The US president pardons his son, bird flu strain found at Otago egg farm, and a detective who was shot in the face in Auckland's CBD reflects on his recovery.
1 Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
President Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter — sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions.
It also reversed his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.
The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California.
2 Controls in place as bird flu strain found in chickens at Otago egg farm
A commercial egg farm in rural Otago is under strict movement controls after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens at the premises.
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said tests from the Mainland Poultry-managed farm have identified a high pathogenic subtype of avian influenza called H7N6, which has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.
3 Massage therapist ordered to apologise for 'inappropriate' conduct
A massage therapist has been recommended to undergo mentoring and training as well as make a written apology to two of three women who accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
The Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) said separate complaints included failing to stop the massage after repeated requests to do so due to pain and discomfort; making racist and inappropriate comments, including about a client’s weight; and engaging in explicit sexual conversations.
4 Fresh round of home loan rate cuts at major bank
A major bank has cut its fixed home loan rates by up to 20 basis points, bringing its one-year term to 5.79%.
All retail banks moved to cut rates last week, following the Reserve Bank's decision to lower the official cash rate (OCR) by 50 basis points. Other banks, including ANZ and Westpac, have also dropped their fixed-rate offerings.
5 Man prescribed Parkinson's meds in error three times
A supervising pharmacist who did not realise a man had accidentally been given someone else's Parkinson's medication prescription three times failed to "provide services of an appropriate standard", the Health and Disability Commissioner says.
The incidents began in December 2021, when a man went to pick up a prescription faxed by his GP to his pharmacist which was printed on four double-sided pages.
ONE POWERFUL REFLECTION
Shot in the face while responding to the 2023 Auckland CBD shooting, Detective Shaun Winstanley has lost count of the number of operations and procedures he has undergone.
He spoke to Breakfast's Jenny-May Clarkson about his recovery, the physical and emotional toll it took, and his determination to move forward.
ONE BLACK CAP ANSWER?
Mitchell Santner has been added to the Black Caps squad for the second Test against England in Wellington as they attempt to fix a fielding and batting malaise that contributed to a heavy defeat in the first Test.
Santner, the left-arm spinning allrounder, comes into the squad at the expense of seamer Jacob Duffy.
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