The top stories and other headlines at midday

Criticism of the pitch at Lord's after the Black Caps lose the first test to England, while the Super Rugby competition narrows. And Sam discusses the latest in netball's ANZ Premiership.

The Triple is an endurance climbing challenge in Yosemite Valley that requires scaling the three most prominent big walls in the park - El Capitan, Half Dome, and Mount Watkins in under 24 hours.

While the government is facing scrutiny for defaulting to Microsoft AI tools without a competitive tender to offset massive public sector job cuts, a school lunch recycler is facing council action over a severe pest-ridden backlog that threatens the future of the lunch program. Gym injuries have become a major financial strain, with costs skyrocketing to $72 million annually and rising three times faster than actual claims.

Ian discusses the closing of Levin's Reevedon Rest Home due to financial pressure, the maintenance needed on the building that is home to the Horowhenua District Council, Air Chathams suspending its Kapiti Airport service to Auckland at the end of July and the decisions facing the Kapiti Coast District Council over amalgamation - do they go north or south.

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Not a Babe by Sarah Johnson, published by One Tree House.

The computer science educator is based at ACG Sunderland and was shortlisted in this year's Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, out of 12,000 nominations.

She tried a number of treatments over eight years, but nothing really worked. Then she came across an account of helminth therapy.

Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins talks to Ingrid Hipkiss; Expert explains practical ways to save on your power bill; Auckland councillors to decide on housing intensification; Aussie cops being fast tracked into NZ police force; Astronomy fans already booking for Otago eclipse in 2028

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.