Checkpoint

US President Donald Trump says talks to bring an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran are underway. The comments come amid reports that the US is poised to send thousands more troops to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has told the United Nations it will let "non-hostile" ships pass through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Amercias correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

People who aren't eligible for the governments fuel relief package such as beneficiaries or those living in rural communities and with no children have said it's "a real kick in the guts". Yesterday, the government announced that more than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week to help counter rising fuel prices. The government says the payment will target those struggling the most, the genuinely squeezed. But for people living by themselves, without children, receiving the pension and living rurally, they feel as though they've been squeezed out. Bella Craig spoke with some of them.

Northlanders are urged to take the red heavy rain warning seriously and be ready to go if they have to. The warning is in place for the eastern area from Doubtless Bay down to Whangarei until 4am Friday. An orange heavy rain warning and strong wind watch remain in place for the rest of the region, with the worst expected to hit from Thursday afternoon. Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Zach Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia clinching a new free trade deal with the European Union after decades of negotiations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Whites have returned home from their clubs all over the world for two games in Auckland ahead of the Football World Cup. The FIFA Series is part send-off for the fans and part trial run for the global tournament. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Reserve Bank governor has issued a warning to not underestimate the complexity of disruptions caused by war in the Middle East. Anna Breman said it could take nine months for price increases caused by the war to filter through to supermarket shelves, and to expect higher inflation in the near term and weaker economic growth in 2026. Small business owners still recovering from tough economic times are nervous. Mark Knoff Thomas from the Newmarket Business Association spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government says its fuel relief package targets those doing it the toughest; the genuinely squeezed. But some believe it's squeezed out the most in need, including beneficiaries and the childless. The boost goes only to working families with children. There's also nothing specific for rural communities covering long distances. While the Greens are crying out for more, Labour has continued to keep its political gunpowder dry, and one advocate says that's not good enough. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

McCain Foods is closing its vegetable processing plant in Hastings. In a letter to growers, the company says it's reviewed operations at the site but couldn't find a sustainable pathway forward. It plans to close the plant by early next year. It is not clear how many workers and growers will be affected. Meanwhile Watties plans to ditch its frozen vegetable lines in New Zealand, which affects about 570 workers and growers. Federated Farmers Hawkes Bay president Jim Galloway spoke to Lisa Owen.

Act's deputy leader Brooke van Velden is retiring from politics at the November election, saying she has no desire to be the party's leader. She's likely to be remembered for dropping the C-bomb in Parliament and ending pay equity claims, under her ministerial portfolio of Workforce Relations. Reporter Amy Williams was in her electorate of Tamaki and filed this report.