Egypt

Before the fall
Cairo is abuzz with foreign envoys as the region lurches ever closer to a crisis. Nevine Khalil and Soha Abdelaty look at the latest

Heikal's dream
Bush says Iraq is a threat. Arab leaders warn of chaos in the region in the event of a strike against the Gulf country. Heikal says something else altogether. Amira Howeidy listened in

Monumental Aida
After two years in waiting, the extravagant production of Verdi's Aida opens today in its original setting, the Pyramids of Giza. Nevine El-Aref discusses the production's new look

Region

Sharon's 'successful' slaughter
The Israeli army committed another horrific massacre against the Palestinians, this time in Khan Yunis, Gaza, as the world looked on in silence. Khaled Amayreh reports from Jerusalem

Setting up Israel's 'fence'
Israel's "fence" provides not for security but for the grabbing of even more Palestinian land, as Annika Hampson, writing from Tulkarm, finds out

Backdoor deal
A bill in Congress, demanding the US Embassy in Israel be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, would effectively grant de facto US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Michael Jansen explores the ramifications

Accident in the gulf of Aden?
Despite official denials, the crew of a French oil tanker that caught fire off Yemen last week insist that the accident was the result of a deliberate act, reports Nasser Arrabyee from Sana'a

Focus

Israel, Iraq, and the United States
America marches to war as if in a trance. We must do everything in our power to slow down and finally stop the recourse to war that has now become a theory and not just a practice, writes Edward Said

International

Brazil's new beginnings
The victory of Lula in Brazil's presidential elections could begin a new chapter in that country's history. Hisham El-Naggar reports from Buenos Aires

The crunch is coming
Tony Blair's gang-ho calls for going to war in Iraq did not square well within his own party, reports Gavin Bowd from London

France stands up
As American pressure mounts, France has announced a "European front" against the use of force against Iraq, writes David Tresilian in Paris

Musharraf's bid for legitimacy
Pakistanis go to the polls, but real power will remain with the military, reports Iffat Malik from Islamabad

Economy

Interview

Cleaning up the banks
Egypt's non-performing loans present one of the greatest financial threats to the national economy. Half-hearted government efforts to settle them have failed. It is now time for more drastic measures. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Features

Immunisation with a song
Egypt is one of seven countries worldwide that are yet to banish the spectre of polio. But it is determined to do so. Dena Rashed investigates

Living

Heritage

Too close for comfort
You're lying in bed, you want to play with your twin, but you can't see him, although he is right behind you. Reem Leila considers the case of conjoined twins

The Pyramid mystery
There is much speculation about the Great Pyramid and why its design followed such an elaborate pattern. Nevine El-Aref studies the options

Sports

Turbulent turf
Last week Egypt's three teams battling for African supremacy ended their semifinal dreams with a weak victory, an elimination, and a defeat. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab reports