Image via shutterstock
Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.New Zealanders Need to Take Asthma More Seriously
A new Massey University report has found a 45 percent increase in New Zealand children admitted to hospital with asthma over a 14 year period. Associate Professor Jim Reid from Otago University told 95bFM parents often think they are controlling their child's asthma correctly when they are not and that some adults aren’t controlling their own asthma either.
“The number of children especially which are becoming hospitalised is increasing steadily and that is a reasonably major concern. I’ve done studies which have shown people are using their inhaler up to nine times a day and they still regard their asthma as being under control which it clearly is not.”
Reid says an online Asthma Control Test can give people an idea of how significant their child's symptoms are. Doctors can then use this score to modify the patient's medications and improve quality of life. Reid adds that asthmatics should be more aware of what can set off an attack and have better management plans in place, adding that the government could also be providing more education around the issue and a better standard of housing.Teachers Must Address Unconscious Māori Bias - Ministry
The Ministry of Education says a bold step is needed for Māori education. A briefing from the Ministry suggests that tackling teachers' unconscious bias against Māori children can accelerate Māori achievement. It proposed to create a scheme based on existing programmes. Ellen MacGregor-Reid, deputy secretary for early learning and student achievement, says that they have not made any firm decisions on current projects. Myles Ferris, President of the Māori school principal association Te Akatea, says that the Ministry is right to target unconscious bias. Adding that these issues need to be addressed to see long-term and effective change, and it needed to be led from the very top of the education system.New Zealand Banks Ordered to Prove They are Trustworthy
Major banks in New Zealand are being ordered to prove they are not swindling customers like their Australian counterparts. The Financial Markets Authority and Reserve Bank spoke with banks on Monday and plan to check that everything stacks up. Rob Everett from the FMA says there is no initial evidence that banks are cheating customers here. Everett adds that if banks do not comply with the investigation they can expect to be taken to court over the matter.Family Court Reform Reduces Court Appearances
The Ministry of Justice has released its report on the 2014 reforms of the Family Court System. The reform included adding dispute resolution to cases involving children and their care before cases moved into family courts. The report showed there had been a 7 percent drop in cases going to family court since the reform was introduced. Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Executive Director Deborah Hart told 95bfm the reform has been a success for many families. “Most cases do benefit from mediation and we know that when the system is set up well that there are very high success rates, that is, that part or all of the dispute is settled,” says Hart. The reform exceeded its target of reducing cases going to court by 4,000.Diving Platform Proposed to Stop Bridge Deaths
A diving platform is proposed to stop rail bridge deaths in Ngaruawahia. This comes after an 11 year old girl was killed by a train in March when she attempted to dive into the river from the bridge. Residents welcomed the idea, but some don't think it can stop children daring each other to jump off the bridge, which has been going on for generations. Western Waikato police commander Andrew Mortimore says it is time to break the cycle, and community members who live with young people can influence change. The ideas will be collected and published next month.Armenian Opposition Leader Loses
Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has lost his bid to become interim Prime Minister despite being the only candidate. Former PM Serzh Sargsyan resigned recently after Pashinyan led several rallies against him. Pashinyan has called for all his supporters to begin a campaign of civil disobedience as well as general strikes in response to his loss. He received a total of 45 votes but needed 53 to win. Under the constitution, a second vote must be held within seven days and if no candidate is selected, than parliament is to be dissolved.Dominican Republic Denies Taiwan in Favour of China
The Dominican Republic has cut ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China. The Caribbean country’s government said that they recognise Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and establishing relationships with China will be positive for the future. Taiwan said it is deeply upset by the decision, with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu adding that Beijing's financial incentives are to blame. Mainland China and Taiwan ruled as separate governments since the end of a civil war in 1949. Taiwan now has 19 remaining diplomatic relationships, six of them being Pacific Island states.Nigeria Gets Sick of Cough Syrup
Nigeria has enforced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine as addiction rises. The syrup is commonly found on the black market and is used by young Nigerians to get high. The ban is the result of work by a committee which submitted a report about the abuse on Tuesday. It is estimated that around three million bottles of codeine syrup are drunk every day in Kano and Jigawa alone.Taj Mahal Getting Dirty
The white marble of India’s Taj Mahal is turning a into a mixture of brown and green as pollution affects the area. The structure, completed in 1653, and has suffered from discolouration in recent years due to insects from the polluted Yamuna river. The government has closed factories nearby to protect it but the colour continues to be an issue. The palace is frequently coated in a mud pack which helps to remove insect faeces and dirt.Additional reporting by: Reuben McLaren, Ben Webber and Justin Wong.
LOCAL NEWS
A new Massey University report has found a 45 percent increase in New Zealand children admitted to hospital with asthma over a 14 year period. Associate Professor Jim Reid from Otago University told 95bFM parents often think they are controlling their child's asthma correctly when they are not and that some adults aren’t controlling their own asthma either.
“The number of children especially which are becoming hospitalised is increasing steadily and that is a reasonably major concern. I’ve done studies which have shown people are using their inhaler up to nine times a day and they still regard their asthma as being under control which it clearly is not.”
Reid says an online Asthma Control Test can give people an idea of how significant their child's symptoms are. Doctors can then use this score to modify the patient's medications and improve quality of life. Reid adds that asthmatics should be more aware of what can set off an attack and have better management plans in place, adding that the government could also be providing more education around the issue and a better standard of housing.Teachers Must Address Unconscious Māori Bias - Ministry
The Ministry of Education says a bold step is needed for Māori education. A briefing from the Ministry suggests that tackling teachers' unconscious bias against Māori children can accelerate Māori achievement. It proposed to create a scheme based on existing programmes. Ellen MacGregor-Reid, deputy secretary for early learning and student achievement, says that they have not made any firm decisions on current projects. Myles Ferris, President of the Māori school principal association Te Akatea, says that the Ministry is right to target unconscious bias. Adding that these issues need to be addressed to see long-term and effective change, and it needed to be led from the very top of the education system.
Advertisement
Major banks in New Zealand are being ordered to prove they are not swindling customers like their Australian counterparts. The Financial Markets Authority and Reserve Bank spoke with banks on Monday and plan to check that everything stacks up. Rob Everett from the FMA says there is no initial evidence that banks are cheating customers here. Everett adds that if banks do not comply with the investigation they can expect to be taken to court over the matter.Family Court Reform Reduces Court Appearances
The Ministry of Justice has released its report on the 2014 reforms of the Family Court System. The reform included adding dispute resolution to cases involving children and their care before cases moved into family courts. The report showed there had been a 7 percent drop in cases going to family court since the reform was introduced. Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Executive Director Deborah Hart told 95bfm the reform has been a success for many families. “Most cases do benefit from mediation and we know that when the system is set up well that there are very high success rates, that is, that part or all of the dispute is settled,” says Hart. The reform exceeded its target of reducing cases going to court by 4,000.Diving Platform Proposed to Stop Bridge Deaths
A diving platform is proposed to stop rail bridge deaths in Ngaruawahia. This comes after an 11 year old girl was killed by a train in March when she attempted to dive into the river from the bridge. Residents welcomed the idea, but some don't think it can stop children daring each other to jump off the bridge, which has been going on for generations. Western Waikato police commander Andrew Mortimore says it is time to break the cycle, and community members who live with young people can influence change. The ideas will be collected and published next month.
Advertisement
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has lost his bid to become interim Prime Minister despite being the only candidate. Former PM Serzh Sargsyan resigned recently after Pashinyan led several rallies against him. Pashinyan has called for all his supporters to begin a campaign of civil disobedience as well as general strikes in response to his loss. He received a total of 45 votes but needed 53 to win. Under the constitution, a second vote must be held within seven days and if no candidate is selected, than parliament is to be dissolved.Dominican Republic Denies Taiwan in Favour of China
The Dominican Republic has cut ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China. The Caribbean country’s government said that they recognise Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and establishing relationships with China will be positive for the future. Taiwan said it is deeply upset by the decision, with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu adding that Beijing's financial incentives are to blame. Mainland China and Taiwan ruled as separate governments since the end of a civil war in 1949. Taiwan now has 19 remaining diplomatic relationships, six of them being Pacific Island states.Nigeria Gets Sick of Cough Syrup
Nigeria has enforced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine as addiction rises. The syrup is commonly found on the black market and is used by young Nigerians to get high. The ban is the result of work by a committee which submitted a report about the abuse on Tuesday. It is estimated that around three million bottles of codeine syrup are drunk every day in Kano and Jigawa alone.Taj Mahal Getting Dirty
The white marble of India’s Taj Mahal is turning a into a mixture of brown and green as pollution affects the area. The structure, completed in 1653, and has suffered from discolouration in recent years due to insects from the polluted Yamuna river. The government has closed factories nearby to protect it but the colour continues to be an issue. The palace is frequently coated in a mud pack which helps to remove insect faeces and dirt.Additional reporting by: Reuben McLaren, Ben Webber and Justin Wong.