Palestinian Leader, Israeli Defense Minister Meet ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press July 1, 2008 - 3:32pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met briefly Tuesday on the sidelines of a worldwide socialist party conference near Athens. The two met privately for a half-hour on the sidelines of a three-day Socialist International conference in this coastal resort, 25 miles south of Athens. After the meeting, Barak said he expected U.S.-backed peace talks with the Palestinians to continue, according to aides who were there when he spoke. » Read more

Palestinians Queue In Droves As Egypt Reopens Rafah Crossing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times by David Byers - July 1, 2008 - 3:25pm Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were today queuing in their hundreds at the territory's hated border with Egypt after it was opened for the first time in months. Crowds gathered at the Rafah crossing after Egypt agreed to ease the closure for two days, with officials saying that Palestinians requiring medical attention would be allowed treatment at Egyptian hospitals. » Read more