Midday Edition: 18 July 2026

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 18 July 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
From the news Talk Zamby newsroom. This is NEWSFACS in
this update a reminder of what to do if people
suspect a bird has bird flu. A second bird has
tested positive for the H five N one strain, a
single carhoo or swamp harrier hawk found near Carterton. The
New Zealand Veterinary Association says the public should contact MPI

(00:24):
immediately if it sees three or more sick or dead
wild birds in a group. President Robert Mills says it's
important members of the public don't handle the birds.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
I appreciate how difficult it would be for anyone just
to leave a bird that is not well alone, but
to minimize the opportunity of spread it is important.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is finalizing his cabinet
ahead of taking on the role on Monday. The former
Greater Manchester mayor has been sworn in as Labour leader,
taking over from sir Ka Starmer. Andy Burnham has already
spoken about people their hope back and fixing a broken
social care system. Former Downing Street Communications director Ghito Harry

(01:08):
says he has a couple of advantages.

Speaker 3 (01:10):
He is a graduate of English he's very fluid. A
speech was beautifully crafted today, but he's also got the
sort of comment touch. He's got that sort of natural
affinity in connection with people that very few politicians have.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
More than eight hundred wildfires burning across Canada are spreading
dangerously smoky air across North America. The White House is
holding in formal meetings with FIFA officials over concerns for
the Football World Cup final near New York City. BBC
North America correspondent Natatorfic is in New York and see
she can taste the smoke.

Speaker 4 (01:44):
It burns the eyes and the throat after a while,
and even indoors you get the occasional whiff of something burning.
New York's mayors or on Momdani has urged people to
stay indoors, and the city is even handing out masks.

Speaker 1 (01:56):
In New Zealand's counting down until it becomes the first
international carrier to down at the new Western Sydney Airport,
the airline will operate flights three days a week from
late October. It says this will strengthen trans Tasman connectivity
even further with both Australia and New Zealand representing each
other's largest inbund market. That's news. In sport, Bryson Deschambeau

(02:21):
has been left fuming over a post round two shop
penalty on day two at the Open. The two time
major winner was just a shot off the lead on
seven under par after shooting a sixty six at Royal Birkdale,
but de Chambeau was quickly whisked away by rules officials
back to the fifth hole, where they say he inadvertently
trampled on long grass and cleared the way for a

(02:43):
clean backswing. The penalty drops into five under three behind
outright leader. Australian Lucas Herbert prop Tyrol Lomax is imploring
the All Blacks to start as they mean to go
on in tonight's Test against Ireland. The All Blacks have
cons needed an early try against both France and Italy.
Lomax says they could be in strife if they do

(03:05):
that against the Irish.

Speaker 5 (03:07):
Taking us a little while to get into it. But
when we have we've sort of done well, I guess,
sort of the back end of the first half and
then unto the second half. So it's just about starting
the game better, starting in a bit more physical especially
on defense that sport.

Speaker 1 (03:18):
I'm Sandy Hodge. For more news, listen to news talks
at B on the free iHeart app