Ricky Ponting had no hesitation in asking the Kiwis to bat again, and they needed to show far greater resolve second time around to avoid total humiliation.

BBC: Australia poised for Test victory in New Zealand

Its list of Russian officials barred from entering the United States has not been made public, but some government figures prefer not to apply for a visa to avoid the humiliation of being rejected.

ECONOMIST: Russia and America

There is an understandable fear that some big banks perceived to be weak won't be strengthened sufficiently, because their respective governments would want to avoid the national humiliation of admitting that these flagship institutions have become fragile.

BBC: Eurozone banks to raise more than 100bn euros

After their humiliation at the polls, opposition leaders were conciliatory, offering to declare Congress in recess to avoid clashes with the assembly.

ECONOMIST: Chavez cleans the slate