US Christian group warns Palestinians of apocalypse ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 12, 2011 - 12:00am At least half a dozen billboards recently went up across the West Bank warning Palestinians of an impending judgment day, slated according to the signs, for May 21. At the entrance to Birzeit, and several roads leading into the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Jericho, the signs -- some in English, some in Arabic -- advise travelers to "cry unto God" and are directed to the website of the US-based religious group. » Read more

Palestinian population grew 8-fold since 1948 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 12, 2011 - 12:00am As Palestinians prepare to mark Nakba Day, statisticians released figures Thursday showing the world-wide Palestinian population is eight times that of 1948, the period commemorated Sunday. The Nakba, or catastrophe, refers to fighting which saw an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from or fled their homes in fighting that would lead to the establishment of the state of Israel. » Read more

Salary crisis to be resolved soon, Fayyad says ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency May 12, 2011 - 12:00am Prime Minister in Ramallah Salam Fayyad said Thursday that Israel was trying to break the will of the Palestinian people by seizing their tax revenues through an "act of piracy." The Palestinian Authority is trying to regain the revenues frozen by Israel in response to the Palestinian unity agreement, Fayyad said during a visit to a refugee camp in Bethlehem. "The will of people will not be broken; they are determined to gain their freedom and independence by September," he said. "Suspending their tax revenues is simply an act of desperation.” » Read more

Israeli-Palestinian sports talks progress at IOC ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 12, 2011 - 12:00am Israeli and Palestinian Olympic officials stepped up efforts to improve cooperation during a second round of talks with the IOC on Thursday. With free movement for athletes and coaches high on the agenda, Israeli officials promised to present their government a Palestinian proposal to help overcome travel restrictions imposed on their territories. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge described the follow-up talks to a January summit as "frank and friendly." » Read more

Rasmala, Palestine Investment Start $15 Million Fund ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bloomberg by Fadwa Hodali - May 12, 2011 - 12:00am Rasmala Investment Bank Ltd. started an equity fund to increase investor interest in the Palestinian territories with a $15 million investment from the Palestine Investment Fund. The overall size of the fund may reach $100 million in the next three years, Dubai-based Rasmala said yesterday in an e- mailed statement. The fund is seeking more money from local and foreign investors, the statement said. The “Palestinian market is very attractive in terms of its growth and return potential,” Eric Swats, head of asset management at Rasmala, told reporters in Ramallah yesterday. » Read more

Egypt urges cancellation of pro-Palestinian march ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press May 12, 2011 - 12:00am Egypt is urging activists to cancel a rally aimed at crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip to show support for the Palestinians. In a statement Thursday, authorities called on activists to give priority to internal issues and "to prevent any repercussions that might result from this march." The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty and Egyptian sales of natural gas to Israel have come under criticism since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak's regime in February, but Egypt's military rulers are concentrating on local issues. » Read more

Hamas sends signals of moderation to West ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Josef Federman - May 13, 2011 - 12:00am Hamas, the Islamic militant group known for suicide bombings, rocket attacks and hatred of Israel, is sending subtle signals of moderation as it prepares to join a Palestinian unity government. Hamas officials speak of reconciliation with the West and a halt in armed hostilities with Israel, and even hint at some sort of political accommodation with the Jewish state. While Israel is not convinced, there are hopes in some Palestinian circles that the Iran-backed group could become a more accepted part of the Mideast diplomatic equation. » Read more

Israel Allows a Glimpse of Its Array of Defenses ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - May 12, 2011 - 12:00am The Israeli military allowed foreign reporters rare access to this heavily guarded Mediterranean base south of Tel Aviv on Thursday in what military officials described as an effort to showcase Israel’s technological advancements in the field of air defense and to underscore the array of threats from rockets and missiles. » Read more