Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New Zealand's largest bank, ANZ, has lifted their mortgage and deposit rates by as much as 30 basis points. As of today, the bank's six-month mortgage rates will increase by 26 points, its four and five-year rates will rise by 25 points, and its three-year rates by 20 points. ANZ has also hiked their one-year, 18-month, and two-year rates by between 10 and 14 points. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the economic factors driving up these rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The outgoing Government has joined international calls for a humanitarian pause, as violence in Israel and Gaza escalates. Chris Hipkins, in consultation with the incoming Government, has requested humanitarian corridors in Gaza and designated safe areas that can't be targeted. ZB political editor Jason Walls says this pause would allow aid organisations to go into established safe areas to provide resources, aid and relief. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Rugby has approved several key changes and a new 12-strong biennial competition. The concept will start in 2026 and bring together the Six Nations teams, Sanzaar sides and two others in the Pacific such as Japan and Fiji. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what this might mean for the future of rugby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One prospective Cabinet minister appears to have learned from his predecessor's mistakes. Senior National MP Chris Bishop has sold his shares in Kiwi Income Property and plans to sell off his further shares in Paysauce Ltd, Telstra and Parrotdog. Former National MP Steven Joyce disagrees that ministers should have to sell their shares once they get into office. "You keep lifting the bar higher and higher in terms of what people can't do while they're a politician- which makes it less attractive for people. In principle- the Cabinet manual makes it clear people can do things in their private capacity." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black Sir Bryan Williams is voicing concern over the future of the Rugby World Cup for Tier Two nations. World Rugby has announced an expansion to 24 teams for the next event in Australia in 2027, including two extra pools and a round of 16. There'll also be a 12-strong Nations League starting in 2026, which will pit the Six Nations sides against the Rugby Championship teams, plus two invitees. Williams says this news is 'disappointing' for nations like Samoa and Fiji- and claims there'll be an imbalance at the next World Cup. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland businesses have demanded more action on addressing antisocial behaviour in the city centre. They're calling to adjust a bylaw, which would give the council power to trespass people if they believe they're a risk to public safety. Fort Street restaurant Vivace is planning on giving safety advice to customers and using private security guards. Co-owner Mandy Lusk says the unruly behaviour is a nuisance and hurts their businesses. "But there's also people just out there making a nuisance of themselves- and they seem to get some kind of pleasure out of scaring people and being aggressive." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert doesn't believe New Zealand was too slow to call for a pause to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has joined international calls for humanitarian corridors in Gaza and designated safe areas. Paul Buchanan says our country has done well, considering it has a caretaker Government. "New Zealand has always tried to straddle defence on conflicts such as this. Recognising the Palestinians' cause on the one hand, recognising Israel on the other- they chose the path of least resistance." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor says there are ramifications from the Town Hall renovation budget blowout. The council today voted to pay up to $147 million to cover cost increases for earthquake strengthening the CBD venue. The total overall cost could end up as high as $329 million. Councillor Ben McNulty says it'll take a toll on other things. "We have to be clear that by doing this Town Hall project and the extra money, we won't be doing other things. We will be taking away from other things that we should be doing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dozens of US states are suing Meta and its Instagram platform, saying they've fuelled a youth mental health crisis. 33 states have filed a lawsuit in federal court in California, claiming Meta has repeatedly misled the public about its platforms' danger. Meta says it's disappointed by the lawsuit. Auckland University health researcher, Samantha Marsh, says there's strong evidence to support the claims. "Social media in particular has a really negative impact on youth mental health- so that's things like depression and anxiety." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Rugby has announced the details for its new men's competitions. 12 teams are going to compete in the new World League outside of the World Cup, though they haven't decided what the actual name is going to be. It could be the World League- or it could be something else entirely, we don't know yet. Anyway, the new competition will put the six nation sides in a tournament alongside the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks, the Pumas and two other teams. It hasn't yet been confirmed, but the reports at this stage suggest that Japan and Fiji are likely to take up the final two slots. There will be a Tier Two competition with promotion and relegation, but that doesn't start for several years after the Tier One. The other big changes are going to come with the men's Rugby World Cup. The competition will be expanded to more teams, but shortened in terms of its length. So there's going to be a new 16-team knockout round between pool play and the quarter-finals. There is a central question at the heart of all of these changes- what's the priority? Is it to make as much money as possible from the game in the short-term, or is it to grow the game into new rugby markets? Because if you want to grow a game in order for it to have a global footprint, you really need to ensure that teams aren't just playing- they're actually competing. Turning up isn't enough, they actually have to be kinda good. And how do teams get good? It's a combination of resources and experience playing stronger opposition. There is a really good example right now in the Cricket World Cup- with its players steadily increasing their amount of experience playing against tougher opposition. Afghanistan has stunned Pakistan and England in the 50 over format. I definitely think a shorter Rugby World Cup makes sense and having more teams will benefit the likes of Brazil and the Netherlands and Hong Kong- who are on the cusp of being in the top 24 in terms of the world rankings. But you have to feel sorry for the better Tier Two teams that are really facing a possibility of even fewer games against Tier One opposition. What do I mean? Think about Samoa and Tonga, for example. In the islands, rugby isn't an off-Broadway sport like it is in Brazil and the Netherlands. Other countries might squeak their way into a bigger World Cup, and that's great. But in the islands, it is the sport. And yet, those teams are going to find themselves outside of the World League with very few opportunities to play big teams outside of the Rugby World Cup. What's that going to mean when they turn up every four years for the likes of Samoa and Tonga? A thrashing, most likely. World Rugby is caught between conflicting priorities. They want competition structures that reward existing rugby fans and make a lot of money for the dominant teams- but they also want to expand the game. And for those of us who only care about the All Blacks playing the very best teams- sure the new format might be enjoyable enough. But if you care about rugby in the Pacific, I don't think this is it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police will receive 'clarified' guidance on addressing hate crimes after chaos broke out at a pro-Palestine rally in London. A video of a man shouting 'jihad' at the rally has sparked calls for tougher police action on hate speech. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley agreed existing hate crime laws 'needed re-drawing'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Sir Wayne Smith predicts new rule changes will be implemented in rugby, with permissible tackle height being lowered to belly-button level. Are the rugby rules too complicated? Are tackles below the belly button the way of the future? David Seymour wants to make the coalition agreement public, Luxon says he'd be open to it. Do we think Winston would too? Is transparency the way to go when it comes to the coalition? A piece from Thomas Coughlan indicated David Parker could become the next Labour leader- what do we think of this? What does Labour need? Residents of Auckland's Ōrākei and Eastern Bay are protesting against McDonald's opening another restaurant in their neighbourhood. Should communities have a say against junk food? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data indicates the milk price cycle may be picking up after an earlier downturn. The latest lift on October 17 saw prices move 4.3 percent, with milk powder up 4.2 percent and the overall average price reaching $3202 USD. Fonterra has lifted their forecast by 50 cents and ASB and Westpac have since followed suit and increased their forecasts $7.35/kg MS and $7.25/kg MS respectively. The Country's Jamie Mackay is confident numbers will pick up after a dismal year for the dairy sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two warnings from international credit ratings agencies have sparked concern amongst economists. S&P Global Ratings expressed concern with National's proposed Three Waters policy, as it could negatively impact the debt ceilings for local councils. Fitch Ratings predicted that the new National-led Government couldn't live up to their promise of producing a budget surplus in 2027. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie explained the impact of these warning signals. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly released tapes revealed Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt used his wealth to build a relationship with Donald Trump. The recordings showed that Pratt had bought his way into Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, sent money to Rudy Giuliani, and bragged that his wealth was his 'superpower'. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Donald Trump also leaked information about private calls with the leaders of Ukraine and Iraq to Pratt. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister-elect's leaving the door open to revealing details of a coalition deal. Arrangements in 2017 weren't publicly released, because the Chief Ombudsman ruled details couldn't be requested under the OIA- because it came within Jacinda Ardern's capacity as Labour leader. ACT's David Seymour is in coalition talks with National and says he'd be happy for his promises to be made public. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Seymour is quite transparent as a politician- and he'd want to see which of ACT's proposals made it through. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised as to why competing weather forecasters NIWA and MetService don't work together in times of extreme weather events. MetService has recently concluded its weather forecasting models performed badly before the Auckland floods, leaving staff in disbelief over the inaccuracy. WeatherWatch Head Analyst Philip Duncan says the situation wouldn't have gone this far if the Government hadn't allowed NIWA to commercialise everything. "MetService would have a lot more access to tax-funded modelling and be able to improve it, because climate change- or even the fact that things are warming up- is breaking some of the modelling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The outgoing head of New Zealand's Insurance Council has advised Kiwis to stop building in 'dumb' places. Tim Grafton has spent 11 years in the role and overseen the pressure earthquakes, cyclones, floods and climate change are placing on infrastructure. He says building houses in risky locations will put people in harm's way and make it harder for insurance to be readily available. "All of those things combined, we should be thinking smarter about where we build- and not just consenting in dumb, stupid, unintelligent places." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Wayne Smith, former All Blacks and Black Ferns coach, suspects new amendments will be made to rugby's laws. Speaking on the Between Two Beers podcast, he claimed rugby would need to 'reinvent' itself by lowering the permissible tackle height to belly-button level. Sky Sport commentator Ken Laban says these potential changes come with 'dangerous' consequences for the future of the sport. "It's a physical contest taking place, this encouraging them to tackle low- to me that's a reduction in the physicality and a reduction in the game's appeal, that's the danger." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jobseekers being ghosted by prospective employers- are often down to the company itself. New Seek data shows 72 percent of Kiwi jobseekers don't hear back about the job they've been interviewed for. Seek career coach Leah Lambart says it happens for a number of reasons, like the company choosing not to inform the candidate isn't the right fit. She says it may also be down to an internal issue in the company that takes precedence. "It could be no hurry to recruit that role- and as a result, it gets put on the backburner because there's some other vacancies that come up that are perhaps more urgent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says he sees no reason why a potential coalition deal shouldn't be made public. Arrangements in 2017 weren't publicly released, when the Chief Ombudsman ruled details couldn't be requested under the Official Information Act - because it came within Jacinda Ardern's capacity as Labour leader. But ACT Party leader Seymour says he'd be happy for this year's finalised arrangement to be in the open. "We're really happy with the way it's going, I mean, we've been chatting through the different challenges that we think the Government will face." Prime Minister-Elect Chris Luxon isn't ruling out it out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coronial hearing into the Christchurch Mosque attacks has begun, but it's not a question of who is to blame. Coroner Brigitte Windley is tasked with determining the circumstances of each of the 51 deaths - and addressing unanswered questions. It follows a criminal prosecution and a Royal Commission of Inquiry. Herald senior reporter Anna Leask has spent the day in court- and she says the Coroner is clear the responsibility rests on terrorist Brenton Tarrant. She says this is about shining a light on what happened. "Tarrant didn't go to trial because he pleaded guilty and the Royal Commission was done more privately, so there's a lot of the evidence that the families of the victims will only hear during this process." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Rugby has launched a formal review into allegations made by England's Tom Curry over a racial slur in their World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe during the first half, alleging South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi made the derogatory remark. The move is poised to disrupt the Springboks build-up to the final against the All Blacks on Sunday morning. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Rugby has launched a formal review into allegations made by England's Tom Curry over a racial slur in their World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe during the first half, alleging South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi made the derogatory remark. The move is poised to disrupt the Springboks build-up to the final against the All Blacks on Sunday morning. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democracy activist Ahmed Zaoui is facing a new legal battle- this time for his life. The former refugee to New Zealand was arrested after holding a political meeting at his home. He's been charged with subversion, which can be penalised by up to 20 years in prison, or death. Lawyer Deborah Manning says Zaoui says the charges don't meet international standards. She says he was one of a number of political leaders who returned home when the political situation improved. "Ahmed went there before Covid, and was planning to go between the two countries- but obviously couldn't do that with our borders being closed. And Ahmed loves Algeria, just as any migrant loves their home- and he still has family there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two by-elections have spelt bad news for the ruling Conservative Party ahead of the next general election. Mid Bedfordshire has elected its first Labour MP since the 1930s, and Tamworth also swung towards the Labour Party. Both by-elections were triggered by the resignation of their respective Conservative MPs. Violent crime statistics are down by 28 percent. The decline is driven by a fall in criminal damage and fraud offences. However, shoplifting and knife crimes are on the rise. A late Italian Prime Minister has seen his art collection mocked by leading art critics. Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June aged 86, bought around 25,000 paintings and sculptures over the years, ranging from Titian and Rembrandt to more recent ones from late-night telesales. But top art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, says perhaps six or seven of them are of any artistic value. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese President Xi Jinping promised foreign companies greater access to China’s huge market and more than $100 billion in new financing for other developing economies as he opened a forum Wednesday on his signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Xi's initiative has built power plants, roads, railroads and ports around the world and deepened China’s ties with Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Mideast. But the massive loans backing the projects have burdened poorer countries with heavy debts, in some cases leading to China taking control of those assets. At the forum’s opening ceremony at the ornate and cavernous Great Hall of the People, Xi promised that two Chinese-backed development banks – the China Development Bank and the Export–Import Bank of China – will each set up 350 billion yuan ($47.9 billion) financing windows. An additional 80 billion yuan ($11 billion) will be invested in Beijing's Silk Road Fund to support BRI projects. “We will comprehensively remove restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector,” Xi said. He said China would further open up “cross-border trade and investment in services and expand market access for digital products” and carry out reforms of state-owned enterprises and in sectors such as the digital economy, intellectual property rights and government procurement. The pledges of hefty support from Beijing come at a time when China's economy has slowed and foreign investment has plunged. Xi alluded to efforts by the United States and its allies to reduce their reliance on Chinese manufacturing and supply chains amid heightened competition and diplomatic frictions and reiterated promises that Beijing would create a fairer environment for foreign firms. “We do not engage in ideological confrontation, geopolitical games nor clique political confrontation,” Xi said. “We oppose unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and the decoupling and severance of chains,” a reference to moves elsewhere to diversify industrial supply chains. Reiterating Chinese complaints that such moves are meant to limit China's growth, Xi said that “viewing others’ development as a threat or taking economic interdependence as a risk will not make one’s own life better or speed up one’s development.” “China can only do well when the world is doing well,” he said. “When China does well, the world will get even better.” Representatives from more than 130 mostly developing countries are attending the forum, including at least 20 heads of state and government. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending, reflecting China’s economic and diplomatic support for Moscow amid the isolation brought by its war in Ukraine. Addressing the forum right after Xi, Putin praised BRI as being “truly important, global, future-oriented, aimed at creating more equitable, multipolar world relations." “This is truly a global plan,” he said, adding that it aligns with Russia's plan “to form a large Eurasian space, as a space of cooperation and interaction of like-minded people, where a variety of integration processes will be linked.” He referred to other regional organizations, such as the security-oriented Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Eurasian Economic Union of former Soviet states. Several European officials including the French and Italian ambassadors to China and former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin walked out while Putin spoke and returned afterwards. On Tuesday, Putin met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is the sole European Union government leader attending the forum. Their meeting was a rare instance of the Russian president meeting a European leader since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine in February 2022. Putin met with Xi after the opening ceremony. Also in attendance are the presidents of Indonesia, Argentina, Kazakstan, Sri Lanka, Kenya among other countries, as well as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. Most Western European countries and U.S. allies sent lower level or former officials to the forum. Guterres highlighted the BRI’s potential to bring development to neglected areas while stressing the need for projects to be environmentally sustainable. He said the initiative could help drive the transition away from reliance on fossil fuels. “Developing countries will need massive support for a fair, equitable and just energy transition toward renewables while providing affordable electricity to all,” Guterres said. He also called for an “immediate, humanitarian” ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war after a strike killed hundreds at a Gaza City hospital on Tuesday. With the BRI, China has become a major financer of development projects on a par with the World Bank. The Chinese government says the initiative has launched more than 3,000 projects and “galvanized” nearly $1 trillion in investment. It has also attracted criticism from the U.S., India and others that China is engagi

Fletcher has its AGM next Friday, but it’s expecting a tough time from the shareholders. It’s expected the Iplex pipes drama will be a hot topic, as well as its persistently poor performance, and a number of shareholders being told to vote against directors’ remuneration. Business commentator Rod Oram joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exporters and importers are calling on Ports of Auckland to lift its efficiency and productivity by at least as much as they’re hiking their user prices. The number of containers moved on and off ships has dropped by 42 percent in the past four years. But at the same time, the Ports put up its prices, including a general increase of 7 percent from next year. New Zealand Council of Cargo Owners chair Mike Knowles joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks aren’t taking their Rugby World Cup semi-final opponents lightly at all. Despite having the easier opponent on paper, Los Pumas have beaten Ian Foster twice since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, the other matchup will see England take on the Springboks in a rematch of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final – but also the 2007 final. NZR’s investigation of the Ranfurly Shield saga has found insufficient evidence of foul play. It confirmed the shield was broken accidentally on a concrete floor – and no drugs were involved. It comes as holders Hawke’s Bay gear up to face Taranaki in the NPC Final this weekend. A tough run of fixtures awaits the Black Caps in the Cricket World Cup. Having won their first four games convincingly with a healthy run rate, they now have to face hosts India this weekend. They follow that with Australia, South Africa and Pakistan, before wrapping up the first round against Sri Lanka. Clay Wilson and Matt Brown joined Jason Pine to discuss the week’s sports newsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are one win away from their fifth Rugby World Cup final – but they’ll have to get past Argentina. Los Pumas have beaten the All Blacks twice in their history – both of those coming in the past four years during Ian Foster’s tenure. Their first win came in 2020 with a 25-15 win in Sydney, before following it up with a 25-18 win in Christchurch last year. Argentina rugby journalist Frankie Deges joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington day care centre says its frustrated parents will have to park 50 meters away to drop off their kids while a cycleway is installed. CoKids Daycare Centre on Thorndon Quay claims they've been given less than a week's notice to prepare for a year of disruption. The centre looks after around 100 children and is concerned they may have to close. CoKids' Steve Piper told Jason Pine the lack of communication has been stressful. He says he would've appreciated some notice so he could inform the parents and his staff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission wants good safety assurance processes in the stevedoring industry. The watchdog has identified serious safety concerns in the sector after investigating two fatal accidents at ports in April 2022. It recommends Maritime NZ work with the sector on minimum training standards and a code of practice. Chief Accidents Investigator Naveen Kozhuppakalam told Jason Pine organisations have largely been left to understand their own risks and put mitigations in place. “There is regulatory oversight, but it only happens after an accident has occurred. What we want to see is more proactive leadership.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are eyeing up a fifth Rugby World Cup final, as they look to take on Argentina tomorrow morning. Coach Ian Foster says they aren’t looking past Los Pumas in any way, shape, or form to get there though. Since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks have lost twice to Argentina. Former All Black and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Mils Muliaina joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Candidates for the Port Waikato by-election have closed, but Labour has chosen to sit this one out. Labour Party President Jill Day says it's an "unwinnable" contest for them, and the party is focusing on its transition to opposition. The by-election was triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen just before the election. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. It's expected that any policy announcements between the two parties won't be announced until after the special votes. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have a chance to make their fifth Rugby World Cup final, but they have to get past Argentina first. However, with two wins over the All Blacks in the past World Cup cycle, the All Blacks certainly won’t be taking this one lightly. The Black Caps remain unbeaten at the Cricket World Cup, but their win streak could be under threat. They have a top of the group clash against hosts India in Dharamshala, where the Black Caps are ahead of India on run rate. Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to reduced charges on Thursday over efforts to overturn former US President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia, becoming the second defendant in the sprawling case to reach a deal with prosecutors. Powell, who was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, entered the plea just a day before jury selection was set to start in her trial. She pleaded guilty to six misdemeanours accusing her of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties. As part of the deal, she will serve six years of probation, will be fined $6000 and will have to write an apology letter to Georgia and its residents. She also agreed to testify truthfully against her co-defendants at future trials. Powell, 68, was initially charged with racketeering and six other counts as part of a wide-ranging scheme to keep the Republican president in power after he lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Prosecutors say she also participated in an unauthorised breach of elections equipment in a rural Georgia county elections office. The plea deal makes Powell the most prominent known person to be working with prosecutors investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. Her cooperation in the case and participation in strategy talks threaten to expose the former president and offer insight on what he was saying and doing in the critical period after the election. Above all, the guilty plea is a remarkable about-face for a lawyer who, perhaps more than anyone else, strenuously pushed baseless conspiracy theories about a stolen election in the face of extensive evidence to the contrary. She also has important knowledge about high-profile events, including a news conference she participated in on behalf of Trump and his campaign shortly after the election and on a White House meeting she attended in mid-December of 2020 in which prosecutors say ways to influence the outcome of the election were discussed. John Fishwick, a former US attorney for the Western District of Virginia, called Powell’s plea a “significant win” for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. “This is somebody who was at ground zero of these allegations and a lawyer who is pleading guilty,” he said. “This is very significant.” In this frame grab from video, Sidney Powell, former attorney for Donald Trump, attends a hearing with her attorney Brian Rafferty before Judge Scott McAfee on October 19 in Atlanta. Photo / AP Fishwick also said Powell’s plea is helpful to Jack Smith, the Justice Department’s special counsel. Powell is referenced, though not by name, as one of six unindicted co-conspirators in Smith’s federal case charging Trump with plotting to overturn the election. That indictment notes how Trump had privately acknowledged to others that Powell’s unfounded claims of election fraud were “crazy”, yet nonetheless he promoted and embraced a lawsuit that Powell filed against the state of Georgia that included what prosecutors said were “far-fetched” and baseless assertions. Barry Coburn, a Washington-based lawyer for Powell, declined to comment on Thursday. Powell gained notoriety for threatening in a Fox Business interview in November 2020 to “release the Kraken”, invoking a mythical sea monster when talking about a lawsuit she planned to file to challenge the results of the presidential election. Similar suits she filed in several states were promptly dismissed. She was about to go on trial with lawyer Kenneth Chesebro after each filed a demand for a speedy trial. Jury selection was still set to begin Friday for Chesebro to go on trial by himself, though prosecutors said earlier that they also planned to look into the possibility of offering him a plea deal. Chesebro’s attorneys didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment on whether he would also accept a plea deal. A lower-profile defendant in the case, bail bondsman Scott Graham Hall, last month pleaded guilty to five misdemeanour charges. He was sentenced to five years of probation and agreed to testify in further proceedings. Steve Sadow, the lead attorney for Trump in the Georgia case, expressed confidence that Powell’s plea wouldn’t hurt his own client’s case. “Assuming truthful testimony in the Fulton County case, it will be favourable to my overall defence strategy,” he said. Prosecutors allege that Powell conspired with Hall and others to access election equipment without authorization and hired computer forensics firm SullivanStrickler to send a team to Coffee County, in south Georgia, to copy software and data from voting machines and computers there. The indictment says a person who is not named sent an email to a top SullivanStrickler executive and instructed him to send all data copied from Dominion Voting Systems equipment in Coffee County to an unidentified lawyer associated with Powell and the Trump campaign. Trial dates have not been set for the 16 remaining

A White House correspondent says US President Joe Biden will likely ask for roughly $100 billion dollars to boost aid to Israel and Ukraine. Biden spoke from the Oval Office, outlining why the US should provide further aid and why they can't sit by and watch the violence inflicted by Putin and Hamas. Reuters' Jeff Mason told Jason Pine the main objective of the speech was to rally Americans' support for the funding. “60 of which is likely to go to Ukraine, 10 of which is likely to go to Israel, and the rest to other regions as well. So it’s a massive package.” The speech comes hours after the US shot down a number of missiles and drones fired from Yemen over the Red Sea possibly heading toward Israel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has touched down to meet with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other leaders. Sunak is also expected to visit other regional capitals, which have not been released for security reasons, as the situation intensifies. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Rishi Sunak's visit will re-iterate Britain's commitment to standing with Israel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Ben Thomas from Capital joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Is it outrageous that Wellington Council wants to buy the land below Reading Cinema, so that the company can use it to renovate the cinema? Couldn't this listed company pay its own costs, especially as plenty of other Wellington issues need the funding? Napier Council is being accused of dictatorship for proposing a lower fence height limit (1.2 metres). Is this reasonable? Auckland Light Rail settled a deal to buy the old Kiwi Bacon building 11 days before the election, knowing that National, ACT and NZ First wanted to do away with the Light Rail project. Are they right to progress the project while it's still alive, or should they have waited for political direction? The Mongrel Mob has expressed concern about the incoming National-led Government, fearing it'll make things harder for gangs- can we be sympathetic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has surprised economists by reporting more rapid economic growth. The net worth of the typical US household grew at the fastest pace in more than three decades from 2020 through 2022, and interest rates have stayed low. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains why the US economy has managed to stay so resilient. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 160th annual Hawke's Bay A & P Show is underway at the Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings. The event has undergone several key changes, including a recent focus on the horticulture sector and active rural sports. The Country's Rowena Duncum says Great Raihania Shears shearing and woolhandling is expected to happen tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation hints that the post-pandemic imbalances in the economy could be working themselves out. Since mid-September, the economic numbers have started to beat the expectations of economists and markets. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says inflation is still running rampant- but unless something bad happens, the economy is moving in a positive direction. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon has confirmed his National-led government isn't keen on Auckland's Light Rail project. The incoming Prime Minister labelled the project a 'white elephant' and said the billions spent could be better put towards other transport priorities. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Luxon has been consistent about scrapping Light Rail from the beginning of the campaign. "If he had turned around and said- we're going to go ahead with this, he would have had a mutiny on his hands led by Simeon Brown." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's High Court has struck down Victoria's tax on electric vehicles, in a move labelled 'contentious'. Victoria had previously established a distance-based charge for electric and hydrogen vehicle owners for each kilometre they travel. Two EV drivers filed a challenge in the High Court, arguing that it was 'unconstitutional' for individual states to impose these taxes. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says establishing more taxes would be a controversial decision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have welcomed protocol-breacher Mark Telea back into the fold ahead of their World Cup semi-final. Coach Ian Foster unveiled two key changes to his starting line-up, and record-breaking Sam Whitelock will be part of the new first fifteen. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A word of caution from the Five Eyes leaders, as they detail fears of cyber espionage. The head of MI5 revealed more than 20,000 Brits have been approached covertly online by Chinese spies. Australia also recently deported a Chinese national recruited to spy on a research institution. Massey University security expert John Battersby says New Zealand has reason to be concerned, as the nation can be naïve about potential threats. "The Chinese are definitely doing it, among a range of others. And a number of countries are doing it in order to get security secrets- but they're also looking for R&D tech secrets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor is defending his comments on a commercially-sensitive Council deal. The Post reports Council is looking to buy the site where Reading Cinema stands, for $32 million dollars. The boarded up Courtenay Place complex has been closed for years. Councillor Ray Chung is one of five people under a code of conduct investigation, around alleged breaches of confidentiality. He's reiterating his feelings about the deal. "I don't believe that this is a good thing for the city council to be getting into, getting a commercial proposal. Because we don't have any money to even fix our own buildings." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversy over a proposal to restrict residential fence heights in Napier. The City Council's proposed District Plan includes suggesting limits as low as 1.2 metres - for fencing new properties. Fences would be allowed up to 1.8 metres if at least half is visually open, or half of it is only 1.2 metres tall. Mayor Kirsten Wise says there's evidence shorter fences make people feel safer. "People on the street or in neighbouring properties can see what's happening, as opposed to these big fences which totally block off a property- and anybody could be jumping over that fence and doing who knows what." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert warns 20 trucks of humanitarian aid won't be much help for stricken Palestinians. The US President has helped secure an agreement from Egypt to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. More will follow - if Hamas doesn't confiscate the food and medical supplies from civilians. Auckland University's Stephen Hoadley says the aid's going to help more than two million people. "Imagine if they only have one litre of water a day- imagine how many trucks the UN is estimating. 100 trucks a day have gone in to Gaza previous to this conflict." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.