Holiday Breakfast

The United States has had a busy start to the year with mass-protests over the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, the invasion and takeover of Venezuela, and now, potential plans to become involved in Iran. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold joined Andrew Dickens to chat Minneapolis and Iran.

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A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Bondi terrorist attacks is beginning, examining antisemitism and social cohesion. 

Gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event at the popular Sydney beach last month.  

Australia's Prime Minister has asked former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead the Commonwealth Inquiry, with a report expected back by year's end. 

Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens the report will give recommendations regarding law enforcement, border control, immigration, and, very importantly, security and intelligence agencies.  

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Hundreds are protesting in Minneapolis after and Immigrations and Customs or ICE officer shot and killed a woman.  

The 37-year-old was protesting against the Trump administration's crack down on immigration in the Minnesota city.  

The city’s mayor is calling it reckless, unnecessary, and demanding ICE leave Minneapolis.  

But federal officials are backing the agent, claiming the woman attempted to run over the officer. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens the video footage contradicts much of what the federal officials claim.  

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When it comes to California rock, no one does it quite like Counting Crows. 

They’ve sold more than 20 million albums, captivating listeners with their soulful sound and roof-raising live performances. 

They’ve returned to tour the world 30 years after their global explosion, and they’re kicking it off in 2026 with a March show in Auckland. 

Adam Duritz, founding member and frontman, told Andrew Dickens one of the things keeping them going after 30 years is “bloody-minded stubbornness”.  

“I dreamed of doing this my entire life,” he said. 

“I feel pretty lucky about the situation, and also pretty determined still.” 

“I really love it – it's all I ever wanted to do.”  

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It’s been ten days since Manage My Health was the victim of a data breach that involved over 100,000 Kiwis. 

Last night the company confirmed that half of the affected patients had been contacted, leaving tens of thousands of people still uncertain.  

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that the Privacy Commission was aware of the security vulnerabilities as of six months ago. 

One of those who had his data leaked, Mike told Andrew Dickens his concern is less about his medical information being leaked, but rather his personal details. 

He says he’s not sure what data has been leaked, but things like his name, date of birth, NHI number, and potentially his address may all be compromised, which could be used in dangerous ways. 

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One of the country’s fastest growing economies, Christchurch has well and truly bounced back since the earthquakes.  

Mayor Phil Mauger called in for a chat about the city’s growth and what’s to come in the future. 

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Sir Tim Shadbolt went to great lengths to help others. 

He was a great New Zealand character and one of our longest-serving mayors, with terms in Waitakere and Invercargill. 

He died yesterday, aged 78.  

He's being remembered as making people proud to be from Invercargill. 

MP Penny Simmonds told Andrew Dickens he was a compassionate man, and recalls when a Chinese student died in a car accident. 

She says he jumped straight on a plane to Dunedin to meet her to support the overseas family and was always there for others. 

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The large majority of about 50 pilot whales stranded across Farewell Spit near Nelson have returned to sea. 

DOC and Project Jonah crew have returned to the site of yesterday's stranding, helping cool the creatures in the rising sun. 

Some mammals appear to still be stuck on the high tide line, with only a small window of time to get them out to deeper water. 

Project Jonah Volunteer Manager Louisa Hawkes told Andrew Dickens they've had a tough night. 

She says that six whales died overnight, but 15 are still alive, and the rest of the pod appears to have swum off and stayed in deeper water. 

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The US says it's seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers – one vessel in the Caribbean and a Russian-flagged vessel in the North Atlantic. 

The UK military supported the seizure of the second. 

Russia says the tanker was only temporarily flagged to Russia, but no state has the right to use force against properly registered vessels in other countries' jurisdictions. 

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Andrew Dickens the response from Russia was more moderate than expected.  

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Parents are demanding the detention of the owners of a Swiss bar that burst into flames at New Year, killing 40 people and injuring more than 100. 

Most victims of the blaze at Le Constellation were teens. 

Local authorities say the bar hadn’t had safety checks, investigations, or audits for five years. 

Europe Correspondent Jo McKenna told Andrew Dickens the French managers of the bar are being investigated for murder and arson.  

She says prosecutors and police say they’re not a flight risk, but there are demands for them to be detained. 

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