Checkpoint

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about oil prices topping $100 as attacks ramp up in the Gulf between Iran and the US, as well as a top AI researching warning the technology could kill us all in the next 10 years.

MSD wrongly suspended 30,000 benefits and other payments, despite concerns being raised for months. More than 16,000 pensioners were caught in the winter energy payment botch up according to a new report. Ministry of Social Development CEO, Debbie Power spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Israel closing the British consulate in Jerusalem in response to new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as hundreds of flights in and out of the UK being cancelled after a technical failure in the country's air traffic control system.

Almost a year on from the previous Canterbury Regional Council declaring a 'nitrate emergency', a new report pointing to high nitrate levels across the region has been presented to councillors. The council also heard from Greenpeace, Health New Zealand and the water regulator, Taumata Arowai, who have proposed an additional limit on nitrate to protect people from possible long-term health effects. Keiller MacDuff reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Some of America's leading athletes will be testing jet lag, customs processes and the appetite for the NFL in this part of the world when they start the season in Melbourne this week. The San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams have taken different approaches to coming Down Under as part of the sport's international games - and fans have been willing to shell out big amounts to witness history. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Food for thought is what's on offer at a not so ordinary lecture series. Raising the Bar is twenty free talks across ten pubs on one night, in Canterbury this time. The event is now in its 10th year. University of Canterbury Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, David Denkenberger spoke to Lisa Owen.

Labour is calling the government's stance on Israel an embarrassment to the country, and falls short of its responsibilities under the genocide convention. While the UK, France and Canada are imposing trade barriers on Israel, NZ is not following suit. Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson is promising to make sanctions - and recognition of Palestine - her top priority if the party wins government at the election. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Thousands of government workers walked off the job today, some over stalled pay talks, others because of safety concerns. Gisborne Hospital Emergency Department nurses also walked off the job. Across the country almost 10,000 public servants were on strike, among them MSD workers, staff from Internal Affairs, the Emergency Management Agency and MBIE. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of public servants took to the streets across the motu today, chanting their messages for the Government. The Public Service Association says workers didn't want to go on strike, but says the Government is refusing to pay them fairly, and planning to replace almost 9000 of their jobs with AI by 2029. Now, they've reached a tipping point. Jessica Hopkins reports.