Sarkozy has back to wall as spread of al Qaeda terror group in France's ex-colonies hits region.

If wine had a personality, pinot noir's would be strangely alluring while requiring occasional therapy.

Dan Carter has been accused of asking for "crazy money" by Toulon rugby club owner Mourad Boudjellal.

Call them old-fashioned, but these nudists just want good, clean fun in the sun.

Former Penrith star Craig Gower is investigating a surprise return to the NRL with Canberra or Parramatta.

A French quadruple amputee has swum the English Channel in 13.5 hours with the help of flipper-shaped prosthetic legs.

Flight-deck error, inadequate training and a maintenance slip caused the crash of an Air NZ jet, France's air safety board has determined.

Conquering five cities in three countries over six days with nary a sword, stallion nor aircraft in sight can take it out of a girl.

French jeweller Thierry Martin has just been appointed head designer at leading Australian jewellers Fairfax & Roberts. On the eve of his trip to New Zealand he talks about his life-long affair with creating beautiful jewellery.

Rating: 5/5 Verdict: A jailhouse masterpiece.

Jacques Audiard, director of A Prophet, wants his audiences to feel empathy with characters who have committed reprehensible acts, writes Peter Calder

Standing on snakes and having trees fall on him are all in a day's work for the archaeologist who's been called Auckland's Indiana Jones.

Prime Minister John Key and his wife, Bronagh, will be spending a weekend with the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Montana wines as we know them will soon disappear from the shelves - in name only.