The Shia Intifada represents the greatest challenge yet faced by the US-led occupation and its plans for Iraq. Graham Usher reports from Sadr City in Baghdad

Freedom of speech only means so much in the new Iraq, reports Nermeen Al-Mufti

Israel this week upped the ante at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque when hundreds of policemen indiscriminately attacked thousands of Muslim worshippers, reports Khaled Amayreh

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is likely to gain the conditional backing of the Bush administration for his Gaza disengagement plan at a time both leaders are eager for even small successes, Khaled Dawoud reports from Washington

Neither Egypt nor the downstream Nile Basin nations are messing about on the river, writes Gamal Nkrumah

With several key issues related to regional security at stake, US officials are welcoming President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Texas next week. Khaled Dawoud reports from Washington

Dina Ezzat follows the upbeat Egyptian and Arab diplomacy that is trying to save the Arab summit

US President George Bush's summit meeting with President Hosni Mubarak will address a number of substantial differences over US foreign policy. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Found guilty of seeking to spy for Israel, a state security court sentenced a young lawyer to 15 years behind bars. Jailan Halawi reports

The first Tutankhamun exhibition to be held in Europe for more than two decades opened in the presence of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak. Nevine El-Aref attended the grand inauguration in Basel, Switzerland

Washington's latest reprimand is set to rile the Sudanese as they struggle with stalled peace processes in the south and the west of the country, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Palestinian factions have been holding intensive meetings to formulate a joint command that would run Gaza if and when the Israeli army leaves, Khaled Amayreh reports

The results of the Indonesian and Sri Lankan polls have sent ripples across the Indian Ocean, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Vajpayee hopes that a growing "feel good factor" in India will help him win a second mandate as the world's largest democracy heads to the polls later this month, writes Jaideep Mukerji from New Delhi

The left is making unexpected inroads into Western Europe as the results of Sunday's French regional elections clearly show, writes Gamal Nkrumah

When it comes to diets, pills will not provide the answer. Yasmine El-Rashidi uncovers the menace behind the magic

National Orphan's Day was launched on 2 April. The controversial implications were not lost on Amira El-Noshokaty who attended the event

Egypt's newly-appointed football coach expresses his hopes and fears at a press conference. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab reports