One upside of the Christchurch earthquake is that nature has unleashed the biggest job creation scheme NZ has seen.

Britain is facing calls to set out a detailed timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Mayor Bob Parker is unsure about the comparison with former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, but the earthquake that struck Christchurch could help him keep his job.

Chris de Freitas says risk-management planning can help society in practical and economic ways.

A decision on who will form the next Australian government could still be a while away.

Iran has sentenced a woman facing execution for adultery to 99 lashes for allowing an unveiled photo of herself to appear in a UK newspaper.

A final decision on who will govern Australia for the next three years is not expected until next week.

Julia Gillard is now just two seats short of the 76 she needs.

Julia Gillard is closer to retaining power in Australia with one of the four independents choosing her over Tony Abbott.

Former Deputy PM Michael Cullen has outlined a proposal which would see Parliament elect the Head of State, telling a conference there was "inevitability" about NZ becoming a republic.

The former boss of Lehman Brothers has let loose his bitterness at the US government's failure to save his firm in 2008.