The balance sheet is looking strong for Briscoe Group, which managed to score a few goals late in the game. 

The retailer's posted record annual sales of close to $800 million, for the year ending January 25th. 

Its homeware brand Briscoes saw 1.42 percent sales growth - while Rebel Sport trailed with growth of 0.13 percent.

Managing director Rod Duke says the business just changed its promotions approach slightly. 

"Generally, the market from about Black Friday just eased up a bit. People just got a bit more confident."

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Federated Farmers thinks it's unlikely the live export ban will be reinstated, now the Government's backtracked.

A campaign promise for National and ACT vowed to return the $370-million-dollar trade with improved animal welfare. 

The Labour Government banned it in 2023. 

Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard says there were more pressing matters this term.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says it's going to be very hard to overturn it now. 

"There was a big industry behind it, that's very much now diminished. The international players, they've gone elsewhere."

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Public health experts have noticed this latest Covid wave is worsening as fewer Kiwis are getting vaccination boosters and tests, and it's renewed debate about sick leave.

Wastewater analysis from PHF Science shows that the number of cases is at the highest rate it's been for over six months, and Health NZ says there's been 50 hospitalisations and 19 deaths from the virus this week.

Otago University associate professor Paula O'Kane says it's important to let sick leave accrue every year - and stay consistent as Kiwis move jobs.

"It would give people access to better sick leave, it might discourage misuse of sick leave, and when people are actually sick for a longer period of time, they're better covered. So it would really help to deal with issues around people's long-term illness, for example." 

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There's predictions Heinz Wattie's won't be the last to shutter operations this year.

It's proposing closing three manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, and packing operations in Hastings - with 350 jobs at risk.

It also plans to phase out sales of products including frozen vegetables, impacting growers.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald says others will go.

"We keep hearing rumblings of others getting ready to exit, significant-sized manufacturers as well as smaller ones. De-industrialisation's been happening, prompted by some very high electricity prices." 

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The Public Service Commissioner says giving about 10,000 non-union primary teachers the option to accept pay offers has been a long time coming.

Sir Brian Roche today confirmed boards can make individual employment offers to non-NZEI teachers from today, after the union rejected three recent deals.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says they can get pay rises of up to 4.7 percent within 12 months.

Roche says in a normal course of events, he'd carry on NZEI bargaining as usual.

"We are still keeping going with them, but I got to the point where I could no longer justify withholding an offer."

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Winston Peters believes the Covid inquiry has been 'deficient' and 'biased'.

The second phase of the inquiry has found some mandates went on too long and the Government failed to communicate well enough with Kiwis.

New Zealand First's Leader says many people perceive the inquiry as one-sided, and the damage is done.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper outlined Peters' concerns.

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Thousands of travellers have been waiting in hours-long queues at US airports this week, due to increased spring travel and limited security personnel.

Security staff have been working without pay during the partial US Government shutdown, and airlines have sent out warning to expect travel delays.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says travellers can be expected to wait an extra 3 to 4 hours during the ongoing shutdown.

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Potential T20 international cricket debuts loom for Katene Clarke, Nick Kelly and Jayden Lennox as New Zealand prepare to host South Africa in five matches, starting this Sunday.

Much of the Black Caps' World Cup squad will be rested.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further.

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ACT's leader is denying changes to Auckland's housing intensification rules might have 'backfired'. 

The Government has ordered Auckland Council to reduce total capacity plans from 2 million homes to 1.6 million.

Councillors have now opted to zone less density in areas with poor public transport access and in outer suburbs.

David Seymour says this doesn't necessarily mean his central Epsom electorate will get the densification he was trying to avert. 

"It's not as simple as - it's all going to be in your electorate, mate. It's going to be a long process, these plans won't be finalised until well into next year."

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France’s President Emmanuel Macron has ordered an 'unprecedented' naval deployment in the Middle East to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

France will deploy eight frigates, along with two amphibious helicopter carriers and the country’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

UK correspondent Enda Brady says this comes as the UK has appeared to have paused sending a warship to Cyprus.

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