Al-Shabab bombing kills 65 in Somali capital [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
A Somali medical source said at least 65 people were killed and 50 were wounded by a car bomb targeting a complex four miles south of Mogadishu, where a number of transitional Somali government ministries are located.

Presenter, Male #1
Al-Shabab al-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out with a bomb-laden car when several ministers were inside the compound.

Reporter, Male #2
This is the first and most violent attack launched by al-Shabab al-Mujahideen movement in the Somali capital Mogadishu since its fighters withdrew from the city in late August. The attack led to many casualties, including government ministers, military members, and students. Al-Shabab said one of its fighters attacked the government complex where several ministers' offices are located with a car bomb. He detonated the bomb upon arrival at the complex, causing damage and public disorder in the area. The police said the explosion was so violent that several victims' bodies were scattered around the attack site. Several Somali officials considered the attack a major security breach, especially since it took place in an area controlled by Somali government and African Union forces that are deployed in the capital. According to media sources, al-Shabab al-Mujahideen movement has once again begun launching attacks targeting government forces and buildings. Yesterday, clashes described as violent broke out in the Dusa Mareb region in central Somalia between al-Shabab fighters and militias affiliated with the government, leading to casualties. Months ago, Mogadishu witnessed devastating battles between al-Shabab al-Mujahideen fighters and government forces backed by African Union forces. The battles ended with the Shabab fighters' withdrawal from the capital, which was caused by the advance of 9,000 African Union forces. However, there is still fear that battles will return to the streets of Mogadishu. The language of violence dominates in Somalia amid an unstable security situation and economy as the country is still enduring a famine affecting millions of citizens.

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Clashes in Saudi Arabia injure 24 [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Al-Alam quoted knowledgeable sources saying 24 people, including a woman, were injured as Saudi security forces opened fire at residents of Qatif, al-Awamiyah, and surrounding areas in the eastern parts of the Kingdom. Clashes erupted between the residents and security forces. Several residents from neighboring territories rushed to the aid of al-Awamiyah.

Reporter, Male #1
Unrest, protests, and a state of turmoil have once again returned to the Saudi front, particularly in the eastern territories. The incidents were initiated by the Saudi authorities, whose security forces attempted to detain several civilians in the city of al-Awamiyah. The incident stirred anger among the residents, who chanted slogans against the authorities.

Guest, Male #2 (al-Sayyed Abu al-Hassan, Saudi Political Activist, al-Awamiyah)
The Saudi forces' campaigns of arrests, harassment, and provocation have angered residents. Several youths were moved by such acts. As a result, they threw stones at security forces, who responded by opening fire.

Reporter, Male #1
Security forces heavily and indiscriminately opened fire at the crowd, targeting men, women, children, and seniors. According to knowledgeable sources, dozens of residents, including a woman, sustained various injuries. Security forces stormed the city to quell the civilian protestors demanding a dignified life. Masses of residents from neighboring territories, including al-Qadih, Om al-Hamam, Milaha, and Safwa, rushed to the aid of al-Awamiyah's residents. The protests quickly turned into clashes with security forces. The situation seems to be escalating with dire repercussions. Observers believe that al-Awamiyah's clashes could spark a new wave of protests similar to the incidents witnessed across the Kingdom a few months ago, when protestors took to the streets to demand political and economic reforms as well as the release of hundreds of political, opinion, and rights activists. Since then, the only change the Kingdom has seen is a wider crackdown on freedom of expression and opinion.

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France warns Syrian embassy against harassing opposition on French soil [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Paris warned Damascus against intimidating Syrian dissidents on French territory.
Amnesty International accused Syrian authorities of what it referred to as campaigns of threats and harassment against overseas Syrian protestors by subjecting them to surveillance by Syrian embassies. The organization reported over 30 cases in eight countries of activists saying they received threats from embassy employees, and their relatives in Syria were subject to what appears to be harassment, detainment, and even torture. The organization says the expatriate protestors outside the Syrian embassies were filmed by embassy employees then harassed over the phone and in emails. Amnesty International called on these countries to take firmer action against the Syrian embassies. Meanwhile, the Syrian embassy in London denied these accusations and denied its employees' involvement in any campaign of threat or harassment. On the ground in Syria, three soldiers and one civilian were killed on Tuesday in clashes in Shaman in Idlib Province. Three civilians and one activist were killed near Talbisa in Homs Province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In addition, the Observatory said a communist activist was killed Monday evening by the gunfire of unknown people in the city of Homs. On the same day, a child was killed and his father wounded after gunfire hit their car. Meanwhile, two citizens were killed near the city of al-Qasir and the bodies of four civilians were found in the suburbs of Homs city. Peaceful protests continue in various regions of Syria.

Reporter, Male #2
Night protests continue in numerous parts of Syria. This time the protests are in solidarity with Talbisa, which is besieged by the Syrian army. The army is carrying out a military operation in the city after completing its operations in Rastan. Demonstrators carried banners voicing their support for the Syrian opposition's national council and demanded an end to the regime and its president. Night protests swept across at-Tayan, Deir az-Zour, Tal Rifaat in Aleppo, Juret Al Shayah in Homs, al-Qasir, Riq, Idlib, Rif Dara'a, Rif Dimashq, al-BuKamal, Hama, and other regions. In this video, students in Daraa Province took the opportunity during today's school day to demand freedom. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three soldiers and a civilian were killed in clashes between Syrian soldiers and gunmen believed to be army defectors in Idlib Province. Meanwhile in other incidents, reports indicate that several civilians were killed, including a child. A car carrying a child and his father was fired upon; the father was wounded. Two more citizens were killed near al-Qasir city, while the bodies of four civilians were found in the suburbs of Homs city.

Guest, Male #3
The international community and the United Nations should send a fact-finding mission right now, not tomorrow, to determine the scale of the disaster that struck Rastan. And now it's happening in Talbisa and other regions. More than 3,000 people were arrested in Rastan, including women and students. More than 150 people have been killed in the past four days. Aircraft is used daily; Syrian warplanes still hover over Homs, Hama, and Jabal az-Zawiya.

Reporter, Male #2
On the other hand, authorities in Damascus still accuse armed Islamist terrorist groups of inciting strife and chaos in the country. Syrian TV showed a large number of handguns it claims were smuggled from Turkey. The People's Council of Syria is convening a session on Tuesday to discuss the bills referred by President Bashar al-Assad as well as the legislative decrees he issued pertaining to the political party law, the general election law, the local administration law, and the media law. Meanwhile, dissidents expect the meeting to antagonize the opposition's newly formed national council, which was announced several days ago in Istanbul. Istanbul's relationship with Damascus has reached a low point due to Turkey's position on the Syrian regime's violent practices against the protests demanding freedom and democracy. Hayan Yaqoub, BBC.

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Millions join anti-Saleh rally in Yemen [Press TV, Iran]

Reports coming out of Yemen say millions have taken to the streets of the capital Sanaa in one of the largest demonstrations against the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh. The protestors demand Saleh's immediate ouster and called on the international community to support their cause. The rally came as regime troops shelled a popular shopping district in the city, killing two civilians. Similar attacks on the city of Taiz left several wounded. Embattled ruler Saleh refuses to step down despite a wave a popular protests that have swept the country for months.

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Bahrainis use traffic jams as method for protest [Press TV, Iran]

Anti-regime protests continue in Bahrain despite a Saudi-backed crackdown. Protestors have created massive traffic jams in the capital as part of a campaign dubbed Manama storm. This as Bahrain military court has sentenced 14 members of Amal Islamic society to up to ten years in jail on charges of staging anti-regime protest rallies. Meanwhile, the al-Khalifa regime has banned Bahrain's main opposition group al-Wefaq from organizing a demonstration against the imprisonment of medics and anti-regime protestors.

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NTC: Gaddafi's son directing defense of Bani Walid [Press TV, Iran]

Now in Libya, a commander with the National Transitional Council says Saif al-Islam, the son of ousted ruler Muammar Gaddafi is in the city of Bani Walid. He said the revolutionaries have captured a pro-Gaddafi loyalist who says Saif al-Islam is directing military operations against NTC forces in Bani Walid. The whereabouts of Gaddafi himself remain unknown. Saif al-Islam and his father are wanted by the International Criminal Court for murder and persecution in the country's revolution. Bani Walid and Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte are the remaining strongholds which have no surrendered yet.

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Devastating flood threatens nine million Pakistanis [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Several people were killed and many others injured in an armed attack targeting a bus carrying workers in southwestern Pakistan. Pakistani security sources said that unknown gunmen attacked a passenger bus in the outskirts of the city of Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan region. Thirteen people were killed and seven others were wounded in the attack. Four gunmen ordered the passengers off the bus and opened fire at them. The deterioration of security is not the only concern for Pakistanis, as famine and poverty continue to threaten the lives of nine million victims due to the floods sweeping across southern Pakistan. The victims are not receiving enough international aid. It's a catastrophic humanitarian situation subject to further deterioration, as warned by the UN. The UN issued an appeal to help rescue three million victims in need of urgent food aid. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities acknowledged that the victims' hardship may last for years. Mahyub Khuder reports from Islamabad.

Reporter, Male #2
It's a natural disaster that has turned into a humanitarian crisis in Sindh Province. The floods have reached 23 districts in the region, turning the lives of millions into tales of tragedies and displacement. Flood waters have inflicted a heavy burden on the region, destroying homes and crops, amid the residents' unanswered cries for help.

Guest, Male #3
We have not received any aid yet, not from the government nor from other agencies. I sent my family away to one of the camps. I stayed here to keep an eye on my home that is covered by water. Some days we can't find anything to eat.

Reporter, Male #2
Feeling helpless, some flood-stricken residents occasionally cut off roads in an attempt to make their voices heard. Others are trying to pick up what is left of their destroyed crops. Flooding has destroyed 85 percent of Sindh's agricultural crop for this year. Finding adequate drinking water has become a great challenge and a heavy burden for residents.

Guest, Male #4 (Ahmed Kamal, National Disaster Authority's Spokesman)
As of today, we still have nine million flood victims, including men and women, but mostly children. We have 3,000 camps, housing 600,000 victims. The floods have destroyed 1.5 million homes, crops, water networks, as well as the infrastructure of this hard-hit region.

Reporter, Male #2
It's a disaster that has come with a high cost. The authorities say it may take years to deal with the fallout, especially amid the lack of international support; a reality that deepens the suffering of these victims, who have been hit hard by two consecutive years of flooding. Nine million flood-stricken victims have lost their homes and crops in Sindh Province. It's a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, especially amid a weak response from the international community to the appeal issued by the UN. Mahyub Khuder, Dubai TV, Islamabad.

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Panetta visits Egypt seeking release Ilan Grapel [IBA, Israel]

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta arrived in Cairo today and reported efforts to secure the release of Ilan Grapel who has been in Egyptian detention on charges of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta arrived in Cairo today amid much media speculation that he might be able to help free US-Israel Ilan Grapel who is being held in Egypt on charges of espionage for Israel. Panetta is meeting with Egyptian military leaders to press them to move to elections and quickly put a civilian government in place. The defense secretary also hopes to diffuse tensions between Cairo and Jerusalem following the attack of Egyptian protestors on the Israeli embassy in Cairo and the killing of six Egyptian policemen on the Egypt-Israeli border while Israel was chasing terrorist who escaped into Egypt after killing eight Israelis near Eilat.

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Police increase security near Muslim sites following mosque burning [IBA, Israel]

Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch today said that security forces have a good idea who carried out the so called 'price tag burning' of a mosque near Tuba-Zangaria on Sunday night and that arrests will be immediately forthcoming. It was quiet in the Galilee village of Tuba-Zangaria today after 24 hours of rowdy and somewhat violent demonstrations. Police investigators were still sifting through the ashes of the burned mosque. Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch today revealed that security forces were hot on the trails of the perpetrators and that several arrests would be carried out shortly.

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Photo gallery in Erbil honors survivors of al-Anfal genocide [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
A photo gallery opened in Erbil to honor the survivors of the organized massacres of innocent Kurdish people committed by the former regime in what is named "al-Anfal Campaign." These pictures document the massacres that Saddam's regime committed against the Kurds in the late 1980s. Ala'a Ta'i reports.

Reporter, Male #2
Traditionally, a government official inaugurates the opening of an exhibition. But this exhibition was inaugurated by a group of country women who have little formal education, but graduated from the university of martyrdom and sacrifice, the university of al-Anfal. Thousands of martyrs and wounded graduated from al-Anfal, and only a small number of them are still alive. In coordination with a German organization, the Ministry of Martyrs and the Anfal Affairs held the first exhibition to showcase the images of the living instead of the dead. These people survived the genocidal campaigns executed by Saddam's Baath regime in the 1980s, which victimized thousands of Kurds.

Guest, Female #1 (Janar Sa'ad, Former Minister of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs)
We are exerting efforts so that this crime will not be repeated in the future, and to teach new generations as well as older generations about what happened in Iraq. Therefore, this will be a history lesson for the coming generations so this does not happen again, and will provide reassurance to everyone living in Iraq.

Reporter, Male #2
These faces are troubled from being separated from their loved ones, their memories, and final farewells. Most of them watched their children and loved ones die, unable to save their lives. The photo gallery represents a salute to the survivors and their sufferings, offers condolences, and allows the families' memories of the martyrs to live on today and tomorrow, just as they did yesterday. The regional ministry of martyrs is not an organization administered by an agency like in Baghdad. The ministry advocates the martyrs' financial and spiritual rights, especially with the recent openings of mass graves to rebury the remains of martyrs in the region.

Guest, Male #3 (Sabah Ahmed, Minister of Martyrs and al-Anfal Affairs in Kurdistan)
The joint efforts are attempting to accelerate the process of transporting the remains of some martyrs from the holy city of Najaf to Tab al-Adi Center in Erbil. There are joint teams from Baghdad and Kurdistan conducting necessary inspections. Once these inspections are complete, the remains of the remaining martyrs will be transported.

Reporter, Male #2
The Kurds believe that this rapid progress was made in honor of the martyrs' blood. Therefore, they will not forget the martyrs just like they will not forget about their families. In other provinces, the killer is often compensated for lost lives, which is an issue that has yet to be resolved. From Erbil, Ala'a Ta'i, al-Forat.