Everything you need to know about the world today curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.
LOCAL NEWS
Criminal Records Bill Has Third Reading
The Criminal Records Bill to clear men of historical homosexual offences has had its third reading in parliament. The bill introduces a scheme to allow those convicted of offences since decriminalised by the Homosexual Reform Act of 1986 to apply to have their convictions expunged. Those with convictions, or relatives of those who have passed away, will be able to apply to the Secretary for Justice to have the convictions reconsidered. Justice Minister Andrew Little says the bill sends a clear message discrimination against gay people is no longer acceptable.
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Government to Focus on Road Safety and Aucklanders Face Petrol Tax Hike
Safety improvements to reduce road deaths will be a high priority according to the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport. The GPS looks to review speed limits and make engineering improvements to certain areas of the roading network to reduce death and serious injury. High risk state highways and local roads will also receive improvements under the GPS.
Meanwhile, the government is proposing changes to transport funding, meaning Auckland drivers will face a potential 25 percent fuel tax. The intention is to upgrade regional roads, making them safer, with plans to set the fuel tax between 9 and 12 cents a litre to pay for the road developments. Editor of Transport Blog, Matt Lowrie says Auckland is going through significant growth, and infrastructure needs to be upgraded. Lowrie admits the city would struggle to pay both taxes, but says there is not a way around it.
Lack of Educators Fluent in Pasifika Languages
Early childhood centres are struggling to find educators fluent in Pasifika languages. Some are placing blame on the level of English required for migrants wishing to become teachers. President of New Zealand Education Institute Lynda Stuart told 95bFM news there are difficulties attracting teachers into early childhood. “For some it’s around the language qualifications that you need to enter for early childhood education training, but for many early childhood education isn’t seen as an attractive proposition at the moment and that’s something that we need to be really looking at to address.” According to the Ministry of Education 700 early childhood centres use Pasifika languages at least some of the time.
Accommodation Supplement Boost Not Enough
Some beneficiaries will reportedly receive just $3 to $6 extra a week under new accommodation supplement boosts. The increases, announced in National’s 2017 budget, were implemented by the Labour Government on Sunday. Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez told 95bFM news these increases will just be absorbed by rising rents. “Rent going about $500 a week on average in places like Auckland, an increase of $3 to $6 won’t go anyway to covering that. Menéndez says the government needs to consider raising spending to immediately help beneficiaries.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Talks Over Syrian War
The leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey are meeting to discuss the ongoing war in Syria. Turkey will host the meeting between President Putin, President Rouhani and President Erdogan. The Syrian government is supported by Russia and Iran, whilst Turkey is supporting the so-called ‘moderate opposition groups’. The three countries have been in talks since last year in a bid to find a solution to the conflict
African Migrants Move Halted
A deal with the UN to move African migrants out of Israel has been halted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Over 16,000 of the migrants who entered the country illegally were to be moved to Western countries under the five year plan. Netanyahu had planned to provide temporary residence to a migrant in Israel for every migrant successfully settled overseas. The UN’s refugee agency is disappointed and are pushing for the Israeli government to reconsider.
Trump to Send Troops to Mexican Border
United States President, Donald Trump has announced he will send troops to the Mexican border. This follows Trump’s threat to cut aid to Honduras, after reports came to light of a ‘caravan’ of asylum seekers heading towards the US. Trump told US media the Mexican border will now be done “militarily” for security purposes. Trump is following the same actions as both his predecessors, who also deployed National Guard troops to the US border.
Grindr Shares HIV Data of Users
Popular dating app, Grindr will stop sharing users HIV information after facing backlash from privacy advocacy groups and users. BuzzFeed revealed Grindr has been been sharing HIV information with third-party companies that analyse apps. Head of Security at Grindr, Bryce Case defended the app and told the Washington Post HIV status information was encrypted and was not shared at any point to vendors or advertisers. Case also added any information related to HIV has been removed from one of their analytic companies, and talks are in place to remove it from the other.
Additional reporting by: Reuben Mclaren, Mark Casson and Ben Webber
