Holiday Breakfast

President Joe Biden on Thursday sought to clarify his stance on a potential Russian incursion in Ukraine, cleaning up remarks from the prior day's news conference during which he suggested a "minor incursion" by Russia would elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country. 
"I've been absolutely clear with President Putin. He has no misunderstanding. If any -- any -- assembled Russian units move across Ukrainian border, that is an invasion. But it will be met with severe and coordinated economic response that I've discussed in detail with our allies, as well as laid out very clearly for President Putin," Biden said at the top of an event aimed at promoting the bipartisan infrastructure package passed last year. 
If Putin chooses to invade, Biden added, "Russia will pay a heavy price." 
During the news conference Wednesday, the President predicted Putin would "move in" to Ukraine -- though he speculated that the Russian leader is still not clear on what he's going to do. In a comment that sent shockwaves across Europe, Biden then alluded to disunity among US allies about how to respond to anything less than a full invasion. 
"It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do," Biden told reporters at an East Room news conference. "But if they actually do what they're capable of doing with the forces amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine." 
Later, asked to clarify what he meant by "minor incursion," Biden said he drew the line at "Russian forces crossing the border, killing Ukrainian fighters." 
"I think that changes everything," the President said. "But it depends on what he does, to what extent we'll get total unity on the NATO front." 
"It's very important that we keep everyone in NATO on the same page. That's what I'm spending a lot of time doing, and there are differences," he went on. "There are differences in NATO as to what countries are willing to do, depending on what happens." 
The remarks prompted near-immediate outcry in Kyiv, where officials had been meeting with Biden's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as Russian troops amass on the country's border. High-level attempts to clean up the comment soon followed at the White House, including a Wednesday evening statement from press secretary Jen Psaki, and subsequent media appearances by Psaki and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday morning. 
In a subtle but strongly worded tweet Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a "reminder" to the US. 
"We want to remind the great powers that there are no minor incursions and small nations. Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones. I say this as the President of a great power," Zelensky said. 
And his foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, warned in a virtual press briefing that a country "can't be half invaded." 
"One can't be half invaded or half aggressive. Aggression is either there or not. And we can say as a concrete fact that the aggression of the Russian Federation against the state of Ukraine has been going on since 2014," Kuleba said. 
As he sought to clean up his previous remarks, Biden noted that Russia has a "long history" of using measures other than overt military action to carry out aggression, including paramilitary tactics, so-called gray zone attacks, attacks by Russian soldiers not in uniform, little green men and cyberattacks. 
"We have to be ready to respond to these as well and decisively," Biden said, echoing comments made late Wednesday and earlier Thursday by Psaki and Harris. 
He noted that Kuleba said Thursday that he is "confident of our support and resolve and he has a right to be." 
- By Betsy Klein, CNN

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Northland businesses are hoping it's not too late to profit off the summer period. 
The region moved out of the Red Traffic Light setting this morning - joining the rest of the country at Orange. 
It means businesses can now operate at capacity if they use vaccine passes.  
Hospitality New Zealand Northland President John Maurice told Tim Dower he hopes businesses will be able to recover sooner, rather than later. 
“Business has suffered greatly from the lack of the people we normally get here over the Christmas New Year period.” 
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People are being reminded to think of their lonely pets stuck at home - as they return to the office. 
Veterinarian Helen Beattie told Tim Dower bringing pets into the office could help, but only if all the humans and pets are OK with it. 
“We do need to remember also, that there not are people who do not thrive in that environment, there are also animals who don’t.” 
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Northland tourism operators remain hopeful the region will move from Red to Orange, as part of this afternoon's announcement. 
Riki Kinnaird - the co-owner of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in the Bay of Islands - told Tim Dower the current restrictions are hitting them hard. 
“The Duke itself is about 35-40 percent down, and that’s partially down to the Red traffic light system and the optics of the borders.” 
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It was a tough year for the entertainment industry in general but, as always, one of the shining lights for NZ was Six60.  
Performing overseas when they could, continuing their shows in New Zealand, when they could, and the overwhelming success of a new song that rocketed to the top of the charts.  
Tim Dower caught up with bass guitarist Chris Mac on their year in 2021 and the success of their bilingual song Pepeha. 
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Some love, others not so much, Wellington's new waterfront sign which is purposely a little misspelt. 
It's a 9 metre wide collection of letters spelling out the city's name, except it doesn't have a letter I.  
The idea is for people to be the I - and post photos of themselves online. 
Wellington NZ CEO, John Allen joined Tim Dower. 
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The Prime Minister is preparing to unveil a new Covid plan - as fears grow of a potential Omicron community outbreak. 
Jacinda Ardern is due to reveal the plan at the Labour's caucus retreat in New Plymouth this afternoon. 
It will include an outline of what will happen when we have community spread, and an update on traffic light settings for Northland and the rest of the country. 
Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls is at the retreat - and told Tim Dower it's been overshadowed by the Omicron threat. 
“There are a number of very important details that cabinet has discussed yesterday – and the Prime Minister will be addressing today.” 
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New Zealand Cricket remain cautious but optimistic that the postponement of their tour of Australia won't spoil the remaining summer fixtures. 
There was no certainty the team could return home either through MIQ or home isolation. 
Australia are due to return for three T20s in March. 
NZC boss David White says MIQ arrangements have not been made for that series at this stage. 
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Summer Breakfast caught up with one of our favourite Kiwi musicians living abroad.  
Gin Wigmore is soon coming back to NZ for a five-date tour in March, as well as performing at various festivals such as Homegrown and Fortune Music Festival.  
Nowadays, she lives with her family in LA which is where she joined Tim Dower from. 
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Two thirds of New Zealanders don't have the financial reserves they'd need to get through three months without a pay cheque. 
This has come from CTU research, saying the workforce is incredibly vulnerable to an economic shock, such as an Omicron Covid-19 outbreak. 
CTU president, Richard Wagstaff joined Tim Dower. 
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