In the run-up to Tuesday's local council elections, the Egyptian regime has left little to chance. It has made it almost impossible for members of opposition movements to register as candidates.

This past Wednesday, March 4, a contract was signed between Mohammed Saleh Salem, of the Egyptian Arab Land Bank (EALB) and Iman Ismail, of the Egyptian Mortgage Finance Company (EMRC). This is the first signing of this type in Egypt. What it signifies is the government and private sector recognition for the growing demand in social housing and the long-term mortgage financing necessary to shelter this demand.

A senior leader for the Palestinian militant group Hamas is in Egypt to resume talks on the future of Egypt's border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Archaeologists from UCLA and the University of Groningen (RUG) in the Netherlands have found the earliest evidence ever discovered of an ancient Egyptian agricultural settlement, including farmed grains, remains of domesticated animals, pits for cooking and even floors for what appear to be dwellings, the National Geographic Society announced today.

Egypt has closed the border with the Gaza Strip, ending 11 days of unrestricted movement for Palestinians. VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough has more from Cairo.

A senior leader for the Palestinian militant group Hamas has vowed to work with Cairo to seal off the breached border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

Close aides to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say they have received backing from Arab governments to take over crossing points and borders in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Egypt. VOA's Jim Teeple reports from Jerusalem.

Thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are crossing into Egypt for a fourth day since militants destroyed a border barricade Wednesday.

Egypt has increased security around its now open border with the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians poured into the country for a second straight day to stock up on food, fuel and household supplies.

Egyptian security forces announced by loudspeaker in towns near the border with the Gaza Strip that the frontier would be closed from 1300 GMT, according to witnesses.

A human tide of Palestinians has swarmed out of Gaza into Egypt for the second day after militants blew open the border in a bid to break a punishing Israeli blockade.

Palestinians are continuing to cross into Egypt for a second day to stock up on food, fuel and household supplies that have been scarce in the Gaza Strip since Israel imposed a blockade on the territory last week.