Italy has only grown 4 per cent - in total - since the euro was created 16 years ago.

It seems history is repeating itself as Greece again finds itself in the headlines, asking Germany to re-think the terms of the bailout package or risk Greece leaving the European union.

It's 1940, Britain is at war and code-breaker Alan Turing is hard at work. Danica Kirka time travels at Bletchley Park.

The 94-year-old Wellington veteran received the honour at French Ambassador Laurent Contini's home in Thorndon tonight.

Amid coal-dusted Stalinist buildings Jim Eagles finds a pole in the North Pole pointing to a pub ...

Frontline Springboks could enjoy up to five weeks rest from Super Rugby this year, according to Patrick Lambie, the Sharks pivot who ended 2014 in possession of the Bok No 10 jersey.

Finally, the Springboks are top priority in a World Cup year.

Hercule Poirot, aka Kevin Pilley, tips his homburg to Agatha Christie's mysterious bust using Franglais clues.

Entertainment is a funny business, especially when it's not that funny at all. Take, for instance, The Missing, a new British television drama series that launched on TV One on Sunday night in both terrific and dreadful style.

Bed and breakfast under those famously dreaming spires allows a glimpse into how the other half thinks, writes Steve Braunias.

Liz Light finds Hoorn is steeped in Netherlands history.

Air fares as low as $1,365 return to Europe are on sale as airlines try to top up planes for the coming year.

Peter de Graaf follows in the steps of Everest's conqueror, visiting Sir Edmund Hillary's local pub in Wales.

Those at Davos, seemingly representing the interests of the very wealthy, like to think they are working to make the world a better place - as long as they are not inconvenienced in doing so.

Another tale of Russian spooks operating in the US has emerged, described by the former CIA analyst Mark Stout as a "classic case of espionage".

On a cruise stopover in Kotor, Carol Smith finds the view from the top is worth the climb. The medieval Balkan town and hilltop fortress is one port of call on a magical trip around the Mediterranean.

Greece's new far-left Syriza party promised to dump tough austerity measures - but will that mean the country will have to leave the Eurozone to do it?

Anti-austerity party on the brink of a landmark election victory in Greece as critics claim it could haul the country out of the Eurozone and leave it bankrupt.

A radical leftist party that wants to cancel Greece's European Union debts of more than 200 billion ($300 billion) went into today's election with a seven-point lead.

In Ibiza's bars, young travellers pay big prices, but there are ways to avoid a budget blowout, writes Sam McKeith.

Financial markets will this week find whether the Swiss National Bank's fears were well-founded when the European Central Bank announces its plan to revive economic growth.

Combined wealth of world's richest 1 per cent will overtake that of remaining 99 per cent by 2016 unless action taken to curb "shocking extremes" of inequality.

The European Central Bank is set to unveil a programme of mass bond buying next week to save the eurozone from deflation.

Munich's Oktoberfest is the largest festival in Europe and one Josh Martin enjoyed a little too much.

If Ernests Gulbis appears to have a slightly stooped appearance at times today, there might be a good reason for it.