Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.
LOCAL NEWS
Government Paid Private Investigators to Spy on Earthquake Victims
Taxpayers funded $180,000 to spy on Christchurch earthquake victims who were trying to settle claims with the government. A Newshub investigation found government insurance company Southern Response had employed private investigators Thompson and Clarke to spy on claimants. Christchurch local Mark Preston was one of the key targets of the spying operation, after he sent a high volume of emails to the insurer in a bid to get his home repaired. Southern Response then referred the case to the police, saying they believed there was a risk of an “Ashburton WINZ-type situation”—referring to a shooter. Preston told Newshub he was targeted for helping organise a group of claimants taking a legal case against Southern Response. “I’m stuck in an earthquake-damaged home with a family that wants to move on with their lives, and when your insurance company doesn’t respond to you, there’s actually nothing else you can do,” he says. “That was really only my ever crime—educating people, organising for a class action.”
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Kaikoura Hit by Another Earthquake
Kaikoura was woken by a 4.7 earthquake this morning. The quake struck at 5AM at a depth of 9km. Geonet says the quake was moderate. It’s the largest since a one in October which measured 5.4.
Arctic Records Record Highs
The Arctic has experienced its warmest winter to date, in what experts have called an unprecedented, global-warming-driven weather cycle. Fifteen of around 36 Arctic stations reported temperatures that were at least 5.6 ℃ higher than was usual, and sea ice covered an area roughly 1,350,000 sq km less than expected. The land weather station closest to the North Pole spent 60 hours above freezing temperatures in the middle of February, when typically it remained sub-zero the entire month. Experts have claimed that the extreme winter may be indicative of the way in which global warming is affecting ever-changing weather cycles.
CERT NZ Warns of Fake RealMe
CERT NZ, the country’s cyber security agency, has warned people to be extra vigilant when using the RealMe website. RealMe serves as a portal to official government websites, and must be used in order to gain access to Studylink, view tax details, or renew passports. However, CERT NZ has warned that some users may have been emailed a link to a fake RealMe website. The fake website asks users to upload personal information, including tax numbers, passport numbers, and drivers licenses, which may then be used for various fraudulent purposes. If you have been affected by the scam, contact either the Department of Internal Affairs or the Transport Ministry.
NZ Bishops Pass on International Guidelines
New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops have decided against adopting international principles which hold priests accountable to looking after children they have fathered. Irish and US clergies have adopted guidelines, explicitly stating that children should always come first. However the New Zealand clergy have said in a statement that they would, “continue to follow their own pastoral practices in regard to any encounter that may arise”. The statement came shortly after an Auckland woman spoke out about the knowledge that her father was a supposedly celibate priest.
Crown is Being Sued by Air Force Staffer Over Sexual Allegations
The Crown is being sued for damages at the High Court in Auckland, by a woman arguing the Air Force failed to act on complaints about the behaviour of Robert Richard Roper. The former Air Force staffer, who has name suppression, says she resigned after complaining about the abuse. Roper was convicted in 2014 for sexual offending when serving in the Air Force during 1970 to 1980. The woman says she never thought to sue the Air Force for damages until after Roper had been convicted. The woman said she was too scared to tell her story because it would affect her Air Force career. The woman says, “A lot of us girls gave up telling our story and just wanted out.”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
North Korea Seeks Discussion With USA
North Korea says it remains open to relinquishing its nuclear weapons, provided it is given the opportunity to begin direct talks with the United States. South Korean officials released the statement from Seoul, after a delegation met with Kim Jong-un for a four-hour dinner in Pyongyang. As of right now, it is unclear whether the United States is willing to enter peace talks, or whether it will continue with the strategy of imposing harsh economic sanctions on the country. In a tweet acknowledging the announcement, Donald Trump wrote simply that, “the United States is ready to go hard in either direction!”
Gupta Family Raided Again
Indian authorities have raided the properties of the Gupta family after corruption allegations in South Africa. The family has been accused of swaying government contracts in South Africa alongside former president Jacob Zuma. South Africa’s new President Cyril Ramaphosa promised a crackdown on corruption in the country and all main financial firms have since cut ties with the family.
Anti-Muslim Riots Prompt Crackdown on Social Media
The Sri Lankan government has blocked social media following the anti-Muslim riots in the Kandy district. Two people have been killed and eight injured in the popular tourist district. Facebook and other social media services are blocked to stop violent posts fuelling the riots. Supporters of radical Buddhist nationalist groups have been blamed for arson attacks and vandalism on Muslim-owned properties. The government has declared its first state of emergency since the end of the civil war era.
EU to Tax American Products
The United States could face new European Union taxes as President Donald Trump proposes tariffs on steel imports into America. The United States is proposing a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminium imports. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom is retaliating with higher import duties on peanut butter, bourbon, cranberries and orange juice. Malmstrom said putting tariffs on steel imports would put thousands of European jobs in jeopardy. The EU is a major exporter of steel to the US, alongside Canada and South Korea. Malmstrom says measures would be take to match the economic loss suffered by the EU.
Additional reporting: Leah Garcia-Purves, Darashpreet Johal, Daniel Meech, Tess McClure
