The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Tensions in the Middle East are rising with Yemen and Israel exchanging fire.   At least three people are dead, with dozens of others injured, following a fiery attack on a Yemeni port.   The Israel Defence Force says it was a direct response to a Houthi drone attack, which killed one person in Tel Aviv.   Meanwhile, Joe Biden is still scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya...

Joe Biden's dropping out of the US presidential race.   It's the first time in decades a sitting US President has ended a re-election run.   Biden's endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place – but the final decision around her nomination lies with the Democratic Party delegates.   Biden's recent debate performance had sent shivers through the party.   Multiple senior party members ha...

Joe Biden has pulled out of the election race , saying it was in the best interest of the Democrat party and the country for him to stand down as candidate. Democrats had been calling for him to stand aside, over  increasing concerns for his health and ability to win the election race  against Donald Trump. He made  a series of gaffes in recent months  that raised questions about his ability to ho...

Australia's unemployment rate rose over 4% as the country added more than 43,000 full-time jobs Economists had previously expected 20,000 roles but the job-market is significantly tighter than thought to be. Australia Correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking the cost of living is biting harder too. He says more people are looking for extra work and wish to work longer hours, but explains that c...

US Democrats may be too late to choose a new Presidential candidate. President Biden has not given a clear sign of considering quitting the race, but those around him are beginning to lose confidence in his chances for a re-election. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking campaign funds have dropped drastically, and Biden's polls are slipping terribly. He says Biden's recent public appe...

The All Blacks are set to play their next match at a bit of an unexpected location.   San Diego is set to get a taste of Tier 1 international rugby with this weekend’s match between Fiji and the All Blacks.   Normally a home fixture would be played in New Zealand, but NZR CEO Mark Robinson has been upfront about the commercial opportunities provided by taking the game stateside.   Former NZ Rugby...

As the week comes to a close, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joined Mike Hosking to wrap the week that was.   They discussed the latest in the US Presidential Race, the cost of GPs, and whereabouts Mike fits on the spectrum as his mind moves 100 miles a minute.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s concerns Donald Trump's change of tune since his assassination attempt may not last long.   Trump will formally accept the Republication nomination about 2pm today, the first time he's spoken since surviving the attack.   FSN correspondent Simon Marks says since the Republican National Convention started this week, they've been suggesting it's time for American voters to rethink their defi...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.     The shooting: 7/10   Because it's changed the race, possibly changed the world, put a spotlight on America and focused in on all that is wrong and right about the place.     Donald Trump: 9/10   Survived a shooting, may or may not have involved God and got another court case...

This has been the week the world changed.   Like it or not, America affects us all and the President affects America.   The Republican Party has nominated Donald Trump as their man and this afternoon our time he will accept.   If you want to zoom out just a bit, the party is run these days by Lara, his daughter-in-law.   "Make America Great Again" has been officially adopted by the party as its sl...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of July, the number of people on benefits just keep going up to record levels , despite the sanctions coming down from this Government.   All eyes will be back on Trump and the Republican National Convention ahead of his speech about unity. Our man on the ground in Milwaukee is back to give us his insight.   Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wils...

There's a belief tax cuts to heated tobacco products will make a big difference for smokers.   Customs Minister Casey Castello has faced criticism for cutting the excise tax by 50%.   There are concerns over the lack of evidence to support the product and its possible appeal for young nonsmokers.   Action for Smokefree 2025 Director Ben Youdan told Mike Hosking it's an effective cessation tool.  ...

The Social Development Minister's admitting the number of beneficiaries may keep growing this year.   The number on the benefit's reached a new record for the June quarter, with 11.9% of working-aged people receiving it.   This is despite a more than 50% rise in benefit sanctions in the last year.   Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Mike Hosking Treasury expects Jobseeker numbers to p...

New data suggests demand for owning a small business is booming.   ABC Business Sales reveals store ownership sales in the last three months were nearly 40% higher compared to the same period last year.   It's also received more than 20 thousand enquiries from potential business owners in the last 12 months, ending June.   Managing Director Chris Small told Mike Hosking an influx of new immigrants...

There are calls for a review of the funding model used for General Practice, amid more price hikes for patients.   Health New Zealand is forging ahead with a 4% increase to core General Practice funding.   General Practice Chair Bryan Betty is adamant the sector needs an increase more like 7.7%.   He told Mike Hosking the reality is some practices are unviable.   Betty says we've seen that problem...

Italy has placed 12 cities under the most severe heat warning as southern Europe records temperatures over 40 degrees, with the worst still to come. Civil protection services reported 18 calls for help on Monday to douse wildfires that raged in several southern regions. Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking the country oddly faces worsening drought in the South, and heavy storms up Nort...

It's thought traditional weddings are falling out of favour as growing numbers of couples opt to elope.   Those in the sector have noticed a rising demand for packages in the last six months, as more soon-to-weds choose to tie the knot alone, or with few guests.   New Zealand Dream Weddings owner Donna Dohi believes it's reflective of a changing society.   She says church weddings are becoming a r...

The executive summary changes little if anything.   Firstly, it's not the full report. We paid for the full report. The full report is about being transparent.   The Greens can't claim transparency and honesty when they play dumb games like the ones they are.   Secondly, it sort of doesn’t matter. It says what it is claimed it says, so in that sense it's not really the story anymore.   The origina...

The light at the end of the economic tunnel could be drawing nearer.   Inflation has dipped to a 3-year low, with the Consumer Price Index rising only 0.4% in the June quarter.   Banks are taking this as a positive sign, with ANZ and Westpac both cutting mortgage rates within the last week.   Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking that a rate cut could be expected soon.   He said t...

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18th of July, there was a bigger than expected drop in inflation, so what does that mean for interest rates and your mortgage? Steven Joyce back on the show.     Have I got the best car bargain for you! And what it says about the EV market.     The brilliant Amy Shark, Australian singer and Australian Idol host, joins the show ahead of h...

Her last two albums going number one in Australia, Amy Shark is set to release her latest work.   She burst onto the global music scene in 2019, winning eight ARIA awards, and performed or written songs with Travis Barker, Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, and Coldplay.   ‘Sunday Sadness’ is due out in August, with an Australasian tour following behind in October.   Shark is 38 years old, and finding succe...

Electric Kiwi is shutting its doors to new customers, blaming soaring wholesale energy prices.   The power retailer says prices have increased by nearly 50% in the past six months, and it has now reached a point where every new customer would lose it money.   It says the big four gentailers —Mercury, Contact, Meridian and Genesis— all made over $2 billion in record profits last year.   Electric Ki...

Air New Zealand's Chief Executive claims Auckland Airport's planned high charges for airlines is just a symptom of a larger issue.   A Commerce Commission draft investigation has found the targeted returns from airlines, are in excess of what's reasonable.   Air New Zealand warns travellers would bear much of that cost at a time where Consumer NZ finds the airline's fares have soared up to 300% in...

There’s a view more local councils will agree with the Wellington region’s suggestion more time's needed for water reform.   A bill is before select committee and further legislation is expected later this year.   Ten councils from the lower North Island have written a joint submission on the proposal, asking the committee to consider extending proposed timeframes.   Advisory Oversight Committee C...

More savings on the horizon as prep begins for Budget 2025.   This year's Budget came into effect just this month, but Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has confirmed the Government has already started work on the next.   Seymour says $3 billion a year is needed just to stand still.   He told Mike Hosking the Government doesn't know what other surprises will come along.   He says, for example, N...