1United States President Barack Obama has been forced to apologise to German Chancellor Angela Merkel after it was revealed that the United States has been spying on her personal phone calls for years.

2President Obama's time in power has been marked by the extensive use of drones to eliminate some of those on America's Most Wanted list. Deployed mostly in Pakistan, the White House sees drones as an effective tool to identify key terrorist threats. However, the use of drones has also resulted in civilian casualties, notably that of a Pakistani grandmother. Amnesty International is now claiming that some of these deaths could be war crimes. Interview with the Executive Director of Amnesty International New Zealand.

3The political stand-off in the United States that led to the Federal Government shut-down has cost America tens of millions of dollars and tarnished the reputation of the Republicans. The Conservative faction of the Republican Party. known as the Tea Party, appears to have not only lost this battle, but is now struggling in the war for public approval.

4American billionaire and Wall Street guru Warren Buffett has spoken out strongly against the Government shut-down. Excerpts from a CBS interview with Buffett.

5Ever since the launch of President Obama's universal healthcare policy, the national website that is the key factor in its implementation, has been plagued by technical difficulties. After a fortnight of negative media coverage, the President has himself stepped in with some emergency measures.

6Apple executives are taking extra precautions to ensure the latest iPad launch goes off without a hitch.

7The case of a gypsy child known as Maria has thrown the gypsy community of Greece into the global spotlight. She has since been identified of the child of a Bulgarian Roma couple.

8As the United Kingdom approaches the winter season, the politics of energy prices is taking centre stage. Labour Party leader Ed Miliband announced that his Government would enforce a price freeze on power. The unprecedented public reaction to this has left British Prime Minster David Cameron floundering for a response.

9Prince George has been christened in a private ceremony.

10Analysis of the international news headlines of the week: including; revelations that the United States has been spying on world leaders.