Latest fromMiddle East

Slain son's death 'absolutely senseless'
The mother of a murdered Bay of Plenty teenager said today she was unable to describe how she felt about her son's "brutal, absolutely senseless death". A Mongrel Mob member ran down Jordan Herewini in Murupara last year.

Iran: Persian pleasures (+recipe)
Food writers Greg and Lucy Malouf find their journey to Iran filled with incredible cuisine and warm hospitality.

Fine lines between pleasure and pain
Israeli David Grossman tells Helen Brown how writing helps him cope with grief.

Iranian woman facing gallows
The Iranian woman facing the death penalty for adultery could be executed in the next 24 hours.

First European flight to Baghdad puts Iraq back in business
The small French airline Aigle Azur has become the first European-based carrier to resume flights to Baghdad since the early 1990s.

One day in Iraq: WikiLeaks war logs
A look at the United States war logs for one day from the WikiLeaks release, October 17, 2006, 24 chaotic hours of car bombs, kidnaps and death squads.

Court rules its 'ok' for men to beat wives
A court in the United Arab Emirates has ruled that a man can beat his wife and children as long as no marks are left.

Success: Making butter even better
Canary Enterprises' success is built on taking a familiar product, then adding value.

Secrets of the story hunters
The Independent looks at a vanishing breed - the investigative journalist.

PLO demands settlements freeze before talks
Leaders of the main moderate Palestinian factions have voted to oppose further negotiations while building continues in Jewish settlements.

Private navy may help defeat pirates
London insurers have radical plans to reduce seaborne hijackings.

Deadly traps lie in wait as Nato takes aim at Kandahar Taleban
Many US and British officers warn that corrupt police are turning people against the government and 'acting as Taleban recruiting sergeants.'