<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[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. 

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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.

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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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<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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<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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<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>
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<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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<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>
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<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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<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>
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<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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<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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<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.

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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<title><![CDATA[Israeli checkpoints continue restricting Palestinian movement]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=37054</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Areas within the boundaries of the nearly 150 Israeli settlements - comprising 3% of the West Bank - are inaccessible to Palestinians and further fragment the territory. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Health conditions worsen further in Gaza as borders remain closed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36739</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. The deteriorating health situation in Gaza has been intensified by Israel&#039;s blockade of crossings into the area, the United Nations agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees warned today.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN environment team completes study of Gaza conflict damages]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36728</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. UNEP experts spent ten days in Gaza studying waste and waste water systems, the coastal and marine environment, and solid and hazardous waste management, including asbestos, and will make recommendations for rehabilitation]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN chief briefed on probe into Gaza conflict]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36668</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Speaking to reporters today, investigator Justice Goldstone said he was &#039;disappointed&#039; that he had not received any positive response from the Israeli government. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Should Netanyahu be charged with war crimes during visit with President Obama?]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36592</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Together4Peace.org, a volunteer-based group in the US, is urging President Obama&#039;s administration to consider filing criminal charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his role in the Gaza massacres earlier this year.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Zain agreement to merge Jordan operation with Palestinian operator Paltel]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36501</link>
<description><![CDATA[ PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Through share-swap transaction, Zain Group will hold 56.5% stake in Paltel with Paltel owning 100% of Zain Jordan. The merger will generate over US$1 billion in annual revenues in 2009 with significant synergies.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abraaj Capital donates US$10 million to Gaza orphans education trust fund]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36345</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai-based private equity group Abraaj Capital, has donated US$10 million to a trust fund set up to help educate more than 1,200 Palestinian children and youth who lost parents during violence in Gaza in December and January.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Pope calls for Palestinian homeland]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36259</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Palestinians hope the Pope&#039;s one-day visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and to the birthplace of Jesus in particular, will draw attention to their plight under Israeli occupation.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abbas to swear in Palestinian government without Hamas this week]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36126</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he&#039;ll swear in a new government without his Hamas rivals within 48 hours.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN team probing rights violations in Gaza wraps up first meeting]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36040</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERITORIES. Members of the fact-finding mission set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council to probe rights violations during the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip wrapped up a week-long meeting in Geneva over the weekend.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN report highlights &#039;shrinking space&#039; for Palestinians in Bethlehem]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=36047</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Israeli measures have reduced the amount of land available in Bethlehem for Palestinian use, limited the area&#039;s access to resources and restricted its potential for development, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says in a new report. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ban sends report of UN probe into Gaza incidents to Security Council]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35871</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Inquiry reports on several incidents that occurred in the Gaza Strip between 27 December 2008 and 19 January 2009, in which death or injuries occurred at, and damage was done to, UN premises.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Spain probe of Gaza raid to go ahead]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35802</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. A Spanish judge rejects advice by public prosecutors to shelve an investigation of charges against top Israeli figures over a 2002 air force bombing in Gaza ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New UN report urges israel to tackle Palestinian housing crisis in East Jerusalem]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35674</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. In East Jerusalem, current building policies and house demolitions have left Palestinians with a serious housing shortage. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Growing majority of Americans oppose Israel building settlements]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35555</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. A new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll finds that three-quarters of Americans think that Israel should not build settlements in the Palestinian territories. This is up 23 points from when this question was last asked in 2002.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Death for land sale to Israelis]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35496</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. A Palestinian court yesterday sentenced to death by hanging a man convicted of selling land in the occupied West Bank to Israelis. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Situation of children in Gaza remains precarious 100 days after end of conflict]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35471</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. More than three months after the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the Israeli blockade and inter-Palestinian tension are hampering recovery efforts.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israeli panel calls for settlement expansion]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35369</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. An Israeli interior ministry committee has recommended expanding one of the largest settlements in the occupied West Bank, army radio reported yesterday. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israeli ban on imports into Gaza puts economic recovery &#039;on hold&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35199</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERITORIES. Economic recovery in the Gaza Strip is at a standstill due to the ongoing blockade of materials and spare parts that would spur reconstruction following the Israel&#039;s devastating three-week military offensive, the UN said today. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Poll shows two-state solution acceptable to vast majority of Palestinians, Israelis]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35181</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Some 74% of Palestinians willing to accept two state solution and 78% of Israelis.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN agency to assess environmental damage in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35148</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Increased discharge of raw sewage and other environmental effects of the recent combat in Gaza will be focus of an assessment announced today by the head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[US-Israeli differences over Palestinians emerge]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35084</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Stark differences between US and Israeli policy toward peace talks with the Palestinians emerged clearly this week in the first meetings between President Barack Obama&#039;s Mideast envoy and top leaders of the new Israeli government.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Peace not &#039;process&#039; urgently needed in Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35046</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Describing a reduction of violence between Palestinians and Israelis but with little progress made towards peace, a top UN official told the Security Council yesterday that a comprehensive Middle East agreement is urgently needed. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Marcel Khalife concert raises funds for Palestinian Children Relief Foundation]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=35033</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai Culture-supported event witnesses high turnout and generous donations.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BBC newsman Jeremy Bowen under attack for &#039;biased&#039; reporting against Israel]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=34962</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. CAMERA complaint prompts BBC Trust ruling against Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[WFP launches first food voucher operation in Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=34277</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Families in the West Bank - where food prices have risen by 70% since last year - will receive eight vouchers per month, with a monthly value of NIS200 (US$50).]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israel says Gaza misconduct claims based on &#039;exaggeration&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=34085</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Accusations of child shootings spurred the army to have Brigadier General Avichai Mendelblit, the military advocate general, look into the reports.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israeli minister calls for new Gaza invasion]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33735</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai demands capture of land being used to fire mortars into Israel.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Race is on to avert environmental disaster for Dead Sea]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33721</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Abundant water from the Red Sea could replenish the shrinking Dead Sea if Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians decide to commission a tunnel north through the Jordanian desert from the Gulf of Aqaba.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai Cares assists UNRWA school children in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33662</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Aid provided by the UAE charity was distributed by UNRWA personnel to the children as part of the UN agency&#039;s Summer Learning programme.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Soldier says rabbis pushed &#039;religious war&#039; in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33566</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Rabbis in the Israeli army told battlefield troops in January&#039;s Gaza offensive they were fighting a &#039;religious war&#039; against gentiles, according to one army commander&#039;s account published on Friday.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israelis describe Gaza war&#039;s dirty secrets]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33559</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Israeli soldiers have described wanton killings of Palestinian civilians and destruction of property during the deadly 22-day Gaza war, according to a journal published yesterday.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to benefit from new UN pact with UAE]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=33362</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The UAE Red Crescent (UAERC) is donating US$6 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) under two new agreements signed today.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Children &#039;innocent victims&#039; in Gaza, with 180 schools damaged]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32960</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. At least 1,300 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli attacks, and some 5,300 were injured, around a third of which were children, in the heavy bombardment and fighting in densely populated areas, which reduced homes, schools, hospitals and marketplaces to rubble.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gaza crisis most serious test of UN agreement on Israel, Lebanon]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32957</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Rockets fired into Israel from south Lebanon and return fire led to heightened tensions along the so-called Blue Line that separates Israeli and Lebanese sides.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestinian premier steps down]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32829</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said yesterday he intended to resign by the end of March in a move that could help unity talks between the rival Fatah and Hamas factions. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[After donor conference, aid inflow to Gaza still restricted]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32656</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Key crossings remain closed or partially closed, reconstruction materials are still prohibited, and restrictions on food types, clothing and schoolbooks have been maintained, the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East envoy Blair in first, surprise Gaza visit]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32470</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Britain&#039;s former Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in his first visit to the Hamas-run enclave since being appointed Middle East Quartet envoy.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Five Palestinians killed as Gaza tunnel collapses in heavy rain]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32472</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Since December Israel has been bombing the tunnels under the Gaza Strip-Egypt border, weakening them and making it easier for them to collapse in bad weather.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN agencies hand out cash for shelter in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32245</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. UNDP plans for 10,000 families to get between US$1,000 and US$5,000 in cash aid, according to family size, current socio-economic status, and the level of home damage.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gulf states launch multi-bilion aid plan to rebuild Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=32098</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Gulf Arab states proposed on Sunday a joint plan for Arab aid to rebuild the Gaza Strip.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Palestine take centre stage at this year&#039;s Art Dubai]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31943</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Artists living and working in Palestine and the diaspora showcased in this year&#039;s fair.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN probe into Gaza killings begins work]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31566</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. A United Nations investigation into events incidents involving death and damage at the world body&#039;s premises in Gaza during Israel&#039;s recent three-week offensive kicked off today.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Qatar Airways carries one million candles to Gaza ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31539</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Airline offers support to Palestinian woman&#039;s campaign for peace.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gaza to export flowers for Valentine&#039;s day]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31544</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Israel has granted permission for 25,000 flowers from the Gaza Strip to be sent to Europe for Valentine&#039;s day. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Israel&#039;s restriction halts UN programme preaching non violence to Gaza&#039;s young]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31160</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Thousands of tons of generously donated aid and school materials is stuck outside Gaza in Egypt, Ashdod Port in Israel, and Jordan.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Children demand answers and we must deliver now, says UN expert]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31165</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Despite the Gaza ceasefires, children continue to suffer and remain in a precarious state of insecurity, stated Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab media coverage &#039;effective&#039; in Gaza truce]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31145</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The Arab media coverage of the three-week-long assault on Gaza has been &#039;effective&#039; in bringing the Israeli offensive against the territory to a halt, a veteran Egyptian TV anchor has said. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN agency demands immediate return of Gaza aid]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=31062</link>
<description><![CDATA[PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Supplies confiscated yesterday afternoon from a distribution store at Beach Camp in Gaza by police personnel.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Obama&#039;s US envoy wraps up Middle East tour in Saudi]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=30903</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. US Middle East envoy George Mitchell met Saudi Arabia&#039;s King Abdullah on Sunday on the last leg of a Middle East tour aimed at reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[US$200 million fund launched to aid schools in Gaza]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=30768</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad, chairperson of the Education Above All organisation, last night in Doha launched the Fakhoora Fund which aims to raise US$200 million.]]></description>
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