Checkpoint

The renewed conflict in the Middle East seems certain to push fuel prices up, squeezing already-grumpy voters harder as election day approaches. This comes as new RNZ-Reid Research poll numbers show New Zealanders are lukewarm about the government's handling of the fuel crisis. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian government opening an "Office of AI" in what it's calling a world-first approach to regulating the rapidly advancing tech. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes the move will help Australia adapt to the changing face of AI, under one national framework.

The head of a specialist Christchurch crime unit says some first time shop lifters are blaming the cost of living for their crimes. But the bulk are recidivist offenders, facing multiple charges. In the last year, the Christchurch Metro Retail Crime team has charged 272 people with more than 1100 shoplifting related offences. Sergeant Melissa Shaw spoke to Lisa Owen.

A cryptic message from high jumper Hamish Kerr has raised questions about his participation in this month's Commonwealth Games. Athletics New Zealand say Kerr will be in Glasgow but they can't guarantee he'll attempt to defend his gold medal. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Yet another Australian state is waiting to hear whether it has a case of a deadly bird flu, after a sick giant petrel was found on a Noosa beach in Queensland. More than a dozen cases of a deadly strain of the H5-N1 virus have been detected since it arrived in Australia last month. In Aotearoa, as precaution, DOC has been vaccinating around 300 core breeding birds from five of the country's most threatened species. Biosecurity minister, Andrew Hoggard spoke to Lisa Owen.

The former mentor of the man who went on a frenzied stabbing attack at an Auckland supermarket has spoken about his radical ideas of Islam. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot twelve times by police, ending the attack that saw six people stabbed and another injured. A coronial inquest into his death is underway, looking at the time leading up to the attack and his path to violent extremism. Finn Blackwell reports.

As the world mourns a Hollywood heavyweight, Central Otago residents are remembering a neighbour who preferred gumboots to the red carpet. Sir Sam Neill made the famous wine region his Kiwi home. In the towns of Alexandra and Clyde, locals considered him one of their own. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

Time is running out to save two Kaitaia mills, that are together are one of the town's biggest employers. In March, the Japanese owner of the mills, Juken announced its is leaving Kaitaia, but no buyers have been found. The Far North District and Northland Regional Councils are asking for government investment to keep the businesses and jobs going. Savage from Workers First Union spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country's online safety watchdog warning of an epidemic of online sexual extortion - mostly involving tennaged boys and young men.

The ACT Party's newest candidate seems certain to shake up the coming election. Broadcaster Paul Henry resigned overnight from TVNZ's board to take a spot on the party's list. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.