All you need to know about the world this morning, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Andrew Little Considered Handing Over the Labour Leadership
Labour party leader Andrew Little says he offered to hand over his leadership role after the party recorded their lowest result ever in the latest Colmar Brunton Poll, recording a worrying 24 percent. This is the lowest result for the Labour party in 20 years, coming only eight weeks before the election. Andrew Little explained that he had to take responsibility for the result, and discussed if he should continue to lead the party into the general election in September with members of his caucus. According to Mr Little, the members still support him, want him to stay and fight in the leadership role, which is what he intends to do.Taxpayers Could Pay the Environmental Cost Of Coal MiningThe environmental cost oftoxic wastefrom a West Coast coal mine could be borne by taxpayers, according to official documents obtained by advocacy group Forest and Bird. The government has agreed to take on $57 million in environmental costs from Solid Energy's Stockton mine, which is due to soon be sold to private owners. Forest and Bird chief executive Kevin Hague said the documents showed the government took on the environmental liabilities of the mine so it would be easier to sell. Hague also said that future costs for managing acid drainage from the coal mine will also be taken care of by the government, which will go on for many years. The Buller Plateau, where the mine is located, contains rare ecosystems and threatened species including the great spotted kiwi and West Coast green gecko, which could be driven towards extinction by further coal mining.Auckland Housing Projects Stalled By Council Delays
Housing projects meant to help solve Auckland's housing crisis have been stalled by council delays, says one land developer. More than 150 Special Housing Areas were set up in 2013 as a solution to the city's housing crisis, but rezoning has pushed construction back by two years. Tens of thousands of homes were due to be built, and the first homeowners were expected to move in by July 2016, but building has barely begun. Nigel Hosken, the land developer, says many developers have walked away from projects, mainly due to the time-consuming and costly consents process. Some applications are still under examination, and the projects will potentially not be ready for another 18 months.Labour Pledges To Get 20,000 Maoris Into Home Ownership
The Labour party announced that if elected, they will get more than 20,000 Māori into home ownership and boost support services by $20 million. The party's Māori development spokesperson Kelvin Davis, announced the proposal at its Māori campaign launch on Sunday. Davis declared his party would invest the money in community groups and services to help increase Maori home ownership numbers. Labour also said they would allow iwi access to collective mortgages to build on iwi land.Two Venezuelan Officials Killed Before Start Of Election.
Two Venezuelan officials have been killed hours before the start of voting that will elect a new assembly in the South American country. The victims were a lawyer running in the election, and an opposition activist. The election of a new constituent assembly has been solidifying tensions between the current government, led by president Nicolas Maduro, and the opposition, who have called for a boycott of the vote. Venezuela is going through a severe economic and political crisis, with months of violent protests preceding the election. President Maduro claims this vote is a step towards peace, but in the streets of the capital,Caracas, protests continue with 10 people killed in the last 10 days.Security In Australian Airports Ramped Up After Foiled Bomb Plot
Australian police have ramped up airport security after foiling what they describe as a "credible and elaborate" plot to detonate a bomb on a plane. Four men have been arrested in neighbourhoods across Sydney in connection with the attack but have yet to be charged. The Australian federal police commissioner, Andrew Colvin, said a tip-off from partner agencies led to the Saturday night raid. Colvin says police believe the plan to bring down an Australian plane with an improvised device was Islamic inspired terrorism. Tougher security measures have now been implemented at airports across Australia with travelers being advised to arrive two hours prior to national flights.Turkish Women March Against Unacceptable Dress Code
Hundreds of Turkish women took to the streets of Istanbul on Saturday to protest against the violence and animosity they face from men demanding they dress more conservatively.
The march, dubbed "Don't Mess with My Outfit", was a response to an increasing number of verbal and physical attacks against women for their choice of clothing. Women chanted slogans and carried denim shorts on hangers as examples of the clothing that they say some men find unacceptable. Istanbul has been seen as a relatively liberal city for women, but critics say the current president and his Islamist-rooted party have shown little interest in expanding the rights of women and minorities.US Launched Missiles Over the Korean Peninsula
The United States announced a successful test of its missile system after flying B-1 bombers over the Korean Peninsula. US B-1 bombers conducted the missile defence tests in conjunction with South Korean and Japanese planes.
Despite strong objections from China, the US military has begun installing the thaad system in South Korea to shoot down any missiles coming from North Korea.
They announced that a ballistic missile was successfully shut down during the test, which is a direct response to North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missile test three weeks ago.Putin Orders US Diplomatic Staff To Leave
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 755 staff to leave their US diplomatic missions in Russia.The move comes in retaliation to new US sanctions against Moscow. The BBC's Laura Blicker says that this is thought to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.Putin noted he did not want to impose more measures, but can't see ties changing anytime soon. Russia added it will seize holiday properties and a warehouse used by US diplomats.Reporting by Alessandra Nixon, Adel Abied and Lisa Boudet.
LOCAL NEWS
Labour party leader Andrew Little says he offered to hand over his leadership role after the party recorded their lowest result ever in the latest Colmar Brunton Poll, recording a worrying 24 percent. This is the lowest result for the Labour party in 20 years, coming only eight weeks before the election. Andrew Little explained that he had to take responsibility for the result, and discussed if he should continue to lead the party into the general election in September with members of his caucus. According to Mr Little, the members still support him, want him to stay and fight in the leadership role, which is what he intends to do.Taxpayers Could Pay the Environmental Cost Of Coal Mining
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Housing projects meant to help solve Auckland's housing crisis have been stalled by council delays, says one land developer. More than 150 Special Housing Areas were set up in 2013 as a solution to the city's housing crisis, but rezoning has pushed construction back by two years. Tens of thousands of homes were due to be built, and the first homeowners were expected to move in by July 2016, but building has barely begun. Nigel Hosken, the land developer, says many developers have walked away from projects, mainly due to the time-consuming and costly consents process. Some applications are still under examination, and the projects will potentially not be ready for another 18 months.
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The Labour party announced that if elected, they will get more than 20,000 Māori into home ownership and boost support services by $20 million. The party's Māori development spokesperson Kelvin Davis, announced the proposal at its Māori campaign launch on Sunday. Davis declared his party would invest the money in community groups and services to help increase Maori home ownership numbers. Labour also said they would allow iwi access to collective mortgages to build on iwi land.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Two Venezuelan officials have been killed hours before the start of voting that will elect a new assembly in the South American country. The victims were a lawyer running in the election, and an opposition activist. The election of a new constituent assembly has been solidifying tensions between the current government, led by president Nicolas Maduro, and the opposition, who have called for a boycott of the vote. Venezuela is going through a severe economic and political crisis, with months of violent protests preceding the election. President Maduro claims this vote is a step towards peace, but in the streets of the capital,Caracas, protests continue with 10 people killed in the last 10 days.Security In Australian Airports Ramped Up After Foiled Bomb Plot
Australian police have ramped up airport security after foiling what they describe as a "credible and elaborate" plot to detonate a bomb on a plane. Four men have been arrested in neighbourhoods across Sydney in connection with the attack but have yet to be charged. The Australian federal police commissioner, Andrew Colvin, said a tip-off from partner agencies led to the Saturday night raid. Colvin says police believe the plan to bring down an Australian plane with an improvised device was Islamic inspired terrorism. Tougher security measures have now been implemented at airports across Australia with travelers being advised to arrive two hours prior to national flights.Turkish Women March Against Unacceptable Dress Code
Hundreds of Turkish women took to the streets of Istanbul on Saturday to protest against the violence and animosity they face from men demanding they dress more conservatively.
The march, dubbed "Don't Mess with My Outfit", was a response to an increasing number of verbal and physical attacks against women for their choice of clothing. Women chanted slogans and carried denim shorts on hangers as examples of the clothing that they say some men find unacceptable. Istanbul has been seen as a relatively liberal city for women, but critics say the current president and his Islamist-rooted party have shown little interest in expanding the rights of women and minorities.US Launched Missiles Over the Korean Peninsula
The United States announced a successful test of its missile system after flying B-1 bombers over the Korean Peninsula. US B-1 bombers conducted the missile defence tests in conjunction with South Korean and Japanese planes.
Despite strong objections from China, the US military has begun installing the thaad system in South Korea to shoot down any missiles coming from North Korea.
They announced that a ballistic missile was successfully shut down during the test, which is a direct response to North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missile test three weeks ago.Putin Orders US Diplomatic Staff To Leave
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 755 staff to leave their US diplomatic missions in Russia.The move comes in retaliation to new US sanctions against Moscow. The BBC's Laura Blicker says that this is thought to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.Putin noted he did not want to impose more measures, but can't see ties changing anytime soon. Russia added it will seize holiday properties and a warehouse used by US diplomats.Reporting by Alessandra Nixon, Adel Abied and Lisa Boudet.