GAZA CITY, occupied Gaza Strip (IPS) - “I’ve learned most of what I know about photo editing and graphic design via the Internet,” says Emad, 27-year-old filmmaker and editor. In Gaza, this sort of thing has become usual in a different way. “This program isn’t available here,” he says, smiling triumphantly as he finishes downloading the latest edition of an advanced video editing program. Read more about Gaza's virtual connection to the rest of the world 

DUBAI (IRIN) - With a failing economy, rising unemployment and deteriorating power, sanitation and health facilities, the health of Gaza’s population continues to worsen, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report. In contrast, modest improvements have been made in the West Bank. Read more about Gaza crisis "far beyond humanitarian" 

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - When internationally renowned linguist, philosopher and political analyst Noam Chomsky was barred from entering the occupied West Bank, he joined a chorus of Jewish intellectuals savaged by the Israeli government for outspoken criticism. Read more about Chomsky denied entry as Goldstone remains under attack 

The construction of sections of a controversial segregated road network in the West Bank planned by Israel for Palestinians — leaving the main roads for exclusive use by settlers — is being financed by a US government aid agency, a map prepared by Palestinian researchers has revealed. Jonathan Cook reports. Read more about USAID funding Israel's apartheid road construction 

GAZA CITY, occupied Gaza Strip (IPS) - Mohammed Omer, 28, is one of five teachers at the Gaza Music School in Tel al-Howa, Gaza City. Formerly in the al-Quds hospital Red Crescent complex, the school moved to its current location not far from the hospital after the complex was bombed and burned during the 23-day Israeli assault on Gaza. Eva Bartlett reports. Read more about Gaza youth learn music and challenge the occupation 

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - Israeli nuclear whistle-blower Mordechai Vanunu has been sentenced to another three months imprisonment for allegedly refusing to perform community service in West Jerusalem. His arrest follows the detention of Palestinian leaders in Israel. Read more about Israel increasingly resembling a police state 

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) activists are pressuring the Ireland-based international building materials group CRH to divest from its Israeli subsidiary Mashav. Last week, IPSC members attended the annual CRH general shareholders meeting as activist shareholders. Adri Nieuwhof and John Dorman report. Read more about Irish activists urge divestment at CRH annual meeting 

Jerusalem is only an hour and a half drive away from where I live in Gaza City. I grew up contemplating the moment I would see Jerusalem, but that day wouldn’t come until I graduated from the American University in Cairo and was promised by my parents that they might be able to make the necessary arrangements (an Israeli-issued permit) for me to visit the holy city. Yasmeen El Khoudary writes from the occupied Gaza Strip. Read more about A day in Jerusalem 

LUBBAN AL-SHARQIYA, occupied West Bank (IPS) - “There is immense anger as well as a feeling of vulnerability and fear when a place of sanctuary and holiness is subject to indiscriminate violence,” says Issa Hussein. “Despite living under a brutal military occupation and being subjected to regular attacks by Israeli settlers for decades, normally places of worship were spared.” Read more about Israeli settlers attack Palestinian mosques