Latest from Middle East

Palestinians to deploy forces to halt attacks

Rice vows personal effort on Mideast peace

Sharon authorises army crackdown on militants

<EM>Mixed media</EM>: Potential peacemaker

Allawi says parts of Iraq unsafe for poll

Abbas win and new Sharon coalition boost peace hopes

Israeli parliament swears in new government

Palestinians want progress, not dreams, from Abbas

US to expand aid and contacts after Palestinian vote

<EM>Gwynne Dyer:</EM> Turkey on the road to Europe

Gaza violence dents hopes of Middle East peace

Hamas willing to declare truce with Israel

Dubai: The world's most opulent stopover

Why does 'the ugliest city in the world' attract so many visitors each year? Jim Eagles finds rich pickings in Dubai, but only if you're into bizarre-looking hotels and endless shopping malls.

Israel facing elections after Sharon breaks up coalition

Al Qaeda vows to fight on against US

Abbas orders broadcasters to reduce anti-Israel rhetoric

New Zealanders warned against Saudi Arabia travel

EU grants Jordan 30 million euros poverty relief