Opinion

WAR COVERAGE

INTIFADA IN FOCUS

Not facing a crisis
The government's policy statement sought to infuse a troubled local market with optimism and reassurance, but not everyone was impressed, writes Gamal Essam El-Din

Egypt

Under siege
A decree levying exorbitant duties on imported garments has triggered a confrontation between Port Said traders and the government. Gihan Shahine visits the angry city

Trying times for Islamists
The military prosecutor called for the maximum penalty to be given to 94 people on trial for plotting to assassinate top officials and smuggle weapons to Hamas. Khaled Dawoud reports

Region

The Karine-A affair
Ariel Sharon wanted seizure of an arms shipment to do to America's cease-fire efforts what Hamas did to them before. Graham Usher writes from Jerusalem

Unwanted citizens
Jonathan Cook visits the village of Al-Naim and finds Israeli citizens of a different sort

Summit ruckus in Lebanon
Several Arab countries are tussling over the next Arab summit, scheduled to be held in March. Will it go ahead in Lebanon as planned? Zeina Abu Rizk reports from Beirut

International

A step back from the brink
Although the leaders of Pakistan and India shook hands at a regional summit, there was little warmth in the gesture, reports Iffat Malik from Islamabad

Milestone or mediocrity?
The election of new Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa last week was no model for African democracy. Gamal Nkrumah wonders if post-colonial Africa has put politics before people

Bombs, missiles and mines
As the manhunt for Al-Qa'eda and Taliban forces continues, the US-led campaign is still leaving a trail of destruction in embattled Afghanistan, writes Anayat Durrani from Washington

Racial or racist profiling?
Arab Americans, even when they are US President George W Bush's own bodyguards, are now being taken off planes

Economy

Count before you pack
The imminent lifting of the ban on garment imports has raised a ruckus in the local market. Niveen Wahish reports

Features

Travel

Once upon a time
Asked to child-sit, Jill Kamil took her young charge to the Yacht Club to watch the boats go by and tell her a fairy story. She started with the well-known Story of Rapunzel and found herself launching into the mediaeval tale of Anas El-Wogud

Sports

Living

Missing formula
Nine days before the African Nations Football Cup and Egypt has yet to find the right chemistry. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab wonders whether it will before time runs out

Their mother's country
The Nationality Law may change sooner than anyone anticipated. Reem Leila discovers the compromises and victories it could embody