Latest fromSouth America
Ecuador: Dining in style with the Incas (+recipe)
Jim Eagles visits a South American nation rich with historical treasures, wild volcanic beauty ... and a wonderful potato soup.
Under the foreign knife
Expensive dental and cosmetic surgery here is creating a burgeoning industry overseas. While a nip and tuck is cheaper offshore, experts say it might also be riskier.
Crackland: a nation's journey to hell
Thousand of young Brazilians are living a bleak and dangerous life as the number of crack addicts soars.
The climate dissenter holds his ground
Despite weather extremes, an Auckland climate scientist is unconvinced about the role of human-induced global warming.
Soccer: Drama may hold silver lining
There might be another silver lining for some members of the Football Ferns after yesterday's dramatic 2-2 draw with Mexico.
Charlie Sheen dumped once more
Charlie Sheen has been dumped by his girlfriend Natalie Kenly.
Stephen King: Economic future not worth the paper it's written on
Once-solid financial securities are losing their safe status.
Crime, terror fears drive border clamp
Australia plans tough steps to to plug gaps at its entry points.
Don't miss: Feria de las Flores (Flowers Festival)
The annual Medellín Flowers Festival sees Colombia's "City of Eternal Spring" bedecked with colourful blooms.
Volcanic ash cloud could disrupt flights all week
Flights over New Zealand could be disrupted for days as ash from the Chilean volcanic eruption...
Paul Thomas: Scandal a hotter topic than boring drugs war
Misbehaving politician part of trivia captivating Washington at expense of more important issues.
Christina Patterson: Sex and feminists' new clothes
Sex is here to stay but sometimes the signals can be baffling, writes Christina Patterson.
Machu Picchu: Breath-taking ascent to wonder
Pamela Wade finds the Inca Trail climb to Machu Picchu adds to the excitement.
The Inca Trail, Peru
A rocky climb to Machu Picchu adds excitement to the exploration of this world wonder, which was discovered in 1911.