The Mike Hosking Breakfast

So, we got there. We have a deal. Iran is over – back to normality.
Like most wars, you can spin it any way you want.
In this case, the part relief plays is not to be underestimated.
This came out of nowhere on a Saturday morning, when apparently Netanyahu and Rupert Murdoch said, “You will never get a better chance, Donald. All the heavyweights are meeting in one place — go get them.”
Broadly, it’s been downhill for the Americans since.
The deal —if you look at Trump’s video on that fateful day— told us it would be over quickly and that the people could rise up and take their country back. Neither proved true.
The key line for Trump now is the nuclear weapon. They didn’t have one anyway, but whether this deal prevents one for eternity is not really answered – given eternity is longer than any deal, and certainly longer than a Trump presidency.
Like most wars, it had complications. We only really became interested, if not concerned, when the Strait became part of it.
Cut the oil off and the world shudders. Hopefully, secondary pipelines and alternative supply chains will be a permanent feature moving forward – relying on this part of the world is madness.
Netanyahu is the biggest loser. His dream is in tatters. He’s pretty much achieved nothing. Lebanon is still “a thing”. Iran is still a thing.
In fact, you could argue Iran are the real winners. They survived. They get rebuild money. There was no revolution, and the Strait can still technically be closed.
They don’t mind being bombed as much as the West might have thought they would.
It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that this is yet another piece of American military adventurism that turned to custard.
What they thought would happen didn’t – or anywhere close.
Over quickly? No.
Regime change? No.
Revolution? No.
Nuclear threat mitigated? Maybe…
And when that’s your brightest talking point, in totality this has been a failure.
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The UK Government is backing a social media ban for under 16s.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says they aim to have it in force by early next year.
It'll prevent under-16s accessing apps like Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram, but won't cover messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
Starmer says they know teenagers will have ways of getting around a ban, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try.
UK Correspondent Enda Brady told Mike Hosking that Starmer’s sudden speed on the legislation is a result of the Labour Party’s ongoing leadership struggles.
He says Starmer needs results and wants a legacy.
“I think he wants to be able to say that if he is booted out by Christmas, that look, at least I did this for British children.”
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What does it take to be a winner?
Neurologist Kerry Spackman has spent decades researching the cognitive element to success.
He’s worked with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jackie Stewart, as well as the All Blacks and New Zealand’s Olympic teams.
And now Spackman has distilled his research into a book, ‘The Winner’s Formula’, detailing exactly what happens in the brain when someone is developing a skill and what happens if pressure isn’t dealt with correctly.
He uses his experience with F1 drivers to illustrate how the brain works in fast-paced, competitive, and stressful situations, and how that applies to the skills someone is learning in their own life.
While not everyone has the natural aptitude or skill of someone like Jackie Stewart or Novak Djokovic, Spackman believes you can still learn how they do it.
“My thesis, and it’s been proven time and time again, is that if you’re shown the technique, you will learn vastly better than if you’re not shown a technique,” he told Mike Hosking.
“I think each person has aptitudes, but I think they’re so trainable,” Spackman said.
“This is my key thing; that you can train people outside their normal comfort zone to learn skills that they would normally fail at.”
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The CEO of NZ Football believes the All Whites have a chance in their first FIFA World Cup clash.
They’re going up against Iran at Los Angeles’ Sofi Stadium – returning to the tournament for the first time since 2010.
In terms of global rankings, the All Whites are currently ranked 85th, while Iran is ranked 20th.
But Andrew Pragnell told Mike Hosking that anything is possible.
He says Iran is not to be underestimated, and they expect them to throw the kitchen sink at the All Whites.
But as long as they remain competitive, Pragnell says, they absolutely have a chance to win.
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Improvement is staggered across the mental health system, with some groups still being left behind.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission's latest report highlights widening gaps in access and outcomes.
Young people face barriers despite rising mental distress, and Māori services aren't keeping pace with people's needs.
Chief Executive Karen Orsborn told Mike Hosking the size of the workforce has been a significant contributor to the decrease in access in recent years.
She says this last year has seen the workforce increase, but there are still areas of concern, such as the rate of vacancies for psychiatrists.
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