Midday Edition: 21 May 2025

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 21 May 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 afternoon. I'm Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday
news facts for Wednesday, the twenty first of May. The
employer of a man who heckled Winston Peters could have
the right to sackem. The man who interrupted a rail
funding announcement in Wellington yesterday has been identified as working
for the environmental and engineering consultancy firm Tonkin and Taylor.

(00:24):
The company says they're investigating the incident. Peters says he
doesn't care if the man loses his job. Employment law
specialist at Jennifer Mills says the level of heckling clearly
brings the company into disrepute.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
At the end.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
Where the individual calls the minister an FM moron, that's
verbal abuse. AID trucks may have entered Gaza after an
eleven week blockade, but the UN says Israel's yet to
let them reach the worst areas. Israeli officials claim ninety
three trucks have entered in the past not twenty four hours,

(00:58):
carrying food and medical supplies. The EU is reviewing its
Israel trade agreement and the UK suspending trade talks. Former
British Consul General to Jerusalem, Richard Dalton told CNN the
only way is international pressure.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
These dialogs are going to have to be sustained over
a long period, and we've got to show that we're
putting our money where our modes are by following through
sanction if indeed Israel's conduct remains the same.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Labour is concerned about the government's school lunches rollout. News
Talk zb can reveal the program prompted one hundred and
seventy one formal complaints to the Ministry of Education from
ninety three schools in the first month alone. Complaints range
from not meeting dietary requirements to food quality. Education spokesperson
Willow gen Prime calls the program chaotic.

Speaker 2 (01:49):
In an effort to save money. This government has caused
so many issues with the school lunch's program.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
Security is reportedly being bolstered around christ Church Hospital's birthing
unit after a staffer was attacked off the premises. Donald
Trump says Canada is interested in being part of his
ambitious Golden Dome missile defense shield. The US president has
appointed Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael Gootlin to

(02:19):
lead the one hundred and seventy five billion US dollar project.
The Dome, which will span the whole of America. Aims
to create a network of satellites to detect, track, and
intercept incoming missiles. Trump claims Canada has expressed interest, but
they'll pay their fair share.

Speaker 2 (02:35):
Will be discussing Canada. They want to hook in and
they want to see if they can be a part
of it, and sort of makes sense. I guess that's
what I was talking about from dear one.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
The Pope will lend his hand in attempting to end
the war between Russia and Ukraine. Newly elected Pope Leo
has confirmed his willingness for the Vatican to host the
next round of negotiations. The man best known as Norman
the NBC sitcom Cheers has died. US actor George Went
was seventy five. He died peacefully in his sleep at home.

(03:08):
To sport, the biggest obstacle to NFL players competing in
flag football at the Los Angeles Olympics has been cleared.
The league's thirty two owners have voted to allow their
charges to take part in the non contact sport at
the twenty twenty eight games. Rock Hampton's Fitzroy River, the
Crocodile Habitat unveiled as a rowing and canoeing venue for

(03:30):
the twenty thirty two Brisbane Olympics will undergo a further
evaluation in July, and the Chicago White Sox have devoted
a mural to Pope Leo the fourteenth, who's been unveiled
as a fan since his investiture. I'm Malcolm Jordan. That's
your latest news fix. We'll be back with the next
update at five pm from the Newstalk ZB newsroom.