Rnz: Nine To Noon

President Trump demands closure of Venezuelan airspace and denied reports that his defense secretary ordered the killing of a drug-smuggling boat's crew.

The Southerner's back with a new name as passenger rail to the South Island main trunk line. 

Intermediate schools say it should be easier to keep pupils on past year 8, and grow a year 9 and 10 roll.

Regional councils own assets worth billions of dollars, but what could happen to them with plans to scrap regional councillors?

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

Rodger and Cindy Whitson own a 10-acre property just outside of Mosgiel, where they grow paeonies and hydroponic herbs, and salad dressings. 

Kathryn, Liam and Lianne discuss recent events in politics. 

Simon discusses the ongoing issue of flooding and a "new action plan" to improve quality of life on Queen St.

Kiran Dass reviews The Silver Book by Olivia Laing, published by Penguin Books NZ.

How about a family camping trip that lasts at least four years? That's the story of the Leopard family.

Jo Aleh is the first woman to join the Team New Zealand crew in the America's Cup defence to be held in Naples in 2027. 

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney on France deciding bring back voluntary military service, Ukraine's president losing his right-hand man, Italy adding a new crime of "femicide" to its criminal code, and the Austrian nuns who fled their nursing home - becoming viral sensations in the process.

Open banking arrives. What does it mean for everyday users? 

Richard Chambers on how he plans to rebuild trust in police and its leadership. 

Te Radar and Pinky Agnew bring the end-of-week laughs.

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman on conflict at NZ cricket,  huge IPL contract for Amerilia Keer and  the Tall Blacks

Reaction to the proposed local government reform that could see Environment Canterbury scrapped, support for Kaikoura penguins and Hurunui Council backs improving access to a local beach golf course.

17-thousand health workers are due to strike from 1pm, and at midday, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union is also taking industrial action for an hour.

Harry Ricketts reviews Giving Birth to My Father by Tusiata Avia.

Helen Goh - both  psychologist and pastry chef -  on her book  Baking and the Meaning of Life: How to find joy in 100 recipes.