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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.A Third of Kiwi Jobs to be Automated by 2036:
According to a new report, almost a third of New Zealand jobs will be automated by 2036. The Infometrics report estimates 31 percent of jobs will become automated, the majority being lower-skilled positions in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and the service sector. The data asserts rural regions will be more affected than major cities. The report has prompted calls for a plan to prevent the kind of unemployment rates seen in the '80s and '90s. Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan says, "Appropriate planning over the next 20 years will give all New Zealanders the chance to benefit from the economic transformation that is underway."Work and Income Lower Suspended Benefits
A government change to Work and Income policy has significantly lowered the number of benefits being suspended. The change, made last month, means for any benefit to be suspended a second, senior-level person must approve. Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says the policy change is sensible and the drop in suspensions is a positive result. She adds it shows how important it is to change process. Since the change, the number of benefits being suspended each day has dropped from 100 to approximately 80.Māori Language Commision appoints new Chairperson:
Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori, The Māori Language Commission, has a new board chairperson. Professor Rawinia Higgins will take on the role for three years with Charisma Rangipunga as deputy chair. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Māori development says appointments such as this are nationally crucial in the ongoing revitalisation of Te Reo. Higgins’ previous work includes a review of the Māori Language Bill and being appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University.New Law Targets Multinational Tax Avoidance
The government has passed a new law aimed at stopping multinational companies avoiding taxation. An estimated $1.4 billion worth of profits is shifted from New Zealand into tax haven each year. Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says the new law will make it harder for companies to avoid their tax obligations and generate around $200 million a year. Nash says it will mprove the integrity of the tax system. The bill passed its final stages last night and will come into effect July 1st.Auckland to Raise Parking Fines
Auckland Transport wants to raise parking fines to deter repeat offenders. A 2015 Auckland Transport report found repeat offenders accounted for 50 percent of fines. It can be cheaper to pay a fine than park legally in many urban areas, and fines haven't risen since 1999. The proposed raise seeks to combat this problem. Auckland Transport's John Strawbridge says, "It is likely that the level of the infringement fees are no longer an incentive to comply with parking restrictions."Matariki Festivities to Begin
The Auckland War Memorial Museum is partnering with the Auckland Council in July to celebrate the first sighting of Matariki, the Māori New Year. The Museum will hold two free events where families can watch performances by Māori entertainers and create their own kites. A spokesperson for the Museum, Brenda Rawiri, says Matariki has become a festival that all cultures can embrace. “We invite families to come in, bring a picnic basket, sit down and eat with your family, enjoy the music we have on the night and just be.” Festivities launch on June 30th, with more than 100 events being held across the city.Trump’s Travel Ban Given the A-OKAY by US Supreme Court
The US supreme court has ruled in favour of the Trump administration's travel ban targeting several Muslim countries. The ban was deemed unconstitutional by lower courts last October but was reversed by a 5 to 4 ruling on Tuesday by the court's conservative majority. A statement by the White House labeled the ruling a tremendous victory for the American people in an era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements. President Trump added that the United States must properly vet people coming from high-risk countries into the US to protect innocent civilians. The ban prohibits most people traveling from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.Australia to Spend $7 Billion on Drones to Monitor Southern China Sea
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a plan for AU$7 billion to be spent on drones to monitor the South China Sea. The planes will also be able to cover much of the Indian, Pacific and Antarctic Oceans to detect foreign naval ships, illegal fishing or people-smuggling boats. The Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says it is “very important for us to know who is operating in our area to be able to respond if necessary to any threats". The full fleet of six drones will be in action by 2025 and will be used to share information will Five Eyes Alliance members The United States, Canada, The UK and New Zealand.Ultranationalist Ukrainian Gangs Attack Roma
Ukraine's Roma community has increasingly become victim to ultranationalist gang violence. The latest of six attacks in two months has left one person dead and several others injured, including a 10-year-old boy. The alleged group of attackers has a clear online admiration for Nazi symbolism and ideology. Mykola Yurchenko, head of Ukrainian Roma NGO says, "People are terrified, they are not willing to talk to strangers, even with the lawyers who are trying to assist".Italy and Malta Cut Deal Over Stranded Migrant Vessel
Italy has reached a deal with Malta to resolve the issue of a rescue ship stranded for more than 5 days with over 200 migrants aboard. The ship, Lifeline, will dock in Malta, and both France and Italy are among a group of countries who have agreed to accommodate the migrants. Italy's interior minister, Matteo Salvini, accused the charity-run ships of running a "taxi service" for illegal migrants and said such ships would never be allowed in Italian ports again. The German charity who run the Lifeline tweeted yesterday that the conditions on the vessel were worsening, following a sick passenger being evacuated to Malta on Monday.17 US States Set to Sue Trump Administration over Migrant Separations
Seventeen US states are suing the Trump administration over its "cruel and unlawful" separation of migrant families. The suit comes after intense criticism both internally and internationally over the separation and detention of migrant children at the US-Mexico border. Democratic attorneys general from states including Washington, New York and California launched the lawsuit. The legal action objects to the refusal of asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border, and says President Trump's halt of the separation amid global outcry was "illusory".Additional reporting by Jennifer-Rose Tamati, Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Henry Porter
LOCAL NEWS
According to a new report, almost a third of New Zealand jobs will be automated by 2036. The Infometrics report estimates 31 percent of jobs will become automated, the majority being lower-skilled positions in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and the service sector. The data asserts rural regions will be more affected than major cities. The report has prompted calls for a plan to prevent the kind of unemployment rates seen in the '80s and '90s. Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan says, "Appropriate planning over the next 20 years will give all New Zealanders the chance to benefit from the economic transformation that is underway."Work and Income Lower Suspended Benefits
A government change to Work and Income policy has significantly lowered the number of benefits being suspended. The change, made last month, means for any benefit to be suspended a second, senior-level person must approve. Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says the policy change is sensible and the drop in suspensions is a positive result. She adds it shows how important it is to change process. Since the change, the number of benefits being suspended each day has dropped from 100 to approximately 80.
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Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori, The Māori Language Commission, has a new board chairperson. Professor Rawinia Higgins will take on the role for three years with Charisma Rangipunga as deputy chair. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Māori development says appointments such as this are nationally crucial in the ongoing revitalisation of Te Reo. Higgins’ previous work includes a review of the Māori Language Bill and being appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University.New Law Targets Multinational Tax Avoidance
The government has passed a new law aimed at stopping multinational companies avoiding taxation. An estimated $1.4 billion worth of profits is shifted from New Zealand into tax haven each year. Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says the new law will make it harder for companies to avoid their tax obligations and generate around $200 million a year. Nash says it will mprove the integrity of the tax system. The bill passed its final stages last night and will come into effect July 1st.Auckland to Raise Parking Fines
Auckland Transport wants to raise parking fines to deter repeat offenders. A 2015 Auckland Transport report found repeat offenders accounted for 50 percent of fines. It can be cheaper to pay a fine than park legally in many urban areas, and fines haven't risen since 1999. The proposed raise seeks to combat this problem. Auckland Transport's John Strawbridge says, "It is likely that the level of the infringement fees are no longer an incentive to comply with parking restrictions."
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The Auckland War Memorial Museum is partnering with the Auckland Council in July to celebrate the first sighting of Matariki, the Māori New Year. The Museum will hold two free events where families can watch performances by Māori entertainers and create their own kites. A spokesperson for the Museum, Brenda Rawiri, says Matariki has become a festival that all cultures can embrace. “We invite families to come in, bring a picnic basket, sit down and eat with your family, enjoy the music we have on the night and just be.” Festivities launch on June 30th, with more than 100 events being held across the city.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
The US supreme court has ruled in favour of the Trump administration's travel ban targeting several Muslim countries. The ban was deemed unconstitutional by lower courts last October but was reversed by a 5 to 4 ruling on Tuesday by the court's conservative majority. A statement by the White House labeled the ruling a tremendous victory for the American people in an era of worldwide terrorism and extremist movements. President Trump added that the United States must properly vet people coming from high-risk countries into the US to protect innocent civilians. The ban prohibits most people traveling from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.Australia to Spend $7 Billion on Drones to Monitor Southern China Sea
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a plan for AU$7 billion to be spent on drones to monitor the South China Sea. The planes will also be able to cover much of the Indian, Pacific and Antarctic Oceans to detect foreign naval ships, illegal fishing or people-smuggling boats. The Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne says it is “very important for us to know who is operating in our area to be able to respond if necessary to any threats". The full fleet of six drones will be in action by 2025 and will be used to share information will Five Eyes Alliance members The United States, Canada, The UK and New Zealand.Ultranationalist Ukrainian Gangs Attack Roma
Ukraine's Roma community has increasingly become victim to ultranationalist gang violence. The latest of six attacks in two months has left one person dead and several others injured, including a 10-year-old boy. The alleged group of attackers has a clear online admiration for Nazi symbolism and ideology. Mykola Yurchenko, head of Ukrainian Roma NGO says, "People are terrified, they are not willing to talk to strangers, even with the lawyers who are trying to assist".Italy and Malta Cut Deal Over Stranded Migrant Vessel
Italy has reached a deal with Malta to resolve the issue of a rescue ship stranded for more than 5 days with over 200 migrants aboard. The ship, Lifeline, will dock in Malta, and both France and Italy are among a group of countries who have agreed to accommodate the migrants. Italy's interior minister, Matteo Salvini, accused the charity-run ships of running a "taxi service" for illegal migrants and said such ships would never be allowed in Italian ports again. The German charity who run the Lifeline tweeted yesterday that the conditions on the vessel were worsening, following a sick passenger being evacuated to Malta on Monday.17 US States Set to Sue Trump Administration over Migrant Separations
Seventeen US states are suing the Trump administration over its "cruel and unlawful" separation of migrant families. The suit comes after intense criticism both internally and internationally over the separation and detention of migrant children at the US-Mexico border. Democratic attorneys general from states including Washington, New York and California launched the lawsuit. The legal action objects to the refusal of asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border, and says President Trump's halt of the separation amid global outcry was "illusory".Additional reporting by Jennifer-Rose Tamati, Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Henry Porter