Checkpoint

There is a renewed call for a ban on pop up pools following the drowning of another toddler in a temporary backyard pool. It is at least the second drowning of an under two year old in a temporary pool in just over a year. Water Safety New Zealand wants the sale and use of above-ground cheap temporary pools banned altogether, because people are unware of the rules or don't fence them. Auckland Council licensing and environmental health manager Mervyn Chetty spoke to Lisa Owen.

Newly-graduated scientists are finding it next to impossible to find work amidst a perfect storm of economic hardship and a major sector shakeup. Some of the young scientists, who are applying for hundreds upon hundreds of jobs, are beginnning to think they'll have to abandon their dreams of pursing the careers they've studied so long and hard for. In July, the seven Crown Research Institutes were merged into four new Public Research Organisations, while $212 million was cut the from the science sector in this years budget, instead going to commercially-focused science and innovation schemes. Experts say this has the country's scientists worrried, with some even being driven overseas to find work. Bella Craig reports.

The New Zealand activists detained by Israel for trying to break the blockade of Gaza have today returned home to an enthusiastic welcome. Rana Hamida, Samuel Leason, and Youssef Sammour were released on Wednesday after being aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

While the All Blacks are on a break, there has been plenty of intrigue in the rugby world this week. The rebel R360 competition has been making headlines again, however there is still a lot of conjecture about whether the ambitious project will even make it to a single kick-off. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

If you're in a relationship with an age gap, it may affect your financial planning, particularly when it comes to retirement. Currently there are over 3000 people who are receiving NZ Super despite being under 65, because their partners qualified and added them before the rules changed in 2020. A handful of them are aged in their 20s and 30s. But what does an age gap mean for your finances more generally? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about a massive parade which is expected in North Korea as the ruling party turns 80, as well as an Indian state that is set to introduce a day of paid menstrual leave every month.

Hundreds of thousands of students are skipping out on school early, as school attendance rates drop sharply in the days leading up to school holidays. It is thought cheaper airfares and accommodation are driving parents to let their children play truant. Auckland's St Peters College headmaster, James Betley spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australian airline Qantas being one of 40 companies negotiating with hacker to try to stop the personal data of millions of customers being shared on the dark web.

The people behind a new mental health initiative directed at Wellington's Asian community say language and cultural barriers are limiting the community's access to mental health services. They say stigma, a lack of cultural awareness and the fear of an invasion of privacy is causing many Asian people to wait until they reach crisis point before they ask for help. Bill Hickman reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.