Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.
LOCAL NEWS
Kiwis Want More CPTPP Analysis, Poll Shows
A poll has found strong support for an independent analysis of the new version of the TPP agreement. Crowd-funded by non-profit ActionStation, the UMR poll suggests 75 percent of Kiwis feel a second, unbiased look at the agreement is important. ActionStation spokesperson Rick Zwaan spoke to 95bFM reporters and says the results don't come as a surprise. “We should have robust independent analysis on a trade agreement which would have vast consequences for us as a country, so I think it’s a pretty rational thing to be doing before we sign up to it and I think a lot of New Zealanders agree with that.” Zwaan hopes Trade Minister David Parker acknowledges the public concern.
Children’s Commissioner Pushes for Lower Voting Age
Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft is pushing for the voting age to be lowered to 16. He argues that youth are under represented and deserve a voice. Becroft told 95bFM: “Fundamentally I think we don’t treat children as well as we could in New Zealand and we don’t focus on them and prioritise their needs. I think if children had to vote, it would focus policy and practice on children that hasn’t happened in the last 30 years.”
Calls for Head of Royal Commission To Step Down Following Privacy Breaches
The head of Royal Commission Sir Anand Satyanand is being called to step down after allegedly breaching the privacy of a sexual abuse victim. He appeared on RNZ's Morning Report this week to speak about the abuse inflicted by affiliates of the Catholic church. RNZ then contacted Sir Anand about the survivor’s concerns, asking for the his name to be kept private. But the email was forwarded by Sir Anand to Department of Internal Affairs staff. The survivor made a complaint against Sir Anand with the Privacy Commission but has found that a Royal Commission legally cannot be investigated. The survivor has written to the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy to ask for Sir Anand's removal. In a statement, the Department of Internal Affairs said he was unavailable.
No Surprises About Faulty Repairs, Says EQC
Christchurch residents who have claimed for repairs to their broken homes damaged by earthquakes say they aren't surprised about a rising number of faulty repairs to the Earthquake Commission. Seven years on from the Christchurch earthquakes nearly 1,500 cases are still being dealt with for re-repairs or botched fixtures. Many residents of Christchurch are finding that the initial repairs or inspections were not up to scratch, leading to structural problems down the track or when the second quake hit in 2014. Christchurch resident Andrew Hooker says the EQC should contact around 150,000 people who had repairs done by Fletcher EQR and offer to pay for a report by an independent engineer on the true state of their home. The Earthquake Commission's Chief Customer Officer Trish Keith says they are doing any re-repairs or reaching a settlements with those who can prove their property was damaged by the earthquakes.
All NZ Universities Cut Ties With Russell McVeagh
All six of New Zealand's university law schools have cut ties with law firm Russell McVeagh. The University of Auckland was the most recent school to split with the firm, who also provides legal services to the government. Auckland University's dean of law Andrew Stockley says Russell McVeagh should have issued a stronger public apology that acknowledged the harm caused by the law student's experiences. All of the universities will re-evaluate their relationship with the firm once it concludes its own review into how it deals with sexual harassment.
Shortage of Fruit Pickers Threatens Harvest
A shortage of backpackers willing to take up seasonal work this season is threatening the harvest of apples, grapefruit and kiwifruit around New Zealand. Horticulture company Apples and Pears New Zealand is urging the government to bring more Pacific workers to New Zealand to cover the shortage. However, Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway says that the industry needs to look into pay rates and working conditions. According to Immigration New Zealand figures, the number of travellers granted working holiday visas has increased by 12 percent, but Backpacker Youth Tourism Associate Chairperson Mary Tolley says young travellers are wary of exploitation. New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnston says pay rises are on the cards. Currently there are 11,000 workers from nine Pacific nations allowed to work in horticulture under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Plans to Install Cell-Phone Coverage on the Moon
Vodafone, Nokia and Space Z are teaming up with private space company PTScientists to install a 4G wireless network on the moon. The goal of the network is to improve communication between two lunar rovers instead of bouncing signals to earth and back to the lunar surface. Nokia's Chief Technology Officer Marcus Weldon says the project will help advance the communications infrastructure required for academics, industry and education institutions in conducting research. PT Scientists CEO Robert Bohume says this is a crucial first step sustainable exploration of the solar system.
Deaths and Transport Delays as Blizzard Sweeps Through Europe
A
blizzard has swept through Europe
causing transport delays and deaths, particularly among the homeless. Yesterday all flights in and out of Dublin airport were cancelled and Geneva airport in Switzerland closed temporarily until the runway was cleared. The storm has also caused havoc on the highways, with 2,000 drivers were stranded in France. Deaths amongst the homeless were reported in Britain, Netherlands and Poland due to the cold weather. Emergency shelters have been put up for the city's homeless to keep warm.
French Politician May Face Charges Over 2015 Paris Attack Tweets
Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen may face charges over tweeting graphic images of ISIL inflicted violence in 2015. On Thursday, French authorities filed preliminary charges against Le Pen for "distribution of violent images". The tweets were written shortly after the 2015 Paris attacks and showed public executions carried out by ISIL. Le Pen could face three years in jail and a $90,000 fine if convicted.
Brazil Supreme Court Approves Illegal Deforestation Law Changes
The Supreme Court in Brazil has civilians are trapped in the enclave in rebel-held Douma, in Syria unable to receive food or medical supplies Previous laws that meant landowners had to keep a percentage of their terrain forested have been eased. The law reduces the amount of forest that needs to be restored by 290,000 square kilometres.The new bill also provides amnesty for fines from illegal deforestation before July 2008. Environmentalists say this new bill will make illegal deforestation of the world largest rainforest acceptable. Attorney General Grace Mendonca defended the change saying it struck a balance between environmental protection and economic development.
Putin Flaunts New Nuclear Weapons at Campaign Speech
Russian President Vladimir Putin is making claims of new, invincible nuclear weapons. During his campaign speech for a fourth presidential term, he boasted about a cruise missile that could reach anywhere in the world. Putin used video presentations to show development of two nuclear delivery system he says can evade detection. He says this is Russia's reaction after years of pleading with the US not to break anti-missile treaties.Putin is expected to win a fourth term in the Russian election in 17 days time.
Trump Sets Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium Imports
US President Donald Trump will sign off steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports next week in attempts to rebuild American production industries. On Thursday, Trump said the steel and aluminum industries in the US had suffered "disgraceful" treatment from other countries for decades.Trump has stated a 25 percent tariff will be applied to steel products, with a 10 percent tariff for aluminium stock. The tariffs will affect producers such as China and Canada. The US is reliant on importing steel from over 100 nations and brings in in four times more steel than it exports.
Civilians Trapped in Rebel-Occupied Area in Syria
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in the enclave in rebel-held Douma, in Syria unable to receive food or medical supplies. More than 580 people have been killed in Eastern Ghouta since the government and its allies intensified their bombardment on the February 18. Russian military says rebels are stopping civilians being evacuated by shelling a humanitarian corridor leading to the closest checkpoint. The UN is calling on Russia to implement a ceasefire immediately for at least 30 days to enable aid deliveries and medical evacuations. UN special envoy adviser Jan Egeland says he hopes the UN will soon get the first permit in a very long time to deliver aid to Douma.
Additional reporting by Tessa Barnett, Damiam Rowe and Jean Bell.