The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

UK Television fans will be familiar with Richard Osman's output- he's built up a recognisable presence on  shows such as  Would I Lie to You? and   Pointless . He's also the author of the hugely popular Thursday Murder Club series, and the newest book in the series, The Last Devil to Die is out now. He says his real-world visits to his mother's retirement home inspired the perfect setting for a mu...

Families of Israeli hostages are among the tens of thousands of people who've gathered at a public plaza in Tel Aviv - waiting for their release. The second scheduled transfer of hostages was delayed while Hamas waited for Israel to allow aid trucks into Gaza. Save the Children advocacy director Jacqui Southey says humanitarian organisations are working to ensure supplies are sent to Gaza to mitig...

Earlier this year, Te Whatu Ora estimated that the health system was 4800 nurses short, despite a 23 percent jump in employment. Nurses have been voting for strike action all year- amid frustration with the agency for not addressing concerns around safer staffing practices, nurse-to-patient ratios and health and safety.   NZNO members are putting Te Whatu Ora on notice in order to increase funding...

Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes – author of I Am Pilgrim which has been HUGE, and deservedly so. Fans have been waiting almost ten years for this one, which we all knew was coming but the release date kept changing year after year – but it’s finally here. It isn’t a sequel to Pilgrim – it’s a standalone in its own right but very much inhabits that same world –Pakistan , Iran and Afghanistan – ab...

ZB's resident travel expert Megan Singleton says there's a lot of misunderstandings as to what a luggage warranty covers. Travellers have plenty of misconceptions as to what a warranty can take care of- and what types of wear and tear call for a replacement.  She says checking for damage while you're at the airport is essential, as the airline is only expected to cover damage incurred between chec...

This week on the Sunday Panel, ZB host Roman Travers and commentator Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week- and more! Coalition negotiations- are we overreacting to how long this is taking? Was this process ever going to be straightforward or easy? Does it have any reflection on the kind of Government Luxon will lead? The World Health Organisation has decl...

The lead-up to the end of the year is a busy time, between endless holiday commitments and wrapping up work projects before the break. It's easy to get overwhelmed and neglect your existing health and nutrition goals- but there are workarounds. Naturopath and wellness expert recommends meal-prepping, consuming herbs, staying hydrated and avoiding extra stress where you can. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnys...

Citrus-brined turkey: Cook time: 2.5 hours. Prep time: 24 hours. Serves: 6-8 people. 1 x 2.5-3kg turkey 4 lemons, crushed 4 oranges, crushed 10 peppercorns 2 bay leaves 2 dried chili, crushed 5 ltr water 500gm uniodised salt 4 tbsp chicken seasoning or meat rub 2 tbsp Dijon mustard Firstly, clear some room in your fridge to fit a large pot or container. Make up the brine by combining 1/2 the water...

If you have a cat, you know that the food it will be obsessed with more than any other is tuna fish. Now scientists know why. Research published in the journal Chemical Senses involved the dissection of the tongue of a 6 year old male cat that had been euthanised for other reasons. They found that cats possess special taste receptors and the same two genes that humans do to detect the taste umami....

A Taylor Swift fan has died in Rio De Janeiro after falling ill at a concert. The 23 year old became unwell at the show and later died in hospital. Her cause of death is unknown, but fans had complained they weren't allowed to take water into the venue amid a sweltering heat wave. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says Brazil's justice minister has made demands to ensure free and accessible water i...

The murder of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe in their Pukekawa farmhouse in 1970 is one of the nation's most infamous unsolved crimes. Between two trials, two appeals, several books, a film, and even a Royal Commission finding police corruption- their killer has yet to be identified. Reporters Kirsty Johnson and James Hollings re-examine the case in their new book 'The Crewe Murders'. "It's an extraor...

National leader Chris Luxon says coalition negotiations are in the last stages, as talks are expected to resume today. Luxon met with New Zealand First's Winston Peters in Auckland yesterday, and had a phone call with ACT's David Seymour. NZ Herald Deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says Luxon's private sector experience may not have set him up well for coalition talks. He says politics is ob...

There's hidden depths to Australian acting legend Bryan Brown.  For over 50 years, he's appeared in 80 different film and tv projects- an impressive creative resume. He's recently taken a stab at writing, having published a book of short stories ahead of his first full novel, a crime fiction piece called 'The Drowning'. "I knew what I wanted to do with that first three pages, but then I didn't kno...

One Kiwi man is embarking on an epic 8000km run across Canada in a bid to raise money for cancer research. Jon Nabbs lost both his parents to cancer in the space of three years, and seeks to raise at least $75,000 to fund child cancer research and support services. He says he's run through five Canadian provinces, with four left to go by early 2024. "I'm expecting to be through Manitoba into Saska...

For cities with waterways, new high-tech ferries out of Sweden could set the standard for carbon-friendly public transport. Electric boat maker Candela recently launched hydro-foil passenger ferries- a type of vessel various countries, including New Zealand, are designing and developing. Seachange CEO Eric Laakmann says this technology is close to being developed on our shores, with similar electr...

This week, the World Health Organisation launched a new Commission on Social Connection. It may sound like an online dating group; it’s not. The Commission aims over the next three years to focus on ways to address the ‘pressing health threat’ posed by a global epidemic of loneliness. Loneliness is considered a health issue because it has serious impacts on our mental and physical health. Research...

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. This is set in Maine in the 18 th Century. When a body is found entombed in the frozen Kennebeq River, the local midwife Martha Ballard is asked to determine the cause of death, but when she pronounces it as murder the men in her village turn against her. Then the local pastor’s wife complains of a vicious assault, and Martha suspects the two things may be related...

Megan Singleton explored Hawke's Bay ahead of seeing Robbie Williams in concert- and hopes the summer season will breathe extra life into the region. She observed the Tutira community area had undergone significant wear and tear, and noted there was still plenty of lingering damage. She explained the region's under-looked highlights, and urged travellers to come and boost the region's recovery thi...

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast day host Lorna Riley and host of The Front Page podcast, Damien Venuto joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week- and more! Simplicity pulls shares from Israeli banks - do you expect your Kiwisaver providers and investments to take an ethical stance? Does anyone ever check where their money is invested? Do you know where your money is inv...

Experts have warned the 2023 hayfever season could be worse than usual, as El Niño kicks in. After a damp and rainy start to the year, El Niño brings drier, warmer weather- with enhanced pollen production. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara says environmental factors are difficult to control, but medication, air filters and regular cleaning can mitigate the harm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Tiramisu (serves 6-8)   NOTE: Tiramisu is best made the day before or on the morning of your occasion.   Prep time: 20 mins   400g mascarpone   5 eggs, separated   3 tbsp icing sugar   2 tbsp caster sugar   200ml strong espresso coffee   100ml spiced rum   1 quantity savoiardi biscuits   3 tbsp cocoa powder for dusting   Over a large pan of simmering water place a medium bowl. In it, whisk egg yol...

If you’ve had a couple of alcoholic drinks and are deciding if you are too drunk to drive home, a new app could help you to make this decision with the help of some tongue twisters. Published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the study involved 18 adults getting drunk while their voices were recorded reciting tongue twisters using the microphone on a smartphone. Previous studies have...

The 2024 Grammy nominees have been revealed- and the female acts are leading the charge for the awards. Most of the leading nominees are women, with Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and SZA sweeping several categories. Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, boygenius  and Olivia Rodrigo are in the running for key categories, with Jon Batiste being the only man up for record and album of the year. Flicks.co.nz edit...

Chris Luxon remains unsure about whether he'll make it to APEC, as coalition talks continue. The conference begins in San Francisco next week. A week on from the final election results, National is working with ACT and New Zealand First to form a Government. NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says Luxon's coalition partners will need to form an agreement, making it unlikely that Luxon will g...

Shortland Street star Michael Galvin's latest creative project promises to depict an unconventional comeback journey for boy band fans everywhere. 27 years after their prime, songwriter Matthew Mann seeks another shot at fame- but what shape are his former bandmates in? Mannbannd is coming to Palmerston North’s Centrepoint Theatre from November 18 to December 16. "He wants to win this thing to mak...