The earthquake-devastated cathedral in New Zealand’s Christchurch is to be replaced by one made of cardboard.

A six-storey building that collapsed and killed 115 people in the New Zealand earthquake was made of weak columns and concrete and did not meet standards when it was built, the government says.

Pamela Anderson will portray the Virgin Mary in a TV special.

GRIEVING families of Christchurch earthquake victims were further traumatised when powerful aftershocks sent them fleeing from an inquest into their loved ones’ deaths.

The last nine victims of New Zealand’s devastating earthquake were declared dead today, ending a painful wait for the families of people whose remains have not been found.

The bodies of some victims of New Zealand’s devastating earthquake may never be recovered because they were pulverised by the buildings that collapsed around them, police said today.

GRIEVING New Zealanders mourned Christchurch earthquake victims yesterday as police said the disaster’s final death toll was set to exceed 200.

Hopes faded of finding more survivors today in the collapsed towers of New Zealand’s quake-shattered Christchurch, as officials said the death toll rose to 98 with grave fears for more than 200 missing.

CANADIANS yesterday began voting in the country’s third election in four years, likely to return the Conservatives to office in the first G7 ballot since the start of a global financial meltdown.

Irish wave energy company Wavebob Ltd has today announced that it has agreed to provide technical consulting services to Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), a division of Chevron USA, with regard to the conversion of ocean wave energy into useful power.

AN AIR FRANCE jetliner carrying 309 people skidded off a runway while landing in a thunderstorm at Toronto's Pearson International Airport last night, sliding into a ravine and bursting into flames.

THE Barrel Top wagon is a pivotal image and focus of Traveller culture. At one time the wagon would have been used throughout Ireland as a home for families and as a means of travelling from town to town.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush ordered yesterday the deployment of US Marines to Haiti to deter rebels from grabbing power.