Morning Edition: 17 April 2026

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 17 April 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good morning. I'm never Rettimanu and this is your morning
news fix for Friday, seventeenth of April. In this update,
Donald Trump says a ten day ceasefire between Israel and
Lebanon will begin in a matter of ours. Militant group
Hezbola says it will abide by the deal so long
as Israel ends its attacks. Israeli forces have reportedly killed

(00:25):
more than two thousand people and displaced a fifth of
the Lebanese population in the past six weeks. The BBC
says it the ceasefire buys the US President sometime. As
the conflict with Iran drags on, Prime Minister Christopher Luxen
is likely to face two of his most difficult weeks
in the job when Parliament returns next week. Our newsroom

(00:47):
understands from three sources that a fortnight ago, Luxeon didn't
respond to the party's whip Stuart Smith, who tried to
raise concerns about his leadership. It's understood those in caucus
wanting elder ship change will make a move in the
next fortnight. Although Luxen would be first to formally be
presented with concerns, the rebel MPs hope that would spark

(01:09):
a resignation before a firmer challenge. Arahu is in place
on the Tuttawetter River in Cowardo after two young boys
were killed by collapsing bank yesterday. The ten and twelve
year old died while playing in fishing with a group
of children in the late morning. Police and volunteer firefighters
swam across the river and scaled the cliff to try

(01:31):
to save them. Local MP Danna Kirkpatrick says there will
be time to reflect upon how this happened, but right
now it's about supporting Farno. More than one thousand reports
of assaults against staff were logged in Hospital Ed's last year.
Figures released under the Official Information Act show that's largely
the same as in twenty twenty four, but almost seventy

(01:53):
four percent higher than twenty twenty three. They make up
seven and a half thousand reports of assault by Health
New Zealand staff in twenty twenty five. Austrolasian Emergency Medicine
College New Zealand chair Michael Connolly says it's unacceptable and
this can range from verbal assaults to threats to physical
contact and harm. There's worry the new Warrant of Fitness

(02:16):
regime will mean more dangerous vehicles on the road. Vehicles
of almost every age will get their warrants extended, with
fourteen year old cars only needing a waft every two
years rather than annually. The Motor Trade Association says one
in three cars between eight and ten years old currently fail.
Head of advocacy James McDowell says it may not even

(02:39):
end up saving people money if they rack up more
damage and need costly repairs. Researchers have definitively concluded vaping
increases the risk of cancer. The New Zealand Medical Journal
has published a study looking at the key toxic chemicals
in vape smoke. It estimates the risk is probably lower
than for smokings, so there is an argument vaping can

(03:02):
help someone quit, but University of Otago's Andrew Ware says
it does mean all non smokers who vape are increasing
their cancer risk. In sport, Manly have trounced North Queensland
thirty eight to six to open Round seven of League's
NRL at Townsville, Karen Fourn's third win in a row
as interim coach. The World Anti Doping Agency has reported

(03:25):
progress in the bid to clean up the country they
claim is the worst offender India. Alton Rugby chair Brent
Medicines acknowledged a lack of atmosphere at men's and women's
provincial games has driven their plan to find a home
beyond Eden. Park golfer Ryan Fox is in touch with
the leaders at the latest PGA two event in South Carolina.

(03:48):
I'm never ready, Maani. When ue latest news fix, we'll
be back with the next update of midday from the
newstalk ZBE news room.