Checkpoint

The death toll in Iran has reportedly exceeded 1000, conflict continues in the Middle East. The strikes have pushed up the price of brent crude oil but more than 18 percent in the past week as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Westpac suggests that if the conflict continues for a month, prices will shoot up much further. It also warned that our inflation rate could be pushed up by one percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of bottles of its Steinlager beer are being recalled because they are wrongly labelled alcohol free, when they are not. The Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Beer is actually 4.2 percent alcohol but has been mislabelled. More than 2500 boxes, or over 60,000 beers are now being urgently recalled by Lion NZ. Food Safety NZ Deputy Director General spoke to Lisa Owen.

A conservation group says the $5000 fine handed down to an Otago fisher for killing a Hector's dolphin highlights the failure to protect the endangered mammals. But industry lobby group Seafood NZ claims it actually shows how well the system is working. FV Emma Jane was fishing off the coast of Oamaru last February when an on-board camera captured a dolphin caught in its set net. One of the crew cuts the dead Hector's dolphin free and it sinks into the sea. The vessels' skipper, who was already facing other charges for trawling in a protected zone, lied on his catch report. Then lied twice more when confronted by fisheries officials when the footage was viewed months later. Keiller MacDuff reports.

Flood-hit residents on Wairarapa's south coast are demanding action after a creek burst its banks during torrential rain. They want the council to open the creek up to the sea so it can drain during heavy rain, but the council says it's not its responsibility. Homes in Whangaimoana Beach were inundated when a severe storm swept across the lower North Island last month, closing roads, cutting power to thousands, and severing communities. Locals say heartache could've been avoided, if the stream bordering their properties had been dug out. Mary Argue reports.

After the resignations of three of the five members of a ministerial advisory group charged with tackling retail crime, justice officials issued a warning. In a report, obtained by Checkpoint, they told Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith the group's two remaining members didn't have relevant expertise in the security industry and facial recognition technology - areas the group is to issue advice about. But, the group is still working to produce reports about these matters. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Black Caps are through to the final of the T20 Cricket World Cup after a commanding win over South Africa this morning, booking their spot in the big dance. Now it's a waiting game for New Zealand, who'll find out overnight who stands between them and the trophy. Hosts India take on England in the second semi-final tomorrow morning. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Rotorua retailer has been charged over allegedly selling nangs or nitrous oxide for recreational use despite repeated warnings from police. Police are targeting shops selling the gas following a growing number of incidents involving huffing drivers. Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Will Loughrin spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a failed US Senate vote that could have significantly limited President Trump's war powers in Iran.

There is concern that patients are effectively being offered the chance to "buy" their way up the public wait list for MRI scans. Hundreds of patients in the Greater Wellington Region are being offered petrol payments to travel out of the district to get the diagnostic procedure faster. While Health New Zealand says the scheme is giving patients the option to be seen quicker, the senior doctor's union is worried it will offer an advantage to people with vehicles who can afford to take off time to travel. Capital and Coast group director of operations Jamie Duncan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taranaki woman is on mission to make 52 new ice cream flavours this year, one every week. Little Liberty Creamery makes dairy and gluten-free plant based frozen desserts, and has been taking flavour suggestions from social media. Owner Peita Kensington spoke to Lisa Owen.