Podcast appearances and mentions of ben thomas

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a comet's been streaking through our solar system from some other distant star.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports there's word of a new target for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a new study puts numbers on the effects of Trump administration cuts to medical research.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the Justice Department has sued to block California's new congressional map.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the ACLU has filed a lawsuit over conditions at California's largest immigration detention facility.

A shocking report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority has revealed a litany of serious failings in the handling of complaints relating to the disgraced former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Not only were the complaints from a former lover diverted from the appropriate channels by senior leaders including former police boss Andrew Coster, the woman involved was arrested and prosecuted for harmful digital communications. The new commissioner and the police minister insist that it is a failure of a small group of senior leaders – “bad apples”, as Mark Mitchell put it – rather than something systemic or cultural. But, ask Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire, almost 20 years after the damning Margaret Bazley report that followed the Louise Nicholas case, is that explanation good enough? Plus: Parliament has two newly independent MPs, following the Te Pāti Māori National Council expelling Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris “for breaches of Kawa (the Party's constitution)”. As the implosion in the party deepens, a number of questions remain unanswered. Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters are exchanging blows over asset sales – is this a fracture in the coalition, an exercise in nostalgia, or two bald men (apologies Mr Peters, this is very much a metaphor) fighting over a comb? And changes to the Zero Carbon Act were announced with zero fanfare – what does it mean for New Zealand climate action and Paris commitments? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports, even with an end to the government shutdown in sight, flight schedules continue to shrink. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports, while the government shutdown appears to be coming to an end, the havoc it's caused for air travel ripples on.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the National Toy Hall of Fame has welcomed a new class. ((opens with sound from TV ad))

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Lizzie Marvelly and Ben Thomas. First up, free cervical cancer screening for everyone is the next plank laid in Labour's plan to get elected in 2026. Public health advocates and professionals say they are excited, including the director of the National Centre for Women's Health, Bev Lawton. Then, how did New York's incoming Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, manage to defeat the old political guard? History lecturer Chip Van Dyk explains.

In part two, a 120-year-old kauri villa once home to writer Robin Hyde is set for demolition - but some literary heavyweights have signed a petition to see the building moved, rather than demolished. Then, a little Māori Anglican church with a big history has just opened it's doors after a nearly two-year restoration process. It was a major job after being torn up by floodwaters during Cyclone Gabrielle.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports there appears to be little progress towards ending the government shutdown.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports on gut microbiome tests.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump is turning his attention to the voting process for Tuesday's elections.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports military leaders have ordered the National Guard to create 'quick reaction forces' trained in civil unrest.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports, sources tell AP that the Justice Department is investigating fraud allegations in the Black Lives Matter movement.

In his first face-to-face encounter with Donald Trump, Christopher Luxon has exchanged hair jokes and golf banter. Does that confirm that back on track level has been achieved? Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas deliver their verdicts on the latest from the PM, Winston Peters getting angsty about pronouns and Labour solving the challenges of how to define the capital gains tax it will take to the next election by defining it as: three free GP visits for all. Plus: is Te Pāti Māori on the brink of a schism as a vote is taken to suspend Mariameno Kapa-Kingi? And Vale Jim Bolger, who has died at the age of 90. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the U.S. military has reportedly carried out another deadly strike in the eastern Pacific.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports an appeals court has blocked a ruling requiring a senior Border Patrol official to brief a judge on immigration sweeps in Chicago.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports new findings in the debate over whether dinosaurs were already in decline when they were wiped out by an asteroid.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports dinosaur mummies are helping scientists recreate their prehistoric lives.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the president's making good on his promise to "drill baby drill" in one of the nation's environmental jewels. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the Trump administration has struck a deal with another university.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports federal agents are now being sent to San Francisco.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump says the federal government owes him "a lot of money."

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump has a court victory as he seeks to deploy more National Guard Troops to Democrat-led cities. ((opens with actuality))

Ben Thomas is a former National government press secretary, a columnist and a director of public affairs firm Capital.

Ben and Andrew discuss recent events in politics including the death of former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports an AP source says Venezuela floated a plan for President Nicolás Maduro to step down.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a former national security adviser to President Trump has been charged with mishandling classified information.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports Alaska is airlifting hundreds from storm-devastated coastal villages.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a different kind of trade war has erupted, over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

A 10pm email to members blew apart the reset mood in Te Pāti Māori on Monday night with a litany of allegations and appendices dating back years, as part of a “transparency” effort in response to claims of bullying and a “dictatorial” leadership by Eru Kapa-Kingi of the Toitū Te Tiriti movement. Just what, ask Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire, is going on? And what are the implications from here?Plus: a trio of new polls paints a consistent picture, and it's not great for Chris or for Chris, but Don't Know is showing real potential. And what's up with the crackdown on 18 and 19 year olds' access to the Jobseeker benefit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump awarded America's highest civilian honor to Charlie Kirk. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports several prominent news organizations are refusing sign new Pentagon rules on coverage.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the Trump administration has begun another round of mass firings.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a federal judge has put a halt on President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump says Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the 'first phase' of his peace plan.

There's claims a rebounding economy could propel National to another election win. But a former senior National staffer also says next year's election is looking like a toss-up. The recent Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll has the party on just 29.6 percent - one of its lowest results since returning to Government. Ben Thomas says that's not a good place to be. "That is a psychological threshold - we used to be thinking that anything in the middle-low 30s was a disaster for a National Party leader." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump's efforts to deploy National Guard to U.S. cities is setting up a legal clash testing presidential power.

Ben Thomas is @Sisyphus55, a YouTuber creating videos about philosophy, existentialism, nihilism, absurdism, and meaning. His new book, So You're Having an Existential Crisis: a Roadmap for Lost Souls, is available now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports it's time to get a flu shot. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump is escalating his campaign against political rivals.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports former FBI director James Comey has been indicted. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the president say he'll be imposing more tariffs next week.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports mass firings might be the Trump administration response to a government shutdown.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports AP sources say a former FBI director may soon been indicted. ((opens with actuality))

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a federal judge has ruled states can't be required to cooperate on immigration to get disaster aid.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports a federal judge has thrown out a former FBI agent's claims that he was wrongfully fired for disparaging texts about President Trump. ((opens with actuality))