NEWS

Defence Minister Judith Collins has approved armed drones for the military, but ruled out automated drones. Māori activist Tina Ngata criticised Children's Minister Karen Chhour for stoking racial division and called for hate speech law reform. NZ is urging China to drop it from a beef probe, citing minimal exports. Idaho has banned mandatory vaccines, and a UK tribunal has blocked a secret government effort to weaken Apple’s iCloud encryption.

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ANALYSIS

Professor Greg Simons unpacks the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, plus the likely impact of the trade war. Simon Angelo takes a closer look at Trump’s tariffs and what history can teach us. And Don Nicholson and Jaspreet Boparai explore the government’s pine planting plans for achieving Net Zero by 2050 sparking major land loss concerns. 

THE SIGNPOST

Landing fresh on RCR today: Paul Brennan’s full interview with Professor Greg Simons, unpacking tensions in the Middle East.

In Money Talks, Simon Angelo breaks down the global trade shake-up—and why now might be the perfect time to find opportunity in the chaos.

And get the full picture of the challenges facing boys in creative writing and literature in author Nicholas Sheppard’s chat with Maree Buscke. 

Plus, Simon O’Connor talks with Bruce Pope, his Mate from the States, on the latest political and social happenings.

And later today, Michael Reddell is back to update us on the Official Cash Rate (OCR) – announcement today at 2pm.

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