Latest from Europe

Travellers grounded as air restrictions continue
UK airspace will remain closed until tomorrow morning, a shutdown which is costing the air industry an estimated $282 million a day.

Volcanic dust aborts Polish funeral trip
The Governor-General has been forced to cancel plans to attend the late Polish President's funeral.

Ash big threat to jet engines
Enhanced engine technology has magnified the risk of fatal damage to aircraft flying into volcanic ash clouds, writes Mathew Dearnaley.

Regarding Henry
Scriptwriter Victor Rodger is stepping out of the shadows and on to the Shortland Street set.

Kiwis' travel plans upset by volcanic eruption
Kiwis travelling to the London Book Fair next week have been scattered and stranded all over the globe with volcanic ash continuing to disrupt flights across Europe.

Kiwi designer's wares attract interest in Milan
Wellington-based Tim Wigmore is one of the up-and-coming designers exhibiting at this year's Satellite Salone.

Volcanic ash throws travel plans into disarray
1500 Air NZ passengers among more than a million affected by airport shutdowns across Europe.

Britain's National Gallery to show its forgeries
A collection of paintings that have caused art aficionados to turn a deep shade of purple are to go on show.

Softer colour palates represented at design show
Today, the crowds descended upon the Fiera Pavillions in Milan to see what the biggest names in global furniture manufacturing had on offer.

Anger at burial plans for Polish President
Protesters say President Lech Kaczynski and his wife should not be buried in Wawel Cathedral -normally reserved for poets and kings.

Magical lighting options spark the imagination
Judging by the impressive display at the Swarovski Crystal Palace today we can assume that the dark days are almost over.

NZ ranked fourth in global economic freedom rankings
NZ is the fourth most economically free country in the world according to a US think tank and the Wall Street Journal.

Places to park your behind
One thing which can be relied on at the Salone del Mobile is a plethora of new chair designs.

White lies and war
Filmmaker Gaylene Preston, who put the wartime memories of women, including her mother, on film, has turned her attention to her father's war.

'VIP syndrome' and pilot error blamed for Polish crash
Russian authorities insist that pilot error was behind the plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski.

Eyes of the design world on Milan
Publisher of Design Folio Magazine Claire Sullivan is heading to the Salone del Mobile design fair in Milan. Check back throughout the week for her updates on the latest trends.

Wanted: 'Creamers' to apply sunscreen at French beaches
Wanted: Young people to spend July and August on a French beach rubbing sun cream into the backs of beautiful young women.

Airline to introduce coin-operated toilets
The Irish carrier Ryanair is planning to make its toilets coin-operated.