US President Joe Biden is heading to the US-Mexico border for the first time since he took office, as the country wrestles with a growing number of migrants. It comes just days after he announced an expansion of a public health measure known as Title 42, to block Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants from illegally entering the US. That move has put him at odds with his own allies, who argue that approach goes against his campaign promises. Our Washington correspondent Simon Marks spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Iran has hanged two men who allegedly killed a member of the country's security forces during the nationwide protests which erupted after the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini. The executions have been condemned by leaders around the world, including the EU and the US. New Zealand has made no official statements. The Green Party's human rights and foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman has called on the Government to take further action. She spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A Todd Energy gas plant has been temporarily shut down due to safety concerns. The Kapuni liquid carbon dioxide plant in Taranaki has been New Zealand's only domestic producer of food-grade CO2 since the Marsden Point refinery was decommissioned. Todd Energy has confirmed to RNZ the closure started more than two weeks ago, just before Christmas. There is no reopening date yet. Sam Olley has the story

Thames - Coromandel is in the firing line for a hammering from Tuesday onward, while it's still cleaning up from earlier summer storms. Thames Valley Civil Defence controller Garry Towler says there will likely be coastal damage, as well as slips, flooding and power outages. He spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The central and eastern North Island are set for another battering of wind and rain, after an already less-than-spectacular summer. Thames-Coromandel has been hit by a barrage of weather over the past few weeks and the council says extreme care is needed on the region's roads. That's due to soggy ground, slips and downed trees, while Gisborne has also had sewage overflows over the weekend after heavy rain overnight on Saturday. Now, Cyclone Hale is headed to New Zealand from New Caledonia and is expected to bring with it more heavy rain and gale force winds. NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the government will be sticking to its commitment to Iraq, leaving troops there until June, despite calls for their withdrawal. Mr Peters made the comments to RNZ in his first interview since a rocket attack near Camp Taji earlier this week. Rockets landed approximately three kilometres away for Camp Taji, where 45 New Zealand troops are training Iraqi forces. The Greens said this was further evidence that the troops should be pulled out now. But Mr Peters told RNZ political reporter Jo Moir that this isn't an unusual occurance, and it's important not to have a knee-jerk reaction.

NASA says the smoke from Australias bushfires will travel a full circuit around the globe. The massive inferno's have already coloured the skies of New Zealand and South America. Hundreds of fires have been burning since September killing at least 28 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes sending plumes of smoke into the stratosphere. New Zealand based Space Scientist Duncan Steel spoke to Logan Church to explain how exactly it will travel the rest of the world.

Young New Zealanders aren't planning to give up the fight against climate change any time soon, with secondary school children expected to strike in the lead-up to this year's general election.

2019 was a busy year for young people around the country, not only with climate action, but also with huge concerns raised about police chasing young fleeing drivers and keeping young people in police cells. 

With an election looming - rangatahi are calling for action on some of New Zealand's most pressing issues. 

Our Youth Affairs Reporter Katie Doyle, told Leigh-Marama McLachlan that last year's climate strikes signalled a massive drive from young people...

Australian man Gabel Tostee was aquitted of the murder of his Tinder date - New Zealand woman - Warriena Wright in 2014.

But he's back on the dating apps and making headlines again after a Tinder date called the police on him on New Years Eve.

They were called to the 28-year-old woman's house after reports of a man being intoxicated and making her feel uncomfortable.

The Court Reporter for the Australian paper The Courier Mail, Alexandria Utting, had an exclusive interview with Gabel Tostee about the rendezvoux that went wrong.

She spoke to RNZ reporter Charlotte Cook.

A New Plymouth business owed hundreds of thousands of dollars by the failed oil and gas company Tamarind Taranaki is calling on the Government to force its Malaysian-based parent company to sell its remaining New Zealand assets to help repay creditors.

Tamarind Taranaki went belly up just before Christmas after its 300 million dollar offshore drilling campaign at the Tui Field flopped.

It owes creditors about $484-million.

Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter, Robin Martin, reports.