There's unprecedented security around Capitol Hill in Washignton DC, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Thursday. All 50 American states are also on alert for possible violent protests. National Guard troops have been sent en masse to Washington DC, to deter any repeat of last week's deadly riots. The Biden team has set out its plans to reverse key policies put in place by the outgoing president Donald Trump. RNZ's US correspondent Simon Marks speaks to Nita Blake-Persen.

The Covid-19 recovery minister, Chris Hipkins, says New Zealanders have to wait for the vaccine to roll out in countries being ravaged by the virus before they'll get their turn. New Zealand's Covid-19 vaccine roll out will be the largest ever mass immunisation campaign in our history and the government is hoping it will be available to the general public around the middle of the year. But first, Medsafe needs to approve the vaccines for safe use. Mani Dunlop spoke to Minister Chris Hipkins, who says the rollout will begin once the vaccines start to arrive within the next three months.

The American Magic yacht is back at its base on Auckland's waterfront after a dramatic capsize yesterday. The team were sailing towards their first win of the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series when disaster struck on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. The AC75 monohull was on its foils and flying when the crew, helmed by New Zealander Dean Barker, lost control of the yacht. The boat was temporarily airborne before crashing back to the water and tipping over. RNZ's America's Cup reporter, Felicity Reid, was there. She speaks with Mani Dunlop.

Former All Black Tamati Ellison has joined the Crusaders coaching team for this year's Super Rugby season, replacing defence coach Mark Jones.

In Dunedin, all eyes are on a famous corpse flower at the Dunedin Botanic Garden. It blooms sporadically and emits an odour so rancid it's been compared to a rotting corpse in the process. Keenly waiting on that smell is the garden's Winter Garden Plant Collection Curator, Stephen Bishop. He speaks with Te Aniwa Hurihanganui.

The America's Cup Challenger Selection Series begins today in Auckland and the regatta organiser says now is the time to leave "silly" off the water squabbles behind. The first of four round robin sessions starts this afternoon. The contest will decide which boat wins the right to take on Team New Zealand in the America's Cup. RNZ's Felicity Reid reports.

The country's first sniffer dogs specialising in kauri dieback are ready to get to work in the fight against the disease. The two dogs will add first line of defence against the incurable disease that threatens the mighiest trees in our native forests. RNZ's Jean Bell reports.

The theft of a treasured Charles Goldie painting from a Hamilton property has outraged the country's art buffs. The painting, titled 'Sleep 'tis a Gentle Thing', was taken along with other valuable artworks and antiques between December the 27th and the 3rd of January. Goldie produced several versions of the painting, which depicts a sleeping chief Hori Pakai. International Art Centre director Richard Thomson says the theft has rattled the art community. He spoke to Te Aniwa Hurihanganui.

Southlanders are expressing relief after a deal was reached to keep the Tiwai Point aluminum smelter open. Mining conglomerate Rio Tinto announced last year it was closing Tiwai in August this year due to high energy and transmission costs. But it's now struck a deal with Meridian Energy to keep operating until the end of 2024. Sally Murphy reports.

A woman says she's been left shaken and humiliated after being dragged along the beach by the director of a water park in Auckland. Video footage has captured the moment the man first grabs and then pulls the woman in a bid to retrieve a life jacket. He says he was both protecting the woman and preventing her from stealing. RNZ's Chen Liu reports.