Robert Kelly reviews The Cloisters by Katy Hays, published by Simon & Schuster.

As the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, one question still puzzles many people. Why did Vladimir Putin, considered a masterful and calculating, if ruthless, leader launch into a war that puts his regime and country at risk of destruction? It's a question that veteran Moscow-correspondent Owen Matthews has been investigating since the start of the conflict. His new book Overreach tracks the origins of the war using the accounts of current and former insiders from the Kremlin and its propaganda machine, as well as the testimony of captured Russian soldiers and on-the-ground reporting from Russia and Ukraine.

UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Kathryn to talk about Ukraine President Zelensky's visit to Britain - his first since Russia invaded. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has given her first interview since her resignation, but says she doesn't want to PM again. Her successor Rishi Sunak has undertaken the biggest shakeup of Whitehall since Brexit and dozens of secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots have been decoded and decrypted using a complex cipher system.

It may come as a surprise to learn that the single biggest killer of women in New Zealand is heart disease. At least two Kiwi women die from a heart attack everyday. One of the most common causes of heart attack in women is spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), responsible for 30 percent of incidents. SCAD is much more commonly seen in women than in men, and the majority of patients are healthy without typical cardiovascular risk factors. One of the common triggers for SCAD is extreme exercise. The good news is most patients with SCAD recover completely and don't need coronary stents or bypass surgery. So what are the signs of heart attack in women, and how do you reduce your risk of SCAD? Kathryn finds out from Dr Sarah Fairley, an Interventional and Obstetric Cardiologist at Wellington Hospital and is the chair of the New Zealand Cardiovascular Intervention Group.

Oranga Tamariki is still not meeting minimum standards for children in care, according to a report by an independent watchdog.The Independent Children's Monitor, Aroturuki Tamariki says there has been no meaningful improvement since the last report, and the agency is still failing to meet the basic needs of tamariki in state care. The report found Oranga Tamariki was not able to provide data to show whether a child's education and health needs were being met. It did report that only 53 percent or children are registered with a GP or medical practice, down from 60 percent the year before. The Experiences of Care report also found only 65 percent of children in care were visited by a social worker in the last year. Oranga Tamariki has custody of more than 6000 children and is supposed to meet minimum standards of care that came into force in 2019. Kathryn speaks to Arran Jones, executive director of the Independent Children's Monitor, Aroturuki Tamariki.

The sweeping reset of government policies yesterday included the pausing of the planned income insurance scheme and a significant rise in the minimum wage. A $5 million support package for flood-hit businesses was also announced including up to $3 million to support those at high risk of closure. The flood assistance package for businesses was developed after consultations with the Auckland Business Chamber and the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Kathryn speaks with the head of the Auckland Business Chamber, Simon Bridges.

Science commentator Laurie Winkless looks at how planting more trees in cities can save lives, the new layer of partially-molten rock discovered under the Earth's crust and why putting decals on your windows to prevent bird strike isn't particularly effective.

It's been a dreadful summer for water related deaths with almost daily drownings over the busy new year period. In one 48 hour period in Auckland last month - five people lost their lives in the water. Otago University Masters student Rachel Irvine is researching how well or otherwise beach-goers can spot dangerous rip currents. She has spent the summer surveying swimmers at Dunedin's St Clair and St Kilda beaches. She joins Kathryn along with Adam Wooler from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.

Ministers and key stakeholders have met in Gisborne to discuss land-use practices as forestry slash has again been an issue following storms. Matthew says a review will begin later this month. And the Gisborne District Council has sent a clear message to the Department of Internal Affairs over issues its experiencing in addressing problem gambling in the region. Matthew Rosenberg is a Local Democracy Reporter based with The Gisborne Herald.

Luke Finnegan reviews The World We Make by N. K. Jemisin, published by Hachette