<rss version="0.91">
<channel>
<title>www.bi-me.com RSS feed for &#8211; Palestinian Territories</title>
<link>http://www.bi-me.com</link>
<description>Middle Eastern Business News and Data</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Lacoste Elys&Atilde;&copy;e Prize 2011 suspended after exclusion of prize nominee]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55858</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. For 25 years, the Mus&Atilde;&copy;e de l&#039;Elys&Atilde;&copy;e has defended with strength artists, their work, 
freedom of the arts and of speech. With the decision it has taken today, the Mus&Atilde;&copy;e de l&#039;Elys&Atilde;&copy;e repeats its commitment to its fundamental values. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Lacoste requests removal of Palestinian artist from photographic prize ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55841</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. French fashion brand demands the removal of Bethlehem artist Larissa Sansour from major the prestigious Lacoste Elys&Atilde;&copy;e Prize.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestine and its untapped potential]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55706</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Rasmala organizes the &quot;Dynamism of Palestinian Economy&quot; event, held at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, with the Palestinian Business Council.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians slam Newt Gingrich over &#039;invented&#039; people]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55698</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Prime minister Salam Fayyad called on Gingrich to apologise for his &quot;vulgar, hurtful and ridiculous remarks&quot;, during a meeting with journalists.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[S&amp;P Indices and Arab Federation of Exchanges create S&amp;P AFE 40 Index ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55631</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The S&amp;P AFE 40 is comprised of the 40 largest stocks (measured by float-adjusted market capitalisation) listed on AFE member exchanges.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Forbes Middle East unveils ranking of Top 63 online newspapers of the Arab world]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55542</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Egypt&#039;s Al Youm Al Sabe tops ranking for second year in a row.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians may force UN vote on membership]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55233</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. An admissions committee for the UN Security Council adopted a report that says the 15-member body cannot make a unanimous recommendation to take the Palestinian bid further.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[US cuts off UNESCO funding after Palestinian vote]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=55082</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The US is cutting off financial contributions to the United Nations cultural agency following its vote Monday to grant Palestinians full membership.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Young Arab Entrepreneurs set to compete at annual INJAZ Al-Arab regional competition 2011]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54737</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Students from 12 Arab nations to vie for highly converted &#039;Best Company of the year Award&#039; ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abbas calls for UN to admit 1967 borders Palestine]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54591</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.  Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Friday called on the United Nations to admit a state of Palestine as a full member based on the borders in 1967 before the Six-Day war with Israel.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians aim for UN showdown despite warnings
]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54560</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath said Abbas will give &quot;some time to the Security Council to consider first our full membership request before heading to the General Assembly&quot; to seek enhanced observer status.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Talks the only way to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama tells UN]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54558</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be attained through negotiations, United States President Barack Obama told the General Assembly.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[All alone on Israel island ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54505</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. A valuable lesson from the Arab uprisings is that Israel cannot expect lasting peace with Arab regimes if it does not have peace with Arab nations. It can&#039;t simply wall itself OFF from neighbours and expect peaceful coexistence.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians stick with UN bid but &#039;open to ideas&#039; ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54471</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The Palestinians said they were determined to go to the UN next week to seek membership for their state, but would listen to diplomatic initiatives.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian statebuilding threatened by political stagnation, says UN report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54441</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;I am very worried about the disconnect between what the PA has achieved on the ground and where the political process stands,&quot; said UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), Robert Serry.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[US risks being &#039;toxic&#039; over Palestinian veto, says Saudi prince]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54413</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with America in the same way it historically has,&quot; former Saudi ambassador, Prince Turki al-Faisal said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Analysis: Challenges following the attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54410</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Analyst Kamran Bokhari examines Israel&#039;s regional challenge and Egypt&#039;s domestic challenge following an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Turkish PM says not visiting Gaza during Arab Spring tour]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54400</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;My visit to Gaza is out of the question. But I want to say that I long to visit Gaza,&quot; Erdogan said in televised remarks. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East envoy Blair &#039;cooking something&#039; to stop statehood bid, says Abbas]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54363</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas vowed to move forward with a campaign for full membership in the United Nations]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians expect 140 countries to back statehood bid]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54279</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Palestinian officials have said they are pursuing recognition at the UN for statehood due to a failure to restart negotiations with Israel. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Independent panel of inquiry into Gaza flotilla incident releases report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54257</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Israel&#039;s interception of the vessels was &quot;excessive and unreasonable,&quot; while the flotilla acted &quot;recklessly&quot; in attempting to breach the naval blockade. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Geopolitical analysis: Arab-Israeli crisis approaching ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54128</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. For Hamas, this is emerging as the perfect moment, and it is hard to believe that even the Saudis can restrain them. As for the Israelis, what will happen depends on what others decide - which is the fundamental strategic problem that Israel has.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians set date for UN statehood bid]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=54022</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The Palestinians are to present their bid for UN membership on September 20, despite Israeli and US opposition.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinians say October poll &#039;only in West Bank&#039; ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=53755</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Local elections had originally been scheduled for July 9 but following a surprise reconciliation deal  the date was put back to October 22.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Natural gas issues inflame Palestinian-Israeli dispute]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=53134</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Massive potential natural gas fields off the Gaza Strip in the Mediterranean are complicating Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiations.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Suzanne Al Houby becomes first Arab woman to conquer Everest]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52826</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Palestinian-born and UAE-based mother of two successfully reaches world&#039;s highest peak.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama sticks to Middle East vision]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52750</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. President Barack Obama on Sunday refused to back away from his new Middle East peacemaking vision that has angered Israel, as he addressed the Jewish state&#039;s staunchest American supporters.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abbas makes case for Palestinian Statehood in NY Times Op-Ed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52673</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Palestinians will request international recognition as an independent state within the 1967 borders at September&#039;s meeting of the UN General Assembly.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Corruption risks in Egypt, Middle East increased in run-up to revolutions]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52458</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.  Egypt&#039;s performance on key anti-corruption and transparency measures fell consistently through 2010, finds study.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Fatah, Hamas in unity government &#039;understanding&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52372</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah reached an &quot;understanding&quot; in Cairo to set up a transitional unity government and to hold elections.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN political chief urges &#039;bold and decisive&#039; steps to revive Middle East peace talks]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=52292</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. UN Political Affairs chief B. Lynn Pascoe briefs the Security Council on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Euphoria sweeps Arab World]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=50968</link>
<description><![CDATA[LEBANON. As news spread of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak&#039;s ouster,  jubilant crowds took to the streets from Gaza to Beirut in celebration.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Report proposes Master Plan for Water for Peace in the Middle East ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=50947</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The Middle East is likely to plunge into serious humanitarian crisis due to depletion of water resources, unless remedial measures are introduced urgently, says a new Strategic Foresight Group report.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt crisis &#039;means Israel must resume peace talks&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=50800</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Israel must relaunch peace talks with the Palestinians in light of the massive protests rocking Egypt, a senior Israeli politician said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Wataniya Mobile IPO subscription 1.5 times oversubscribed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=49928</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Subscription for Wataniya Mobile&#039;s Initial Public Offering of shares has successfully closed.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Wataniya Mobile IPO open for subscription]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=49439</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Expected to be largest IPO in Palestine since 2000.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[90% of Palestinians would not back peace process if settlement building restarted]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=49323</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. 49% believe the peace process will continue even if West Bank settlement building restarts, reveals YouGov Siraj survey.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Wataniya Mobile to offer shares in IPO, list on Palestine Exchange]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=49284</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Offer to Launch 7 November; Shares priced at US$1.30; Appoints HSBC and Arab Bank.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East direct talks resume in Washington]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=48190</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.The first round of talks, hosted by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was held in the State Department.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian economy in modest growth, says UN report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=48175</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. GDP rose by 6.8% in 2009. Per capita GDP was 30% lower than it was a decade ago and at least 30% of the Palestinian work force remains jobless.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Boeing reaffirms support for Middle East community education initiatives ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47973</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. More than 2,000 people in the UAE, Qatar, Palestinian Territories and Jordan benefit from skills and entrepreneurship training.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Direct negotiations between Israel, Palestinians to resume]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47924</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Direct bilateral talks have not been held since late 2008, but indirect, or proximity, talks resumed in May this year with the former US senator George Mitchell shuttling between the sides. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East Quartet calls for Israel, Palestinian talks]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47918</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Quartet invited Israel and the Palestinians to reopen direct negotiations on September 2 in Washington aimed at creating a Palestinian state.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[PADICO Holding reports 2% net profit rise in first half 2010 ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47893</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Operational income grows 49% on significant improvement in operational revenues of subsidiaries.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abraaj Capital opens Palestine office, appoints country Manager]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47809</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The appointment of Fayez Husseini provides on-the-ground expertise for Abraaj Capital&#039;s US$50 million Palestine Growth Capital Fund, which is dedicated to investing in dynamic Palestinian SMEs.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Annual ROI at the Palestine Securities Exchange ranged 5%-7% ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=47432</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Distributed dividends exceeded US$630 million during the period 2006-2010, according to Ahmad Aweidah, CEO of the PSE.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[&#039;High Time&#039; for direct talks with Palestinians, says Netanyahu]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=46915</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. He says there is a need to engage in direct dialogue in order to reach a &quot;political settlement of peace.&quot; 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian film-maker and Lebanese theatre artist chosen by global icons for year of mentoring in Rolex Arts Initiative ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=46774</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAl. Two Arab women among 6 prot&Atilde;&copy;g&Atilde;&copy;s out of 120 nominees worldwide.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE investors lured by strong economic growth in Palestine  ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=46424</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. High-level two-day road show to highlight investment opportunities in Palestine.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The Ministry of Education of Palestine and Microsoft Corp Enhance ICT]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=45655</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The MoE of Palestine and Microsoft Corporation has announced a partnership to deploy Microsoft&#039;s free Live@Edu services.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Investor perception breakthrough for Palestinian companies]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=45389</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The Palestine Securities Exchange has completed its first ever London road show on 17-19 March 2010. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai police says it has DNA identity of Hamas man&#039;s killer]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44688</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai police said on Friday they have DNA proof of the identity of at least one of the killers of senior Hamas militant Mahmoud Mabhouh in the emirate last month.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The Jerusalem Fund dedicates Palestine Diabetes Institute in Al-Bireh]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44686</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The Palestine Diabetes Institute is a Jerusalem Fund initiative that has been four years in the making with major participation from the NAAMA Foundation and Physicians for Peace.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abraaj Capital, PIF launch US$50 million private equity fund for Palestine SMEs]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43841</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The private equity fund will focus on investing in small- and medium-sized enterprises in Palestine across a range of sectors and stages of maturity. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE-Palestine Polo Cup raises more than AED1.3 million for Welfare Association ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43523</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The first-ever UAE-Palestine Polo Cup held on Friday met with resounding success and raised over AED1.3 million (US$354.002) in funds to benefit the neediest residents of the West Bank and Gaza.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Turkey threatens diplomatic action over Israel&#039;s treatment of its ambassador]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43417</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The dispute comes after the deputy minister, Danny Ayalon, summoned the ambassador, Oguz Celikkolits, to rebuke him over a TV series. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and PICTI host five awareness campaigns]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43094</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The workshops focused on the importance of business plans and finanacial planning, aimed also at educating entrepreuenrs about incubation services PICTI offers and what it takes to be incubated.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Fidessa  partner with Mubasher Financial Services]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=42772</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. This partnership gives the 400-plus brokers and 2,300 buy-sides already on the network a direct route into any of the GCC markets, as well as a number of other Middle Eastern exchanges.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[204 Palestinian women said yes to strong and healthy bones]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=42752</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. 204 Palestinian women in four districts around the West Bank turned up for the three-day educational camps organised by the Palestinian Osteoporosis Prevention Society. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian President Abbas says he will not seek re-election  ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=41777</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Officials said the decision is linked to his frustration with the US position on Israeli settlements]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Little hope of breakthrough on stalled Middle East peace talks]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=40428</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The US leader is to hold a three-way meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN distrubutes energency food assistance to bedouins in the West Bank]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=40180</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The US$3.2 million programme will provide monthly rations from now until May to 5,200 Bedouin families, who are suffering from the combined impact of drought, environmental degradation and high food, fuel and agricultural prices.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[We need to move fast to final status talks of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, says Egypt&#039;s Mubarak]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=39698</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. In meetings with top US officials, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called on the US Administration to quickly re-engage in negotiations over the final status of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian economy set to benefit from new online customs system]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=39577</link>
<description><![CDATA[Palestinian Territories. International businesses based in the West Bank are set to benefit from a state of the art web-based system for tracking goods coming in and out of the area.]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Barrier to stay, says Netanyahu]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=39152</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected yesterday any notion he would order Israel&#039;s barrier in the West Bank to be torn down in response to the absence of Palestinian attacks from the occupied territory. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israeli intellectuals demand war probe]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=39151</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Leading left-wing Israeli intellectuals signed a petition yesterday demanding their government allow an independent, external investigation into last winter&#039;s Gaza war. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Syria, Turkey call for &#039;political will&#039; to quit occupied Arab territories]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=39147</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad yesterday urged Israel to show &#039;real political will&#039; and withdraw from occupied Arab land. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Share swap agreement between Zain Group and Paltel]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38973</link>
<description><![CDATA[JORDAN. Zain Group has appointed  Dr Abdel Malik Al Jaber as CEO of the Zain Levant region made up of Zain Jordan and Paltel-soon to be rebranded to Zain Palestine]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Palestinians stay firm on settlements]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38886</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Palestinians reject any deal between Israel and the US that would allow even limited Jewish settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, a top Palestinian negotiator said yesterday. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[UN begins clearing rubble left from Gaza conflict]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38851</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Rubble removal is vital to abate the economic and health risks in Gaza, since some of the damaged sites contain asbestos and other toxic materials.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israel barrier must come down, says US rights expert]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38853</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. An International Court of Justice ruling in 2004 found the construction of the barrier - which is 60% completed - breaches international law.]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Five years after judgement, Israel barrier still under construction]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38791</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Five years after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Israel&#039;s building of a barrier in the occupied Palestinian territory was illegal, the situation has not improved, the UN human rights arm said today, calling for the dismantlement of the barrier. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Independent UN rights expert condemns seizure of aid boat by Israeli forces]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38629</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. An independent United Nations human rights expert  denounced what he described as &#039;the unlawful naval seizure&#039; by an Israeli gunboat of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material for the people of Gaza. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Impunity for war crimes in Gaza and southern Israel a &#039;recipe for further civilian suffering,&#039; says Amnesty International]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38608</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.  Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, Amnesty International concluded in a new 117-page report published today ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mexico helps WFP meet critical food needs in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38610</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a donation of US$50,000 from the Mexican International Cooperation Fund for Development to support WFP operation lifeline Gaza.

]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Upcoming hearings enable vistims to speak directly to Gaza rights probe]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38412</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Members of the independent fact-finding mission set up by the UN Human Rights Council will hold public hearings in Gaza next week.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israel frees speaker of Palestinian parliament]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38354</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Israel yesterday released the Hamas speaker of the Palestinian parliament, regarded as a key bargaining chip in efforts to secure the release of a captured Israeli soldier.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Speculation builds over imminent release of Israeli hostage Shalit]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38345</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The arrival of a top-level Egyptian security team in the Egyptian border town of Rafah prompted speculation on Tuesday that abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is set to be transferred from captivity in the Gaza Strip to Egypt and freed.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[As violence eases, UN envoy calls for new dynamic in Middle East peace]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38329</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. As members of the diplomatic Quartet prepare to meet in Italy on Friday as part of ongoing efforts to promote peace in the Middle East, the top UN envoy to the region said today that a commitment by both Israel and the Palestinians to change the dynamics in Gaza is vital. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israel accelerates sales of properties of Palestinians who fled in 1948]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38285</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Israel has stepped up sales of the properties of Palestinians who in 1948 fled or were driven out of what is now Israel, a human rights group said on Monday, adding that the move went against both Israeli and international law. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Group vows to defy Gaza naval blockade]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38250</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Activists campaigning for an end to Israel&#039;s Gaza blockade will sail to the enclave from Cyprus on Thursday, it was announced in Doha yesterday.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Nearly 40 agencies call for an end to Israel&#039;s two-year blockade of Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38106</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Israel&#039;s blockade of the Gaza Strip has now been in force for two years, and has left the population of 1.5 million almost totally dependent on international aid. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israeli author for &#039;forced&#039; peace deal]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38100</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. A Middle East peace deal is possible only if it is forced on Israelis and Palestinians by US-led efforts, one of Israel&#039;s best-known authors has written as he hit out at a speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Nearly 40 US national organisations call for an end to Israel&#039;s military aid]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38064</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Open letter opposes President Obama&#039;s 2010 budget request for over US$2.7 billion in military aid to Israel.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Palestinians literally starving, says former president Carter ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=38040</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Former US president Jimmy Carter yesterday met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah in the Gaza Strip, where he called for a lifting of Israel&#039;s blockade, saying Palestinians are being treated &#039;like animals&#039;. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[UN rights chief appeals for access to southern Israel in Gaza probe]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37974</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The top UN human rights official today called for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza and cooperation with an investigation mandated by the Human Rights Council of the recent conflict there. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Palestinian state okay if unarmed, says Netanyahu]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37903</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. In his policy speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a complete halt to Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Netanyahu calls for demilitarised Palestinian state]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37889</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday endorsed for the first time the creation of a Palestinian state after weeks of pressure from Washington, but said it must be demilitarised.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Gaza situation &#039;tragic&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37842</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. UN Special Rapporteur on Disability HE Sheikha Hessa bint Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani to submit a report, following the visit of a Qatari delegation to the Gaza Strip.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Less than one fifth of aid trucks now able to enter Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37790</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Although donor countries have pledged billions of dollars for Gaza&#039;s reconstruction, it cannot begin because of the blockade, the UN humanitarian arm said today. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Top UN sports envoy visits Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37603</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The United Nations envoy tasked with promoting sport for development visited Gaza today to explore ways to improve the daily lives of children and youth. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israel must open Gaza, freeze settlements, says UN chief]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37602</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. World opposition to the status quo in Gaza is rising, as nearly five months after the end of the hostilities, nothing beyond basic needs such as food and medicine is allowed in.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Incomes in Gaza now 34% below the 2000 level]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37502</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today called for the opening of all crossings into Gaza, as delivery of aid becomes steadily more difficult.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[UN renews call for Israeli cooperation with UN Gaza human rights probe]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37350</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRORITORIES. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discussed the issue with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak at a meeting yesterday in New York. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Fatah rejects Hamas proposal on limited sharing of Gaza forces]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37199</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas&#039; Fatah party on Saturday rejected a Hamas proposal on sharing power with Fatah only at the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Egypt to invite Hamas leader for deal on unity government]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37099</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Egypt will invite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal to Cairo to sign a deal establishing a Palestinian &#039;national unity&#039; government in early July, a Saudi newspaper said.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[UN envoy explores how sports can improve lives of Middle East youth]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37146</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Wilfried Lemke, special adviser to the UN Secretary General, to visit various sports-related programmes in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Members of UN human rights probe head to Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37145</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Fact-finding mission, headed by Richard Goldstone, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, will enter Gaza from Egypt on 1 June.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[US steps up pressure on Israel over settlements]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37126</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Hillary Clinton has made an unusually blunt call for Israel to halt settlements in the occupied West Bank.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Israel rejects US call over settlement projects]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37072</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERITORIES. Israel will continue to allow some construction in West Bank settlements despite US calls for a freeze on its work, a government spokesman says.]]></description>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>

