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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Stuff Shutters Local Outlets
Stuff [formerly known as Fairfax NZ] is set to shut down or sell a string of their regional and specialist publications. This is due to falling print revenues, and its decision to continue moving their content into digital. Despite cost-cutting measures, the company's main New Zealand content product, Stuff.co.nz, reported decline in revenue last year. Fairfax Media was recently barred from entering into a merger with NZME, after the Commerce Commission cited it would result in the loss of media diversity.Human Rights Commission Under Review
Justice Minister Andrew Little has unveiled plans to review the culture and processes of the Human Rights Commission. Andrew Little made the announcement after the HRC's Chief Financial Officer, Kyle Stutter, was embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal. An intern accused Stutter of groping her at an office function. She alleges the commission was slow to take disciplinary action was taken against the offender, who, three months on, retains his position. Little announced that former employment lawyer Coral Shaw will head up the investigation, and hopes this review will help correct faults in the HRC's complaint process. Flooding Near Kapiti Coast
Widespread flooding along the coast south of Kapiti led to several evacuations late last night. The flooding, which happened around 2:30AM, saw Wellington's Fire and Emergency Service respond to dozens of calls for assistance. Six houses were deemed unsafe, and their occupants evacuated. The flooding came only hours after state highway one was reopened to commuters, as the stretch of road north of the Pukerua Bay had been rendered inoperable by Cyclone Gita. While the footpath and cycleway have been damaged, the Transport Agency stated that the motorway itself will still remain open in both directions today.New Zealand Needs More Tradies
Immigration New Zealand reports immigrants in trade jobs outnumber those in professional roles. 13,000 tradespeople and technicians have been granted work visas in the current financial year. Employers and Manufacturers Association Chief Executive Kim Campbell says the figures show an increasing demand for tradies. Campbell adds this shows the economy is growing, with New Zealand benefiting from immigration. Immigrations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says the statistics showed a desperate shortage of tradespeople.CPTPP Could Add Billions to Economy
The government is estimating that the new TPP agreement will add billions of dollars to the country's economy. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership involves 11 countries. Those 11 countries account for 13.5 percent of world economic output, or NZ$13.6 trillion. The beef industry will be the biggest winner as import and export tariffs will gradually fall from 38.9 percent to 9 percent over the course of 16 years. This will give New Zealand a competitive advantage over Australia who currently have a free trade agreement with Japan, one of the world's largest importers of beef.Macron Toughens on Immigration
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans to crack down on immigration. The bill will criminalise illegal border crossing and make it tougher to get asylum in France. Human rights activists say this will make it much harder for asylum seekers to defend their rights. France's refugee protection office, Ofpra, went on strike to protest the bill, branding it “oppressive.” Polls show the French public believe there are too many immigrants in France. When campaigning to become President, Macron won the left with promises of a more humane asylum policy. In power, Macron's stance on immigration has shifted to “humane and firm.”Boko Haram Attacks Again
Fears in North-East Nigeria are growing for a group of girls who have not been seen since Boko Haram fighters attacked their school. The militants stormed the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Dapachi, Yobe State, with students and teachers fleeing the scene. The incident has sparked fears of a repeat of the Chibok event in 2014, when 276 girls were abducted. Families have not been able to find the girls in any of the surrounding villages. Education commissioner Mohammed Lamin said the school has been shut and roll call of the girls who have returned is being conducted. Getting accurate information remains difficult with the army still controlling access and infrastructure of North-East Nigeria.300 Wounded in Syrian Attack
At least 27 people have been killed and 300 wounded in the latest attacks in Syria. Russian-mobilised Syrian forces have continued to ravage the area of Eastern Ghouta which houses much of the country's rebel groups. Amnesty International have reported that the attacks have damaged or destroyed 6 hospitals and medical centres across the city. Most of the casualties were civilians.Rafah Border Restrictions Lifted
Palestine's embassy in Cairo has released a written statement announcing that the Rafah border, connecting Egypt with Gaza, will be open for four days this week. The news comes as a relief to thousands of Gazans desperate to escape the embattled area. Israeli and Egyptian blockades have historically meant that Gazans were unable to leave through any of its seven border crossings. But Egypt's announcement may indicate a turning point in the politics of the area, with many hoping that it will result in Rafah border restrictions being lifted all together. 30,000 Gazans have registered their intention to cross the border, but it is expected that most will not make the crossing in time.Police brutality in Fiji
Fijian authorities are investigating allegations of police brutality in Nadarivatu. A lawyer in the area has reported that nine policemen brutally assaulted 8 men in the area. Several human rights groups say violence is an ingrained culture in the country's police force. In March last year, Fiji attended the UN Convention Against Torture and, but representatives were conservative about committing to any measures to stop torture in the country.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech
LOCAL NEWS
Stuff [formerly known as Fairfax NZ] is set to shut down or sell a string of their regional and specialist publications. This is due to falling print revenues, and its decision to continue moving their content into digital. Despite cost-cutting measures, the company's main New Zealand content product, Stuff.co.nz, reported decline in revenue last year. Fairfax Media was recently barred from entering into a merger with NZME, after the Commerce Commission cited it would result in the loss of media diversity.Human Rights Commission Under Review
Justice Minister Andrew Little has unveiled plans to review the culture and processes of the Human Rights Commission. Andrew Little made the announcement after the HRC's Chief Financial Officer, Kyle Stutter, was embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal. An intern accused Stutter of groping her at an office function. She alleges the commission was slow to take disciplinary action was taken against the offender, who, three months on, retains his position. Little announced that former employment lawyer Coral Shaw will head up the investigation, and hopes this review will help correct faults in the HRC's complaint process. Flooding Near Kapiti Coast
Widespread flooding along the coast south of Kapiti led to several evacuations late last night. The flooding, which happened around 2:30AM, saw Wellington's Fire and Emergency Service respond to dozens of calls for assistance. Six houses were deemed unsafe, and their occupants evacuated. The flooding came only hours after state highway one was reopened to commuters, as the stretch of road north of the Pukerua Bay had been rendered inoperable by Cyclone Gita. While the footpath and cycleway have been damaged, the Transport Agency stated that the motorway itself will still remain open in both directions today.
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Immigration New Zealand reports immigrants in trade jobs outnumber those in professional roles. 13,000 tradespeople and technicians have been granted work visas in the current financial year. Employers and Manufacturers Association Chief Executive Kim Campbell says the figures show an increasing demand for tradies. Campbell adds this shows the economy is growing, with New Zealand benefiting from immigration. Immigrations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says the statistics showed a desperate shortage of tradespeople.CPTPP Could Add Billions to Economy
The government is estimating that the new TPP agreement will add billions of dollars to the country's economy. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership involves 11 countries. Those 11 countries account for 13.5 percent of world economic output, or NZ$13.6 trillion. The beef industry will be the biggest winner as import and export tariffs will gradually fall from 38.9 percent to 9 percent over the course of 16 years. This will give New Zealand a competitive advantage over Australia who currently have a free trade agreement with Japan, one of the world's largest importers of beef.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans to crack down on immigration. The bill will criminalise illegal border crossing and make it tougher to get asylum in France. Human rights activists say this will make it much harder for asylum seekers to defend their rights. France's refugee protection office, Ofpra, went on strike to protest the bill, branding it “oppressive.” Polls show the French public believe there are too many immigrants in France. When campaigning to become President, Macron won the left with promises of a more humane asylum policy. In power, Macron's stance on immigration has shifted to “humane and firm.”Boko Haram Attacks Again
Fears in North-East Nigeria are growing for a group of girls who have not been seen since Boko Haram fighters attacked their school. The militants stormed the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Dapachi, Yobe State, with students and teachers fleeing the scene. The incident has sparked fears of a repeat of the Chibok event in 2014, when 276 girls were abducted. Families have not been able to find the girls in any of the surrounding villages. Education commissioner Mohammed Lamin said the school has been shut and roll call of the girls who have returned is being conducted. Getting accurate information remains difficult with the army still controlling access and infrastructure of North-East Nigeria.300 Wounded in Syrian Attack
At least 27 people have been killed and 300 wounded in the latest attacks in Syria. Russian-mobilised Syrian forces have continued to ravage the area of Eastern Ghouta which houses much of the country's rebel groups. Amnesty International have reported that the attacks have damaged or destroyed 6 hospitals and medical centres across the city. Most of the casualties were civilians.Rafah Border Restrictions Lifted
Palestine's embassy in Cairo has released a written statement announcing that the Rafah border, connecting Egypt with Gaza, will be open for four days this week. The news comes as a relief to thousands of Gazans desperate to escape the embattled area. Israeli and Egyptian blockades have historically meant that Gazans were unable to leave through any of its seven border crossings. But Egypt's announcement may indicate a turning point in the politics of the area, with many hoping that it will result in Rafah border restrictions being lifted all together. 30,000 Gazans have registered their intention to cross the border, but it is expected that most will not make the crossing in time.Police brutality in Fiji
Fijian authorities are investigating allegations of police brutality in Nadarivatu. A lawyer in the area has reported that nine policemen brutally assaulted 8 men in the area. Several human rights groups say violence is an ingrained culture in the country's police force. In March last year, Fiji attended the UN Convention Against Torture and, but representatives were conservative about committing to any measures to stop torture in the country.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech