Checkpoint

England is set to follow the Indian Premier League by introducing a player auction to its Twenty-Twenty franchise cricket competition. The Hundred - as the English league is known - will hold the first of its player auctions overnight in London. RNZ Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of New Zealand's oldest and biggest food producers could axe 350 jobs and a bunch of beloved Kiwi brands. Heinz Wattie's announced this afternoon it's proposing to discontinue the sale and production of frozen vegetables, Gregg's Coffee and Mediterranean, Just Hummus and Good Taste Company dips. The proposal would result in the closure of three manufacturing plants in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. E tu director Finn O'Dwyer Cunliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about further doubt being cast over Iran's involvement in the Fifa World Cup which is set to be held across the US, Canada and Mexico in just three months, meanwhile Trump has continued to talk about a possible takeover of Cuba.

There is a call for immediate fuel rationing in Aotearoa as war in the Middle East rages on. The risk mitigation think tank, Wise Response Society wants the government to activate the emergency National Fuel Plan now, saying New Zealand's supplies could diminish rapidly. Chair of Wise Response, Nathan Surendran spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country finding itself drawn increasingly into the conflict in the Middle East, with the Albanese Government offering sanctuary to visiting Iranian soccer players, while also pledging to send military assets to assist in the defence of Gulf nations from attacks by Iran.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Tall Ferns' journey to this year's Basketball World Cup begins in the Caribbean this week against some of the sport's powerhouses. A young New Zealand roster will play five games in seven days in Puerto Rico, aiming to be among the top three sides in their pool to qualify for the pinnacle event in September. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Chatham Islands, that rely heavily on diesel to power the island, are bracing for an energy shock. While some of the island is now powered by the Point Durham wind farm that opened in November, petrol is also shipped to the island about 800kms from the mainland. The price of Brent Crude is fluctuating off the back of war in the Middle East, as around 650 residents on the Chatham's brace for pain at the pump. Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust chief executive, Bob Penter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Political opponents are taking starkly different lessons out of the new findings into how the country's Covid-19 response helped or harmed people. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the pandemic today released its second report, sparked by public disquiet that its first one did not dig deep enough. Phil Pennington reports.

Oil market volatility caused by war in the Middle East is already fueling price hikes beyond the petrol pump. Air Zealand raised its fares today and said if the conflict leads to continued elevated jet fuel costs it may have to take further pricing action and adjust its network schedule. Meanwhile Air Chathams said added costs mean an extra $140,000 a month in expenses. Associate Energy Minister & Regional Development Minister Shane Jones spoke to Lisa Owen.