1While the United States and United Kingdom dithered over whether or not to launch a military strike on Syria, Russia's President Putin stepped in with a new diplomatic initiative and gleefully appeared to have outmanoeuvred the White House.

2Earlier this week, United States President Barack Obama sat down for an interview about his thoughts on the Syrian crisis.

3Earlier this week, Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad gave an interview to an American television host about his defiance in the face of international condemnation of Syria.

4In a televised speech, United States President Barack Obama addressed the American nation and stated his case for a military strike on Syria, but was it a lost cause?

5TV3 correspondent Mike McRoberts offers his thoughts on the Russian initiative for Syria's chemical weapons.

6The Rudd-Gillard era is finally over for Australians, but only days into his leadership new Australian Prime Minister Elect Tony Abbott has discovered the honeymoon is already over.

7Apple has been a force to reckon with in recent years, but with its competitors hot on its heels, the technology giant is having to think faster and work harder to maintain its hold on the market.

8A host of BBC executives from past and present were made to front up at a House of Commons hearing where they were grilled over their exorbitant salaries.

9Analysis of the week's international news headlines.