Checkpoint

A 'dogter' at Dunedin Hospital has been named Dog of the Year, in the annual contest run by Southern Cross Pet Insurance. Nancy, a three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier was picked out of 800 entrants. She volunteers at the hospital, offering comfort and companionship to patients and their families. Nancy's owner, Dianne Angell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US and Iran reaching an agreement to end the war, that they say will be signed and take effect later this week. But while President Donald Trump has enthused "Let the Oil Flow!", there's still plenty of questions about the deal, with the full text of the agreement not yet released.

As Iran prepare to face New Zealand at the Fifa World Cup, football is colliding with politics. After visa disputes, disrupted travel plans and mounting tensions in the United States, Iran's players say the atmosphere has undermined Fifa's message of peace before the ball has even been kicked.

Another international streaming service launches in New Zealand this week, raising questions about the future of the local screen industry. The government is investigating charging international streamers a levy, having a local content quota, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand production. Screen Producers NZ president, Irene Gardiner, spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer grappling with another political setback after defence secretary John Healey's shock resignation over armed forces funding.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It is an all Aotearoa showdown in the Super Rugby semis this weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the UK a panel of vets believes commonly used over the counter flea treatments should be banned because of concern over environmental damage. New Zealand vet Siobhan Graham spoke to Lisa Owen about the situation.

New Zealand has quietly launched a review into the health impacts of nitrate in drinking water, RNZ has learned. It follows moves by Denmark to drastically lower nitrate limits, based on studies linking it to cancer risk. Keiller MacDuff reports.

A group of Taranaki mayors want urgent changes to a proposed disability support law they believe will put a disproportionate and unfair burden on their district. Taranaki has a higher than average numbers of people living with disability and unpaid informal caregivers. Taranaki Mayoral forum chairman Craig Williamson spoke to Lisa Owen.