How New Zealand takes to Suzuki's latest Swift could make or break the brand here.

50-plus projects under way to combat bacterial plague.

The Six Nations rugby tournament kicks off on Saturday morning (NZT) with an unprecedented Friday night match. Paul Lewis figures that's not all that is different in Rugby World Cup year.

Tasting wine that you can't afford is one of the pleasures of the job. It doesn't happen often but it's usually a joyous and memorable occasion when it does.

Italian magistrates yesterday sought to prise open the private financial accounts of Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Isaac Hindin Miller reports from Italy's style capital on the latest in winter menswear fashions.

Finance ministers from the eurozone are meeting to consider the issue of bailouts for debt-ridden countries.

Isaac Hindin Miller reports from Italy's style capital on the latest in winter menswear fashions.

Silvio Berlusconi maintained at least 14 glamorous young women in apartments in a gated complex outside Milan.

The Pope has declared war on parents' growing insistence on shunning the saints and naming their children after fashion designers, Sanskrit titles and things that don't mean much.

Paul Rush finds passion in the air in Italy's style city.

Staff at the NZ Embassy in Rome have been told to be on the look out for suspicious packages after mail bombs exploded in the hands of employees at the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome on Thursday.

Amanda Knox's appeal against her 26-year sentence for the murder of Meredith Kercher received a massive boost yesterday.

With her infectious cackle and outrageous dress sense, Anna Dello Russo - influential blogger, editor-at-large, street-style icon - is putting the fun back into dressing up, and gathering a huge following in the process.

In winter, Venice's crowds melt away as the December mists confer the canals with an exquisite extra dimension.

A crucial parliamentary confidence vote is coming up in Italy.

Ireland's €85 billion bailout has failed to end the crisis of confidence gripping the eurozone.

Champion skier Claudia Riegler enthuses about the shops, cafes and clubs that make the European ski experience so special.

John Hawkesby has fallen head-over-heels for crazy, complex, culture-drenched Italy.

Elegant and seductive Turin, which has much to offer visitors, makes nearby Milan look dull in comparison, writes Peter Bills.