Syria: Conflicting reports are emerging about the arrest of several actors and intellectuals in Damascus. While several reports confirm the report, Syrian officials have made no comment regarding the issue. The opposition's Facebook page is filled with comments calling for the release of these artists, including actress Mai Skaf and actor Faris al-Helou. According to a member of the Human Rights Association of Syria, security forces opened fire on protestors in Deir az-Zour, killing two people and wounding five. In Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 11 citizens were wounded by the security forces' gunfire in two separate neighborhoods.

Yemen: The Yemeni Joint-Meeting Parties (JMP) denied the statements in an article published by a Saudi Arabian newspaper saying that JMP forces are fighting Houthis in al-Jawf province. Yemenis, however, accuse the Saudi regime of sowing chaos by arming militias loyal to Riyadh in al-Jawf province to attack Houthis in the north. They say the start of revolutions in countries with strong ties with Saudi Arabia, such as Tunisia and Egypt, made the kingdom's rulers fearful that democratic countries would emerge near its borders and cause unwanted change in the country.

Bahrain: Pro-democracy poet, Ayat al-Qurmezi has been placed under house arrest shortly after she was released from prison. Hailed as the "freedom poet," she was arrested on March 30 for reciting anti-government poetry in the capital Manama's Pearl Square. She was charged with incitement and insulting members of the royal family and handed a one-year jail term. In jail, she was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment.

Bahrain: Bahrain's Al Wefaq National Islamic Society pulled out of the national dialogue session after controversial remarks were made by Representative Jasim al-Saeedi. During discussions of naturalization issues, al-Saeedi described the Shiite Muslim sect as "naturalized rejecters," causing resentment among many dialogue participants. The opposition group is considering completely withdrawing from the dialogue because, according to the head al-Wefaq's delegation Khalil al-Marzouq, it is not being taking seriously by all parties.

Syria: As most foreign journalists have been banned from entering the country, citizens are using new technology and media to document the Syrian revolution. Cell phone pictures and videos have been uploaded online to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, and reveal the turmoil in Syria and the oppressive measure used by the Syrian security forces. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has condemned the attacks by President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists on the US and French embassies in Damascus. In the council's statement, issued unanimously by all 15 members, the German ambassador to the UN, Peter Wittig, urged the Syrian authorities to protect diplomatic facilities and diplomats.

Egypt: The interior minister announced a series of promotions, transfers, and terminations of members of the ministry. It includes nearly 4,000 officers, including 18 major-generals and 19 brigadier-generals who will be dismissed over accusations related to the killing of protestors. Meanwhile, protests continue in Cairo's Tahrir Square for the sixth consecutive day, demanding the ruling military council accelerate the reform process.

Libya: Human Rights Watch has accused the Libyan revolutionaries advancing toward Tripoli of burning and looting homes and abusing civilians. The organization said it witnessed some of these acts, interviewed witnesses, and spoke with one of the revolutionaries' leaders about the violations. According to the rights group, the latest violation occurred last week when the revolutionaries were in the Nafusa Mountains. The rebel fighters damaged property, burned several homes, looted hospitals, homes, and shops, and beat individuals alleged to be Gaddafi supporters.

Syria: The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments stating President Bashar al-Assad lost his legitimacy after a group of pro-Assad loyalists attacked the American and French embassies in Damascus. The ministry stated that Clinton's remarks are provocative and constitute an interference in Syrian affairs. Damascus demanded that Washington and its envoys abide by the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs and refrain from any acts that might provoke the Syrian people.

Libya: After three months of costly military operations, several NATO member countries are seeking an exit to the crisis. Norway announced that it will recall its six F-16 fighter jets on August 1 and Italy said that it will withdraw its carrier Garibaldi. The UN special envoy to Libya called on Gaddafi’s regime and the Transitional Council to begin direct negotiations to settle the conflict. 

Egypt: Thousands of Egyptians staged a rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square despite a warning by military rulers. The anti-government activists called for a million-man march in Egyptian cities, including Alexandria and Suez. Protestors camped out in the square, demanding the immediate trial of Mubarak and the officers accused of killing protestors during the January 25 revolution. In a statement, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stressed that it will not give up its role in running Egypt's affairs.

Syria: Over 4,000 gathered in front of the US and French embassies in Damascus to condemn both countries' interference in Syrian affairs. The protestors threw tomatoes and eggs at the buildings, broke windows, wrote angry messages on the walls of both embassies, and held banners condemning the French and Americans ambassadors' violation of diplomatic norms. Security at the French embassy fired at the demonstrators, leading to the injury of two people. 

Libya: French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that while efforts to reach a political solution are being exerted, it is necessary to maintain military pressure on the Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi. Juppe proposed a solution involving four phases: immediate ceasefire by Gaddafi's forces, Gaddafi relinquishing power, beginning a dialogue hosted by the Transitional National Council, and drawing a roadmap for establishing a democratic system with free elections.

Bahrain: The February 14 Youth Coalition has called for demonstrations on Sitra Island this Friday, named "Self Determination III." The coalition considered the dialogue called for by the king a failure, describing it as a "farce" because it was conducted amid the continuous crackdown on protests by Saudi-backed Bahraini forces. The people saw the dialogue as a maneuver to buy time as the authorities continue to arrest opposition figures and take arbitrary measures against peaceful protestors.

Tunisia: Six months after the Tunisian revolution toppled President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the country is witnessing a new wave of angry demonstrations. In January, the Tunisian revolution inspired other Arab countries to rise up against their corrupt dictators, but today, Tunisia remains unstable and is demonstrating that removing a corrupt leader won’t solve all the country’s problems. Elections have been postponed to October and the country faces severe unemployment.  

Egypt: Thousands gathered in a Cairo's Tahrir Square today under the slogan "Revolution First," to remind people of the importance of the January 25 Revolution. Protestors demanded that figureheads of the former regime and anyone involved in cases of corruption and accused of killing protestors be put on trial. Security forces were absent from the square. The people's anger was fueled by recent verdicts exonerating six ministers charged with corruption and embezzling, and police officers charged with killing protestors.

Syria: American ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, visited Hama today on what is being referred to as "no dialogue Friday." The US State Department confirmed that Ford's visit was in support of the Syrian people, while the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the ambassador's violation of diplomatic norms, seeing it as an attempt to incite more violence and protests.

Yemen: Thousands of citizens gathered in various Yemeni cities, including the capital Sanaa and Taiz, on what they have named the "Friday to reject mediation," referring to regional and international interference in their revolution. Yesterday, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh made his first television appearance after surviving an assassination attempt early last month. Protestors are demanding the formation of a transitional council, the prosecution of Saleh and his family, and are rejecting foreign interference.