Syria accuses Turkey of 'air piracy' after interception of Damascus-bound passenger plane [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian, Turkish, and Russian conflict is at its peak, as a result of the Syrian Airbus 320 crisis, while the situation on the ground in Syria rages on.

Reporter, Female #2
This is a new indication of the rising tension between the two neighboring countries, after a Syrian plane was forced to land in Ankara by Turkish authorities on Wednesday, under the pretext that it was carrying suspicious cargo. Damascus escalated its tone, as the Syrian Foreign Ministry accused Turkish authorities of being hostile towards them, and of blatantly violating laws and treaties. It also accused them of mistreating the plane's crew, and endangering the safety of the plane and its passengers.

Reporter, Female #2
It also saw the Turkish act as an addition to Ankara's past conduct, which includes training and harboring armed groups and facilitating their infiltration, as well as shelling Syrian land. After the Syrian Airbus 320 landed at dawn on Thursday in Damascus Airport, the Syrian government asserted that the plane did not carry arms or even illegal cargo. It also demanded that Turkish authorities return the remaining contents of the plane intact and in full.

Guest, Male #1 (Mahmoud Ibrahim Said, Minister of Transport)
What happened yesterday is a Turkish air piracy operation. They asked the pilot to sign a pledge stating that what happened was not a landing by force, but a landing due to a technical failure, or an emergency landing.

Reporter, Female #2
On the other hand, Russia punished Turkey for its act. Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed his visit to Ankara, which was scheduled for October 15th to December 3rd, without giving any reason. Moscow also called for Turkish authorities to clarify the justification of acts like this one, which was also an act against 17 Russian citizens. It seems that worry has quickly seeped into Ankara, which warned its airlines from entering Syrian airspace to avoid being subjected to possible retaliatory measures.

Reporter, Female #2
The Turkish prime minister quickly rejected Russian and Syrian accusations aimed at his country, noting that the Syrian plane was carrying Russian-made ammunition belonging to the Syrian Defense Ministry. Meanwhile, it was reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador.

Reporter, Female #2
The Anadolu News Agency announced that after security officials conducted a thorough inspection of the Syrian passenger plane, and confiscated some materials that were suspected to be rocket parts, the plane was allowed to depart the airport with its passengers. The confiscated supplies were held for examination. This aerial incident was viewed favorably by Free Syrian Army fighters.

Reporter, Female #2
On the ground, violent clashes between regime forces and opposition fighters continued, in order to seize control of the supply route to Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Syrian opposition seized nearly five kilometers of the freeway that ties Damascus and Aleppo, near the strategic city of Maarat al-Numaan. The Local Coordination Committee said that bloody clashes took place in Homs and Idlib. For their part, official Syrian TV said that the area of al-Midan in Aleppo remains safe, and free of armed terrorist groups.

Reporter, Female #2
SANA noted that a unit from the regime's forces executed special operations in the areas of Dwar Kadi Askar, Mashfa al-Oyoun, al-Maslakh in Aleppo. They resulted in the deaths of a number of terrorists, and the destruction of ammunition caches. In Homs, a unit of the armed forces clashed with a terrorist group in the neighborhood of Bab Houd. This resulted in the death of the terrorist Mohamed Bakar, one of the most dangerous leaders of the armed groups in al-Qusayr, in the countryside of Homs.

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Libya: Fighting continues in Bani Walid amid siege [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
In Libya, the city of Bani Walid has been experiencing violent battles. The city was one of the last strongholds of deposed Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The battles took place in the area of the Mardoun Valley between elements loyal to the previous regime and revolutionary militias that came from Misrata. News reports conflicted on the number of victims in the battles. Residents of the town of Bani Walid reported that the siege of their city by Libyan forces has been partially lifted.

Presenter, Male #1
Libya has been asked to cooperate with Washington to pursue the perpetrators of the attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi. This occurred during a visit by US President Barack Obama's chief counterterrorism advisor to Libya, John Brennan. The request came in conjunction with a statement from the former head of the American security team in Tripoli during a hearing held in Congress, confirming that al-Qaeda's presence in Libya is increasing.

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Paris police find bomb-making equipment in basement of 'terror cell' [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
In France, the French judiciary referred 7 out of 12 suspects for trial after announcing their arrest for being part of a terror network. French authorities announced that some of them wanted to fight in Syria. The Paris Court's prosecutor general had announced the discovery of a list of Jewish organizations in Paris at the home of the suspected cell leader. He also pushed French authorities to renew security measures at Jewish temples and schools. Mohamed Wamousi reports from Paris.

Reporter, Male #2
The security alert is at its highest level. France has entered a critical phase. Police discovered bomb-making equipment and materials in a garage used by one of the 12 detainees, who are suspected of being part of a terror cell.

Guest, Male #3 (Francois Molins, Paris Court Prosecutor General)
In addition to a rifle and handgun, we found bags of potassium nitrate, some amount of sulfur and gunpowder, and pressure cookware. All of these are used to produce what are known as handheld explosive devices.

Reporter, Male #2
The developments regarding the terror cell are being followed first hand by the French president. The President's minister of internal affairs told him something that couldn't wait until the end of the press conference that was being held with his guest, the Spanish prime minister. His expression quickly changed, and he followed by acknowledging the danger of the threats.

Guest, Male #4 (Francois Hollande, French President)
We found tools that confirm to us that other operations were being planned. For that, I praise the police and judiciary's work. The arrests did not only include those involved in past events, but individuals preparing to carry out other dangerous operations.

Reporter, Male #2
French police intensified security measures in front of Jewish temples and schools. They discovered a list of Jewish organizations in Paris at the home of the suspected cell leader, who was killed during an exchange of fire with police during an attempt to arrest him.

Reporter, Male #2
France, which is under the rule of socialists, has started to feel the ghost of al-Qaeda in the air. Without regard for the scope of the threats, their background, and their sources, French security apparatus today prefers to mobilize and confront suspicions before they turn into painful realities. Mohamed Wamousi, Dubai TV, Paris.

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Hezbollah claims responsibility for drone that entered Israeli airspace [Press TV, Iran]

Hezbollah's leader, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, confirms that the Lebanese movement sent a drone over Israel a few days ago. He said that an Iranian-made, Hezbollah-assembled drone was sent from an unspecified location in Lebanon into Israel, and passed very close to the Dimona Israeli nuclear plant. He added that Hezbollah plans to send more drones into Israel in the future. In his remarks, he also referred to the situation in Syria, rejected as "sheer lies" claims that Hezbollah's members are fighting alongside Syrian government forces.

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US embassy security chief killed in Yemen [Press TV, Iran]

The senior member of the security team of the US Embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa has been killed. Qassem Aqlan was shot dead on his way to the embassy. Unidentified gunmen targeted Aqlan while he was riding a motorbike. Officials say he was in charge of coordinating a US and Yemeni government probe into an attack on the embassy last month that followed the emergence of an anti-Islam film in the US.

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US drone strike in Pakistan kills over a dozen [Press TV, Iran]

A US drone attack has killed at least 16 people in Pakistan's northwestern South Waziristan tribal region. Local officials say that four missiles were fired on a regional compound. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a protest with the US Embassy in Islamabad condemning US drone strikes, saying that they violate Pakistan's sovereignty and run counter to international law.

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Tourist finds remains of missing IDF soldier [IBA, Israel]

Seven years after he went missing, the remains of missing IDF soldier Majdi Halabi have been found and positively identified. It was released for publication that Halabi, who has been missing since May 2005, was found dead in a forest near Isfiya by a citizen touring in the area. The soldier left his home in Daliyat al-Karmel in 2005 to return to his army base. He withdrew 50 shekels from an ATM, then was never seen again. A year ago, his family was hit by another tragedy when his brother was killed in a car accident.

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Israeli Air Force strikes al-Qassam training facility in northern Gaza [IBA, Israel]

Violence continues in southern Israel, as the IAF struck a training facility for members of the Hamas Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade in northern Gaza. The army said the attack was in response to ongoing rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. No injuries were reported in yesterday's rocket attacks from Gaza, which exploded in the western Negev, near Sderot and Netivot.

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Knesset elections scheduled for January 22 as Olmert, Livni pushed to form 'megaparty' [IBA, Israel]

Knesset elections have been scheduled for January 22. The Israeli prime minister's office made the announcement following consultations with faction heads. A Knesset dissolution bill will be discussed at the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs on Sunday, and will be put up for a vote in the Knesset on Monday. Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni have not announced whether they will be running, but strong efforts are being made to bring them together in a center-left megaparty. Former Justice Minister Haim Ramon and Kadima chairwoman Dalia Itzik, who were among Kadima's founders, are spearheading the effort.

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Israeli polls indicate PM Netanyahu has 'no serious challenger' [IBA, Israel]

The first polls released since the announcement of early elections indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no serious challenger. A poll published by Haaretz today makes it clear that he is on top, easily defeating all comers with at least 57 percent of those questioned saying that he is the best candidate for prime minister. Maariv newspaper gives Likud the most seats, with 29 slots, up from its current 27.

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'Battle of the Camels' defendants acquitted by Cairo Criminal Court [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Male #1
The Cairo Criminal Court, headed by Judge Mostafa Hassan Abdallah, ruled today to acquit all of the defendants accused of killing peaceful protestors in Tahrir Square on the 2nd and 3rd of February last year, which is known in the media as the Battle of the Camels.

Presenter, Male #1
The list of defendants who were acquitted today includes 24 senior officials of the dissolved National Democratic Party and the former regime, most notably, the former presidents of the People's Assembly and the Shura Council, Fathi Sorour and Safwat al-Sherif, as well as former Labor Force Minister Aisha Abdel Hadi.

Presenter, Male #1
In the reasoning of its verdict, part of which it has announced, the court said that it was not confident in the witness testimonies in the case, as most of them came in audio form. The verdict was also a result of hatred between the defendants and the witnesses because of party differences, and because of the parliamentary elections. It also added that some of the witnesses in the case were listed as "dangerous individuals," and that the case lacks any eyewitness that the court feels confident in.

Presenter, Male #1
In return, the court assured that it was confident in the testimony of Commander General Hassan al-Roweny, former president of the Central Military Zone. His testimony said that he didn't observe any deaths in Tahrir Square, and that no weapons were found with the defendants, who were arrested in the square and put on military trial. The court mentioned that it looked into the documents of the case and of those interrogated, and it concluded that all of the evidence was not sufficient to convict the defendants.

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Egypt's Constituent Assembly announces new draft constitution [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Female #1
Under the banner "Know Your Constitution," the Constituent Assembly, which is drafting the constitution, waged a campaign to educate citizens on the new constitution's articles, and to initiate a broad social discussion over the articles. And during a press conference, committee rapporteurs unveiled the first draft of Egypt's new constitution, except for the chapters pertaining to the local administration, the judicial authority, and some of the articles related to executive authority, public prosecution, and the status of the military institution, in the chapter pertaining to the ruling system. They called on every Egyptian, internally and abroad, to read the constitution draft, and to express their opinions about it.

Reporter, Male #2
It is a call from the Constituent Assembly for all Egyptians to participate in drafting their constitution by expressing their opinions, which reflect their own demands. The constitution must express their hopes and ambitions as much as possible.

Reporter, Male #2
During the press conference, the rapporteurs of the four constitutional committees indicated the outcome of their discussion. In the article pertaining to the ruling system, it was agreed that Egypt would follow a mixed system between a parliament and a presidency. Authority will be split between the president and prime minister.

Reporter, Male #2
The draft of the new constitution is available for discussion. It's available on the Constituent Assembly's website, at youth centers, and the Nile media centers in different governorates. The project gave special powers to monitoring agencies. It also approved the establishment of a commission for the elections, and another to combat corruption.

Reporter, Male #2
It is worth mentioning that the new constitution project is very similar to the constitution of '71. In particular, the articles pertaining to the state's constituents, including Article 2, state that Islamic Sharia is the main source of legislation. The same goes for the chapter pertaining to rights and freedoms.

Reporter, Male #2
It is a general call for all Egyptians to participate in creating their constitution, and to give their opinion on what the Constituent Assembly has achieved until now. The new constitution will have a place within its framework for any new developments, for as long as it remains the people's constitution. From the Shura Council, Raafat al-Fikki, Nile TV.

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Bahrainis hold 'Right to Self-Determination 13' rally [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Bahraini revolutionaries called for intensifying rallies in preparation for the activities of "The Right to Self Determination 13," which is scheduled for tomorrow in the capital, al-Manama. On a different front, the Bahraini minister of justice threatened Friday Imams with accountability and arrest if they continued politicizing their speeches, according to his statement.

Reporter, Male #1
"To Manama." This is what Bahrain's revolutionaries called for: pouring all efforts into the capital, and fulfilling the call from the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, detainee Nabeel Rajab, who recommended increasing the activities of the revolution inside the capital. The revolutionary youth took off with mass marches and sit-ins all over Bahrain, in preparation for a march toward the capital, al-Manama, the day after tomorrow, Friday, under the banner, "The Second Friday of Resistance."

Reporter, Male #1
Within the series of activities performed by the revolution's youths during the "Week of Self-Determination," the revolutionaries saluted Martyrs' Day by presenting flower bouquets to the family of martyr Sayyed Jawad Hashim. He was martyred as a result of inhaling poisonous gases that were fired by regime forces on his house, as well as residential neighborhoods, on the island of Sitra last year. A march also took place denouncing the spilling of martyrs' blood, with demands for punishment of the killers, executioners, and torturers, as well as the country's king.

Reporter, Male #1
Regime forces confronted the peaceful protests with pellet bullets and poison gas. They raided homes and indiscriminately fired suffocating poison gas at them, and chased protestors.

Reporter, Male #1
At the official level, the Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, Khalid Bin Ali al-Khalifa, threatened the Friday pulpit preachers with detention and liability. According to his words, the preachers committed violations with their politicizing of religious speech during Friday sermons, alluding to Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassem.

Reporter, Male #1
As for the Minister of Interior, he threatened a large number of Bahraini citizens with deportation from the country for good, if they fail to condemn what he described as "sabotage." In a letter directed to religious, athletic, and social institutions, he claimed that the citizens are of non-Bahraini origins. This forced them to issue statements of condemnation, in accordance with the Minister of Interior's desires.

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'The Elders' join United Nations in campaign to end child marriage [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
The marriage of girls under 18 years of age is considered one of the most widespread phenomena in many South Asian, African, and Latin American countries. A group that calls itself "The Elders" has warned of this kind of marriage, which affects the health of girls, deprives them of education, and forces them into a life of poverty. For the first time, the United Nations has dedicated an international day in order to combat this phenomenon.

Reporter, Female #1
A group of prominent figures and international leaders called "The Elders" met to help the United Nations oppose child marriage. Among them was American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Guest, Female #2 (Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State)
Many of those girls are forced into marriage. This deprives them of education, and endangers their health. It also imprisons them in a state of poverty. Education helps improve health and income levels.

Reporter, Female #1
Desmond Tutu recently visited India and Ethiopia with a number of "Elders" to listen to firsthand information pertaining to child marriage in those countries. According to UNICEF statistics, one in three girls in developing countries is married before she turns 18. This kind of marriage is widespread all over the world, but it occurs more in South Asia, Africa, north and south of the Sahara, and Latin America. UNICEF describes this kind of marriage as a violation of human rights. It results in dangers that include death, injury, and a high rate of infant mortality. A large number of problems also arise when these kinds of marriages end.

Guest, Male #2 (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
When it is so very blatant and clear that it is a practice that undermines so much of what people want to see happening, then you have to change it.

Reporter, Female #2
The Elders helped bring together 180 international organizations that will work to end this practice by 2030. These efforts come on the International Day of the Girl Child, which is being celebrated for the first time this year.

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Haiti: Islam spreads in post-earthquake Port-au-Prince [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Islam is spreading in Haiti, specifically in the capital, Port-Au-Prince, which was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2010 that left thousands dead and millions displaced. A number of Haitians found refuge and solace in the Muslim religion after losing their dear ones. The Haitian government doesn't recognize Islam as one of the official religions, and it also doesn't respect Muslim marriages. The island sees a proliferation of the Christian faith and voodoo, which is a mix of religions from West Africa.

Reporter, Female #1
After the tragedy of the quake that destroyed Haiti in 2010, and left 300,000 killed and millions displaced, some Haitians turned to Islam, believing that it would help them overcome this ordeal. Darlene Drosser works as a teacher. She lost her house in the quake, and her husband died from the shock. She now lives with her daughters outside of the capital after becoming homeless. She is one who embraced Islam, and not Catholic or Protestant Christianity, or voodoo, which involves magic and dominates the country.

Guest, Female #2
For me, surviving was a miracle. We never thought that we would survive the earthquake. My belief in Islam helped me overcome my sadness.

Reporter, Female #2
Darlene says that the Islamic teachings that focus on self discipline in education and hygiene helped her and other Muslims avoid cholera, which has infected and killed thousands since the earthquake. Billy Kishner, owner of the private TV station Telemax, which hosts an Islamic show, says that Islam helps Haitians find their identity.

Guest, Male #2 (Billy Kishner, Telemax TV Station Owner)
Islam will help Haitians find their identity, as most of them don't know their roots, or where the country is heading.

Reporter, Female #1
Billy confirms that the history of Islam in his country goes back before the era of independence in 1804. But the Haitian government does not recognize Islam as an official religion. Rula Zahr al-Din, BBC.