The 2016 Olympics will be no panacea for Brazil's faltering economy if last year's World Cup is any guide.

The Department of Corrections underestimated Phillip Smith when they planned his temporary release from prison, an inquiry has found.

The Government has confirmed the terms of reference for an independent inquiry into the escape of convicted killer Phillip Smith.

A week after Phillip John Smith's arrest in Rio de Janeiro, there's still no firm indication of when he will be back in New Zealand.

Captured killer Phillip John Smith has confirmed he received help in renewing the passport he used to flee the country.

Should heads now roll in the upper echelons of the Department of Corrections in the wake of convicted murderer and child molester Phillip John Smith's absconding from temporary release from jail and getting all the to Brazil before being apprehended?

Phillip John Smith was so confident of his great escape that he had already placed a rental deposit on a flat in Brazil.

A Nelson lawyer wants to gift a New Zealand holiday to the person who tipped off Brazilian authorities to escaped murderer Phillip John Smith's whereabouts.

Phillip Smith tried to extort $25,000 from a man who later killed himself, court documents reveal.

Phillip Smith's half-sister Joanne is focused on looking after her children after the "bombshell" news of the convicted killer's escape and recapture.

Phillip Smith has moved jails in Brazil, as IRD confirmed he'd managed to defraud the taxpayer of $50k while behind bars.

The prison where Phillip Smith is being held was two years ago condemned by the UN as it packed in 30 inmates to a cell, was infested with roaches and was leaking.

The man who was molested by Phillip Smith as a child, and who watched Smith murder his father, says he can now carry on with his life "without having that fear over my shoulders".

Brazil has been trying to combat the country's image as a haven for fugitives seeking anonymity and refuge from the law for a number of years.

The sister of Phillip Smith's murder victim says the escaped prisoner's plan to make a public statement this week stems from wanting a "day of glory".

Snowmen in Brazil? Diana Clement checks it out.

Power of monetary policy to drive global growth is nearing its limit. Further progress depends on government leaders.

A $611 million unsolicited takeover proposal for Chiquita Brands could lead to the scrapping of its pending merger with Irish competitor Fyffes.

I'd just landed back in NZ after five "trip-of-a-lifetime" weeks at the Fifa World Cup, writes Diana Clement. If there's a lesson from Brazil, it's be happy.

World Cup tourists have given a big thumbs up to the just-ended event in Brazil, according to a new study.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned after the team failed to win the World Cup.

To Russia, with love. But the renewal of the people's vows with the World Cup will be severely tested by its money-driven forays into the uncharted territories of Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). Was Brazil the last great folk festival?

German supporters have outnumbered Argentine fans at The Fox in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

If you think the All Blacks are consistent - take a look at the German football team. Just like their cars and appliances, German sides are uber reliable, in a much more global game.

Little things have every chance of winning or losing the World Cup final. But first, let's address the big things.