Image: Metservice
Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Ex-Cyclone Gita Crashes Into South, Splits in Two
Former Cyclone Gita is bearing down on Southern regions of New Zealand after it largely missed Auckland. MetService says the eye of the storm has hit landfall and is now hovering over the Western areas of the South Island. Heavy rain and gale force winds are expected for the upper South and lower North Islands today, but these will ease tomorrow. The worst of the storm came yesterday and overnight, and 14,000 people are without power in Taranaki, where a state of emergency has been declared, as well as many districts in the South Island. Nearly 200 schools and pre-schools nationwide are closedNew Climate Change Predicitions on Sea Level Rise
A report shows sea levels could rise more than a metre even if the Paris Climate Agreement reaches its goals. The Nature Communications Journal published the report which predicts a rise of between 0.7 and 1.2 metres in the next two centuries, even if almost 200 nations met the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The sea level rise is a threat to cities from Shanghai to London as well as entire nations such as the Maldives or Kiribati. The inevitable rise is due to heat-trapping of industrial gases already emitted which will linger in the atmosphere. Participating governments are not on track to meet the Paris pledges.Grocery Boss Questioned
The Grocer supermarket has been placed in receivership just three months after it was opened, raising questions around the integrity of new owner Aaron Drever. 'The Grocer' replaced the Nosh chain at certain locations and has failed to pay both suppliers and staff. Drever has previously been stripped of his licence as a real estate agent in 2016 after racking up nine disciplinary findings President of the Council for trade unions Richard Wagstaff told 95bFM that those who dealt with him were left with empty promises. “We would like to see people like Aaron Drever not be able to go into business ventures and commitments that are hollow,” he said. The case will go to the high court in the hope of regaining some of the money owed.Labour Up in the Polls
A recent poll conducted by Colmar Brunton has shown a nine point rise in Labour’s popularity while National is down by three points. The poll shows that Labour has risen to 48 percent since December. Political Commentator Professor Jennifer Curtin told 95bFM part of the results are due to Labour having a successful first 100 days, “In part it’s probably them coming to the end of the 100 days and being able to tick quite a lot of their boxes in terms of their promises versus achievements. Their 100 days was up just before the poll was taken,” she said There is speculation that Ardern’s growing popularity has contributed to the rise in voter support.Big Changes Coming in Education
Education Minister Chris Hipkins will release a three-year work programme today with extensive overhauls to the current education approach. Hipkins’ aspirations will require big legislative changes to achieve reforms for school property, early childhood education and polytechs. While in opposition, Hipkins was a big opposer of National's focus on standardised testing. The reform is part of a coalition agreement between Labour and New Zealand First. Tomorrow's Schools is understood to be the first step in the reforms with terms of reference to be signed off by Cabinet as early as this month.Gout Drug Found to Be Effective
Gout sufferers stand to benefit from new research, which shows higher doses of a popular gout drug are effective and safe. Christchurch rheumatologist Professor Lisa Stamp's study won her this year’s Value of Medicines Award, which cleared up confusion about safe doses of allopurinol. Several gout experts have advised against higher doses overseas, but Professor Stamp’s study found higher doses didn't affect the rates of side effects. They could prevent ongoing attacks and also help stop the disease from progressing to a chronic state in many patients. Stamp says the $20,000 prize that she won will be used for further research on predicting patient responses to allopurinol.Councils Criticised for Secrecy
Councils are failing to meet obligations to release public information. Chief ombudsman Peter Boshier says many councils are not meeting their obligations under the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act, and resent being held accountable. 248 complaints were received under the act last year, with locals demanding information about why a council came up with certain rates, what had happened at meetings and follow-up information. Mr Boshier says his office is happy to advise councils on how they might improve their information transparency.Russian Bots Stir Up After School Shooting
Russian Twitter bots responded to the recent school shooting in Florida. Accounts suspected of links to Russia released hundreds of posts taking up both sides of the gun control debate within an hour of news breaking. Jonathon Morgan, the chief executive of News Knowledge, a company that tracks online disinformation campaigns, says that the "bots focus on anything that is divisive for Americans." A number of Russian nationals linked to the campaign have been indicted in relation to meddling in last year's presidential election.People are Suing Fossil Fuel Companies for Climate Change
Fossil fuel companies are facing a round of lawsuits in relation to climate change. Now that scientists can directly link natural disasters to climate change and the use of fossil fuels, a number of cities have brought legal action against fossil fuel companies. The cities, including San Francisco, Oakland and New York, argue that fossil fuel companies should pay for damage caused by these disasters, and for new infrastructure to prepare for the future. Fossil fuel company Exxon has been accused in the past of knowing about climate change and actively spreading misinformation about it.Wooden Skyscraper Being Built in Japan
A Japanese company has made plans to build the world's tallest wooden skyscraper to celebrate its 350th anniversary. Sumitomo Forestry says the building would combine steel with indigenous wood. Though the project will cost $5.6 billion—double what a regular skyscraper would, plans are to build by 2041, by which time Sumitomo believe technology will be improved and costs reduced. The skyscraper will contain 8000 homes, with every balcony containing trees and foliage. It is planned to be 70 stories tall, and 22m taller than the tip of Auckland's SkyTower.Additional reporting: Reilly Hodson, Issy Walker, Leonard Powell
LOCAL NEWS
Former Cyclone Gita is bearing down on Southern regions of New Zealand after it largely missed Auckland. MetService says the eye of the storm has hit landfall and is now hovering over the Western areas of the South Island. Heavy rain and gale force winds are expected for the upper South and lower North Islands today, but these will ease tomorrow. The worst of the storm came yesterday and overnight, and 14,000 people are without power in Taranaki, where a state of emergency has been declared, as well as many districts in the South Island. Nearly 200 schools and pre-schools nationwide are closedNew Climate Change Predicitions on Sea Level Rise
A report shows sea levels could rise more than a metre even if the Paris Climate Agreement reaches its goals. The Nature Communications Journal published the report which predicts a rise of between 0.7 and 1.2 metres in the next two centuries, even if almost 200 nations met the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The sea level rise is a threat to cities from Shanghai to London as well as entire nations such as the Maldives or Kiribati. The inevitable rise is due to heat-trapping of industrial gases already emitted which will linger in the atmosphere. Participating governments are not on track to meet the Paris pledges.
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The Grocer supermarket has been placed in receivership just three months after it was opened, raising questions around the integrity of new owner Aaron Drever. 'The Grocer' replaced the Nosh chain at certain locations and has failed to pay both suppliers and staff. Drever has previously been stripped of his licence as a real estate agent in 2016 after racking up nine disciplinary findings President of the Council for trade unions Richard Wagstaff told 95bFM that those who dealt with him were left with empty promises. “We would like to see people like Aaron Drever not be able to go into business ventures and commitments that are hollow,” he said. The case will go to the high court in the hope of regaining some of the money owed.Labour Up in the Polls
A recent poll conducted by Colmar Brunton has shown a nine point rise in Labour’s popularity while National is down by three points. The poll shows that Labour has risen to 48 percent since December. Political Commentator Professor Jennifer Curtin told 95bFM part of the results are due to Labour having a successful first 100 days, “In part it’s probably them coming to the end of the 100 days and being able to tick quite a lot of their boxes in terms of their promises versus achievements. Their 100 days was up just before the poll was taken,” she said There is speculation that Ardern’s growing popularity has contributed to the rise in voter support.
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Education Minister Chris Hipkins will release a three-year work programme today with extensive overhauls to the current education approach. Hipkins’ aspirations will require big legislative changes to achieve reforms for school property, early childhood education and polytechs. While in opposition, Hipkins was a big opposer of National's focus on standardised testing. The reform is part of a coalition agreement between Labour and New Zealand First. Tomorrow's Schools is understood to be the first step in the reforms with terms of reference to be signed off by Cabinet as early as this month.Gout Drug Found to Be Effective
Gout sufferers stand to benefit from new research, which shows higher doses of a popular gout drug are effective and safe. Christchurch rheumatologist Professor Lisa Stamp's study won her this year’s Value of Medicines Award, which cleared up confusion about safe doses of allopurinol. Several gout experts have advised against higher doses overseas, but Professor Stamp’s study found higher doses didn't affect the rates of side effects. They could prevent ongoing attacks and also help stop the disease from progressing to a chronic state in many patients. Stamp says the $20,000 prize that she won will be used for further research on predicting patient responses to allopurinol.Councils Criticised for Secrecy
Councils are failing to meet obligations to release public information. Chief ombudsman Peter Boshier says many councils are not meeting their obligations under the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act, and resent being held accountable. 248 complaints were received under the act last year, with locals demanding information about why a council came up with certain rates, what had happened at meetings and follow-up information. Mr Boshier says his office is happy to advise councils on how they might improve their information transparency.
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INTERNATIONAL
Russian Twitter bots responded to the recent school shooting in Florida. Accounts suspected of links to Russia released hundreds of posts taking up both sides of the gun control debate within an hour of news breaking. Jonathon Morgan, the chief executive of News Knowledge, a company that tracks online disinformation campaigns, says that the "bots focus on anything that is divisive for Americans." A number of Russian nationals linked to the campaign have been indicted in relation to meddling in last year's presidential election.People are Suing Fossil Fuel Companies for Climate Change
Fossil fuel companies are facing a round of lawsuits in relation to climate change. Now that scientists can directly link natural disasters to climate change and the use of fossil fuels, a number of cities have brought legal action against fossil fuel companies. The cities, including San Francisco, Oakland and New York, argue that fossil fuel companies should pay for damage caused by these disasters, and for new infrastructure to prepare for the future. Fossil fuel company Exxon has been accused in the past of knowing about climate change and actively spreading misinformation about it.Wooden Skyscraper Being Built in Japan
A Japanese company has made plans to build the world's tallest wooden skyscraper to celebrate its 350th anniversary. Sumitomo Forestry says the building would combine steel with indigenous wood. Though the project will cost $5.6 billion—double what a regular skyscraper would, plans are to build by 2041, by which time Sumitomo believe technology will be improved and costs reduced. The skyscraper will contain 8000 homes, with every balcony containing trees and foliage. It is planned to be 70 stories tall, and 22m taller than the tip of Auckland's SkyTower.Additional reporting: Reilly Hodson, Issy Walker, Leonard Powell