Morning Edition: 24 February 2025

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 24 February 2025, 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 (00:04):
Good morning, I'm never ready, Manu, and this is your
morning News Fox for Monday, twenty fourth of February. In
this update, another coalition voice calling for greater commitment to
defense spending in the budget. It comes as Defense Minister
Judith Collins says the hmnz as Tekaha has reported China
fired a second series of live rounds on the Tasman

(00:25):
Sea over the weekend. Australia and New Zealand were not
formally told of the drills, with China only giving verbal
notice of its intentions on a civil aircraft channel actively did.
David Seymour says the drills are not illegal, but their
location and relatively short notice are concerning. Meanwhile, hopes New
Zealand will make better use of its Mardi culture and

(00:46):
diplomatic missions with China. The New Zealand China Council reports
as Mardi and Chinese people have a historic connection and
similar worldviews and values. It says Chinese leaders may be
more open to trade and business deals if they're intererant
with other Mardi leaders. Report author Professor Jason Meker says
it's in New Zealand's best interest to send Mardy diplomats

(01:08):
to China.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
Who's definitely a competitive advantage death, But at the same time,
once the relationship performed, you's got to be able to
deliver on the promise of that relationship.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
Groups linked to Destiny Church have been holding meetings at
Auckland Council facilities. The man up West Auckland chapter advertised
an event at Glen Eden Library just days before they
launched an attack Ontiata two Library. Auckland Council says it
was a meeting area connected to the library with a
separate entrance. Council reporter Jacob Jones has more one.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
It says it's obligated to keep its community venues available
for anyone and the granting of a booking doesn't equal
an endorsement. It says bookings are often made under individual names,
so it's not clear which group is reserving the space.
It's a where of a small number of bookings made
by the group and will be monitoring the risks they
may pose.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
A fire has ripped through two buildings and three and
two others in Upotiki in Bay of Plenty. Crews recorded
the blaze on Church Street just before eleven thirty last night.
Masterton's Religious Communities remain in shock after four churches were
damaged by fires over the weekend. Polize are treating the
fires as suspicious, with further evidence suggesting three more were

(02:18):
targeted but did not catch a light. Officers say they're
also looking into videos posted online of a man claiming
responsibility for the blazers. Masterton mayor Gary Kaffel says the
community has been sharing what the churches mean to them.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Who are regular, very important part of their lives, and
I guess it's an area that you don't expect to
have since happenhit. That's particularly so many of them.

Speaker 1 (02:41):
Polls are beginning to close in Germany's snap election. Send
to Write CDU is predicted to receive the most votes,
making leader Friedrich Meritz the next chancellor. Far right Alternative
of Germany AfD is tipped to double their votes and
sewed into second place, but they're likely to be frozen
out of power with the other parties refusing to work

(03:01):
with them. To sport, India have dominated Pakistan by six
wickets in their Champions Trophy cricket match at Dubai. Veratkoli
made one hundred not out in the chase for two
forty two with seven point five overs to spare. France
have walloped Italy seventy three twenty four in their third
round Six Nations rugby manchi at Rome. Newcastle have beaten

(03:21):
Nottingham Forest four to three. In Premier League football. Skier
Mikayla Schiffrin has won a record extending one hundredth World
Cup in the slalom at an Italian resort. I'm never ready.
Manuv your latest news fix and we'll be back with
the next update of midday from the Newsdalk Zbby newsroom.