The demolition of the National Democratic Party headquarters, a symbol of repression under Hosni Mubarak, has sparked debate among Egyptians. While some, like witness Ahmed, view the building as a testament to the revolution and oppose its demolition, others, such as entrepreneur Ahmed Hafez, see the demolition as a step towards the future. Architect Mahmoud Riad, whose grandfather designed the building, is concerned about the loss of heritage and the government's disregard for the law in demolishing protected buildings. The government plans to turn the site into a cultural center, but Riad and others have proposed alternative uses that preserve the building's memory. The article highlights the divided public opinion and the broader issue of heritage preservation in Egypt.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab has been granted the authority to ban foreign publications in Egypt deemed offensive to religion or promoting erotica, following a decree by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This move, seen as a response to the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo depicting the Prophet Mohamed, raises concerns about further restrictions on freedom of expression in Egypt. The decree has sparked debate, with some supporting limits on insulting religion, while others view it as government censorship. The article also highlights Egypt's poor ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and past instances of media bans related to religious content.

Residents near the Egypt-Gaza border are being evacuated as the Egyptian armed forces establish a 'secure zone' to eliminate smuggling tunnels, which are seen as a national security threat. The move follows a deadly attack in North Sinai, believed to be linked to Gaza. The forced evictions, which may be unconstitutional, offer residents compensation options. Experts and officials provide varying perspectives on the implications of the secure zone, with some suggesting it could tighten the blockade on Gaza. The situation remains tense with ongoing ceasefire talks between Palestinian factions and Israel postponed.

The article discusses the hostile reception faced by the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) in Egypt, particularly during a symposium held by the National Council for Women (NCW). The EUEOM members were publicly berated for their preliminary statement on the presidential election, highlighting a broader issue of defensiveness and suspicion towards foreign observers and criticism in Egypt. Despite the negative reception, the EUEOM plans to continue its mission and provide recommendations for future elections.

The 6 April Youth Movement launched a petition to redraft the Egyptian Protest Law, which they claim is unconstitutional and has led to the imprisonment of prominent members, including co-founders Ahmed Maher and Mohamed Adel, and activists Ahmed Douma and Alaa Abdel-Fattah. The movement criticizes the law for contradicting international human rights conventions and for being used to harass opponents. They also call for the restructuring of the Egyptian police force, which they say is unqualified to handle democratic protests. The law, ratified by interim President Adly Mansour amid criticism, is opposed by the movement, which is seeking support from political forces in Egypt for its repeal.