From the Sharpe books to Arthurian sagas, the prolific output of Bernard Cornwell has topped best-seller lists around the world. The secret is in the plot, he tells Robert McCrum.

The economic recession and increasing awareness about environmental and ethical concerns have spurred many in the fashion industry to look more closely at its image.

The fashion set is afflicted by Acne at the moment: it's all over their backs, their feet, even their coffee tables.

All Black hooker Keven Mealamu's grand slam tour is all but over after he was found guilty of striking England's Lewis Moody.

In a move likely to be greeted with the dusting off of drainpipe trousers nationwide, Pulp have announced they are the latest Britpop band to reform.

The teaching programme, which recognises the contribution of gay people in history, was created in an effort to stamp out homophobic bullying.

All Blacks' assistant coach Wayne Smith has suggested Sonny Bill Williams could spend some time on the side of the scrum in the future.

Britain's maestro of molecular gastronomy is just as good at pub grub, finds Rob McFarland.

The world could run out of affordable chocolate within 20 years as farmers in West Africa abandon their crops, industry experts claim.

This morning's win was like waiting for a bus at times, periods of frustration when it felt like something was coming but never did.

New Zealand did not so much bounce back from their loss against Australia as burp at Twickenham this morning, writes Dylan Cleaver.

A New Zealand wine company has become the first in the world to declare its carbon footprint for each glass.

New Zealanders eat seven million serves of chips a week, says Heart Foundation nutritionist Judith Morley-John.

Todd Carney completed his stunning return to league by picking up the RLIF International Player of the Year award.

A new generation of men are useless morons incapable of basic tasks such as ironing or putting up a shelf, says Top Gear star James May.

A Scotland Yard detective is in trouble for allegedly inserting song titles into his evidence.

The two European superpowers, long distrustful of each other, have entered into a Defence Treaty.

The December issue of British Vogue will be available as an iPad app, but editor Alexandra Shulman is waiting to gauge reaction before embarking on a second instalment.

News Corporation has reported 105,000 online sales of The Times and The Sunday Times - the first official figures sincce putting its online news content behind a paywall.

The body's immune defences can destroy the common cold virus after it has invaded the inner sanctum of a human cell, scientists have found.

Kiwis flying out of the United Kingdom face hefty fare increases after an increase in British departure taxes that could cost up to $355.