Latest from Europe

Tough conditions for search teams
Search teams in the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Forsyth Barr, CTV and PGC buildings are facing a variety of challenges in trying to secure the buildings.

Spain: Madrid on a platter
Food, wine and fun trump sleep in Spain's capital city, says Susan Buckland.

Summer of greed (+recipe)
A new cookbook written by two old friends exploring their culinary heritage should reignite your zest for Italian food.

Wine: Ready for riesling
When this variety is doing its job well it can transport you to a different place.

At home: Lust for life
Amanda Taylor-Ace had a dream and, through the sheer force of her personality, made it her reality, upping sticks and creating a most enviable life in France.

<i>The Refreshment Room</i>, Titirangi
Gorgeous views and simply delicious Italian fare are getting tongues wagging in the Waitakeres.

Russia: Encounter of the best kind
Grand palaces prove less attractive than friendly faces, Bronwyn Elsmore finds.

What you see is not what you get
Supermodel Erin O'Connor slams designers for trying to brainwash women with a fantasy image not attainable without digital trickery.

How repetition helps a child's vocabulary
It may be boring for parents - but reading the same book over and over again to children is the best way to develop their vocabulary.

Glasgow: Give a girl a bad name...
Glasgow's culinary reputation for deep-fried Mars Bars and chips with everything is well past its use-by date, says Pam Neville.

Good Taste:In praise of riesling
If you donned a "Jesus drinks riesling" T-shirt in the normal world, most people would think you were one sandwich short of a picnic, but among other riesling freaks it doesn't make the grade.

Don't miss: Marilyn: Hollywood Icon
Located in Claverton Manor near Bath, the American Museum in Britain contains over 15,000 items of decorative arts.

Soccer: Kiwi fan makes headlines for going the extra mile
Stephen Hitchcock travelled halfway around the world to see his favourite team Crawley Town face Manchester United.

Album Review: PJ Harvey <i>Let England Shake</i>
The Queen of Scream, PJ Harvey, reconnects with her folk-blues roots on her eighth album, Let England Shake.

Success: Health guinea pigs now lead world
Reforms helped create IT systems that are envied by other countries.

Banks just too big to fail? Iceland shows otherwise
Decision to let banks go under looks smarter by the day, in contrast to Ireland's costly bailout, reports Yalman Onaran.

Behind the Screens: And the winner is...
Cathrin Schaer offers her picks of the offerings at Berlinale.

Man in 'catatonic state' since child abuse images found
A 23-year-old student has been in an almost mute, catatonic state since he was found with child abuse images on his computer.