News of Zealand: New Tax Proposed to Clean Beaches

Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.

LOCAL NEWS

Concerns Over Proximity of Sex Offenders to Schools
Corrections are reviewing processes after community concerns over the close proximity of sex offenders and schools. Corrections moved 11 sex offenders last night after local communities found they were living within a kilometer of a school in Otahuhu, Auckland. Eight of the offenders are found to be under extended supervision while living at privately-run lodges. Corrections Northern Regional Commissioner, Jeanette Burns says they responded to concerns raised within two days, recognising numbers were unacceptably high. Burns says normally they inform the schools if there are offenders living nearby, but in this case it was not communicated early enough. More than 15,000 people are released under extended supervision each year, and Burns says finding housing can be a struggle for Corrections.

Ngati Rangi and Crown Finalise Treaty Settlement
Ngati Rangi and the crown finalised a treaty settlement last weekend. The individual settlement is part of a wider claim of the central North Island involving five other iwi. Minister of Treaty Negotiations Andrew Little told 95bFM Reporters further talks may be necessary for things that do not get sorted in the individual settlement signed on Saturday. A collective negotiation for these talks will take place between four or five iwi involved with Tongariro National Park. Ngati Rangi received a $17 million treaty settlement, with a ceremony over the weekend highlighted the importance of cultural, as well as financial redress. “What they’re looking for is a landmark that asserts their sense of identity and who they are, and the fact that they have a place in the area in which they used to live,” Little told 95bFm reporters. During the ceremony, Little also apologized on behalf of the crown.

Auckland Mayor Wants our Beaches Clean
Auckland Council has proposed a new tax to help clean up the area’s unswimmable beaches. Mayor Phil Goff is urging people to support the proposed tax of about $1.30 a week per household.The tax would fund water infrastructure to clean up the beaches in Auckland, where 40 percent of beaches have ‘no swim’ notices. Goff says the tax will give the council another $400m and could complete the necessary work in 10 years. Otherwise, the work would take 30 years for the Council to fund by itself. Goff says in the first week of submissions the council received 2,839 responses where two-thirds were in favour of the rate.

Peters sets Sights on Pacific-New Zealand Partnership
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is rejecting claims that NZ aid in the Pacific will encourage a ‘hand out’ mentality in the islands. Peters is indicating the government will ramp up investment in the economic security and survival of the Pacific. His ‘Pacific Reset’ policy has critics questioning what the benefit for New Zealand is. However, Peters says the future of New Zealand is closely tied to the Pacific and having an “assembly of Pacific nations who look kindly towards us” will make New Zealand a “much more important international player.”

Kiwi Creates Bike that Can Run on Water
A Kiwi innovator has created a bike that can ride on water. Guy Howard-Willis calls his invention the Manta-5, which uses foiling technology like the America’s Cup boats and works like an e-bike on water. Howard-Willis says he initially kept the idea to himself, working for 2 years and planning out the bike before putting his idea into action. He says the bike can be used recreationally, but also hopes one day it might be used competitively. When asked whether the bike could go from Devonport to the city, Howard-Willis says it could. The bike retails for just under $7500 and has garnered interest from the Crown Prince of Dubai.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US, France and Germany Join Side of UK
The US, France and Germany are backing the UK in its accusation of Russia for the attack on a former Russian spy in the UK on March 4. In a joint statement, leaders from the 3 countries side by Theresa May, who announced sanctions on Russia on Wednesday. They also back the British Prime Minister in accusing Russia of the attack, stating that “that there is no plausible alternative explanation.” The attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter used a nerve agent developed by Russia, which led the UK to accuse the country. At a United Nations Security Council meeting, the US ambassador stated its “absolute solidarity with Great Britain”.

Thousands Flee Eastern Ghouta
In Syria, thousands of civilians are fleeing a rebel-held town in Eastern Ghouta as government forces advance. State television has released pictures of people leaving the town of Hamouria, outside Syria’s capital Damascus. The town has come under intense bombardment in the last month since the military has stepped up an offensive to reclaim it. The International Committee of the Red Cross says some 390,000 are facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.

US Takes on Russia Over Cyber Attacks
The US takes sanction against 19 Russian individuals accused of interference with the 2016 U.S. elections. The Trump administration also announced yesterday that many cyber-attack on American power grids have been led by Moscow, adding another reason for these sanctions. This move comes with the support of Donald Trump to the British accusation of Russia for an attack on a former Russian spy on British soil. 13 of the 19 Russians listed by the administration were previously charged by Robert Mueller, the special council who lead the FBI investigation on the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The US Treasury also accused The Internet Research Agency, a supposed Russian troll farm, of creating “fake online personas” “in order to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election”

Florida Pedestrian Bridge Collapse Claims Lives
Several fatalities are confirmed after a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University collapsed this morning.The bridge was opened on Saturday, and allowed a pathway for pedestrians over a busy motorway. It collapsed on top of five to six cars and leaves many still trapped and injured. After being long requested by students to avoid motorway traffic, the bridge was funded by the US Department of Transportation and cost around $23.9 million. Miami-Dade County Emergency Management is still urging locals to avoid the area.

WWF warns huge loss of wildlife in next 100 years
A new report released by the World Wildlife fund warns we could lose 60 percent of plants and 50 percent of animals by 2100. The report studies the impacts of global warming and says some of the areas could lose more than half their animals and plants if temperatures rise more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Most of the damage is expected to be seen in the Miombo Woodlands in southern Africa, South-West Australia and the Amazon. Results from the study also show shifts in weather patterns, creating hotter climates and extreme rainfall in areas of Africa, Bangladesh and Europe. It says less drinking water could lead to dangerous tensions between animals and humans while rising seas drive species from their native grounds inland towards people. The research urges governments to take the current reduces emissions goals seriously.

Amongst Everything Else, Russia’s Election is on Sunday
Russia is going to poll on Sunday to elect the successor of Vladimir Putin. 110 million Russians are expected to cast their ballot this Sunday to elect the President of the Russian Federation. Polls suggest that the current president, leading the country since 1999, will succeed himself with a large majority. Indeed, no opposition is challenging the current President, as the main opponent, Alexei Navalny can’t run the election because of charges. The election takes place 4 days after the US announced sanctions against 19 Russians individuals accused of meddling with the US 2016 election. Before this, Putin said to NBC News that he “couldn’t care less” about these accusations, adding that “it’s not our role to interfere”.

Additional reporting by Tessa Barnett, Ulysse Bellier, and Jean Bell