TWO WEEKS LATER: The most devastating train disaster in Egypt's history, in which some 400 people burned to death, triggered public outrage and government pledges that such a tragedy will never happen again. Ambitious government plans to upgrade the railway system have been anounced.. --read on--

Opinion

INTIFADA IN FOCUS

'Intifada fino'
From Tanta to Rome, popular support for the Palestinian resistance is appearing on the streets, reports Amira Howeidy

Region

'One massive crime'
Highlights of the Intifada's bloodiest week included refugee camp massacres, Israeli troops stamping serial numbers on Palestinian detainees' foreheads and Israeli establishment calls to exterminate the Palestinians. Khaled Amayreh reports from Jerusalem

Teetering on the brink
Sharon's crimes on the ground against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank confirmed that the "hawk" can never turn into a "dove," Jonathan Cook reports from Jerusalem

Egypt

Straining to block the tide of war
After touching base with Washington last week, Cairo forged ahead in calming tensions in the region. Nevine Khalil and Soha Abdelaty search for a ray of hope

Covering all the angles?
The Ministry of Islamic Endowments' plans to bring all the country's mosques under its authority have triggered controversy in religious quarters. Rania Khallaf reports

Back on track?
Are new safety measures and a cabinet reshuffle really going to help Egypt's ruined railways? Gihan Shahine takes a third-class train to look for answers

Doing what they can
The nation is pulling together to donate money for the survivors of the worst train accident in Egyptian history. Fatemah Farag wonders if consolation can really be just a phone call away

Focus

Variations on a vision
Egyptian-American friendship is fraught with areas of tension. Abdel-Moneim Said explores the dynamic in the light of Mubarak's visit to the US

International

Nuking the axis?
The Bush administration breaks a half-century taboo and considers using nuclear weapons in future conflicts. Iason Athanasiadis reports

Looking ahead
Amid charges of race-baiting to win elections, Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers to vote in the presidential polls which started last Saturday, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Economy

Buying time
International donors and creditors have just promised Egypt more than $10 billion. But will all the cash pull the economy out of the doldrums? Ahmed El-Sayed El-Naggar has his doubts

Public sector for sale, but no buyers
While the government may believe it is doing its best to privatise the companies left on its portfolio, not everyone is satisfied with how it is going about it. Niveen Wahish reports

Features

Tragedy without clues
The state of forensic medicine in Egypt is under investigation after facing the test of sifting through more than 300 charred bodies in last month's train fire. Dena Rashed examines the evidence

Living

Travel

No shame in crying
After a string of tragic accidents struck the nation in recent weeks, Yasmine El-Rashidi asks how those left behind could ease the process of dealing with loss

Poems of the desert
On a recent trip to Bahariya Oasis, Nevine El-Aref found herself listening to songs of the stars and of love, and Khaled El-Fiqi captured this image of the Bedouin songster

Sports

Following three wins and one minor setback, four Egyptian football teams won kudos at the beginning of major African championships. Abeer Anwar reports

Egypt puts best foot forward

Redoubtable all the way
Flower power
Bad memories aside
Losers have hope