Freed Palestinians receive heroes' welcome [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female # 1
The first phase of the Egyptian-mediated prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the Hamas Movement was completed as Hamas released Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Israel's release of 477 Palestinian prisoners. A total of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners will be released with the remaining set to be released at a later date. As part of the deal, the occupation's authorities released 119 prisoners from the West Bank, including 16 Jerusalemites, five from inside the Green Line and one prisoner from the occupied Syrian Golan. Jibar al-Budiri reports on the first phase of the Palestinian prisoners' release.

Reporter, Female # 2
The night settled and a new dawn emerged. Those aboard these buses have waited over five years for this day. For the first time in these exchange deals, a new dawn emerges inside the Green Line and occupied Jerusalem. Sixteen prisoners left an Israeli police station in Jerusalem to return to their homes. Joy prevails despite having to endure the deportation of dozens of people to the Gaza Strip and diaspora. But even outside prison bars, the occupation's soldiers were monitoring them. As if the prisoners have to be reminded that they are leaving a small prison and entering a bigger prison. In an exceptional scene on a historic day, the leadership of the Fatah and Hamas movements stood together in the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in Ramallah to welcome 96 male prisoners and 23 female prisoners despite the deportation of dozens of others.

Guest, Female # 3
Palestinian division led to leaving female prisoners in jail. Also, my message to the leadership is that the prisoners' struggle must be one of their top priorities.

Reporter, Female # 2
The joy of freedom, and fear, and sadness for the female prisoners' comrades.

Guest, Male # 1
My feelings are those of the people... the feeling of the resistance's victory. I feel like all free people around the world.

Reporter, Female # 2
Behind each prisoner is a story that gives rise to goose bumps. Who is he? Who is he? Who is he?

Guest, Male # 2
This is my son. He brings me honor. His son goes to school. This is the first time I hug him. The very first time I hug him. But like I told you: for the sake of the flag, for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of Jerusalem, we are willing to give up everything.

Reporter, Female # 2
As for the politicians, they recalled that prisoners are the ones who signed the reconciliation agreement and pledged to work on the release of over 5,000 prisoners.

Guest, Male # 3 (Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian President)
We have an agreement with the Israeli government for the release of another group that will be similar to this one. God willing, it will take place after this phase is over. We demand that they fulfill their pledge if they have respect for their pledges.

Reporter, Female # 2
The first phase began and ended on Palestinian land. And despite the different opinions, it was the spark for the appearance of the dawn of freedom for hundreds of prisoners and the unification of the national front. But they leave behind fathers and sons who are waiting for that same dawn. Jibar al-Budiri, al-Jazeera, occupied Ramallah.

Presenter, Female # 1
Celebrations also swept across the Gaza Strip to mark the release of Palestinian prisoners from the Israeli occupation's prisons. Many popular events were organized to celebrate the success of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the Hamas Movement. In exchange, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, vowed to continue the jihad, or struggle, until the liberation of all Palestinian prisoners from the Israeli occupation's prisons.

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Hometown of released Israeli soldier celebrates his return [IBA, Israel]

After 1,941 days in Hamas captivity, First Sergeant Gilad Shalit is free at last. These are the first moments that Shalit was seen as he was delivered by his captors to the Egyptian border. Later, Shalit was transferred to an IDF base in the south, where he dressed in a new IDF uniform, and at this hour, Gilad Shalit is arriving safely back home in Mitzpe Hila. Minutes after leaving Gaza, willingly or not, a clearly nervous Gilad Shalit gave his first interview to Egyptian television. Looking tired and dazed, Shalit hesitated as he replied to questions. Speaking in Hebrew, Shalit told the Egyptian reporter that he was treated well by his Hamas captors and feels in good health. Shalit said that he hoped his release in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons would lead to peace between the two peoples.

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Al-Shabab vows retaliation against Kenyan troops advancing into Somalia [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
A booby trapped car exploded in the Somali capital Mogadishu today. The attack coincided with a visit by two Kenyan ministers to the country. No immediate reports of casualties were available. Al-Shabab Movement sent reinforcements to the southern Somali border in an attempt to counter the Kenyan forces that crossed the border in pursuit of al-Shabab fighters.

Reporter, Male #2
Kenyan troops backed by Somali government forces and their militias continue to launch military operations in southern Somalia in an attempt to pursue armed fighters of al-Shabab Islamic Movement, which is known to have ties with al-Qaeda. The objective is to restrain the movement and push its fighters further away from the southern Somali-Kenyan borders.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammed Ali Nur, Somali Ambassador to Kenya)
As I said earlier, the Kenyan government has every right to defend itself and protect its citizens and territory. Al-Shabab fighters were the ones to start the aggression on Kenyan territory. It is not wrong for Kenya to defend its people and territory.

Reporter, Male #2
The Kenyan decision to cross Somali borders came after the kidnapping of two European female tourists from a resort area in northern Kenya, as well as two UN relief workers. Despite the danger associated with Kenya's meddling in the Somali civil conflict that has been raging for two decades, the Kenyan public expressed support for its government, which depends on proceeds from foreign investment and tourism, and which requires a high level of security that is currently being threatened by al-Shabab operations.

Guest, Male #4
It's time for our government to show the al-Shabab Movement, and not the good people of Somalia, that they are serious and they will not allow this threat to continue. We will capture them and stop their activities.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Shabab Movement's threats of carrying out vengeance must be taken into consideration. However, the movement's justification to carry out vengeance over breaching Somali sovereignty did not find support, not even among Somalis.

Guest, Male #5
Pursuing al-Shabab is a positive step. They are a common enemy. It's not a Somali-Kenyan conflict. It's a confrontation against an international enemy which we must fight against.

Reporter, Male #2
On the ground, incoming reports confirm that dozens of Kenyan military vehicles continue to cross Somali borders, following two airstrikes launched by Kenyan warplanes on two al-Shabab bases. The coming days will reveal the nature of the resistance that al-Shabab Movement is planning to adopt, and whether it will be waged on Somali soil or in the heart of the Kenyan territory. Naser Farghali, BBC.

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Saleh's 'armed thugs' unleashed on peaceful Yemeni protestors [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent in Yemen said five people were killed and dozens were injured when those described as "thugs" and forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh opened fire on a march in Sanaa demanding the downfall of the regime.

Presenter, Male #1
Our correspondent added that the Central Security Forces encircled the city and indiscriminately opened heavy fire.

Reporter, Male #2
The Yemeni president's forces continuously escalate their campaign with the announcement of every peaceful demonstration sweeping across the capital. On al-Qa'i Street in Sanaa, a stream of bullets from Saleh's loyalist forces and those described as "thugs" terrorized the participants of a massive demonstration chanting for the downfall of the regime. The field hospital, with its limited capacity, was packed with dozens of killed and wounded people. Its side rooms were also filled with victims and those who came to bid them farewell. The demonstration, which was earlier announced by the youth of the revolution, was one of two marches that took off from Change Square to the streets of the capital, and was accompanied by cameras and media networks to prove its peacefulness, or so the revolutionaries say. This has been a particularly bloody week, during which Saleh's regime attempted to dissuade revolutionaries from continuing their revolution and voicing their demands. Meanwhile, there is no sign indicating that either side will back down.

Guest, Male #3
We arrived at the demonstration chanting "peaceful, peaceful!", and we threw flowers at the Republican Guards and the Central Forces. However, they attacked us from behind as soon as we started marching.

Reporter, Male #2
Artillery and rocket fire targeted the squares where the youth of the revolution are rallying, as well as areas where those helping the revolution are located, such as the First Armored Division bases and the Hasaba area where the leader of the Hashid Tribe is located. Not far from Sanaa, Taiz is also enduring a noisy night while its residential neighborhoods are shelled by Republican Guard tanks and artilleries, following the Guard's clashes with the forces supporting the revolution. The military forces helping the revolution describe the ongoing missile attacks and artillery shelling by the Yemeni president's forces as a declaration of full-on war. In addition, they say the declaration took effect when Saleh chaired what they described as his council of war.

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Syria's death toll rises as security forces intensify crackdown on protestors [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
Yesterday's civilian death toll caused by the gunfire of Syrian regime forces rose to 35 after security and military operations were carried out in a number of Syrian regions. Meanwhile, the Arab League said it is waiting for an official Syrian response to the statement issued at the Arab foreign ministers' meeting.

Reporter, Male #2
The barbaric campaign launched by Assad's brigades against civilians demanding the downfall of the Syrian regime resulted in the death and injury of dozens. The General Authority of the Syrian Revolution announced that the death toll on the "Day of Fulfillment to the Proud Duma" rose to 35, including 23 in Homs, after thousands of citizens took part in funerals for those killed by the gunfire of Assad's brigades. The funerals turned into protests calling for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In Idlib Province, 17 people were wounded during clashes between the security forces and gunmen believed to be army defectors near the town of Heesh in the countryside of Maarat an-Naaman. In Daraa, Assad's brigades, backed by bulldozers and military vehicles, raided the town of Kharbat Ghazaleh and arrested a number of people. In Deir az-Zour, activists reported that violent clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and defected soldiers. Sources said a security car ran over and killed an unarmed citizen in the city's az-Zura neighborhood while violent explosions and heavy machinegun fire was heard in the neighborhoods of Darib Alba, Bab Dareb, Bab Siba'a, Naziheen, and Imraija. Military and security forces also stormed Bab Siba'a with dozens of tanks and military vehicles and imposed a siege in order to capture the nearly 50 defected soldiers, including a brigadier-general. Assad's gunfire and brigades did not prevent the unarmed civilians from completing their protests. Thousands took to the streets denouncing the Arab League's call for dialogue between Assad's regime and the opposition within 15 days. The protestors also called for the recognition of the Syrian National Council, which was recently formed in Istanbul. Activists uploaded images of today's protests in the provinces of Idlib, Daraa, Hama, Aleppo, the countryside of Damascus, and others. Thousands participated in a massive demonstration in the city of Idlib, demanding the suspension of Syria's membership from the Arab League. In turn, Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ambassador Ahmed Bin Helli said the League is waiting for an official Syrian response to the Arab statement issued at the Arab foreign ministers' meeting. Bin Helli expressed his anticipation of Damascus' response to the Arab efforts aimed at resolving the current crisis and establishing a Syrian national dialogue. He explained that the Arab League's secretary-general, Nabil al-Arabi, had a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and briefed him on the outcome of the foreign ministers' meeting.

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Occupy Wall Street movement marks one month as protest gains momentum [Press TV, Iran]

The Occupy Wall Street protests have marked the one month mark since a few hundred protestors in New York turned into thousands worldwide. The one-month birthday celebrations for the Occupy Wall Street Movement didn't look very different from other days in Zuccotti Park since September 16. People were yelling, groups were discussing, and the police were watching. But 31 days ago, the people here were virtually alone in their movement. Now there are similar demonstrations all over the globe. Occupy sit-ins are in more that 100 cities in the United States, dozens of others world wide.

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World Poverty Day: Twenty-five percent of Iraqi population under poverty line [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
The Iraqi Ministry of Women's Affairs held a ceremony to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, especially after official data indicated that approximately 25 percent of the Iraqi population is under the poverty line. At the ceremony, the ministry unveiled the government's five-step plan to improve the living standards of the poor; plans that the deprived have gotten used to hearing. Fatima al-Hassani reports.

Reporter, Female #1
Poverty affects a quarter of the Iraqi population. Extreme poverty is still one of the most prominent challenges the country faces right now. Despite the decrease in the number of poor people from 12 million in 2005 to seven million in most recent years, many families are facing bitter challenges while trying to secure their daily food.

Guest, Male #2,
We are living under harsh conditions, there's no aid, no electricity, no water. I live off the dumpster; my clothes are from the dumpster. We don't have flour; we have nothing, no water. I'm ill but I don't have money to see the doctor.

Guest, Female #2
We don't have land. We don't have a breadwinner. I have ten daughters and no son. We look for anything to help us survive.

Reporter, Female #1
One of the most important programs adopted by the Iraqi government in 2010 was a strategic plan to reduce poverty. Its goal is to fight poverty and improve the living standards of the poor within five years. The Ministry for Women's Affairs is one of the ministries responsible for the program's success through a series of projects that were revealed at the ceremony for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile in the Country of Wealth and Affluence, residents of the holy city of Najaf are still living below the poverty line. They live in tin shacks, just like their counterparts in other Iraqi cities. The citizens demand the authorities grant them their deprived and stolen rights. Ralah al-Kara'awi reports.

Reporter, Male #3
Their homeland was taken away from them; they built their homes from ruins with tin sheets, palm tree leaves, and bamboo, which will hopefully protect them from the hot summer and cruel winter. From dawn to dusk every day, they search in for anything with value from piles of garbage that they can then exchange for food to stave off their children's hunger.

Guest, Male #4
Where can we go? We don't have shelter. These tin shacks are all we have. They don't even protect us from the rain. When it rains, it pours down on us. What can we do? We all need help. Where else can we go? I don't know.