PM expresses condolences after death in Iraq

Prime Minister Helen Clark has extended her deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of John Robert Tyrrell who was killed yesterday in Kirkuk, Iraq.

"I am saddened at the tragic death of Mr Tyrrell and my thoughts are with his family and friends, both in New Zealand and overseas," Helen Clark said.

"It is a tragedy that a New Zealander has been caught up in the conflict. Iraq is an extremely dangerous place for foreigners.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reiterating its longstanding advice that New Zealanders should not travel to Iraq and any civilians there should leave immediately.

"Our hearts go out to Mr Tyrrell's family and friends at this sad time," Helen Clark said.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>