Latest fromMiddle East
![Zain Ali: How the Muslim world can help New Zealand](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Zain Ali: How the Muslim world can help New Zealand
he time is right to engage economically with Islamic finance, writes Zain Ali, head of the Islamic studies research unit at the University of Auckland.
![Fran O'Sullivan: NZ reaction to Israel 'scandal' exposes official wariness](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Fran O'Sullivan: NZ reaction to Israel 'scandal' exposes official wariness
The close scrutiny of the young tourists shows the SIS harbours deep suspicions when it comes to Israeli activity
![Israelis seize protest yacht as it tries to run blockade](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Israelis seize protest yacht as it tries to run blockade
Israeli commandos yesterday boarded and seized control of a yacht carrying pro-Palestinian activists.
![My son, the 'American Taleban', is innocent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
My son, the 'American Taleban', is innocent
John Lindh travelled to Afghanistan to help the ruling Taleban fight against Russian-backed insurgents. Then 9/11 happened. US troops tortured him, tried him as a terrorist and jailed him for 20 years.
![Audrey Young: Pacific party sets tone for better relations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Audrey Young: Pacific party sets tone for better relations
As John Key prepares for a White House visit next week, New Zealand's Pacific role is growing in value.
![Fran O'Sullivan: It's time for more gravitas from Key](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Fran O'Sullivan: It's time for more gravitas from Key
We need to hear what really matters from the Prime Minister.
![How to avoid being killed: A traveller's guide](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
How to avoid being killed: A traveller's guide
A Middle East-based journalist has penned a book advising travellers how to keep themselves safe in dangerous places.
![Paul Holmes: No place here for burqa](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Paul Holmes: No place here for burqa
Culturalism, schmulteralism: Mask wearers want no part of the West except our privileges, according to Paul Holmes.
![Neo-Nazis ditch skinhead image in bid to entice voters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Neo-Nazis ditch skinhead image in bid to entice voters
Despite a less aggressive image the violence committed by these extremists continues to increase dramatically.
![Paul Thomas: I'll take boring over US loony extremes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Paul Thomas: I'll take boring over US loony extremes
Biggest economy wouldn't default over politics, would it?
![Obama's dead! Fox's Twitter hacked](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Obama's dead! Fox's Twitter hacked
Hackers broke into Fox's Twitter account, posting updates saying President Barack Obama had been assassinated.
![Activist flotilla sinks deeper into mystery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Activist flotilla sinks deeper into mystery
Israel dismisses claims it is behind events hampering Gaza protest.