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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Tan No More
58 sunbed clinics around the country were investigated after it was found they do not check the age of their customers. Last year new legislation was introduced which forbids anyone under the age of 18 to use sunbeds. Consumer New Zealand says banning sunbeds is the only solution. The Ministry of Health recommends never using a sun bed, as it is not a good way to increase vitamin D levels. The World Health Organisation has said using a tanning device before the age of 30, increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. Sunbeds are currently banned in Brazil and most Australian states.Something Fishy in Wellington's Rivers
Fish have been dying in rivers in Kapiti due to the record high temperatures this summer. Local iwi are worried after receiving reports of dead eels and trout in the Waikanae River. Wellington Regional Council reported that water temperatures hit over 27 degrees in January. Recreational fishing cooperative Fish and Game are also concerned about the rising temperatures nationwide as it reduces oxygen levels in the water and also the water levels themselves.Budgeting Advisors Fail to Meet Budget
Government-backed 'budgeting service providers' have failed to meet the targets assigned to them, RNZ is reporting. The result of a project started by National in late 2016, the companies were intended to provide low-income families with the opportunity to consult with an expert on the best way to budget for their homes. The government provided 17 companies with kick-starter packages ranging as high as $120,000. Since then, these budgeting service providers have continued to underperform. According to RNZ, one service was awarded $120,000 on the expectation it would provide 1200 counselling sessions, only provided 28. Another promised 300 sessions, but only managed 18. Of the 17 companies awarded government funding, 14 failed to meet their promised targets, with six companies failing to provide even 10 percent of the counselling sessions they had aimed to provide.Ceasefire in Syria
The UN has called for a one month ceasefire in Syria. The war in Syria is entering its eighth year. The UN's secretary general and human coordinator for Syria, Panos Moumtzis said the organisation has been powerless in its response to the humanitarian situation. Access to three major population centres have been blocked, with 94 percent of Damascus under blockade. More than 2 million people have been displaced as Russian jets attack them from above and Iranian ground forces attacking from the south. Moumtzis said there is a misperception that the de-escalated areas have resulted in peace, when there has been a serious escalation in those areas. Only 27 percent of the UN's requests for access to opposition areas have been granted by the Syrian government.Doctor Spreads HIV Through Syringe
Police in India have arrested an unlicensed doctor for spreading HIV by re-using a syringe.The doctor, who provided cheap door-to-door services in Uttar Pradesh has been accused of infecting 46 people. India has limited public healthcare services and with the lack of regulation, unlicensed doctors have been allowed to thrive in rural areas. India spends a little over 1 percent of GDP on health care – one of the lowest proportions in the world. India currently has 2.1 million people infected with HIV, although the UN reports this rate is falling.Sierra Leone Hosts ‘Landmark’ Case
A British court heard testimony this week alleging that the British mining company Tonkolili Iron Ore Ltd turned a blind eye to the police's heavy-handed reaction to mining strikes. Tonkolili Iron Ore Ltd, who owned a series of mines in Sierra Leone, had effectively been given the rights to police its own mines between 2010 and 2012. 140 claimants alleged that, during this time, the company failed to intervene when the police opened fire on miners, and later beat and sexually assaulted several women. Held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the case marks the first time a British court has adjudicated an issue from overseas.Dozens Missing After Taiwan Quake
Dozens are still missing following Taiwan's 6.4 earthquake on Tuesday. The earthquake's epicentre was located on the coast of Taiwan. Hualien City is said to be the worst hit with seven people dead, 262 injured and over 60 people missing. The quake flattened a seven–story building in the area and toppled a residential building. The country has experienced over 15 aftershocks, strongest of which measured 4.8. The east coast of Taiwan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and regularly experiences smaller quakes. Taiwan's deadliest earthquake was in 1999, which measured 7.3 and killed 2,400 people.Angela Merkel Set to Take the Reigns (Again)
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) looks set to lead the German government for their third consecutive term. This comes after the party renewed their unusual coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPD), the country's second largest party. The SPD have long been considered the CDU's natural opponents, as the two parties (occupying centre-left and centre-right respectively) have dominated German politics for decades. However, the past election saw the two parties cooperate in an effort to avoid holding a re-vote, and it seems that this coalition will extend the cooperation for another term. The move would see CDU's Angela Merkel continue her 12 year incumbency as Chancellor of Germany.Non Communicable Diseases Increase in Africa
Africa is experiencing a rise in non–communicable diseases.The National Cancer Committee of Ethiopia has called for more effort in the prevention of certain preventable cancers and illnesses. Life expectancy in Ethiopia has risen from 41 to 65, meaning the probability of contracting cancer has also risen. According to First Lady Roman Tesfaye, the rapid urbanisation and rising income of the country means people are more likely to change their eating habits and become more sedentary, increasing the likelihood of cancer and diabetes. Meanwhile, Nigeria is said to have the highest rate of diabetes in Sub–Saharan Africa, with more than 5 million people suffering from the condition. In 2014, 25 million people were suffering from diabetes in Southern Africa—a 600 percent increase from 30 years ago.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech
LOCAL NEWS
58 sunbed clinics around the country were investigated after it was found they do not check the age of their customers. Last year new legislation was introduced which forbids anyone under the age of 18 to use sunbeds. Consumer New Zealand says banning sunbeds is the only solution. The Ministry of Health recommends never using a sun bed, as it is not a good way to increase vitamin D levels. The World Health Organisation has said using a tanning device before the age of 30, increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. Sunbeds are currently banned in Brazil and most Australian states.Something Fishy in Wellington's Rivers
Fish have been dying in rivers in Kapiti due to the record high temperatures this summer. Local iwi are worried after receiving reports of dead eels and trout in the Waikanae River. Wellington Regional Council reported that water temperatures hit over 27 degrees in January. Recreational fishing cooperative Fish and Game are also concerned about the rising temperatures nationwide as it reduces oxygen levels in the water and also the water levels themselves.
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Government-backed 'budgeting service providers' have failed to meet the targets assigned to them, RNZ is reporting. The result of a project started by National in late 2016, the companies were intended to provide low-income families with the opportunity to consult with an expert on the best way to budget for their homes. The government provided 17 companies with kick-starter packages ranging as high as $120,000. Since then, these budgeting service providers have continued to underperform. According to RNZ, one service was awarded $120,000 on the expectation it would provide 1200 counselling sessions, only provided 28. Another promised 300 sessions, but only managed 18. Of the 17 companies awarded government funding, 14 failed to meet their promised targets, with six companies failing to provide even 10 percent of the counselling sessions they had aimed to provide.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The UN has called for a one month ceasefire in Syria. The war in Syria is entering its eighth year. The UN's secretary general and human coordinator for Syria, Panos Moumtzis said the organisation has been powerless in its response to the humanitarian situation. Access to three major population centres have been blocked, with 94 percent of Damascus under blockade. More than 2 million people have been displaced as Russian jets attack them from above and Iranian ground forces attacking from the south. Moumtzis said there is a misperception that the de-escalated areas have resulted in peace, when there has been a serious escalation in those areas. Only 27 percent of the UN's requests for access to opposition areas have been granted by the Syrian government.Doctor Spreads HIV Through Syringe
Police in India have arrested an unlicensed doctor for spreading HIV by re-using a syringe.The doctor, who provided cheap door-to-door services in Uttar Pradesh has been accused of infecting 46 people. India has limited public healthcare services and with the lack of regulation, unlicensed doctors have been allowed to thrive in rural areas. India spends a little over 1 percent of GDP on health care – one of the lowest proportions in the world. India currently has 2.1 million people infected with HIV, although the UN reports this rate is falling.
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A British court heard testimony this week alleging that the British mining company Tonkolili Iron Ore Ltd turned a blind eye to the police's heavy-handed reaction to mining strikes. Tonkolili Iron Ore Ltd, who owned a series of mines in Sierra Leone, had effectively been given the rights to police its own mines between 2010 and 2012. 140 claimants alleged that, during this time, the company failed to intervene when the police opened fire on miners, and later beat and sexually assaulted several women. Held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the case marks the first time a British court has adjudicated an issue from overseas.Dozens Missing After Taiwan Quake
Dozens are still missing following Taiwan's 6.4 earthquake on Tuesday. The earthquake's epicentre was located on the coast of Taiwan. Hualien City is said to be the worst hit with seven people dead, 262 injured and over 60 people missing. The quake flattened a seven–story building in the area and toppled a residential building. The country has experienced over 15 aftershocks, strongest of which measured 4.8. The east coast of Taiwan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and regularly experiences smaller quakes. Taiwan's deadliest earthquake was in 1999, which measured 7.3 and killed 2,400 people.Angela Merkel Set to Take the Reigns (Again)
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) looks set to lead the German government for their third consecutive term. This comes after the party renewed their unusual coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPD), the country's second largest party. The SPD have long been considered the CDU's natural opponents, as the two parties (occupying centre-left and centre-right respectively) have dominated German politics for decades. However, the past election saw the two parties cooperate in an effort to avoid holding a re-vote, and it seems that this coalition will extend the cooperation for another term. The move would see CDU's Angela Merkel continue her 12 year incumbency as Chancellor of Germany.Non Communicable Diseases Increase in Africa
Africa is experiencing a rise in non–communicable diseases.The National Cancer Committee of Ethiopia has called for more effort in the prevention of certain preventable cancers and illnesses. Life expectancy in Ethiopia has risen from 41 to 65, meaning the probability of contracting cancer has also risen. According to First Lady Roman Tesfaye, the rapid urbanisation and rising income of the country means people are more likely to change their eating habits and become more sedentary, increasing the likelihood of cancer and diabetes. Meanwhile, Nigeria is said to have the highest rate of diabetes in Sub–Saharan Africa, with more than 5 million people suffering from the condition. In 2014, 25 million people were suffering from diabetes in Southern Africa—a 600 percent increase from 30 years ago.Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech