011 tripled to a record high, as Gulf and Arab states increased their weapons stockpiles. Thanks to the demand from the Middle East, the US sold a whopping USD 66.3 billion of arms last year. America's weapons sales were about USD 21 billion in 2010, while last year's sales just to Saudi Arabia were USD 33 billion.

--

Syrian military helicopter crashes in Damascus as Turkey closes border to fleeing refugees [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
The images of massacres are moving from one Syrian city to the next, carrying with them a tragedy for every home. The neighborhoods of Damascus, whose countryside bid farewell to the victims of the Daraya massacre, were a specific target for the regime's warplanes and tanks today. The Free Syrian Army said it downed a Syrian army airplane over the area of al-Qaboun in Damascus, as confirmed by official Syrian television. The shelling in the capital was concentrated on the neighborhood of Jobar, and was accompanied by a large deployment of security and army forces, ahead of plans to storm the southern neighborhoods, including al-Qadam and Assali. In the neighborhood of Damascus, the shelling was renewed with heavy weapons targeting the cities of Harasta, Hamriya, Saqba, and Arbin.

Presenter, Female #1
Last night, in the city of Bosra al-Sham in Daraa Province, a massacre took place, claiming the lives of nearly 73 people, most of them women and children, according to pictures uploaded by activists that showed very harsh images. Activists said the massacre was the result of the regime forces' rocket shelling that hit residential buildings. Regime forces stormed the city of Ankhil and the town Nafaa with tanks amid heavy gunfire.

Presenter, Female #1
And in northern Syria, regime airplanes and tanks shelled several neighborhoods in Aleppo. Since the morning, the target was the area of Souq al-Hal in Aleppo, which led to dozens of injuries. This came as clashes between Syrian regime forces and opposition fighters continued in Gheir Haya.

Presenter, Female #1
In Idlib Province, the town of al-Habit was subjected to violent shelling by regime forces with heavy artillery. The areas of Homs al-Qadeema were also a target of the shelling amid a siege. As for the north, military operations continued in the city of Deir az-Zour and also in its countryside.

Presenter, Female #1
The daily shelling turned Maraa in the countryside of Aleppo into a ghost town. Most residents evacuated the city in search of a haven after their homes turned into rubble, with the exception of a minority that had no other choice but to stay, as clashes are intensifying in the surrounding area. The city today holds the largest prison run by the opposition's brigades; in addition, it is the center of the attacks against the Syrian army, placing the civilians' lives in constant danger.

Presenter, Female #1
The gates of the Turkish-Syrian border crossing remain closed to Syrian refugees who are searching for a refuge. Thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in their towns have been stranded on the Syrian side of the border leading to Hatay Province in southern Turkey since last night, after they were prevented from entering the country.

Presenter, Female #1
A Turkish official, who refused to identify himself, said his country is no longer capable of taking in the increasing number of Syrian refugees, adding that Turkey is working on establishing new areas for the refugees. A source assured that Turkish authorities are offering food and humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees stranded on the border, through the barbed wire fence, as Ankara had announced that it is not able to host more than 100,000 refugees on its territories.

--

US presidential election and the stakes of American hegemony [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The last decade witnessed an increase in growth for a number of countries on both the economic and political fronts, which is a matter that irritates a number of Americans who see this as a threat to the American hegemony and a competition over the title "the largest power in the world."

Presenter, Male #1
The two American presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, are trying to win the trust of the American, voter and each one of them is trying to convince them that they are better at preserving the American leadership of the world.

Reporter, Female #2
Politics and economics are inseparable in America when it comes to leadership. And to preserve its leading role, Washington has finally turned its vision from Europe that is burdened with debt, and opened its doors to Asian and Pacific countries, with partnerships that Barack Obama strove to intensify this year.

Guest, Male #2 (Charles Kupchan, Professor of International Relations at Georgetown University)
We are beginning to see the emergence of China, India, Brazil, Turkey, and Russia, which will result in multi polarity after a while. Right now, there is an economic challenge, and China may be a political power in a decade. And history has taught us that an economic power becomes a military power.

Reporter, Female #2
American voters seek to choose the better candidate to limit this competition.

Guest, Male #2
Romney says things like "Russia is America's "Number one geopolitical foe," which is a saying that strays from reality. Therefore, I think Obama is in a better place, because Romney did no demonstrate that he is the man of the changing world.

Reporter, Female #2
History rules in favor of the Democrats, especially at reducing the unemployment rate and providing jobs for Americans. This is a chronic problem, because many American companies outsourced jobs to China to reduce costs. And according to Bloomberg Agency, Democrats ruled the White House 23 years of the past five decades, in which they created 42 million jobs for Americans. As for Republicans, they ruled for 27 years, during which they created nearly 21 million jobs.

Reporter, Female #2
Observers see that the choice based on the economy is not difficult between the two candidates. The partisan ideologies remain the voting compass for reaching a wider segment of Americans.

Reporter, Female #2
The hero of employment and enemy of unemployment, he is president Bill Clinton, according to Bloomberg statistics that revealed that not only did he turn the budget deficit that he inherited from George H.W. Bush to a surplus, but he also created jobs for Americans, that is equivalent to what the republican presidents created over 27 years. So, will Americans vote based on figures or partisan fanaticism? Wajd Waqfy, Al Jazeera, Washington.

--

Morale of British, American armies declining after 11 years of war [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Female #1
The breakdown in morale and the outbreak of psychological and neurological disorders that have affected American troops have now reached the British armed forces. The British army is experiencing a sharp decline in the morale of troops as a result of the wars and a reduction in defense spending.

Reporter, Male #1
Is it now clear that what the United States and Britain thought would be a picnic for their soldiers at war against Iraq and Afghanistan is a quagmire that will continue to chase them even after they withdraw in defeat.

Reporter, Male #1
The 11 years of war on Iraq and Afghanistan drained the military forces of both countries that lost their best soldiers after their souls and spirits were destroyed. The American and British armies seem psychologically exhausted and defeated, as confirmed by the latest survey by Sky News, revealing a sharp decline in the morale of British armed forces.

Reporter, Male #1
The survey showed that the number of British soldiers suffering from low morale in all three services, the army, navy, and air force, has recently increased from 33 percent to 50 percent. In addition, British soldiers demonstrated a drastic increase in low morale, with a rise of 21 points to 45 percent.

Reporter, Male #1
The study revealed that the army is bearing the biggest brunt, and will lose 20,000 soldiers by 2020 as a result of reforms and cuts recently announced by the British Defense Ministry to reduce a budget deficit of 38 billion British pounds, or 60 billion dollars. Sixty-three percent of British army officers complained of declining morale due to layoffs as they lose hope of being promoted.

Reporter, Male #1
This sharp decline in the spirits of the British forces was preceded by that of the American army. The number of US soldiers committing suicide has risen, while psychological and neurological disorders and permanent physical disabilities are rampant.

Reporter, Male #1
The deterioration of American and British forces, in addition to the economic collapse caused by 11 years of war on Afghanistan and Iraq, has left the US and its followers unable to wage any new war directly. This had led them to mobilize mercenary terrorists and Wahhabis to wage their wars.