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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Auckland Beaches Closed For Swimming
Swimming events are being cancelled in light of reports from the council that popular beaches are not safe to swim at. There are currently 25 no swim notices in Auckland, almost 40 percent of all monitored beaches. 16 of those notices have no end date. Auckland Council told Radio New Zealand in a statement that the beaches were suffering due to underinvestment in water infrastructure.Ecstasy Batches Are Stronger Than Ever
A bad batch of ecstasy resulted in 13 people being admitted to hospital late last month. Testing conducted this week has revealed that the pills contained N-Ethylpentylone, a substance 3 times stronger than MDMA. Medical officials are warning party-goers to be extra-vigilant this year, as testing conducted by Know Your Stuff has indicated that ecstasy batches are unusually potent this season. The stronger batches are indistinguishable from normal pills, but may contain as many as seven regular doses.Students March Against Sexual Violence at Russell McVeagh
Wellington university students are marching to the office of law firm Russell McVeagh to demand safe workplaces. A partnership between Victoria University of Wellington's Student's Association, Law Students' Society and Feminist Law Society are calling the government to suspend further Crown legal work with the firm. The rally organisers are asking for law firms to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence. The march will start from Victoria University Law campus to Midland Park, in downtown Wellington. Organisers of the Women in Governance Awards have cancelled Russell McVeagh's sponsorship of the Inspirational Excellence Award, which is to take place in May. All 6 of the country's law firms have cut ties with the firm.Labour Launches Sexual Abuse Inquiry
A review of Labour's sexual abuse complaints process is set to begin today. Maria Berryman, an independent lawyer, will be reviewing the party's policies and procedures for all events. In the meantime, all Labour-run youth events have been temporarily cancelled. The review comes after four women reported that they had been harassed at a Labour-run summer camp.New Zealand Risks Taking Samoa’s Police Officers
Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is concerned his police officers might move to New Zealand. The Prime Minister is worried what might happen to Samoa Police Service if its members took up an offer to work in New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did mention New Zealand Police was looking to recruit from the Pacific, including Samoa.The Prime Minister fears their police force could be depleted if large numbers left, leaving the country with a huge problem.Russian and UK Relations Go Cold
The United Kingdom will expel 23 Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. The United Kingdom is cutting off top-level ties with Russia, which includes not sending any ministers or royals to the FIFA world cup this year. Prime Minister Theresa May says the Russian diplomats have one week to leave. The UK government is looking into new intelligence to examine and sanction further checks on intelligence operatives. The Russian Embassy says the removal of their diplomats is unacceptable, unjustified and short-sighted. In retaliation, Russia will also be expelling British diplomats.Facebook Looks to Resolve Sri Lankan Riots
A team of Facebook officials are set to fly into the city of Colombo to begin talks with the Sri Lankan government. The news comes after Sri Lanka blocked access to Facebook earlier this week, following anti-Muslim riots in the district of Kandy. The government believed that the riots were largely fanned by anti-Muslim and anti-Buddhist propaganda spread through the site. Harin Fernando, the nation's communication minister, says that the block would remain in place until Facebook implemented better procedures for dealing with hate speech. He and the Prime Minister plan to meet the officials tomorrow.Duterte Dodges International Criminal Court
Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, has announced his intention to withdraw the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte says he plans to repeal legislation which gives the ICC the jurisdiction to operate in the Philippines. The announcement came after the ICC began investigating Duterte last month for his involvement in the Philippines' war on drugs. The ‘war’, which began in 2016, has seen an estimated 8,000 people killed and is alleged to have resulted in several human rights violations.Argentina to Vote on Legalising Abortion
Argentinian women will soon be able to have legal abortions as support grows for change. Argentina has very strict abortion laws and even when deemed lawful, doctors are unwilling to proceed. The shift in public opinion has forced Congress to vote on a bill to change the law later this month. Argentina's Centre-right president Mauricio Macri who is pro-life, has also changed his stance in response to the growing demand. Macri says if Congress votes to relax abortions laws on the 20th of March, he would not veto the decision.Graffiti Artist Takes H&M to Court
Fast fashion retailer H&M has entered a legal dispute with New York Federal authorities and American graffiti artist, Jason Williams, also known by his handle, Revok. The artist's lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to H&M after the company used his work in a recent ad campaign, which is located in Brooklyn. H&M since retaliated threatening Williams with criminal charges and filing a countersuit. The corporation has also filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court in New York, asking the court to rule any public artwork, both commissioned and illegal, to be immune from copyright law.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech
LOCAL NEWS
Swimming events are being cancelled in light of reports from the council that popular beaches are not safe to swim at. There are currently 25 no swim notices in Auckland, almost 40 percent of all monitored beaches. 16 of those notices have no end date. Auckland Council told Radio New Zealand in a statement that the beaches were suffering due to underinvestment in water infrastructure.Ecstasy Batches Are Stronger Than Ever
A bad batch of ecstasy resulted in 13 people being admitted to hospital late last month. Testing conducted this week has revealed that the pills contained N-Ethylpentylone, a substance 3 times stronger than MDMA. Medical officials are warning party-goers to be extra-vigilant this year, as testing conducted by Know Your Stuff has indicated that ecstasy batches are unusually potent this season. The stronger batches are indistinguishable from normal pills, but may contain as many as seven regular doses.
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Wellington university students are marching to the office of law firm Russell McVeagh to demand safe workplaces. A partnership between Victoria University of Wellington's Student's Association, Law Students' Society and Feminist Law Society are calling the government to suspend further Crown legal work with the firm. The rally organisers are asking for law firms to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence. The march will start from Victoria University Law campus to Midland Park, in downtown Wellington. Organisers of the Women in Governance Awards have cancelled Russell McVeagh's sponsorship of the Inspirational Excellence Award, which is to take place in May. All 6 of the country's law firms have cut ties with the firm.Labour Launches Sexual Abuse Inquiry
A review of Labour's sexual abuse complaints process is set to begin today. Maria Berryman, an independent lawyer, will be reviewing the party's policies and procedures for all events. In the meantime, all Labour-run youth events have been temporarily cancelled. The review comes after four women reported that they had been harassed at a Labour-run summer camp.New Zealand Risks Taking Samoa’s Police Officers
Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is concerned his police officers might move to New Zealand. The Prime Minister is worried what might happen to Samoa Police Service if its members took up an offer to work in New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did mention New Zealand Police was looking to recruit from the Pacific, including Samoa.The Prime Minister fears their police force could be depleted if large numbers left, leaving the country with a huge problem.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The United Kingdom will expel 23 Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury. The United Kingdom is cutting off top-level ties with Russia, which includes not sending any ministers or royals to the FIFA world cup this year. Prime Minister Theresa May says the Russian diplomats have one week to leave. The UK government is looking into new intelligence to examine and sanction further checks on intelligence operatives. The Russian Embassy says the removal of their diplomats is unacceptable, unjustified and short-sighted. In retaliation, Russia will also be expelling British diplomats.Facebook Looks to Resolve Sri Lankan Riots
A team of Facebook officials are set to fly into the city of Colombo to begin talks with the Sri Lankan government. The news comes after Sri Lanka blocked access to Facebook earlier this week, following anti-Muslim riots in the district of Kandy. The government believed that the riots were largely fanned by anti-Muslim and anti-Buddhist propaganda spread through the site. Harin Fernando, the nation's communication minister, says that the block would remain in place until Facebook implemented better procedures for dealing with hate speech. He and the Prime Minister plan to meet the officials tomorrow.Duterte Dodges International Criminal Court
Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, has announced his intention to withdraw the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte says he plans to repeal legislation which gives the ICC the jurisdiction to operate in the Philippines. The announcement came after the ICC began investigating Duterte last month for his involvement in the Philippines' war on drugs. The ‘war’, which began in 2016, has seen an estimated 8,000 people killed and is alleged to have resulted in several human rights violations.Argentina to Vote on Legalising Abortion
Argentinian women will soon be able to have legal abortions as support grows for change. Argentina has very strict abortion laws and even when deemed lawful, doctors are unwilling to proceed. The shift in public opinion has forced Congress to vote on a bill to change the law later this month. Argentina's Centre-right president Mauricio Macri who is pro-life, has also changed his stance in response to the growing demand. Macri says if Congress votes to relax abortions laws on the 20th of March, he would not veto the decision.Graffiti Artist Takes H&M to Court
Fast fashion retailer H&M has entered a legal dispute with New York Federal authorities and American graffiti artist, Jason Williams, also known by his handle, Revok. The artist's lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to H&M after the company used his work in a recent ad campaign, which is located in Brooklyn. H&M since retaliated threatening Williams with criminal charges and filing a countersuit. The corporation has also filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court in New York, asking the court to rule any public artwork, both commissioned and illegal, to be immune from copyright law.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech