Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by bFM and VICE NZ.Renting Review Finds Many Kiwi Tenants Feel "Powerless"
A new report shows many renters in New Zealand experience sub-par living conditions in their rental homes. The ActionStation and Renters United joint report compiled more than 600 stories of people living in cold, unsafe, unhealthy, insecure, and expensive rentals, aiming to highlight the experiences of the estimated half of New Zealand's population who currently live in rental properties. ActionStation spokesperson and report co-writer Rick Zwaan told 95bFM that many renters had no control of their living conditions. "[They are] living in homes that are making them sick, not being able to afford to pay the rent, being kicked out of their home before they want to leave… basically being in a position that's powerless." The groups are urging politicians and voters to hear the stories and commit to making major changes in the New Zealand rental market.Rejected Claims Underreported by ACC
The ACC has denied allegations that it has underreported its volume of rejected claims. ACC reported that it refused 90,000 claims a year, up from the previously reported 70,000. An independent report by Dunedin lawyer Warren Forster showed that up to 300,000 people could be missing out on coverage. ACC chief executive Scott Pickering largely denied the findings, but did acknowledge some of the issues brought up by the report. However, advocacy groups are sceptical of ACC's data. Disability rights group Acclaim Otago calls the discrepancy a "tipping point" for how the Government deals with injured people. The group also recommended that an independent commissioner be instated to oversee rejected claims.Greens Candidate to Stand for Ōhāriu
The Green Party has announced a candidate for the widely coveted Ōhāriu seat. Tane Woodley has stepped in as candidate for the electorate, after Peter Dunne announced he would not seek reelection earlier this week. The move is considered to be a threat to Labour's candidate, former Police Association head, Greg O'Connor. Labour and Greens currently hold a memorandum of understanding which ceases the day before the election. The memorandum previously ensured that the parties would work together and put forward a single candidate for the Ōhāriu seat. APRA Announces All-Female Silver Scrolls Shortlist
An all-female line-up was revealed this morning as the five finalists for the 2017 APRA Silver Scroll Awards. Alternative folk gems Aldous Harding and Nadia Reid both made the list, Harding for her vulnerable, minimalistic track "Horizon", and Reid for the haunting ballad "Richard". The other finalists are Chelsea Jade for "Life of the Party", as well as two former Scroll winners: Lorde, for her pop banger "Green Light" and Bic Runga for "Close Your Eyes". The APRA Silver Scroll Awards is one of the top songwriting prizes in the country, with previous winners including Chris Knox, The Naked & Famous, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This year's Silver Scrolls will be held at the Dunedin Town Hall on the 28th of September. Kiwis Worried About Fake News
New research shows almost two-thirds of Kiwis are worried about fake news. This increasing trend has been spurred on by international events, particularly the rhetoric surrounding President Donald Trump. Deputy chief executive of InternetNZ, Andrew Cushen told 95bFM that readers must be careful about finding trustworthy news sources. "There will be [news outlets] that chase eyeballs with sensationalist and click-baity headlines and sometimes with fake news as well," Cushen said. "Then there will be the sort of outlets that we'll come to increasingly rely upon for what is really happening."Majority Parties Talk Tax
New Zealand's two major political parties have clarified their tax plans following the election. Labour has said it won't raise income tax, while National hinted at an eventual extension to its current tax cuts. Finance Minister Steven Joyce says raising tax thresholds for middle-income earners is a possibility but wouldn't go into further detail. Labour leader Jacinda Ardern sighted environmental and housing policies as a reason for rejecting National's proposed cuts. However, Greens leader James Shaw called National's tax cuts a "short-term sugar hit", saying that the Government should invest in the long term.Kim Jong-un Urges Scientists to Build More Missile Parts
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told his defence scientists to build more "rocket warhead tips" and "solid-fuel rocket engines," according to KCNA state media. Kim was inspecting the country's Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science, granting his technicians "special thanks and special bonus."Spain Attack Suspects Planned to Bomb Famous Sites
The group accused of killing 15 people in last week's attacks in Spain was planning to launch bomb attacks at some of Barcelona's most cherished sites, including the Sagrada Família church, evidence has revealed. Suspect Mohamed Houli Chemlal said the group wanted to hit a wider range of targets, but an explosion at a house where material was being stored forced them to change plans.Saudi Police Question 14-Year-Old Boy Dancing the Macarena
Police in Saudi Arabia arrested a 14-year-old boy recorded dancing to the Macarena in the middle of a crosswalk in Jeddah. In a video shared extensively online, the boy is seen doing the dance while listening to the 90s track on his headphones. Police said only that he had displayed "improper public behaviour," but did not reveal whether any charges had been made. His nationality is unknown.35 Killed in Airstrikes in Yemen, Aid Agency Says
More than 30 people have been killed in airstrikes in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, according to an international aid agency official. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi militants based in the area. The head of the local Red Crescent medical group put the death toll from Wednesday's strikes at 35 and said another 13 people had been injured.Reporting by Leah Garcia-Purves, Ollie Powell, and Ximena Smith.
LOCAL NEWS
A new report shows many renters in New Zealand experience sub-par living conditions in their rental homes. The ActionStation and Renters United joint report compiled more than 600 stories of people living in cold, unsafe, unhealthy, insecure, and expensive rentals, aiming to highlight the experiences of the estimated half of New Zealand's population who currently live in rental properties. ActionStation spokesperson and report co-writer Rick Zwaan told 95bFM that many renters had no control of their living conditions. "[They are] living in homes that are making them sick, not being able to afford to pay the rent, being kicked out of their home before they want to leave… basically being in a position that's powerless." The groups are urging politicians and voters to hear the stories and commit to making major changes in the New Zealand rental market.Rejected Claims Underreported by ACC
The ACC has denied allegations that it has underreported its volume of rejected claims. ACC reported that it refused 90,000 claims a year, up from the previously reported 70,000. An independent report by Dunedin lawyer Warren Forster showed that up to 300,000 people could be missing out on coverage. ACC chief executive Scott Pickering largely denied the findings, but did acknowledge some of the issues brought up by the report. However, advocacy groups are sceptical of ACC's data. Disability rights group Acclaim Otago calls the discrepancy a "tipping point" for how the Government deals with injured people. The group also recommended that an independent commissioner be instated to oversee rejected claims.
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The Green Party has announced a candidate for the widely coveted Ōhāriu seat. Tane Woodley has stepped in as candidate for the electorate, after Peter Dunne announced he would not seek reelection earlier this week. The move is considered to be a threat to Labour's candidate, former Police Association head, Greg O'Connor. Labour and Greens currently hold a memorandum of understanding which ceases the day before the election. The memorandum previously ensured that the parties would work together and put forward a single candidate for the Ōhāriu seat. APRA Announces All-Female Silver Scrolls Shortlist
An all-female line-up was revealed this morning as the five finalists for the 2017 APRA Silver Scroll Awards. Alternative folk gems Aldous Harding and Nadia Reid both made the list, Harding for her vulnerable, minimalistic track "Horizon", and Reid for the haunting ballad "Richard". The other finalists are Chelsea Jade for "Life of the Party", as well as two former Scroll winners: Lorde, for her pop banger "Green Light" and Bic Runga for "Close Your Eyes". The APRA Silver Scroll Awards is one of the top songwriting prizes in the country, with previous winners including Chris Knox, The Naked & Famous, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This year's Silver Scrolls will be held at the Dunedin Town Hall on the 28th of September. Kiwis Worried About Fake News
New research shows almost two-thirds of Kiwis are worried about fake news. This increasing trend has been spurred on by international events, particularly the rhetoric surrounding President Donald Trump. Deputy chief executive of InternetNZ, Andrew Cushen told 95bFM that readers must be careful about finding trustworthy news sources. "There will be [news outlets] that chase eyeballs with sensationalist and click-baity headlines and sometimes with fake news as well," Cushen said. "Then there will be the sort of outlets that we'll come to increasingly rely upon for what is really happening."
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New Zealand's two major political parties have clarified their tax plans following the election. Labour has said it won't raise income tax, while National hinted at an eventual extension to its current tax cuts. Finance Minister Steven Joyce says raising tax thresholds for middle-income earners is a possibility but wouldn't go into further detail. Labour leader Jacinda Ardern sighted environmental and housing policies as a reason for rejecting National's proposed cuts. However, Greens leader James Shaw called National's tax cuts a "short-term sugar hit", saying that the Government should invest in the long term.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told his defence scientists to build more "rocket warhead tips" and "solid-fuel rocket engines," according to KCNA state media. Kim was inspecting the country's Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science, granting his technicians "special thanks and special bonus."Spain Attack Suspects Planned to Bomb Famous Sites
The group accused of killing 15 people in last week's attacks in Spain was planning to launch bomb attacks at some of Barcelona's most cherished sites, including the Sagrada Família church, evidence has revealed. Suspect Mohamed Houli Chemlal said the group wanted to hit a wider range of targets, but an explosion at a house where material was being stored forced them to change plans.Saudi Police Question 14-Year-Old Boy Dancing the Macarena
Police in Saudi Arabia arrested a 14-year-old boy recorded dancing to the Macarena in the middle of a crosswalk in Jeddah. In a video shared extensively online, the boy is seen doing the dance while listening to the 90s track on his headphones. Police said only that he had displayed "improper public behaviour," but did not reveal whether any charges had been made. His nationality is unknown.35 Killed in Airstrikes in Yemen, Aid Agency Says
More than 30 people have been killed in airstrikes in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, according to an international aid agency official. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi militants based in the area. The head of the local Red Crescent medical group put the death toll from Wednesday's strikes at 35 and said another 13 people had been injured.Reporting by Leah Garcia-Purves, Ollie Powell, and Ximena Smith.