Kuwait orders tight security following demands for prime minister's resignation [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad ordered the Interior Ministry and the National Guard to take sufficient measures to confront everything affecting the country's security and to firmly and seriously enforce the law.

Presenter, Female #1
The emir of Kuwait described yesterday's attack on the National Assembly as irresponsible, violating the law, presenting an unprecedented step toward chaos and anarchy, and creating a threat for security and public order.

Presenter, Male #1
This came at the conclusion of an emergency cabinet meeting headed by the emir to discuss the political crisis after Kuwaiti protestors, including members of parliament, stormed the National Assembly headquarters for a brief period of time. The storming took place after they protested against what they referred to as the security forces' assault on a number of protestors in the form of beatings.

Presenter, Female #1
Prior to this, Kuwaiti security forces prevented protestors from reaching the home of Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Sabah to demand that he step down and conduct early parliamentary elections.

Reporter, Male #2
This is an unprecedented incident in Kuwaiti history. Protestors did not stop at protesting in front of the National Assembly but stormed it while chanting "bring down the government" and "conduct early parliamentary elections." They said that their motivation for doing so was an important issue: corruption and its subsequent concealment, as certain members of parliament ally with influential individuals in the executive branch to escape punishment and questioning at the National Assembly. The opposition referred to a case called "million-dollar allegations," in which government officials transferred tens of millions of dollars to the accounts of MPs in order to guarantee their loyalty, in addition to conducting money transactions through overseas Kuwaiti embassies. As a result of this, more than ten MPs were subject to public prosecution and opposition parliament members sought to question Prime Minister Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah on allegations of bribing these MPs. However, the prime minister was no questioned at the last parliament session, and the case was removed from the session's agenda. Opposition parliament members considered the move a violation of the constitution and rallied in Irada Square, and later clashed with the security forces deployed near the prime minister's house. Opposition figures say they were subject to beatings by the Special Forces there. They added that women were also beaten, which prompted them to head to the National Assembly building and storm it. According to the participants, their request to question the prime minister is a constitutional right that no one has the right to cast aside or ignore. They say Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammed should go to the podium and face questioning, instead of having it taken off the table. They make reference to the country's constitution, which they say is legitimate for the whole nation. This prompted them to demand the government's resignation, early parliamentary elections that preserve the legitimacy of government institutions, and protection from what they described as "the executive branch's intrusion" and "corruption of certain influential individuals." It is worth mentioning that the incumbent prime minister has a history of being questioned. He is the first prime minister to be questioned in Kuwait's history, and would often reshuffle cabinets to avoid questioning. Since his inauguration as prime minister in 2006, he has formed seven governments. But his latest government has witnessed something exceptional and striking: the people want it dismantled, just as the protestors have chanted and affirmed.

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Syrian army defectors attack a military base as Assad faces growing isolation [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian opposition is rallying its supporters to hold massive demonstrations tomorrow on a Friday dubbed "the expulsion of Syrian ambassadors." Meanwhile, the Syrian Revolution General Commission announced the deaths of 12 civilians caused by the gunfire of Assad's brigades, which have escalated their military operations across various regions, notably Homs, Hama, Idlib, and Deir az-Zour.

Reporter, Female #2
Every time the Arab and international communities tighten the noose on the Syrian regime, the latter tends to escalate its crackdown on protestors who have been demanding its ouster for eight months. Assad's brigades continue to target civilians in the majority of Syrian cities and towns. Today, several civilians were killed and several others wounded, as confirmed by the Syrian Revolution General Commission. Among the dead was an eight-year-old girl who was killed in the indiscriminate and heavy gunfire by security forces and shabeha on resident's homes in Deir az-Zour. Dozens of armored vehicles crossed Ma'arat al-Na'man and headed to Idlib, amid reports of a military escalation raging in a number of neighborhoods of Homs. Several residents were reportedly killed as a result of the heavy gunfire. Amid the escalating campaign of raids and arrests against the regime's opponents, media sources quoted the Free Syrian Army saying they have attacked a security intelligence base in Ma'arat al-Na'aman. Opposition sources said the attack launched on Wednesday by the Free Syrian Army on the regime's military intelligence headquarters in Harasta killed or injured 20 police officers. Opposition websites released a video showing members of Assad's brigades patrolling the streets of Homs accompanied by ambulances, which are usually used during sweep operations against residents opposing the regime. The escalating security operations have failed to prevent the Syrian opposition from rallying its supporters to take part in massive demonstrations on a Friday dubbed "the expulsion of Syrian ambassadors." The objective is to demand Arab and Western countries to expel Syrian ambassadors from their capitals. Supporters of the opposition organized massive nighttime protests as part of the Wednesday of national fraternity, which claimed the lives of more than 22 people, most of whom were killed in the provinces of Homs and Idlib. In a move described as an attempt by the regime to diffuse anger by some Arab and Western countries, whose diplomatic missions were repeatedly attacked in Damascus, the Syrian Ministry of Interior issued a statement vowing to prosecute anyone who attacks foreign embassies. The statement added that the authorities will meet their international obligation and protect diplomatic missions.

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Settler violence in the occupied West Bank on the rise [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
A UN report indicated that the acts of violence carried out by Jewish settlers against Palestinians resulting in wounded people or damaged properties have been continuously escalating since 2009. Our BBC correspondent Jon Donnison brings us the following report from the West Bank.

Reporter, Male #2
These video clips taken last month show Palestinian olive farmers in Awarta after clashes with Jewish settlers. The Israeli army intervened and separated the Palestinians from their fields, while settlers burned the olive trees. Some of these olive trees were 200 years old.

Guest, Male #3
He was holding the Israeli flag on a stick and hit me with the stick with full force. I blocked it correctly with my arm, but if I hadn't, my arm would have broken. My arm was swollen from being beaten by the stick.

Reporter, Male #2
The situation in Awarta has been extremely tense after two Palestinians were accused of killing five members of a settler family, including three children, last March. However, the acts of violence by settlers have escalated in general in the West Bank. The number of wounded Palestinians in settler attacks has tripled since 2009. Some settlers are armed with rifles, which is allowed by the Israeli government, and the Israeli army often finds itself acting as a fence between the two groups. In another Palestinian village of Kafr Qudoum, confrontations with settlers are repetitive. Nitzan Alon, a former driver for the Israeli army in the West Bank, repeatedly expressed his concerns for the escalation of Jewish extremism, which has reached what he called "terrorism."

Guest, Male #4 (David Haivri, Spokesman for the Shomron Regional Council in the West Bank)
I think that Commander Alon is exaggerating, he's making a mistake, being un-careful with his words.

Reporter, Male #2
Palestinians consider the settlement policy, which is banned by international law, an obstacle for peace. They also say that the establishment of a real Palestinian state will not take place without evacuating the tens of thousands of settlers. It is obvious that this will not be an easy task.

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Iran accuses the US of sponsoring terrorism [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
The chairman of the High Council for Human Rights in Iran, Mohammad Jawad Larijani, announced to the world that his country sent the US administration documents proving Washington's support for terrorist groups inside the US and abroad that have attacked Iran.

Reporter, Male # 1
The US, Western, and Arab states' propaganda war against the Islamic Republic continues. In response, Tehran announced it sent documents to the US administration proving Washington's involvement with a terrorist group called 'Thunder Group' based in Los Angeles. The group is responsible for the martyrdom and injury of hundreds of people in the bombing of a mosque in Shiraz Province.

Guest, Male # 2 (Mohammad Jawad Larijani, Chairman, High Council for Human Rights in Iran)
Two years ago, we sent a formal note to the American government proving its support for a terrorist group working against Iran, with its headquarters in Los Angeles. It is called the Thunder Group. This group is behind the bombing of a mosque in Shiraz, the martyrdom of 17 people and the injury of 246 civilians.

Reporter, Male # 1
Iranian documents revealed additional American involvement with terrorists who carried out terrorist acts against mosques and hussainias, in addition to assassinations that claimed the lives of dozens of Iranians.

Guest, Male # 3 (Sheikh Hossein Ebrahimi, Chairman, Iranian Parliament Committee on Foreign Policy)
All these documents will be published through media organizations. The person who was arrested confessed to receiving the support of the United States; and that is compelling evidence that cannot be refuted.

Reporter, Male # 1
The documents reveal confirmed accusations of support by CIA agents for terrorist Abdul-Malek Rigi. Evidence was boosted by his confession of having received financial support through recurring meetings with American intelligence officers in a number of countries.

Guest, Male # 2 Guest, Male # 2 (Mohammad Jawad Larijani, Chairman, High Council for Human Rights in Iran)
We sent another formal note to the American government proving its support for another terrorist group called al-Rigi Group. It caused the martyrdom and injury of over 560 innocent people. We were successful in arresting Rigi after his meeting at an American military base in Karkisia, where he received training and financial support. Our security institution managed to arrest him before his entry into Iranian territory.

Reporter, Male # 1
Tehran views the storms caused by Washington, alongside some of its allies, as an attempt to destabilize countries in the region. The latest of which is the story of an assassination attempt of the Saudi ambassador in Washington. Iran was surprised by the UN General Assembly's admission of Saudi Arabia's complaint over an issue that is still under investigation. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that it is unprecedented in the history of the organization, and that it will affect its reputation. It will also aid Washington, which will take advantage of the situation to implement special agendas. Iran's permanent envoy to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei, warned of the consequences of the US and Saudi Arabia's plan to submit a resolution against his country. He said a resolution based on weak allegations will damage the credibility of the organization and threaten global and regional security. He renewed Tehran's rejection to the alleged scenario.

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US, allies fail to convince IAEA to adopt strict sanctions against Iran [Press TV, Iran]

The United States and its allies have failed to convince other members of the IAEA to take up their version of a draft resolution against Iran over its nuclear program. The watered down version of the draft resolution has been instead agreed on after Russia and China strongly opposed the original text, including the possible referral of Iran's case to the UN Security Council. The nuclear watchdog has started a two-day meeting on Iran's nuclear program after last week's IAEA report which expressed concern over possible military dimension to Tehran's nuclear activities.

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Libya's NTC government builds new state institution [Press TV, Iran]

In Libya, three months after seizing control of the country from Muammar Gaddafi, the provisional government is building its institutions of a new state and looking to the country's past for inspiration. Its not every day a helicopter lands in Misurata, a quiet country town deep in Libya's agricultural heartland. The revolution largely passed it by. But 93 years ago today, Libyans proclaimed a first republic in the Arab world right here, in the middle of nowhere. In a country starting afresh after 42 years of dictatorial rule, the symbolism of this long-forgotten event, has assumed a powerful new meaning.

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Yemeni protestors blame US, Saudi Arabia for impeding revolution [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, anti-regime protestors have taken to the streets in several cities calling for the execution of embattled leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. The protestors have also vowed that the revolution will continue until the downfall of the regime. The Yemeni revolution began back in February inspired at the time by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. Since the revolution began, hundreds of pro-democracy protestors have been killed and thousands more wounded by forces loyal to Saudi-backed Saleh. The Yemeni people blame Saudi Arabia and the United States for impeding their revolution.

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Saudi official warns against military strike on Iran [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal warned that any possible military attack against Iran will lead to serious consequences for the world, especially the United States. In the Iranian city of Esfahan, thousands of students demonstrated in support of their country's nuclear program.

Reporter, Female #1
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said that any possible military attack against Iran will have "catastrophic consequences."

Guest, Male #2 (Turki al-Faisal, Former Saudi Intelligence Chief)
An attack on Iran I think will have catastrophic consequences, not only because of the human loss but also because Iran will retaliate.

Reporter, Female #1
Prince Turki believes Iran's retaliation will be carried out throughout the world, including against many US interests.

Guest, Male #2
It will only make the Iranians more determined to build a nuclear weapon and gain support for the government. It will not end the program; it will merely delay it, if anything.

Reporter, Female #1
This opinion was reinforced by a human chain formed by Iranian students Wednesday morning around the nuclear plant in Esfahan south of Tehran to show support for their country's nuclear program.

Guest, Male #3
Iran will become a nuclear country, that's the end of it. Our message to the world is that their threats will not make us back down.

Reporter, Female #2
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a report indicating it has reliable information that Iran has built a massive container to conduct hydrogen experiments, which is believed to be a strong indicator of possibly developing the weapon. Iran criticized the report saying it is biased and politically motivated, and denied the allegations of developing nuclear weapons. The report roused speculation in media networks that the United States and Israel may take military actions against Iran to destroy its nuclear programs. However, the US president said he prefers a diplomatic solution while not excluding other options.

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Israeli healthcare crisis persists as more physicians resign [IBA, Israel]

With no end in sight to the ongoing crisis in the public healthcare system, the High Court of Justice is convening at this hour to review petitions submitted by medical residents against the Labor Court about the decision that forced the residents to go back to work. Two weeks ago the Labor Court ruled that the mass resignations were illegal due to their collective nature. Despite the decision, some 300 physicians from various hospitals across the country began abandoning their post on Monday, causing major work disruptions nationwide.

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Israeli labor union threatens December strike over contract workers [IBA, Israel]

More work sanctions may be on the way. Histadrut labor federation boss Ofer Eini today threatened to call another strike at the beginning of next month if no agreement is made over the issue of contract workers employed in the public workforce. Eini is seeking to convert a large number of temporary workers into full-time employees with basic working conditions and benefits. Two weeks ago, Histadrut labor federation launched a four hour nationwide strike but the labor court ordered the union and the treasury to end the walk out and return to the negotiating table.

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Afghan schoolgirls remain hopeful for the future [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
Ten years have passed since the Taliban regime was overthrown by NATO forces, but the capital Kabul is still waiting for peace. Much has been accomplished since, especially in terms of granting girls an education, which was prohibited under the Taliban.

Reporter, Female # 2
Schools girls in Kabul are freely on their way to get an education. Ten years ago under Taliban rule, they were prisoners in their own homes. But today, they rush to their classes in one of the capital's schools, which adopts the British Oxford University curriculum. Eliza Habibi teaches the fourth session. Sometimes, students hear explosions while in class since the city is still unsafe. Despite these conditions, these girls are hopeful and ambitious. Ten years have passed but the Afghan government and NATO forces are still trying to reach a peace agreement. Any settlement could restore the Taliban to the scene.

Guest, Female # 3
The government must be careful when talking to them. It is worrisome.

Reporter, Female # 2
Eleven-year-old Sanadat shares the same view.

Guest, Female # 4
I don't want the Taliban movement to return. It will close the schools.

Reporter, Female # 2
The girls continue their education, but near the capital Kabul, the Taliban still threatens schools and the entire future.