Ivory Coast has been plunged back into civil war after a slow-burning election crisis developed into violence.

Outside his day job of saying Mass and hearing confession, Father Gary Thomas boasts an intriguing second career.

More than 200 elderly patients have been evacuated from rest homes damaged in the earthquake.

Gaudi's unfinished Sagrada Familia was a challenge New Zealander Mark Burry took on and won.

"We pray that their moment of fear becomes eternal peace," said Monsignor Gerry O'Connor during an emotional tribute to the Pike River miners in Greymouth.

West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.

Soaring 36m towards the heavens, a new statue in Poland has dethroned the landmark Jesus of Rio de Janeiro as the world's tallest statue of Christ.

A shrine to Saint Mary of The Cross MacKillop was unveiled in Auckland yesterday.

Mary MacKillop, who died more than 100 years ago, had strong ties to New Zealand.

The canonisation of Mary MacKillop will have a special resonance in Otago's Arrowtown, writes Shane Gilchrist.

Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) is set to become Australia's first saint.

One of America's richest and most well-known men may make a run for the White House.

The Independent's Dominic Lawson writes about how the Pope won a lot of friends on his recent visit to Britain.