Spain, France and Italy promote new peace initiative Spain will sponsor a new Middle East peace initiative along with France and Italy.

‘Nuclear programme in its final stages’ Iran’s president said on Thursday his country was about to take the “final step” in its nuclear program.

Iraq government in crisis after employees tortured Many of the hostages seized in a daylight raid on a government building in Baghdad were tortured and some killed.

EU Parliament: Send international force to Gaza The European Parliament on Thursday expressed overwhelming support for sending international peacekeepers to Gaza.

Ex-Intelligence Chief Sees No Political Solution in Gaza In his first interview since retiring as Head of IDF Intelligence, Gen. Ze’evi says stability is not foreseen in the PA.

Megapastor Rick Warren blasts Iraq war, praises Syria California mega-church pastor Rick Warren, author of the best-selling “Purpose-Driven Life,” reportedly told a Syrian-controlled news agency the U.S. should have been holding dialogues with Damascus.

Ayalon: We’ll build Bush institute in Israel In an unusual display of appreciation, US President George W. Bush invited outgoing Israeli Ambassador to the United States Daniel Ayalon to privately bid farewell at the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Al-Jazeera English hits airwaves Doha, Qatar newsroom of al-Jazeera International The Arabic television news channel al-Jazeera has launched its new English-language station.

Palestinian FM: Iran donated $120M to Hamas-led government Iran has donated $120 million to the Palestinian Hamas-led government and has said it is ready to give more.

Annan presents Darfur force plan UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has opened a conference on the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region with a new plan for the peacekeeping force there.