The White House says it wasn't aware of the simultaneous pager explosions across Lebanon before the attacks.

Thousands were injured and at least 12 killed when pagers, used by political group Hezbollah, detonated yesterday. 

Today —a day later— at least nine people are dead and 300 injured after walkie talkies exploded. 

Hezbollah believes Israel is responsible 

US correspondent Benji Hyer told Ryan Bridge there was a quick phone call between the defence secretaries of Israel and the US minutes before pagers started exploding.

He says Israel told the United States they would be conducting an operation in Lebanon, but no further details were shared.

LISTEN ABOVE

The White House says it wasn't aware of the simultaneous pager explosions across Lebanon before the attacks. 
Thousands were injured and at least 12 killed when pagers, used by political group Hezbollah, detonated yesterday.  
Today —a day later— at least nine people are dead and 300 injured after walkie talkies exploded.  
Hezbollah believes Israel is responsible  
US correspondent Benji Hyer told Ryan Bridge there was a quick phone call between the defence secretaries of Israel and the US minutes before pagers started exploding. 
He says Israel told the United States they would be conducting an operation in Lebanon, but no further details were shared. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Benji Hyer: US Correspondent on the pager and walkie talkie explosions of Hezbollah devices in Lebanon

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4e38a56d-5c55-4051-be85-b1ef0148105b/transcript

All Black Sevu Reece has avoided conviction a second time after damaging a Christchurch property. 

The 27-year-old crashed a car into a garage door after being asked to leave a post-Cup Day party last year. 

The Crusader's been discharged without conviction after admitting a reduced charge of wilful damage. 

In 2018, Reece was granted a discharge for assaulting his then-partner. 

Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that being well-paid to play sport is a privilege. 

He says a responsibility comes with that, and twice now, he's fallen below the line. 

Johnson says he'll have to stay true to his commitment to stay away from alcohol. 

He says it's already cost him one job overseas, so another repeat could have major impacts for Reece in the game. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

All Black Sevu Reece has avoided conviction a second time after damaging a Christchurch property.&nbsp;
The 27-year-old crashed a car into a garage door after being asked to leave a post-Cup Day party last year.&nbsp;
The Crusader's been discharged without conviction after admitting a reduced charge of wilful damage.&nbsp;
In 2018, Reece was granted a discharge for assaulting his then-partner.&nbsp;
Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that being well-paid to play sport is a privilege.&nbsp;
He says a responsibility comes with that, and twice now, he's fallen below the line.&nbsp;
Johnson says he'll have to stay true to his commitment to stay away from alcohol.&nbsp;
He says it's already cost him one job overseas, so another repeat could have major impacts for Reece in the game.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Tony Johnson: Rugby Commentator on Sevu Reece's discharge without conviction for wilful damage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5b3ac5cc-ff37-4a2d-ba79-b23b015967e5/transcript

There's hopes a shakeup at Auckland Transport will bring more democratic decisions.  

The council will now take control of transport policy and planning, as well as road control.  

A new Auckland Regional Transport Committee will be created to develop a 30-year transport plan – agreed to by Cabinet and the council.  

Howick Local board Chair Damian Light told Ryan Bridge it could mean locations for controversial infrastructure like cycleways and pedestrian crossings are more carefully chosen. 

He says it could mean they only end up in areas where people want them. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's hopes a shakeup at Auckland Transport will bring more democratic decisions. &nbsp;
The council will now take control of transport policy and planning, as well as road control. &nbsp;
A new Auckland Regional Transport Committee will be created to develop a 30-year transport plan – agreed to by Cabinet and the council. &nbsp;
Howick Local board Chair Damian Light told Ryan Bridge it could mean locations for controversial infrastructure like cycleways and pedestrian crossings are more carefully chosen.&nbsp;
He says it could mean they only end up in areas where people want them.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Damian Light: Howick Local Board Chair on Auckland Transport losing its transport policy and planning powers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e725dd5f-1ca9-476f-b098-b23b01579ebe/transcript

The former Health New Zealand chair says a lot of the estimate issues we're seeing carry over from the DHBs.  

The health service has reported a $1.1 billion deficit – lower than the $1.76 billion it was initially signalling.  

The revised deficit was revealed at yesterday's review of the Ministry of Health, and has prompted backlash from opposition MPs.  

Former Chair Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge that Health New Zealand's trying to pull together figures from the previous system.  

He says the main people in control have been the Ministry of Health and Treasury, which haven't had any changes made to them in this respect. 

Campbell says that Health New Zealand, the Commissioner, and whoever's involved in its organisation, can't staff-cut and staff-restrict costs to make this better. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The former Health New Zealand chair says a lot of the estimate issues we're seeing carry over from the DHBs. &nbsp;
The health service has reported a $1.1 billion deficit – lower than the $1.76 billion it was initially signalling. &nbsp;
The revised deficit was revealed at yesterday's review of the Ministry of Health, and has prompted backlash from opposition MPs. &nbsp;
Former Chair Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge that Health New Zealand's trying to pull together figures from the previous system. &nbsp;
He says the main people in control have been the Ministry of Health and Treasury, which haven't had any changes made to them in this respect.&nbsp;
Campbell says that Health New Zealand, the Commissioner, and whoever's involved in its organisation, can't staff-cut and staff-restrict costs to make this better.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Rob Campbell: Former Health NZ Chair on the deficit figures for Health NZ

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/27a123b2-93c0-43c7-8721-b23b014b1d49/transcript

Benji Hyer: US Correspondent on the pager and walkie talkie explosions of Hezbollah devices in Lebanon

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