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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ .Flags Flown for LGBTQI Community
Yesterday morning four pride flags were raised in front of New Zealand parliament in support of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The rainbow, trans, bi and intersex flags were all flown to raise awareness of violence and discrimination queer communities face. The day also fell on the Budget 2018 announcement, and Toni Duder, spokesperson for Rainbow Youth, says queer communities are suffering from lack of funding.Double Standards for Migrant Sex Workers
Current legislation is openly discriminatory towards foreigners, says Catherine Healy from the Prostitutes Collective. The ban on legal work for foreign sex workers is leading to numerous examples of blackmail, bullying and exploitation. Healy says these laws are doing more harm than good. Sex work has been decriminalised for New Zealand citizens since 2003, but remains illegal for foreigners even with working visas.Budget Boost for Education, Health
Yesterday afternoon, the new Government announced its first Budget. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says this government’s budget will have different priorities to the previous government, especially in social and environmental areas. The education system will be receiving nearly $2b to go towards teachers, classrooms, and learning support, helping students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The 2018 Budget includes a heavy focus on the health sector. Included in the changes is the extension of free GP visits and prescriptions to all under-14s. Doctor visits will also be cheaper for those with a Community Services Card, which applies to those living in state housing or on an accommodation supplement. An estimated 540,000 people will benefit from these cheaper visits.Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Ebola outbreak has entered ‘a new phase’ as the virus was detected in a major city of the the Democratic Republic of Congo. The central African country is investigating deaths of 23 people so far, and another 44 are thought to have been infected. Most of the victims where in rural areas, but new cases have been confirmed in the city of Mbandaka, population one million, where the risk of a larger contamination is much higher. The World Health Organisation will decide today if they will declare an international emergency.Hawaii Volcano Spews Ash and Gas
Hawaii’s most active volcano, Kilauea, has sent ash and gas emissions over 9000 metres into the air. Schools in the area have been closed due to the high levels of sulphur dioxide. The US Geological Society warns that an explosive eruption is more likely as the lava lake lowers, increasing the risk of the magma meeting underground water and causing a powerful steam explosion.Gina Haspel Confirmed as New CIA Director
The United States Senate has confirmed Gina Haspel as the new CIA director. Haspel is the first woman to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. During her confirmation hearings, she was asked about her role as a secret prison director in Thailand where waterboarding was used. She told senators that under her watch, the agency will not conduct any similar programs.India Stops Crackdown in Kashmir for Ramadan
Indian authorities are suspending their operations against separatists militants in Kashmir for Ramadan. The Indian security forces declared a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month to give peace talks being held with Kashmir’s leading political party a chance. According to India’s security officials, the recent crackdown has killed more than 70 militants this year.Additional reporting by Tess Barnett, Ulysse Bellier, and Angus Grant.
LOCAL NEWS
Yesterday morning four pride flags were raised in front of New Zealand parliament in support of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The rainbow, trans, bi and intersex flags were all flown to raise awareness of violence and discrimination queer communities face. The day also fell on the Budget 2018 announcement, and Toni Duder, spokesperson for Rainbow Youth, says queer communities are suffering from lack of funding.Double Standards for Migrant Sex Workers
Current legislation is openly discriminatory towards foreigners, says Catherine Healy from the Prostitutes Collective. The ban on legal work for foreign sex workers is leading to numerous examples of blackmail, bullying and exploitation. Healy says these laws are doing more harm than good. Sex work has been decriminalised for New Zealand citizens since 2003, but remains illegal for foreigners even with working visas.
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Yesterday afternoon, the new Government announced its first Budget. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says this government’s budget will have different priorities to the previous government, especially in social and environmental areas. The education system will be receiving nearly $2b to go towards teachers, classrooms, and learning support, helping students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The 2018 Budget includes a heavy focus on the health sector. Included in the changes is the extension of free GP visits and prescriptions to all under-14s. Doctor visits will also be cheaper for those with a Community Services Card, which applies to those living in state housing or on an accommodation supplement. An estimated 540,000 people will benefit from these cheaper visits.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Ebola outbreak has entered ‘a new phase’ as the virus was detected in a major city of the the Democratic Republic of Congo. The central African country is investigating deaths of 23 people so far, and another 44 are thought to have been infected. Most of the victims where in rural areas, but new cases have been confirmed in the city of Mbandaka, population one million, where the risk of a larger contamination is much higher. The World Health Organisation will decide today if they will declare an international emergency.Hawaii Volcano Spews Ash and Gas
Hawaii’s most active volcano, Kilauea, has sent ash and gas emissions over 9000 metres into the air. Schools in the area have been closed due to the high levels of sulphur dioxide. The US Geological Society warns that an explosive eruption is more likely as the lava lake lowers, increasing the risk of the magma meeting underground water and causing a powerful steam explosion.Gina Haspel Confirmed as New CIA Director
The United States Senate has confirmed Gina Haspel as the new CIA director. Haspel is the first woman to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. During her confirmation hearings, she was asked about her role as a secret prison director in Thailand where waterboarding was used. She told senators that under her watch, the agency will not conduct any similar programs.India Stops Crackdown in Kashmir for Ramadan
Indian authorities are suspending their operations against separatists militants in Kashmir for Ramadan. The Indian security forces declared a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month to give peace talks being held with Kashmir’s leading political party a chance. According to India’s security officials, the recent crackdown has killed more than 70 militants this year.Additional reporting by Tess Barnett, Ulysse Bellier, and Angus Grant.