U.N. report: Palestinian Authority ready for statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Joel Greenberg - April 12, 2011 - 12:00am The Palestinian Authority is ready for statehood, according to six key criteria, although urgent action is needed to bolster its progress in state-building, the United Nations said Tuesday. The declaration, contained in a report prepared for a meeting Wednesday in Brussels of donors to the authority, is an important boost to Palestinian efforts to obtain international recognition of a Palestinian state in September. » Read more

4 Die in Smuggling Tunnel Under Gaza-Egypt Border ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Fares Akram - April 12, 2011 - 12:00am Four Palestinians died Tuesday in a smuggling tunnel beneath the Gaza-Egypt border, according to medics in Gaza. Authorities with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, said the men suffocated while repairing the tunnel, which they said had been hit by an Israeli missile several days ago during a recent wave of violence. Some people have died in the tunnels in the past after being overcome by fumes while smuggling fuel to Gaza.

U.N. Praises Palestinians’ Progress Toward a State ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - April 12, 2011 - 12:00am The United Nations praised Palestinian Authority efforts at strengthening its institutions in a report on Tuesday, describing aspects of its administration as sufficient for an independent state. The endorsement came at a crucial time for the Palestinian Authority, which has set a September deadline for the completion of its state-building program and is working toward international recognition of Palestinian statehood in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem that month. » Read more