Egypt   >>>

An uphill battle The poor turnout at a recent Press Syndicate sit-in against the war was just the latest manifestation of Egypt's critical lack of political activism. Gihan Shahine investigates Play it again, Shaaban Singer Shaaban Abdel-Rehim dabbles in politics once again with his latest tape, Al-Darb fil 'Iraa (Hitting Iraq). Nevine Khalil reaches for the headphones Only half the story A surprise announcement indicates that the government may be willing to move towards human rights reform. Gamal Essam El-Din looks at the pros and cons

Culture   >>>

Singing with their bodies International Women's Day is marked by body language at the British Council. Nehad Selaiha joins the celebration Whizzing through a century Cairo Opera House's first festival of twentieth century music opened with a bang, writes Amal Choucri Catta

Economy   >>>

Keeping prices in check Business associations and officials rallied last week to keep consumer prices from spiraling. Mona El-Fiqi reports Natural gas takes off Egypt is preparing itself for a new era of natural gas-driven prosperity, writes Sherine Nasr

Features   >>>

Out of the shadows Hala Sakr joins those working towards breaking the code of silence that has shrouded the sufferers of epilepsy for hundreds of years Holistic approaches The Egyptian government has launched its strongest commitment to improving the lot of street children to date. Negar Azimi reports on the launch of the latest initiative, interviews Shahida El-Baz and reviews the latest Human Rights Watch report on the situation of street children in Egypt

Living   >>>

The flip side of feminism Millions of women around the world have gained the right to vote, work and earn, if possible, equal pay. So what, some ask, is all the fuss about women's rights? Yasmine El-Rashidi looks at Egyptian women and where they stand

Heritage   >>>

Capital names The long neglected site of Memphis is under study by the Russian Institute for Egyptology in Cairo. Jill Kamil talks to the project director

Opinion   >>>

Mohamed Sid-Ahmed : Can the war turn nuclear? Hassan Nafaa : Arab intellectuals and the American 'prince' Gamil Mattar : The clashing of swords Mona Anis : A full moon in March

Region   >>>

Maronite signals Anticipation of a war on Iraq is uniting sectarian Lebanon -- even if only for a moment. Mohalhel Fakih reports from Beirut Protection does not apply Israel can demolish the homes of its Arab citizens and spray their crops with toxins because even the law does not recognise the rights of non-Jews. Jonathan Cook reports from Kafr Qassem

Iraq focus   >>>

Testing the waters Incoming Turkish Premier Tayyip Erdogan is handed a poisoned chalice as the US begins establishing military bases in Turkey despite parliament's refusal to authorise a US troop deployment, reports Gareth Jenkins in Istanbul Beating about the Bush German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder tries to take a stand against the war -- and keep the American door open, reports Tom Schimmeck in Berlin At the eleventh hour With military action now almost certain, Britain's anti-war movement faces an urgent challenge: how to follow up the biggest demonstration in British political history. Alistair Alexander reports from London Russian refusal Russia's solid diplomatic manoeuvering keeps the ground firm under Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Shohdy Naguib from Moscow

International   >>>

Uncertain times Australia's position on the war in Iraq may be misguided, given its dubious success in the "war on terrorism", writes Damien Kingsbury in Canberra Guilty until proven innocent The Bush administration's war on terror has targeted Arabs right, left and centre; Sami Al-Arian is a case in point. Sherine Bahaa talks to Al-Arian's associates