Forces supporting a civilian state in Egypt insist they will go ahead with a major protest in the famed square on Friday despite intense efforts by the military council to discourage organisers, reports Khaled Dawoud

The Syrian regime has chosen to isolate itself by opting for the road of no return, writes Bassel Oudat from Damascus

Gamal Essam El-Din reports on demands by Mubarak's lawyer Farid El-Deeb that Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, chairman of the ruling military junta, be called to the witness stand

The trial of the former interior minister will resume next week, reports Mohamed Abdel-Baky

The list of provincial governors sworn in on Monday night suggests that being perceived as a safe pair of hands remains as important as ever in securing appointment, writes Gamal Essam El-Din

The government dissolved the state-run Trade Union Federation, opening the door to more freedom for the labour movement, reports Mohamed Abdel-Baky

An invitation to the Muslim Brotherhood's Iftar was last week's hot ticket, writes Amani Maged

The state-run General Authority for Commodities Supply (GACS) is tightening measures on importing wheat to ensure its quality before shipment, Mona El-Fiqi reports

Turkey has lost patience with the Syrian regime, with the "strategic" relationship between the two countries facing complete collapse, reports Bassel Oudat in Damascus

Cell phone cameras have been crucial to the Syrian revolution, since the regime has banned media footage of the uprising

Dominated by Syria's allies, Lebanon's government sat firmly on the fence this week as Arab states turned the heat up on Damascus, reports Lucy Fielder from Beirut

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis continued their protests this week against the country's socio-economic system, writes Khaled Amayreh in occupied Jerusalem

Suddenly Netanyahu is under pressure on settlements from within: they cost too much, say Israeli protesters, reports Saleh Al-Naami

Picking leaders for Libya's NTC top military post entails merit and not geography or ethnicity, propounds Gamal Nkrumah

Turkey's ruling party looks to a symbol of a bygone era as the country's Kurdish problem enters a new -- potentially explosive -- era, writes Gareth Jenkins from Istanbul

Speculation abounds on the plans of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, released from hospital following June's assassination attempt, writes Nasser Arrabyee

Ati Metwaly paints Egypt in melodies

By Mona Anis

A mini book fair which opened last week aim to reinvigorate today's stagnant local book market, writes Rania Khallaf

Abeya El-Bakry witnesses the famous Ramadan lanterns illuminating the streets and alleyways of Islamic Cairo

Egypt stormed through to round 16 of the U-20 World Cup, Ahmed Morsy reports