Israeli soldiers kill a Palestinian in Hebron: medics ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 12, 2010 - 1:00am A 41-year-old Palestinian resident of the West Bank city Hebron died of his wounds after he was shot and critically wounded by Israeli soldiers' gunfire on Friday afternoon, medical sources and witnesses said. The sources said Fayez Farraj was critically wounded after Israeli soldiers opened fire at him in the neighborhood of Bab el- Zawya. They said he died in a hospital a few hours later. However, the Israeli army said Farraj had tried to stab an Israeli soldier in the neighborhood by a knife he was carrying. » Read more

Erekat to hold talks with Hillary Clinton in Qatar late Sunday ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 14, 2010 - 1:00am Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat revealed that he will hold talks on Sunday night with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Qatar. "I will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Doha, Qatar to receive U.S. answers to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas questions related to holding indirect peace talks with Israel," Erekat told Xinhua on telephone from Qatar. » Read more

Palestinian protesters pose as Na'vi from "Avatar" ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 12, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian protesters have added a colorful twist to demonstrations against Israel's separation barrier, painting themselves blue and posing as characters from the hit film "Avatar." The demonstrators also donned long hair and loincloths Friday for the weekly protest against the barrier near the village of Bilin. They equated their struggle to the intergalactic one portrayed in the film. Israel says the barrier is needed for its security. Palestinians consider it a land grab. » Read more

Muslim firebrands challenge Hamas rule in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Karin Laub - February 14, 2010 - 1:00am They preach global jihad, or holy war, adhere to an ultraconservative form of Islam and are becoming a headache even for Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza. Jihadi Salafis, as they are known, have organized into small, shadowy armed groups that have clashed with Hamas forces and fired rockets at Israel in defiance of Hamas' informal truce. » Read more

Congressman says US should break Gaza blockade ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 15, 2010 - 1:00am The United States should break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver badly needed supplies by sea, a U.S. congressman told Gaza students. Rep. Brian Baird, a Democrat from Washington state, also urged President Barack Obama's Mideast envoy to visit the Hamas-ruled territory to get a firsthand look at the destruction caused by Israeli's military offensive last year. The Obama administration, like its predecessor, shuns Hamas because the Islamic militant group refuses to recognize Israel or renounce violence. » Read more

Palestine Investment Fund plans IT park in new development ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 15, 2010 - 1:00am Mirroring Dubai's 'city' model, the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) announced plans to establish what organizers call a "Techno Park," housing hubs for the budding technology sector of Palestine, PIF Chief Executive Muhammad Mustafa said Thursday. The park will be built as part of the new housing development Ar-Reihan, west of Ramallah, alongside that project's housing and commercial sectors. » Read more

Clinton: US can't force Israel, PA into peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 15, 2010 - 1:00am US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday made an unusual acknowledgement of frustrations with the long-frozen Palestinian-Israeli negotiation process. Speaking at the US-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, on the first day of a trip to the Middle East, Clinton said, know people are disappointed that we have not yet achieved a breakthrough.” » Read more

Hamas Detains U.K. Journalist ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press February 15, 2010 - 1:00am A British freelance journalist in Gaza will be held for 15 days, Hamas officials said Monday, in an unprecedented step against a foreign reporter since the Islamic militants seized control of Gaza in 2007. Documentary filmmaker Paul Martin was detained Sunday at a Gaza courthouse where he was to testify on behalf of a defendant accused of collaborating with Israel, said Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ehab Ghussein. » Read more

Palestinian President Suspends Aide in Sex Scandal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - February 14, 2010 - 1:00am Facing a corruption scandal that has rocked the highest echelons of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, the Palestinian president suspended his chief of staff on Sunday while a committee investigates accusations that the aide sought to trade influence for sex. A videotape broadcast by an Israeli television station last week shows the chief of staff, Rafiq Husseini, waiting naked in bed for a Palestinian woman who was said to have come to the president’s office seeking government help. » Read more