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Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Christchurch Will Not Regulate Sex Workers' Movements
A bylaw limiting the movements of sex workers has been turned down by the Christchurch City Council. The law had been pushed by residents north of the central business district after accounts of abuse, faeces and needles in the area. Sex workers have been forced out of the CBD and into residential areas following the Canterbury earthquakes and the Council has been accused of dragging its heels on a solution. The New Zealand Prostitutes Collective have pushed for a non-regulatory approach which has gained support from the NZ Police and the Council. Catherine Healy of the collective says they will continue to try and effect change for the residents.Where is Bill?
Reporters haven't heard anything from Bill English since Monday night. The National party have been largely silent during their coalition talks with New Zealand First. According to Winston Peters today is going to be the most "substantive" day, of coalition talks and it is hoped a decision will be reached at the end of this week. Green Party leader, James Shaw said he has not met with Winston Peters, but has been doing negotiation via Labour. National and Labour-Greens are expected to get their offers signed off by their parties later today, with a final decisions made by tomorrow."Hardball!" says Former Greens MPs.
Sue Bradford and David Clendon want the Greens to play hardball with their coalition negotiations. The former Green MPs said they'd rather the Greens spend another three years in opposition than sign a poor deal. Bradford says the party is being, quote "shat on by both Labour and NZ First" if they go into coalition with the parties. However David Clendon says that any three-way deal would need to be strong enough to withstand attacks from National. Clendon also pointed out that Winston Peter's criticism of the Greens could be purely tactical. Both MPs suspect that NZ First will ultimately end up signing a coalition deal with National.Why is Butter So Insanely Expensive?
Butter prices are at an all time high. 500g blocks are reported to be retailing at $6 in some supermarkets, signifying a 70 percent rise in the last year. The rising price of butter has hit bakeries especially hard. Baking Industry Association president, Kevin Gilbert says it's now cheaper for bakeries to substitute butter for margarine or import French butter. Gilbert says there is a limit to what the consumer will accept in increases and that consumers don't appreciate the background costs involved in raising product prices.Britain One of the Worst for Gender Equality
The UK is amongst the worst performing EU states in terms of gender equality in the past decade. According to a report commissioned by The Guardian, Britain, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are the worst performing states in terms of equalising income, education, health and political engagement for various genders. The UK in particular, declined in the field of educational attainment between 2005 and 2015. However, Italy displayed the largest improvement in equality in that same period. France holds the most number of women in top board positions at 38 percent. Overall, 18 percent of elderly women in the EU are at risk of monetary poverty, compared with 12 percent of men. Sweden was the top scoring country in the report, followed by Denmark.Thailand Tackles Butts on Beaches
Thailand is introducing a smoking ban on up to 20 popular tourist beaches across the country. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said it has been prompted after the retrieval of tens of thousands of cigarette butts left in the sand. Up to 180,000 butts had been collected along one stretch of Beach in Phuket. Those found breaking the ban will face up to a year in prison or a fine of more than $4000. Officials are also considering measures tackling cigarette butts dropped by tourists from boats.Canadian Government to Compensate First Nation Families
A Canadian federal government payout to first nation families will put an end to at least 18 class-action lawsuits.The agreement confronts the forcible removal of thousands of Inuit and Indigenous children from their homes and native communities during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The settlement will entitle some 20,000 victims eligible for personal compensation and could total up to over $670 million. The minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, Carolyn Bennett said this will begin to right the wrongs committed during this time. However, according to one indigenous group the exclusion of thousands of victims has caused mixed feelings and make this far from a national settlement.Reporting by Katie Doyle, Lillian Hanly, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves
LOCAL NEWS
A bylaw limiting the movements of sex workers has been turned down by the Christchurch City Council. The law had been pushed by residents north of the central business district after accounts of abuse, faeces and needles in the area. Sex workers have been forced out of the CBD and into residential areas following the Canterbury earthquakes and the Council has been accused of dragging its heels on a solution. The New Zealand Prostitutes Collective have pushed for a non-regulatory approach which has gained support from the NZ Police and the Council. Catherine Healy of the collective says they will continue to try and effect change for the residents.Where is Bill?
Reporters haven't heard anything from Bill English since Monday night. The National party have been largely silent during their coalition talks with New Zealand First. According to Winston Peters today is going to be the most "substantive" day, of coalition talks and it is hoped a decision will be reached at the end of this week. Green Party leader, James Shaw said he has not met with Winston Peters, but has been doing negotiation via Labour. National and Labour-Greens are expected to get their offers signed off by their parties later today, with a final decisions made by tomorrow.
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Sue Bradford and David Clendon want the Greens to play hardball with their coalition negotiations. The former Green MPs said they'd rather the Greens spend another three years in opposition than sign a poor deal. Bradford says the party is being, quote "shat on by both Labour and NZ First" if they go into coalition with the parties. However David Clendon says that any three-way deal would need to be strong enough to withstand attacks from National. Clendon also pointed out that Winston Peter's criticism of the Greens could be purely tactical. Both MPs suspect that NZ First will ultimately end up signing a coalition deal with National.Why is Butter So Insanely Expensive?
Butter prices are at an all time high. 500g blocks are reported to be retailing at $6 in some supermarkets, signifying a 70 percent rise in the last year. The rising price of butter has hit bakeries especially hard. Baking Industry Association president, Kevin Gilbert says it's now cheaper for bakeries to substitute butter for margarine or import French butter. Gilbert says there is a limit to what the consumer will accept in increases and that consumers don't appreciate the background costs involved in raising product prices.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The UK is amongst the worst performing EU states in terms of gender equality in the past decade. According to a report commissioned by The Guardian, Britain, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are the worst performing states in terms of equalising income, education, health and political engagement for various genders. The UK in particular, declined in the field of educational attainment between 2005 and 2015. However, Italy displayed the largest improvement in equality in that same period. France holds the most number of women in top board positions at 38 percent. Overall, 18 percent of elderly women in the EU are at risk of monetary poverty, compared with 12 percent of men. Sweden was the top scoring country in the report, followed by Denmark.Thailand Tackles Butts on Beaches
Thailand is introducing a smoking ban on up to 20 popular tourist beaches across the country. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said it has been prompted after the retrieval of tens of thousands of cigarette butts left in the sand. Up to 180,000 butts had been collected along one stretch of Beach in Phuket. Those found breaking the ban will face up to a year in prison or a fine of more than $4000. Officials are also considering measures tackling cigarette butts dropped by tourists from boats.Canadian Government to Compensate First Nation Families
A Canadian federal government payout to first nation families will put an end to at least 18 class-action lawsuits.The agreement confronts the forcible removal of thousands of Inuit and Indigenous children from their homes and native communities during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The settlement will entitle some 20,000 victims eligible for personal compensation and could total up to over $670 million. The minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, Carolyn Bennett said this will begin to right the wrongs committed during this time. However, according to one indigenous group the exclusion of thousands of victims has caused mixed feelings and make this far from a national settlement.Reporting by Katie Doyle, Lillian Hanly, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves