Eye on the economy
In a speech marking May Day yesterday, President Hosni Mubarak addressed a number of pressing domestic, regional and international issues...

Democratisation debate
The ruling National Democratic Party's initiatives aimed at democratising the political system are being criticised by the opposition as more window-dressing. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Roadmaps and roadblocks
The region is almost on the cusp of a new order, but is not quite there. Nevine Khalil and Soha Abdelaty report on the latest developments

Reforming the message
Will a thought-provoking parliamentary report about the dangers of extremism make a difference on the ground?

Fish over reason
Fatemah Farag celebrates spring the traditional way

Carrots and sticks
What prompted the most recent government crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood? Jailan Halawi seeks answers from the banned group's leaders

Culture via satellite
Yet another culture-focussed satellite TV channel is in the works. Nevine El-Aref reports

Caption
Hhundreds of Coptic Christians attended the Easter mass service conducted by Pope Shenouda III early Sunday at Cairo's Abbasiya Cathedral...

Newsreel
Brazilian medical officials on Tuesday ruled out anthrax as the cause of death of an Egyptian sailor, easing concerns about a merchant ship that had been quarantined in Canada after one of its crewmembers died as a result of what was believed to be contact with anthrax...