Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ .
LOCAL NEWS
Early Education Under Scrutiny
The Education Ministry is currently upholding 163 complaints of abuse, poor health and safety and inappropriate staff behaviour against early childhood education centres. The report showed that 46 complaints involved health and safety, 34 concerned administration problems, 22 involved the standard of education, 12 due to teachers’ behaviour and 18 were due to unsafe premises. The figures come after an investigation led by RNZ reported some early childhood services were providing inadequate care and education and operating with fewer teachers than is required. The incidents meant the ministry repealed the license of one centre, suspended the license of another, and placed nine centres on provisional licenses.
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Aucklanders Still Without Power
Today marks day three of no power for thousands of Aucklanders following the storm on Tuesday night. 17,000 houses have not been restored, and Vector spokesperson says it could take over the weekend to have all power back on. Vector warns power lines that are down should be treated as live, and to stay away from any trees or branches that have contact with said lines. They say they are doing their best to get all the power back on as quickly as possible. Auckland Council has released a statement urging those without power and toilet facilities to get in touch. There may still be a number of households whose waste water tanks need electricity to run and, given that power is still to be restored in some areas they want to make sure that all Aucklanders have access to toilet facilities.
No More Offshore Oil Permits, Greenpeace Celebrates
Yesterday, the government announced that no new offshore oil and gas exploration permits will be granted. Current exploration permits will be honoured and expire in 2030 at the latest. Greenpeace representative Kate Simcock says despite continuing Taranaki onshore action, this is a great step in combating climate change. The New Zealand government has received congratulations from the World Wildlife Fund in making steps that will result in safer environments for marine life like the endangered Maui dolphins. Simcock says by preventing future offshore oil and gas exploration permits, New Zealand has once again established a leading position.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Tensions Between the Middle East and Western countries Rising
Tensions are rising as Western countries prepare for a possible strike against Syria. President Macron says France has proof of the Assad regime’s responsibility for a chemical attack that killed at least 45 people last week near the capital, Damascus. In the past hours, British prime minister Theresa May held a cabinet meeting about the issue while President Trump tweeted that the US can attack Syria “very soon or not so soon at all”. After a long meeting, the British Cabinet declared that this use of chemical weapons should not “go unchallenged”. US President Donald Trump has also stated no final decision has been made on intervention in Syria and he would speak with UK and French leaders.
Women’s Bike Race in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia held their first women’s cycle race on Tuesday. 47 women participated in the 10km course organised by Be Active, a group supporting women cyclists. In 2013, women in Saudi Arabia were allowed to ride bicycles in recreational areas, as long as they dress modestly and are supervised by a male guardian. The race comes as a shock to the conservative nation, sparking mixed responses on social media. One Twitter user said “women can be seductive and getting on a bicycle reveals all her attractive parts to men. If she wants to ride a bike she must do that by herself and not in public nor in front of people.” Other praised the event.
No Chinese Military Base in Vanuatu
Vanuatu says it has no intention of becoming a military target by allowing China to build a military base in its territory. Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu has firmly denied that such a plan had been discussed between his government and Beijing following Australian media reports. Mr Regenvanu says Vanuatu has a history of being against militarisation and the proactive role that the people of Vanuatu play in shaping policy mean a military base would not be tolerated. He says any move towards militarising Vanuatu would be strongly opposed, and any government official that tried would probably be removed from office.
Trump Back on the TPP?
The Trump administration is looking at rejoining the Trans-Pacific partnership a year after the US pulled out. Donald Trump asked two advisers to look at the possibilities to re-integrate the US into the trade-deal known as the TPP, which links 11 countries around the Pacific, including New Zealand. Trump’s change of tack may be an effort to improve the situation for US farmers affected by the looming US-China trade war.
Pope Apologises for Clerical Sexual Abuse
Pope Francis officially apologised for the Church response to clerical sexual abuse in Chile. In a very unusual letter to the bishops of Chile, the Argentinian Pope regretted his “grave mistakes” on his assessment of the situation, quoting his lack of “truthful and balanced information” on the matter. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed a bishop in Chile despite accusations of his cover-up of sexual abuse by a famous local priest. The Pope defended this bishop again last January, but the report of a Vatican investigator on the issue seems to have changed the mind of Pope Francis. In his letter, the leader of the Catholic Church states his willingness to “re-establish trust in the Church”, but didn’t mention any future of the bishop accused of the cover-up.
Additional reporting by Tessa Barnett, Ulysse Bellier and Maddy Matthews.
