More than five weeks before voting kicks off for a new parliament, the heat is already being felt, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

The Shalit prisoner swap is being hailed by both Hamas and Israel, writes Doaa El-Bey

As parliamentary hopefuls scramble to register, squabbles among political parties continue over who should run the show, Gamal Essam El-Din reports

The approach of elections is reinvigorating the public's hopes despite political polarization, violence and a seemingly endless security vacuum, writes Amira Howeidy

The Islamists are not in an enviable position, writes Amani Maged

It will take more than gestures to assuage the anger of Egypt's Copts, writes Dina Ezzat

The Egyptian Navy celebrates the 44th anniversary of the sinking of the Israeli destroyer Eilat, Amirah Ibrahim reports

The Muslim Brotherhood won a majority in elections held by the Doctors Syndicate, Reem Leila reports

Elections at the Press Syndicate can be resumed in the wake of a legal challenge, reports Mona El-Nahhas

Two limestone reliefs stolen from the tomb of the Fifth-Dynasty King Sahure's hairdresser in Saqqara necropolis have been recovered, Nevine El-Aref reports

Faced with sluggish growth yet rising prices, Egyptian monetary policymakers are caught between a rock and a hard place, writes Niveen Wahish

For some, the absence of Mubarak removed an obstacle to Shalit's release; for others, Shalit's release removes an obstacle to Israel attacking Iran, writes Saleh Al-Naami in Gaza

Announcing new plans to build thousands of settler units, Israel continues to undermine efforts to see direct peace talks resume with the Palestinian Authority, writes Khaled Amayreh in occupied Jerusalem

Seven months after the start of the Syrian uprising, what are the prospects for the Al-Assad regime, asks Bassel Oudat in Damascus

Nabil El-Arabi is again trying to get Damascus to embrace political compromise, Dina Ezzat reports

Al-Qaeda and tribesmen threaten to retaliate for the US drone attacks in Yemen as US ally Saleh clings on, reports Nasser Arrabyee in Sanaa

The election of the National Constituent Council is a step towards the unknown, writes Al-Asaad bin Ahmed in Tunis

Tunisia's head of the Supreme Authority for Elections speaks to Karem Yehia about general elections due Sunday and steps taken so far in the country's transition to democracy

The fulfilment of the aspirations of the Libyan people marks the epitome of their ambitions, notes Gamal Nkrumah

The arrest of Iranian suspect in a plot to kill the Saudi envoy raises more questions than answers, says Rashid Abul-Samh

As Wall Street goes bust, Obama harks back to his would-be Avatar, bemoans Gamal Nkrumah

Nehad Selaiha wonders if noble intentions can excuse the falsification of reality and adulteration of theatrical art

Writing from Abu Dhabi, Hani Mustafa delights in stories of the displaced

For Ashraf Ibrahim, maps evoke visions and trigger memories, says Venus Fouad

By Soha Hesham

The revolution is teaching mothers new ways of keeping their family, jobs and lives intact. Dena Rashed joins the moms in their pursuit of normalcy

Despite a lacklustre performance, defending champions Ahli were satisfied with claiming all three points in their Egyptian domestic league opener, Ahmed Morsy reports