Image: Shutterstock.com
Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Allegations of Sexual Misconduct at Law Firm Russell McVeagh
Law firm Russell McVeagh is harbouring allegations of sexual misconduct toward students in their clerkship programmes. News outlet Newsroom says the firm's summer internship programme saw several female interns targeted by staff in the firm. Victoria University confirmed several allegations against the firm. The reported incidents happened two years ago, where the student clerks raised their concerns with the company's HR department. Two men who were subject to an internal investigation at the time left the firm. A university representative met with the chief executive of the Law Society, but was told nothing could be done without a formal complaint to the society. Five female clerks turned down positions they were offered at the firm - an unusual move with for positions highly coveted amongst law students in an already competitive job market. The firm won the Best Gender Diversity award at an Asia-Pacific Business Law Awards ceremony in Hong Kong last year.Race is On for National Leadership
Simon Bridges, Amy Adams and Judith Collins have all announced their intention to run for National's vacant leadership role. Yesterday began an intense two weeks of campaigning, as all three sides attempt to shore up support ahead of the final deadline. Bridges and Adams look set to be the favourites, although Collins has stated her intention to campaign until the final day, irrespective of current predictions. Steven Joyce, Jonathan Coleman and Mark Mitchell - former finance, health and defence ministers respectively - have all considered running, although it is currently unclear whether they will. Bids for leadership began shortly after Bill English vacated National's top position last Tuesday.Fletcher’s Failings Lay Foundation for Job Losses
Unions fear job losses following Fletcher's decision to stop bidding for new construction contracts. The construction giant announced it would be focusing on completing the 16 contracts it already had, after a company review found that it could expect to suffer $660 million in losses moving forwards. Ron Angel, the construction coordinator for workers' union E Tu, said builders working as sub-contractors would be the first laid off. Angel said that Fletcher's over-reliance on subcontracting had caused projects to spiral in costs, and meant that Project Managers struggled to keep all work consistent. Paul Johnston, the E Tu co-ordinator for Christchurch, said the failure to bring in experienced construction staff in the top areas of Fletcher had meant the company suffered from a lack of practical working knowledge. E Tu expects to meet with Fletcher management next week to discuss workers’ job prospects.Chromebooks Create a Digital Divide
Low income families are struggling to afford electronic devices for their children. Middle to low income families are suffering the most as they are having to rely on charity help. Manaiakalani Trust helps children from deprived backgrounds by providing Chromebooks at cost of $3.65 per week over three years. However 20/20 Trust Chairperson Laurence Millar says, purchasing a chromebook is not the only great financial cost to families.The largest financial investment for families is the internet connection which is more costly to low income families who have not budgeted for it.Cameras Considered for Fishing Boats
Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash is reconsidering a proposal to install cameras on commercial fishing vessels. Commercial fishers have to report their catches, including any interactions with seabirds and marine mammals. This new approach is to ensure all commercial fishers are following the law. Minister Nash said there are many more options to address transparency which may include more at-sea observers onboard vessels. Chief Executive of Deepwater Group Ltd George Clement supports installing cameras to deter illegal activity. Clement says it is reassuring that the government is committed to improving the fisheries management.Jacob Zuma Refuses to Step Down
South African President Jacob Zuma has announced he will not step down, despite growing unrest in his own party. His announcement came after the African National Congress, the country's governing party, stated that they would be removing Zuma from his current position as President. Paul Mashatile, the party's treasurer, said that the party wanted change, and hoped ousting Zuma would usher in "a new era" for South Africa. Zuma's tenure in office has been marked by allegations of bribery, corruption and extortion - allegations which lead to a recent police raid on the home of the Guptas, an influential South African family accused of improper dealings with the President. Zuma has been under immense pressure to step down ever since Cyril Ramphosa, South Africa's deputy president, became head of the party.Syrian Regions Receive First Aid Delivery in Months
Eastern Ghouta, Syria has received its first aid delivery in three months. About 400,000 people live in the besieged enclave, which is under constant fire. The Syrian Red Arab Crescent handled the deliveries, providing relief to 1,440 families. The World Health Organisation said they sent 1.8 tonnes of medical supplies in the delivery. The medical supplies which include antibiotics, insulin and trauma kits is only enough for 10,000 treatments. There has been no movement from the Syrian government to follow through the UN'S appeal to evacuate more than 700 critically injured and severely ill patients.UN Under Pressure to Investigate Staff
UN staff say they were pressured into giving support for Luiz Loures, a UN official currently under investigation for sexual misconduct. Several employees allege that they were handed a letter and then pressured to sign it. The letter in question asked employees to testify that Luiz Loures, deputy executive of UNAids, "behaves respectfully and is committed to advancing women's rights". The letter was used as evidence in a UNAids investigation into Loures, after it was alleged that he had sexually assaulted another worker in an elevator. The investigation has been heavily criticised, both for its lack of independence (Loures had been working as an executive at UNAids at the time) and for the failure of investigators to adhere to the formal process. Critics have called for Loures to be investigated again, this time by an external company, in an effort to make the process more independent and transparent.France to Bring Back Conscription
French President Emmanuel Macron has made a promise to reintroduce compulsory military service for young people. Macron said young people will be obliged to take part in either military or some form of civic service for a period of three to six months. Macron added the scheme would be piloted from 2019, which would involve the conscription of 600,00 youth aged between 18 and 21. France phased out compulsory military service between 1996 to 2001. Macron is the first French President who has not been called to serve in the army.Tongans Hit Hard by Cyclone Gita
Category four Cyclone Gita has made thousands of people homeless in Tonga, making it the worst in 60 years. The storm has left most of the country devastated, with authorities expecting a good 6 months for the region to recover. The Red Cross says water and electricity are still out for the main island of Tongatapu, as well as Fiji island, Ono Ee Lau. More than half of the Fijian island are in evacuation centres due to the storm.Additional Reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech
LOCAL NEWS
Law firm Russell McVeagh is harbouring allegations of sexual misconduct toward students in their clerkship programmes. News outlet Newsroom says the firm's summer internship programme saw several female interns targeted by staff in the firm. Victoria University confirmed several allegations against the firm. The reported incidents happened two years ago, where the student clerks raised their concerns with the company's HR department. Two men who were subject to an internal investigation at the time left the firm. A university representative met with the chief executive of the Law Society, but was told nothing could be done without a formal complaint to the society. Five female clerks turned down positions they were offered at the firm - an unusual move with for positions highly coveted amongst law students in an already competitive job market. The firm won the Best Gender Diversity award at an Asia-Pacific Business Law Awards ceremony in Hong Kong last year.Race is On for National Leadership
Simon Bridges, Amy Adams and Judith Collins have all announced their intention to run for National's vacant leadership role. Yesterday began an intense two weeks of campaigning, as all three sides attempt to shore up support ahead of the final deadline. Bridges and Adams look set to be the favourites, although Collins has stated her intention to campaign until the final day, irrespective of current predictions. Steven Joyce, Jonathan Coleman and Mark Mitchell - former finance, health and defence ministers respectively - have all considered running, although it is currently unclear whether they will. Bids for leadership began shortly after Bill English vacated National's top position last Tuesday.
Advertisement
Unions fear job losses following Fletcher's decision to stop bidding for new construction contracts. The construction giant announced it would be focusing on completing the 16 contracts it already had, after a company review found that it could expect to suffer $660 million in losses moving forwards. Ron Angel, the construction coordinator for workers' union E Tu, said builders working as sub-contractors would be the first laid off. Angel said that Fletcher's over-reliance on subcontracting had caused projects to spiral in costs, and meant that Project Managers struggled to keep all work consistent. Paul Johnston, the E Tu co-ordinator for Christchurch, said the failure to bring in experienced construction staff in the top areas of Fletcher had meant the company suffered from a lack of practical working knowledge. E Tu expects to meet with Fletcher management next week to discuss workers’ job prospects.Chromebooks Create a Digital Divide
Low income families are struggling to afford electronic devices for their children. Middle to low income families are suffering the most as they are having to rely on charity help. Manaiakalani Trust helps children from deprived backgrounds by providing Chromebooks at cost of $3.65 per week over three years. However 20/20 Trust Chairperson Laurence Millar says, purchasing a chromebook is not the only great financial cost to families.The largest financial investment for families is the internet connection which is more costly to low income families who have not budgeted for it.
Advertisement
Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash is reconsidering a proposal to install cameras on commercial fishing vessels. Commercial fishers have to report their catches, including any interactions with seabirds and marine mammals. This new approach is to ensure all commercial fishers are following the law. Minister Nash said there are many more options to address transparency which may include more at-sea observers onboard vessels. Chief Executive of Deepwater Group Ltd George Clement supports installing cameras to deter illegal activity. Clement says it is reassuring that the government is committed to improving the fisheries management.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
South African President Jacob Zuma has announced he will not step down, despite growing unrest in his own party. His announcement came after the African National Congress, the country's governing party, stated that they would be removing Zuma from his current position as President. Paul Mashatile, the party's treasurer, said that the party wanted change, and hoped ousting Zuma would usher in "a new era" for South Africa. Zuma's tenure in office has been marked by allegations of bribery, corruption and extortion - allegations which lead to a recent police raid on the home of the Guptas, an influential South African family accused of improper dealings with the President. Zuma has been under immense pressure to step down ever since Cyril Ramphosa, South Africa's deputy president, became head of the party.Syrian Regions Receive First Aid Delivery in Months
Eastern Ghouta, Syria has received its first aid delivery in three months. About 400,000 people live in the besieged enclave, which is under constant fire. The Syrian Red Arab Crescent handled the deliveries, providing relief to 1,440 families. The World Health Organisation said they sent 1.8 tonnes of medical supplies in the delivery. The medical supplies which include antibiotics, insulin and trauma kits is only enough for 10,000 treatments. There has been no movement from the Syrian government to follow through the UN'S appeal to evacuate more than 700 critically injured and severely ill patients.UN Under Pressure to Investigate Staff
UN staff say they were pressured into giving support for Luiz Loures, a UN official currently under investigation for sexual misconduct. Several employees allege that they were handed a letter and then pressured to sign it. The letter in question asked employees to testify that Luiz Loures, deputy executive of UNAids, "behaves respectfully and is committed to advancing women's rights". The letter was used as evidence in a UNAids investigation into Loures, after it was alleged that he had sexually assaulted another worker in an elevator. The investigation has been heavily criticised, both for its lack of independence (Loures had been working as an executive at UNAids at the time) and for the failure of investigators to adhere to the formal process. Critics have called for Loures to be investigated again, this time by an external company, in an effort to make the process more independent and transparent.France to Bring Back Conscription
French President Emmanuel Macron has made a promise to reintroduce compulsory military service for young people. Macron said young people will be obliged to take part in either military or some form of civic service for a period of three to six months. Macron added the scheme would be piloted from 2019, which would involve the conscription of 600,00 youth aged between 18 and 21. France phased out compulsory military service between 1996 to 2001. Macron is the first French President who has not been called to serve in the army.Tongans Hit Hard by Cyclone Gita
Category four Cyclone Gita has made thousands of people homeless in Tonga, making it the worst in 60 years. The storm has left most of the country devastated, with authorities expecting a good 6 months for the region to recover. The Red Cross says water and electricity are still out for the main island of Tongatapu, as well as Fiji island, Ono Ee Lau. More than half of the Fijian island are in evacuation centres due to the storm.Additional Reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech