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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Warm Waters May Mean Sharks
New Zealand's waters are getting warmer, which could mean more tropical and subtropical species on the coastline. Scientists are expecting more sightings of species like tuna or even sharks. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientist and shark specialist, Malcolm Francis, says warming waters mean fish could be spotted in unusual areas. Francis said in an interview with bFM News “As the water warms up we have tropical and subtropical species coming down from the island to the north of New Zealand. The warmer the water gets the more likely they are to come down so we get larger numbers. Also some of them will go further south, they have lower temperature limit so if our waters are warmer than normal they’ll enjoy it.” Francis however points out that it should not be more dangerous for swimmers and surfers to enjoy New Zealand's coasts, as most species are harmless to humans. A great white shark has already been spotted by a surfer near Invercargill, but scientist Francis says that while shark numbers may increase, there will be little additional danger for swimmers. “I wouldn’t say it’s riskier, they are mostly species that will feed on other things, they don’t see humans as their food supply. The only really dangerous sharks we have to worry about in New Zealand are the great whites. They’re in New Zealand waters already in summer, I don’t see them increasing in abundance at all.” Francis adds that the best protection against sharks is to not behave like food, which means avoiding splashing, and advised against swimming in dirty or blood-stained shallow coastal waters.Safest Roads in the Country Increase to 110 KM/Hour.
The speed limit on two sections of Northern road increased to 110 km/hr on Monday. A 15km stretch of the Tauranga Eastern Link toll road and 16km of the Waikato Expressway are affected. The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed that the two roads are among the safest in the country. bFM News spoke to Director for Safety and the Environment at NZTA, Harry Wilson, who said despite the increased speed limits, drivers should maintain safe speeds for the conditions. "People believe that their vehicle is safe, and regardless of the speed we know that’s not true. We encourage people to exercise their judgement, be considerate of the risk, not just to themselves but to others, and to be considerate drivers on the road." The NZTA said the speed limits are the maximum for safe travel and the drivers should adjust to match the weather conditions.Large Cut in Working Hours for Teacher Aides
A new survey from the teachers union at the Education Institute has indicated a cut of teacher aide hours is coming next year. Nearly half of primary and intermediate schools surveyed are cutting teacher aide hours next year to make costs fit, and two thirds will be making cuts of 20 percent or more. NZEI, president Lynda Stuart has said the results are due to a lack of government funding, and that in overstretched budgets, teacher aide hours are usually the first to be cut. 80 percent of respondents said they would be in support of a Labour government policy that aims to pay schools $150 per student if they stopped asking for donations.We Won’t Get Any Bigger
After reviewing 120 years of information, experts say the human race has reached our highest possible physical capabilities. The findings concluded that there is a physical threshold for humans’ growth and physical capabilities. The study found that instead of new levels being reached for physical limits such as height, more people have simply been reaching previously recorded highs. Professor Jean-François Toussaint from Paris Descartes University says a physical threshold is evident because "These traits no longer increase, despite further continuous nutritional, medical, and scientific progress". The experts say that this may become more apparent as fewer physical records such as life expectancy are broken and more people reach them. Height, lifespan and strength could soon begin to decline again. Additional factors such as climate change mean this might be the only time our species is this tall, strong and long-lived.Bad Smells Incoming for Waiheke
Waiheke residents are being advised to skip showers as an impending water crisis looms. Water delivery companies are currently booked out for three weeks or more, with one unable to deliver until February 16. Waiheke Local Board chairperson Paul Walden says there are no mechanisms in place to stop visitors arriving or increase the rate of water delivery. Walden says Waiheke residents should shower at the beach or wash in the sea, adding it's okay to be smelly this time of year.European Union to Scrap Current Refugee System
The President of the European council Donald Tusk will declare the European union's current emergency refugee system ‘divisive and ineffective’ at a summit on Thursday. There will be a six month deadline in which EU member states will have to submit their suggestions for a new system. There has been some consideration of making the current emergency system permanent but this was held off as the current refugee quota system has caused much bitterness and frustration among EU member states. The Czech Republic has taken only 12 of the 120,000 refugees the emergency quota system has so far sought to relocate. Both Poland and Hungary have refused to take any. All three will face the European court of justice. Tusk thinks that the emergency quota system has been a gift to politicians who oppose the European Union. EU governments will also be asked to spend more on schemes that seek to keep refugees out of Europe altogether.Attempted Terrorist Attack on New York City
One man is in custody following an attempted terror attack in the New York City Subway early this morning. 27-year-old Akayed Ullah strapped a pipe bomb to himself and detonated the device at the subways Bus Terminal around 7:20 this morning. NYPD News tweeted that four others were injured in the explosion and are facing "non life-threatening injuries". New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has called it an "attempted terrorist attack" and went on to say there are no known additional incidents or activities. The alleged perpetrator Ullah is held in custody at the Bellevue Hospital, suffering from serious burns to his hands & abdomen.Rohingya Fear “Voluntary” Return to Myanmar
Many Rohingya refugees fear being sent back to Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees could be sent back to Myanmar under a plan currently in negotiations by Bangladesh and Myanmar. The UN has called it ‘flawed’, as the plan doesn't yet include provisions for their protection when they return. Al Jazeera spoke to Abdu Salam, a 100-year-old Rohingya refugee who said: “I feel bad for my home, but I’m afraid to go back because they could kill me. There’s no point in sending us back to Myanmar because there’s no security for us there.” The plan has been called "voluntary" by Bangladesh and Myanmar’s governments and is expected to begin in two months.Saudi Arabia to Open Cinemas After 35 years
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is to allow cinemas to operate for the first time in the country in 35 years. This is one of a few cultural shifts that have been enacted by Mohammad bin Salman that have been shaking up the conservative country. The culture minister says it is an important move for the cultural economy of Saudi Arabia, as “opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification”. A wall will be required to split viewers by gender. The move is part of a major reform of Saudi Arabia’s policies that includes allowing women to drive, which was banned previously.Additional reporting by Harry Willis, Grace Watson, Ollie Powell.
LOCAL NEWS
New Zealand's waters are getting warmer, which could mean more tropical and subtropical species on the coastline. Scientists are expecting more sightings of species like tuna or even sharks. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientist and shark specialist, Malcolm Francis, says warming waters mean fish could be spotted in unusual areas. Francis said in an interview with bFM News “As the water warms up we have tropical and subtropical species coming down from the island to the north of New Zealand. The warmer the water gets the more likely they are to come down so we get larger numbers. Also some of them will go further south, they have lower temperature limit so if our waters are warmer than normal they’ll enjoy it.” Francis however points out that it should not be more dangerous for swimmers and surfers to enjoy New Zealand's coasts, as most species are harmless to humans. A great white shark has already been spotted by a surfer near Invercargill, but scientist Francis says that while shark numbers may increase, there will be little additional danger for swimmers. “I wouldn’t say it’s riskier, they are mostly species that will feed on other things, they don’t see humans as their food supply. The only really dangerous sharks we have to worry about in New Zealand are the great whites. They’re in New Zealand waters already in summer, I don’t see them increasing in abundance at all.” Francis adds that the best protection against sharks is to not behave like food, which means avoiding splashing, and advised against swimming in dirty or blood-stained shallow coastal waters.Safest Roads in the Country Increase to 110 KM/Hour.
The speed limit on two sections of Northern road increased to 110 km/hr on Monday. A 15km stretch of the Tauranga Eastern Link toll road and 16km of the Waikato Expressway are affected. The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed that the two roads are among the safest in the country. bFM News spoke to Director for Safety and the Environment at NZTA, Harry Wilson, who said despite the increased speed limits, drivers should maintain safe speeds for the conditions. "People believe that their vehicle is safe, and regardless of the speed we know that’s not true. We encourage people to exercise their judgement, be considerate of the risk, not just to themselves but to others, and to be considerate drivers on the road." The NZTA said the speed limits are the maximum for safe travel and the drivers should adjust to match the weather conditions.
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A new survey from the teachers union at the Education Institute has indicated a cut of teacher aide hours is coming next year. Nearly half of primary and intermediate schools surveyed are cutting teacher aide hours next year to make costs fit, and two thirds will be making cuts of 20 percent or more. NZEI, president Lynda Stuart has said the results are due to a lack of government funding, and that in overstretched budgets, teacher aide hours are usually the first to be cut. 80 percent of respondents said they would be in support of a Labour government policy that aims to pay schools $150 per student if they stopped asking for donations.We Won’t Get Any Bigger
After reviewing 120 years of information, experts say the human race has reached our highest possible physical capabilities. The findings concluded that there is a physical threshold for humans’ growth and physical capabilities. The study found that instead of new levels being reached for physical limits such as height, more people have simply been reaching previously recorded highs. Professor Jean-François Toussaint from Paris Descartes University says a physical threshold is evident because "These traits no longer increase, despite further continuous nutritional, medical, and scientific progress". The experts say that this may become more apparent as fewer physical records such as life expectancy are broken and more people reach them. Height, lifespan and strength could soon begin to decline again. Additional factors such as climate change mean this might be the only time our species is this tall, strong and long-lived.
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Waiheke residents are being advised to skip showers as an impending water crisis looms. Water delivery companies are currently booked out for three weeks or more, with one unable to deliver until February 16. Waiheke Local Board chairperson Paul Walden says there are no mechanisms in place to stop visitors arriving or increase the rate of water delivery. Walden says Waiheke residents should shower at the beach or wash in the sea, adding it's okay to be smelly this time of year.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The President of the European council Donald Tusk will declare the European union's current emergency refugee system ‘divisive and ineffective’ at a summit on Thursday. There will be a six month deadline in which EU member states will have to submit their suggestions for a new system. There has been some consideration of making the current emergency system permanent but this was held off as the current refugee quota system has caused much bitterness and frustration among EU member states. The Czech Republic has taken only 12 of the 120,000 refugees the emergency quota system has so far sought to relocate. Both Poland and Hungary have refused to take any. All three will face the European court of justice. Tusk thinks that the emergency quota system has been a gift to politicians who oppose the European Union. EU governments will also be asked to spend more on schemes that seek to keep refugees out of Europe altogether.Attempted Terrorist Attack on New York City
One man is in custody following an attempted terror attack in the New York City Subway early this morning. 27-year-old Akayed Ullah strapped a pipe bomb to himself and detonated the device at the subways Bus Terminal around 7:20 this morning. NYPD News tweeted that four others were injured in the explosion and are facing "non life-threatening injuries". New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has called it an "attempted terrorist attack" and went on to say there are no known additional incidents or activities. The alleged perpetrator Ullah is held in custody at the Bellevue Hospital, suffering from serious burns to his hands & abdomen.Rohingya Fear “Voluntary” Return to Myanmar
Many Rohingya refugees fear being sent back to Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees could be sent back to Myanmar under a plan currently in negotiations by Bangladesh and Myanmar. The UN has called it ‘flawed’, as the plan doesn't yet include provisions for their protection when they return. Al Jazeera spoke to Abdu Salam, a 100-year-old Rohingya refugee who said: “I feel bad for my home, but I’m afraid to go back because they could kill me. There’s no point in sending us back to Myanmar because there’s no security for us there.” The plan has been called "voluntary" by Bangladesh and Myanmar’s governments and is expected to begin in two months.Saudi Arabia to Open Cinemas After 35 years
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is to allow cinemas to operate for the first time in the country in 35 years. This is one of a few cultural shifts that have been enacted by Mohammad bin Salman that have been shaking up the conservative country. The culture minister says it is an important move for the cultural economy of Saudi Arabia, as “opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification”. A wall will be required to split viewers by gender. The move is part of a major reform of Saudi Arabia’s policies that includes allowing women to drive, which was banned previously.Additional reporting by Harry Willis, Grace Watson, Ollie Powell.