Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives were ousted from power in Germany's richest state for the first time in 58 years.

Prince Charles has comforted grieving family members of Christchurch earthquake victims in London.

New Zealand's world rally team crew extended their lead in the production car category of Rally Portugal overnight.

Alison Shanks has fallen just three tenths of a second short of reclaiming the women's individual pursuit title.

New Zealand is a 25 to one shot of being the venue for Prince William's honeymoon.

Animals just keep on dying of neglect at the notorious Kiev Zoo.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going at Paris Fashion Week. In a season dogged by intrigue, this could be a mantra, on the catwalk and beyond.

Bloggers have been elevated to front row status but now that they're 'in', can they maintain their objectivity?

Ageing faster than a blue cheese in a damp cave!" opined the Daily Mail's Jan Moir, following Kate Moss's recent appearance at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris.

"If champagne speaks of celebration, then port speaks of relaxation."

All Black first five Dan Carter's confirmed he has a couple of overseas offers on the table.

Sarkozy and Cameron lead drive for UN-backed intervention in Libya as Gaddafi's tanks roll

In honour of Italy's 150th birthday, John Walsh rounds up its top cultural exports.

This deserted village tells a story of hardship and exile, writes Pamela Wade.