In Iraq, Arabs could confront and simultaneously communicate with Iran. Dina Ezzat reports from Baghdad on how this juggling act might be achieved

Niveen Wahish reviews ongoing efforts to put a brake on the negative impact of the global slowdown on Egypt's economy

What would it take for President Mubarak to attend the Doha summit? Dina Ezzat seeks an answer

A limited cabinet reshuffle sparks a host of rumours, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

A fire gutted a nine-storey building in Ramses Street on Saturday, injuring 14 and causing millions of pounds worth of damage, reports Maya Madkour

Egyptian women, like others elsewhere, are still struggling to attain key positions. Reem Leila attended an international conference studying solutions, if any

Nine portraits were stolen from the Shubra Palace last week, reports Nevine El-Aref

Students get a day off to mark the raising of the Egyptian flag in Taba. But why now, asks Nesmahar Sayed

Israel imposes further punishments on Gaza after the breakdown of negotiations, reports Khaled Amayreh in occupied East Jerusalem

Israel now has what is being called the most rightist government in its history, writes Khaled Amayreh in occupied East Jerusalem

How serious can the international community's commitment to eliminating racism be taken when it succumbs to Israeli pressure to boycott the Durban II conference, asks Amira Howeidy

Britain's policy change towards Hizbullah is a step in the right direction. Preconditions, writes Omayma Abdel-Latif from Beirut, should not be laid down

Can the Americans sort out their differences with Damascus, asks Bassel Oudat in Damascus

A sizeable budget planned for 2009/10 promises controversy of similar proportions, Niveen Wahish reports

Gold never ceased to be the safest investment in times of crisis, yet as Sherine Nasr finds out, it too is feeling the pinch of recession

The reinstatement of Pakistan's top judge was a triumph of politics over law, writes Graham Usher in Islamabad

The dynamics of Iranian politics revolve around the new approach of Washington, observes Mustafa El-Labbad

Nehad Selaiha discovers what a fuss cuckoos still make

In its second year the "Arab Booker" is going strong: Sayed Mahmoud reports from Abu Dhabi

Nader Habib experienced déjà vu on arriving in the charming coastal cityof Port Said

There were no major surprises over the weekend as the first leg matches of the 1/16th stage of the CAF-MTN Champions League took off, with the big guns recording convincing wins