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 man who was abused by escaped fugitive Phillip John Smith says he is disappointed with Corrections at not having done their job properly.

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".

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.

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?

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

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.

There is only one place for fired up Kiwi-Chilean Mauricio Olmedo-Perez to be.

As the eyes of the world are on the carnival of sport at the Football World Cup in Brazil, we meet Kiwis who have made the South American mecca home.

NZ-based Brazil fans are thrilled their team is through to the Fifa World Cup semifinals - but their joy is tempered slightly by the loss of key player Neymar.

Andre Schurrle says that Germany expect to win the World Cup after he set up their quarter-final tie against France in Rio de Janeiro.

Three bites and you are out, writes Chris Rattue. That should be football's response to a third Luis Suarez biting scandal in four years, this one damaging the image of the World Cup.

The video circulating around a gleeful Argentina has not been lost on the long-suffering Brazilians, just across the eastern border.

Pele is an ambassador for the World Cup but the association has been problematic.

There is nothing like the sight of a man, mere seconds ago a formidable athlete, now rolling around on the ground in agony because someone touched his shirt to tell you that the football/soccer World Cup is upon us.

Yellow fever is one of the least likely to pose a real threat. But there are two important things to know about the illness.

Brazil native Ana Paula De Jesus says her dream football World Cup final would be to see her countrymen play their arch-rival, Argentina.

A mobile scanner designed to spot a 3D-printed plastic pistol hidden under a gunman's clothing is to be used in Brazil after threats by organised criminals to disrupt the World Cup.

Goldman Sachs say buy Brazilian stocks because the country will win the World Cup, giving a boost to the local equity market. But investors need to move fast as the gains won't last.