A new and different parliament
In a keynote speech, President Mubarak has urged the newly-elected People's Assembly to closely monitor the government's performance and give priority to political reform and socio-economic development. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Independent needs
Behind-the-scenes negotiations have proved fruitless for new MP Rami Lakah in his apparent attempt to court parliamentary clout, reports Mona El-Nahhas

A shift in focus?
Inter-Arab relations have thrived under unlikely circumstances this year while the crisis-ridden peace process triggered some decisive diplomatic moves from Egypt, writes Dina Ezzat

Determined to fight gridlock
The heavy downpours that hit Cairo three times this month, wreaking havoc on traffic, have opened a Pandora's box of questions about the absence of a rain drainage network. In an exclusive interview, Cairo Governor Abdel-Rehim Shehata speaks to Gihan Shahine about the governorate's efforts to deal with problems facing the capital

Prejudging the case
Is defending an alleged spy in court a sin? Nadia Abou El-Magd writes on the latest controversy between the Grand Mufti and Egyptian commentators

AT A MAJOR ceremony attended by dignitaries, entertainers and sportsmen, People's Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour on Monday laid the foundation stone of a children's tumour hospital in the working-class district of Sayeda Zeinab. Taking part in the event were some 500 schoolchildren, including many who have undergone successful cancer treatment. The gathering turned into a spontaneous anti-Israel protest, with the participants, led by singer Mohamed Fouad, chanting "Palestine is Arab."

Limits to expression
An author is to be retried for propagating allegedly atheistic ideas, Jailan Halawi reports

Export infrastructure
Honouring women
Airing the printed press
Ancient trials
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