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Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Heat On Health Minister With Critical Report Expected
Health sector sources say they expect a performance review of the Ministry of Health will be highly critical of the department's leadership team.
Paula Rebstock, from the State Services Commission, began the review in February, but has not yet released a report detailing her findings.
A number of District of Health Board (DHB) bosses told RNZ anonymously yesterday that their relationship with the ministry's leadership had eroded almost completely.
Christchurch DHB board member Jo Kane said the combative nature of working with the ministry's top officials was extraordinary, and that the government's recent misallocation of funds was the 'straw that has broken the camel's back'.
These criticisms follow the Ministry's incorrect allocation of $38 million last month to the DHB and their subsequent request for the money back last Friday so it could be reallocated.Ministry Of Education's Apology To Christchurch Schools Falls Flat
The Chief Ombudsman said he is not satisfied by the Ministry of Education's apology to Christchurch schools.
In a report, Peter Boshier pointed out that while the ministry had been consulting with schools about their future, it failed to inform them about plans to close or merge establishments.
The formal apology did not convince Boshier, who said he was disappointed that the ministry had not been more forthcoming in the acknowledgement that its process was flawed.
Secretary of Education Iona Holsted said that even though it did not feel that way to the people of Christchurch, she knew the system worked.
Twenty-four schools were either merged or closed in 2012, resulting in teachers and principals still struggling to find a job.Romanian Government in Peril After PM Loses Vote of No Confidence
The Romanian Prime Minister has been ousted by his left-wing party after losing a vote of no-confidence just six months after the general election.
241 MPs voted against Sorin Grindeanu, who was appointed prime minister after his social democrat party won 46 percent of the vote in Romania's December elections.
Junior coalition partners, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, supported the move.
The vote of no-confidence followed accusations that Grindeanu had delayed introducing much-needed social and economic reforms in what is considered Europe's poorest country.
Grindeanu later lashed out at the result, and accused Party leader Liviu Dragnea of influencing the vote to retain his power monopoly.
Dragnea has been banned from running for office after a 2016 conviction of vote-rigging.
It is understood the ruling parties will suggest centre-right candidate Klaus Iohannis to take over from Grindeanu as soon as possible.
In the interim, Grindeanu has vowed to remain in his position and has warned that Dragnea's political clout will never allow a replacement prime minister to exercise the role.North Korea to Potentially Host Some Winter Olympics Events
The South Korean government has suggested it may co-host the 2018 winter Olympics with its northern neighbour in an effort to ease border tensions.
Sports minister Do Jong-hwan pitched the North Korean Masikryong Ski Resort as a venue for some of the skiing events in the Games, which open in February.
He said North Korean participation would make the Games a "peace Olympics" and hoped it would "thaw lingering tensions" in the region.
Jong-Hwan has also recommended forming an inter-Korean women's ice hockey team.Uber CEO Resigns Amid Claims of Bullying And Harassment
Uber's CEO has resigned from his post following a tumultuous six months of scandals and turmoil.
Co-Founder of the ride-hailing app, Travis Kalanick, faced mounting pressure to quit, with five of Uber's largest investors calling for his departure.
This followed a damning report on the workplace's culture, which detailed the harassment, discrimination, and bullying of at least 20 staff.
Kalanick had come under fire already this year after Bloomberg released a video of him berating a driver who had complained about the difficulty of making a living with the app.
Uber is hoping his departure from the company will lead to a period of respite.King Salman's Son Crowned a Prince in Saudi Arabia
In a major change to Saudi Arabia's system of royal succession, King Salman has replaced his nephew with his son as the crown prince and heir to the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, will be replaced by Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was also named deputy prime minister. Saudi Arabia's Allegiance Council voted heavily in favour of the royal decree.Reporting by Katie Doyle, Adam Jacobson, Lisa Boudet and Ximena Smith.
LOCAL NEWS
Health sector sources say they expect a performance review of the Ministry of Health will be highly critical of the department's leadership team.
Paula Rebstock, from the State Services Commission, began the review in February, but has not yet released a report detailing her findings.
A number of District of Health Board (DHB) bosses told RNZ anonymously yesterday that their relationship with the ministry's leadership had eroded almost completely.
Christchurch DHB board member Jo Kane said the combative nature of working with the ministry's top officials was extraordinary, and that the government's recent misallocation of funds was the 'straw that has broken the camel's back'.
These criticisms follow the Ministry's incorrect allocation of $38 million last month to the DHB and their subsequent request for the money back last Friday so it could be reallocated.Ministry Of Education's Apology To Christchurch Schools Falls Flat
The Chief Ombudsman said he is not satisfied by the Ministry of Education's apology to Christchurch schools.
In a report, Peter Boshier pointed out that while the ministry had been consulting with schools about their future, it failed to inform them about plans to close or merge establishments.
The formal apology did not convince Boshier, who said he was disappointed that the ministry had not been more forthcoming in the acknowledgement that its process was flawed.
Secretary of Education Iona Holsted said that even though it did not feel that way to the people of Christchurch, she knew the system worked.
Twenty-four schools were either merged or closed in 2012, resulting in teachers and principals still struggling to find a job.
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INTERNATIONAL
The Romanian Prime Minister has been ousted by his left-wing party after losing a vote of no-confidence just six months after the general election.
241 MPs voted against Sorin Grindeanu, who was appointed prime minister after his social democrat party won 46 percent of the vote in Romania's December elections.
Junior coalition partners, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, supported the move.
The vote of no-confidence followed accusations that Grindeanu had delayed introducing much-needed social and economic reforms in what is considered Europe's poorest country.
Grindeanu later lashed out at the result, and accused Party leader Liviu Dragnea of influencing the vote to retain his power monopoly.
Dragnea has been banned from running for office after a 2016 conviction of vote-rigging.
It is understood the ruling parties will suggest centre-right candidate Klaus Iohannis to take over from Grindeanu as soon as possible.
In the interim, Grindeanu has vowed to remain in his position and has warned that Dragnea's political clout will never allow a replacement prime minister to exercise the role.North Korea to Potentially Host Some Winter Olympics Events
The South Korean government has suggested it may co-host the 2018 winter Olympics with its northern neighbour in an effort to ease border tensions.
Sports minister Do Jong-hwan pitched the North Korean Masikryong Ski Resort as a venue for some of the skiing events in the Games, which open in February.
He said North Korean participation would make the Games a "peace Olympics" and hoped it would "thaw lingering tensions" in the region.
Jong-Hwan has also recommended forming an inter-Korean women's ice hockey team.Uber CEO Resigns Amid Claims of Bullying And Harassment
Uber's CEO has resigned from his post following a tumultuous six months of scandals and turmoil.
Co-Founder of the ride-hailing app, Travis Kalanick, faced mounting pressure to quit, with five of Uber's largest investors calling for his departure.
This followed a damning report on the workplace's culture, which detailed the harassment, discrimination, and bullying of at least 20 staff.
Kalanick had come under fire already this year after Bloomberg released a video of him berating a driver who had complained about the difficulty of making a living with the app.
Uber is hoping his departure from the company will lead to a period of respite.King Salman's Son Crowned a Prince in Saudi Arabia
In a major change to Saudi Arabia's system of royal succession, King Salman has replaced his nephew with his son as the crown prince and heir to the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, will be replaced by Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was also named deputy prime minister. Saudi Arabia's Allegiance Council voted heavily in favour of the royal decree.Reporting by Katie Doyle, Adam Jacobson, Lisa Boudet and Ximena Smith.