Prospects of ending the Sudanese political crisis are gaining momentum, but tensions remain, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Hamas's vowed, but long-delayed, retaliation for the assassination of Sheikh Yassin and Abdul-Aziz Al-Rantisi kills 16 Israelis and wounds scores, reports Khaled Amayreh from Jerusalem

Iraqis are unsure about the outcome of the battle of Najaf, reports Nermeen Al-Mufti from the devastated holy city

Events in Najaf have highlighted the impotence of the interim Iraqi government and the strength of the country's religious authorities, writes Abbas Kadhim

A suicide bombing in Beersheba overshadows Cairo's efforts to unify Palestinian ranks, and resume the peace process. Rasha Saad and Nevine Khalil report

Gihan Shahine talks to families of Egyptian prisoners in Iraq, and listens to stories of extravagant torment

Opposition parties are scrambling to unify their ranks before the ruling party's late September annual conference. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

The second week of the Palestinian political prisoners hunger strike has taken its toll, reports Khaled Amayreh from the West Bank

Syria has made no friends in Lebanon or abroad by amending the Lebanese constitution to allow Emile Lahoud's term as president to be extended, reports Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut

A quiet but determined effort to develop the joint American-Israeli Arrow antiballistic missile is a worrying reminder of the growing military and strategic collaboration between Washington and Tel Aviv, writes Galal Nassar

Taher Helmy charts a course for social and economic success through empowerment of the average citizen

Youssef Rakha can barely cherish what few laughs he gets

Fatemah Farag reads a common history bound in tamarind and orange blossoms