Holiday Breakfast

The US has launched another pursuit of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela - the second operation within days.

Reuters reports the US Coast Guard is actively chasing the vessel in international waters, to make it the third tanker seized in less than two weeks.

President Donald Trump last week ordered a full blockade of sanctioned oil shipments in and out of Venezuela. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that it's not clear what the US plans to do with the tankers.

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Auckland, where the city's economy isn't firing on all cylinders just yet, but the Chamber of Commerce does say that green shoots are emerging.

Crime crackdowns in the CBD and changes to boost events at Eden Park are all part of a push to get Auckland City humming again.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown joins Andrew Dickens to discuss the progress made this year, and talk about what we can expect to see next.

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Last year the World Health Organisation warned New Zealand about the "alarming" gap in its measles immunisation.

Today news of two more measles cases in New Zealand was released bringing the total known measles cases to ten. 

Dr Angus Chambers said to Andrew Dickens that low immunisation rates can be partially attributed to Covid and systematic issues. 

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During the first game of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays the province of Ontario aired an anti-tariff ad.

The ad featured clips from Ronald Reagan's 1987 national radio address which focused on foreign trade.

In retaliation US President Donald Trump slammed Canada with an additional 10% tariffs on goods imported from Canada to the United States. 

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Malaysia this morning, along with other world leaders, for the start of the East Asia Summit.

US President Donald Trump will also be in attendance meaning a potential face-to-face meeting with Luxon.

Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller told Andrew Dickens, "They do need to keep their heads down a little bit because they can't risk antagonising Donald Trump."

This weekend the US President raised Canada's tariffs by an extra 10% after being angered at an anti-tariff advertisement.

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Auckland-based Samoan artist Lou'ana Whitney Pereira, who performs under her first name, chats to Andrew Dickens about her upcoming album titled 'Disco Witch'.

The album was divided into two parts titled 'AS ABOVE' and 'SO BELOW'. The latter was released in June but the release of 'AS ABOVE' this week will complete the album. 

Lou'ana is a trained jazz singer obtaining a Bachelor of Jazz Performance from the New Zealand School of Music.

She won the 2021 Best Pacific Female Artist Award with her debut album 'Moonlight Madness'. 

Lou'ana's album 'Disco Witch' will be released on October 31.

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Hawaiian soul and R&B musician Deva Mahal joins Andrew Dickens to discuss her new single ‘South Coast’. 

Deva Mahal is the daughter of legendary Blues Singer Taj Mahal, a factor that she says does not impede her music.  

She said that “[Taj Mahal] has always taught us it’s not following in his footsteps; it’s standing in his light”  

The Wellington-based artist has hinted that her next project will be released this October. 

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The Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Messaging Transparency Report shows reports of text scams fell by 62 percent between 2023 and 2024. 

It seized almost 400 thousand dollars' worth of scam equipment last year. 

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson told Andrew Dickens that people can now report text scams with a single click. 

He says there have already been 665 thousand of those reports so far this year. 

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The Crusaders take on the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final held in Christchurch tomorrow night.  

With nearly half the games decided by 7 points or less, the recent games have been tight and entertaining, leading to a boost in viewer numbers. 

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley says, 'law innovation’ and ‘close games and unexpected results’ have helped Super Rugby gain its recent boost in audience. 

Crowd numbers are also up by 6% this year, despite fewer games. This increase is expected to continue next year.  

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An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust needs to be restored. 

The island nation signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without reference to New Zealand, despite our two countries' official special relationship. 

International Relations Expert Robert Patman says the timing of his current visit to China, isn't great. 

He says he's sure Luxon will make the point the Cook Islands were informed well before this visit. 

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