Latest fromMiddle East

Cleric's death breathes life into Iran's protest movement
The funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, the eminent cleric and champion of reform, turned into a mass protest in Iran yesterday as the vast crowd chanted slogans against the government and clashed on the streets with security.

Bush's shoe thrower turns on media
A year after the gesture that instantly gained him adulation throughout the Arab world, the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush has complained that life since then has not lived up to expectations.

Nautical in Nice
The chance to see the Louis Vuitton people celebrate a love of sailing on their home waters of the Cote d'Azur is too good to miss for Amanda Linnell.

Israel furious at Livni arrest warrant
Israeli PM says warrant issued in Britain for the arrest of Israel's former foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, is "an absurdity".

<i>Chris Rattue:</i> Sidekick Steve doesn't deserve Tiger's tar
Woods' Kiwi caddie Steve Williams doesn't deserve to be attacked in any way, or to have his career threatened.

Soccer: Auckland City stuns with Club World Cup win
Auckland City is one match from a showdown with Barcelona after downing United Arab Emirates champions Al Alhi in Abu Dhabi.

NZ skipper absent as Iran seizes yacht crew
A New Zealander was preparing to skipper a yacht in an international race when the boat was seized by Iranian authorities in territorial waters.

Dubai stocks dive as crisis hits
Dubai's main stock exchange dropped more than 7 per cent yesterday.

Sampling fruit leather in the Iranian mountains
Jill Worrall finds a peaceful haven in Iran's Alborz Mountains.