A prisoner exchange deal looks increasingly likely, reports Khaled Amayreh from the West Bank

Maliki's security plans seem conspicuously incompetent on the ground in Iraq, writes Nermeen Al-Mufti

With the end of the EU-run Temporary International Mechanism looming, Palestinians are scrambling to find ways to keep the money flowing, reports Erica Silverman

Tonight, the NDP's annual conference draws to a close with little change expected, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

The NDP's three-day conference, which ends today, saw Gamal Mubarak consolidating his position within the party, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

The Vatican remains under fire despite Pope Benedict XVI's regrets for having offended Muslims. Gihan Shahine explains why

The Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef remains defiant in the face of a major security clampdown. The arrests of Brotherhood members, he tells Amira Howeidy, will not alter their path

The battle between state-owned and independent newspapers appears to have been contained, for the time being at least, writes Shaden Shehab

With Washington and Khartoum battling it out at the UN, blue-helmeted peace-keepers remain distant from Darfur for the time being

The fate of the Lebanese government remains uncertain, reports Omayma Abdel-Latif

Southern leaders in Havana pledge to get their act together and fight for justice against hegemony, writes Faiza Rady

India and Pakistan have made up, but the breach shows how frail the peace between them is, writes Graham Usher in Islamabad

Andrew McKinnon offers his views on the debate about the terms "amateur" and "professional" in theatre

Hanan Sabra casts an eye over Ramadan TV schedules