Moving Palestinians and Israelis towards a talking phase is a top priority for Egyptian diplomacy. Dina Ezzat reports

Controversy over constitutional amendments, and tension between party leaders and the prime minister, may ignite sparks at next week's fourth annual NDP conference, writes Gamal Essam El-Din

A project for the economic and social empowerment of women continues to provide new opportunities, writes Reem Leila

With Darfur high on her agenda, Amnesty International's Secretary-General Irene Khan was in Egypt this week. She spoke to Amira Howeidy about double standards and the horrors of the war on terror

With journalists fighting over which red lines can be crossed, a wider picture emerges of increasing state intolerance for the independent press, writes Shaden Shehab

After a short truce with the government, judges are to resume their battle for reform. Mona El-Nahhas reports

The acquittal of the Beni Mazar defendant returned the case to its enigmatic beginnings, writes Pierre Loza

Three men have been sentenced to death for their role in a spate of terror attacks in Sinai over the past two years. Jailan Halawi reports

Bird migration has brought news of more avian flu infections. Reem Leila looks at measures to prevent another outbreak

Can the serenity and divinity of Mugamaa Al-Adian, Nevine El-Aref asks, be disturbed by a pub planned for the buffer precinct of Mar Girguis in Old Cairo?