Holiday Breakfast

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the UK. 

Harry Pitman was attacked in North London on New Years Eve as he and a group of friends watched the fireworks display. 

The 16-year-old was stabbed in the neck, dying shortly before midnight. 

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Tim Dower that while it is a horrible story, it is not alone. 

He said that knife crime in London increased by 50% over the last year, with a total of 21 young people killed by knives in 2023, 14 more than the previous year. 

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A graphic video showing a pregnant shark being cut open, while still alive, has been circulating the internet. 

The video shows beachgoers at Christchurch's New Brighton Beach carrying dozens of baby sharks from the mother's stomach back into the ocean. 

Shark scientist Dr Riley Elliott told Tim Dower that there’s a bigger message here. 

He said that instead of targeting certain people for certain things, the bigger picture, holistic understanding of nature, of our environment is a bigger lesson to be learned. 

Elliott said that what upset him about this video was the fact that no one in that crowd pointed out the obvious that the shark was still alive, everyone was focused instead on the instant gratification of rescuing the babies. 

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A wet end to the week for some could lead into a weekend of nice weather. 

A wet front is making its way through the country this week. 

But MetService forecaster Alistair Gorman told Tim Dower that there's a chance Kiwis will enjoy some sunshine over the weekend. 

He says although there may be the odd summer shower, we can expect more settled weather. 

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Donald Trump is hitting back after Maine's Secretary of State ruled to strike the former president's name off the ballot. 

Trump has challenged the ruling, which would see him ineligible as a candidate in the state's primary elections due to his involvement in the attempted insurrection on January 6, 2022. 

Newshub US Correspondent Mitch Mccan told Tim Dower that his legal team are labelling it politically motivated. 

He says they're blaming the fact that Maine's Secretary of State is a democrat. 

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There’s political outcry in Italy after a man was injured by a gun owned by a government minister at a New Years eve party. 

Lawmaker Emanuele Pozzolo is a member of Italy's far right Government, and says although he did not fire the shot, he does own the firearm. 

The victim was taken to hospital with what is being described as light injuries to his leg. 

Newstalk ZB Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Tim Dower that some political opponents aren't impressed. 

She says the Government is being accused of hypocrisy as they take a strong stance on security. 

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A Wellington property developer is calling on the Government to slash red tape after he was forced to pull the pin on a housing development due to unworkable regulations. 

Brent Slater says compliance costs and rules around retaining wall specifications drove the build cost to almost $10 thousand per square-meter. 

Slater told Tim Dower that governments and councils need to better support developers.  

He says in 30 years of building, this is the first time he's had to pull the plug as its simply nonsensical to proceed. 

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Water Safety New Zealand says behavioural change experts are needed to help bring our drowning figures down. 

Provisional figures show 90 preventable drownings last year, down slightly on the 94 in 2022 but still higher than the 10-year average of 82. 

More than 80% are male, and 58% are over the age of 45. 

Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard told Tim Dower that it's about trying to get the message through to people in that group. 

He says using whanau as tool and talking about the impact on them if you don't come home is something that has to be pushed further. 

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An interim report was released yesterday looking into the factors involved in last year’s Sea World helicopter crash. 

Four people were killed and nine were injured in the mid-air collision when a departing helicopter's rotors collided with another coming into land near the theme park. 

The interim report found the departing pilot, who died in the crash, had low levels of cocaine in his system. 

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower that it would not have been taken in the 24 hours prior to the incident, and that they’re not reading into that particular factor too much.  

He said that there were a variety of factors playing both major and minor roles in the accident, and there’s enough in the report to get people talking. 

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Those looking for a quick trip down to Queenstown this summer may be left disappointed as beds have already filled up for the season.  

The region is filled with gorgeous scenery, music festivals, and a variety of events and activities for visitors to enjoy. 

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers joined Tim Dower on the ZB’s Summer Breakfast for a rundown of what the region has to offer. 

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Three are dead and nine injured after a fiery crash in Rochester New York, in the very first moments of the New Year. 

The FBI were called in to investigate the incident in which an SUV driver was reported to be driving at speed directly towards a pedestrian crossing.  

The SUV then hit a smaller vehicle, killing both passengers. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that thus far, no evidence of an ideology or implications of terrorism have been discovered. 

However, he said, they have found that the crash was pre-planned. 

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