BLAZE ON THE RAILS: Rescue workers explored the charred carriages of the Aswan-bound train that burst into flames Wednesday morning as families rushed to the scene of the disaster, fearing the worst for loved ones travelling home for the feast

Travelling inferno
At least 400 people died yesterday in Egypt's deadliest ever train disaster

Opinion

WAR COVERAGE

INTIFADA IN FOCUS

Egypt

Sounding out the alternatives
As diplomats vie for influence ahead of the upcoming Arab Summit in Beirut, key players are looking for new ideas in the stalled peace process, report Nevine Khalil and Soha Abdelaty

No way round the hajj quota
Egyptian pilgrims carrying hajj visas issued abroad were denied entry to Saudi Arabian territory. Although police have arrested the travel agents involved, people are asking whether they are the only culprits. Gihan Shahine joins the search for answers

In search of sheep
No Eid is the same without the sacrificial sheep but even this age-old custom is being hit by the recession. Mariz Tadros reports

Region

Steeled by despair
As violent Israeli-Palestinian exchanges continue unabated in the occupied territories, even hard-liners in the Israeli government are being forced to rethink Sharon's strategy of repression, writes Khaled Amayreh from the occupied West Bank

"Get out of the territories"
The Israeli peace camp is united that Israel should leave the occupied territories. The debate is whether it should be with or without an agreement with the Palestinians, writes Graham Usher from Tel Aviv

Immunity or impunity
Why is the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decision to annul an arrest warrant for a former Congolese minister viewed as a political pretext to end the case against Sharon's pending trial in Belgium? Amira Howeidy finds out

International

Karzai's predicament
The murder of an Afghan minister has cast a long shadow of doubt on the interim administration in Afghanistan. From Islamabad, Iffat Malik asks who killed the minister and why

Sanctions showdown EU sanctions in retaliation for Zimbabwe's deportation of the head of the EU observer mission ahead of next month's election have left the country's leadership stoically unfazed. Gamal Nkrumah reports

Called to account
A sadistic war criminal finally brought to justice, they say. A victim of Western double standards, he retorts. Zlata Filipovic and Iason Athanasiadis discuss why the Milosevic trial is more than a strictly Balkan affair

Absentminded bigotry
Anti-Muslim comments allegedly made by US Attorney-General John Ashcroft have caused an uproar in the Arab and Muslim American community, writes Anayat Durrani

Economy

Income tax enigma
Egypt's income tax law is once again under scrutiny and reconstruction. Sherine Nasr wonders if a new law will help untangle the nation's twisted tax system

Interest rate inferno
A cut in interest rates and a reduction of reserve requirements have been touted by experts as the key to overcoming the current economic standstill. Niveen Wahish looks into the proposal

Living

Features

Keeping tune
Amr Diab, Ragheb Allama ... Colin Powell? Nyier Abdou listens in as the US secretary of state takes the American media war onto music television

Travel

Ten green feddans
The New Valley agricultural project provides food and jobs and uses an immense amount of water. Jenny Jobbins took an eco-tour through the fields of Farafra, one of the four oases in the scheme