Surviving for what?
Assailed by Israel from without, the PA leadership is self-destructing from within, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem

The war of fatwas
It is the people of Iraq who are being buried beneath firebrand sermons and blanket denunciations, argues Mona Anis

Passionate rememberance
Hundreds of thousands of mourners converged on the holy city of Al-Najaf Tuesday to grieve Baqir Al-Hakim. Jihan Al-Alaily reports from Al-Najaf

Hard times ahead
The assassination of Ayatollah Mohamed Baqir Al-Hakim may deprive Iraq's Shi'ites of competent leadership and aggravate sectarian tension. Omayma Abdel-Latif looks into the fallout of the death of the Ayatollah

Eyes on Iraq's seat
Iraq's newly appointed foreign minister is trying to assume his country's seat in the Arab League. Dina Ezzat reports

The showdown
The protracted friction between Arafat and Abbas may be heading for an all out confrontation, reports Khaled Amayreh from Ramallah

Both sides of the fence
A demolition order for a fence built around St Anthony's Monastery has local government and the church hurling accusations at each other. Dena Rashed reports

Egypt:

Al-Azhar on air
The idea of Al-Azhar University launching its own Islamic satellite channel is not everyone's cup of tea. Rania Khallaf reports

A confusing fatwa
A senior Al-Azhar cleric is in hot water for issuing a fatwa against the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council. Mona El-Nahhas investigates

Economy:

Dubious in Dubai
Regional conflicts have undermined participation in the upcoming World Bank and IMF meeting. Mohamed Darwish reports from Dubai

FDI flows now a trickle
The pace of local reforms and political tension in the region are not helping attract investors to the market. Yasser Sobhi reports

Culture:

Exclusive prayers
Amal Choucri Catta revels in uniqueness

No more aluminium
As a new round of the Alexandria Film Festival opens Youssef Rakha listens to its reluctant new president