The mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has again demanded Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd back his words with action to support her son's legal and human rights.

With year-round sun and warm sea, Portugal's Algarve makes a great base for a holiday, finds Cathy Packe.

Liqueurs - even the name sounds thick, rich and sweet. But are they glutinous, fruit-based sugar syrups, or is there something a bit more to them? Well, of course there is.

Keen to impress on Valentine's Day? Knock your beloved's socks off with a classic Gallic dish.

Strokestown Park's gracious delights front a grim attraction, writes Graham Reid.

Cathrin Schaer blogs from the 61st Berlin International Film Festival.

A radio promotion offering the chance to win a 'hot' wife from Ukraine has offended New Zealand immigrants from the eastern European country.

A Facebook group aiming stop a controversial "win a wife" radio competition is asking companies to pull advertising from the station.

One of the biggest film festivals in the world started with a red carpet première of US blockbuster True Grit on Thursday in Berlin. Celebrities, star-crazed fans and journalists with silly questions, packed the German capital.

United States news organisation CNN International has released its top 10 places to propose to a loved one on Valentine's Day.

Fashionable New Zealanders give Viva insight into their perfect Valentine, plus tips for the big date.

Almost 50 New Zealand short films have this week been featured at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, as part of its international spotlight programme.

Geoff Cumming was lured to France on the promise of a cruise down the Rhone through sun-drenched countryside and beautiful vineyards.

It's getting easier for darker skinned women to find makeup that suits, but equal choice is still a work in progress.

The prosecutor seeking Assange's extradition on sexual assault allegations is a well-known radical feminist, the court was told.

London-based New Zealander Karen Cole is giving merino wool a designer edge and succeeding.

Meet the new batch of contestants for New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker.

Peter Andre has called in lawyers after he found his daughter Princess Tiaamii with a three-inch burn on her back.