Early learning services are getting a $151.1 million funding boost in Budget 2020 to improve the pay of up to 17,000 qualified teachers.Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said the funding, which was allocated over four years, would go towards closing the "significant gap" between early childhood education centre (ECE) teachers, and other teachers in schools and kindergartens that had built up over time.Currently, teachers working in early childhood education centres have a minimum salary of $45,491 or $46,832, depending on their qualifications.On 1 July 2020, the minimum salary will...…Early learning services are getting a $151.1 million funding boost in Budget 2020 to improve the pay of up to 17,000 qualified teachers.Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said the funding, which was allocated over four years, would go towards closing the "significant gap" between early childhood education centre (ECE) teachers, and other teachers in schools and kindergartens that had built up over time.Currently, teachers working in early childhood education centres have a minimum salary of $45,491 or $46,832, depending on their qualifications.On 1 July 2020, the minimum salary will...WW…

Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council has announced it will establish a self-ruled administration in the regions under their control.However, the internationally recognised Saudi-backed government says this would have catastrophic consequences for a November peace deal.Under a deal to end the power struggle in south Yemen agreed in Riyadh, the STC and other southerners were supposed to join a new national cabinet and place all forces under control of the internationally recognized government.Yemen's foreign ministry said on Twitter that the STC's announcement is a resumption of...…Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council has announced it will establish a self-ruled administration in the regions under their control.However, the internationally recognised Saudi-backed government says this would have catastrophic consequences for a November peace deal.Under a deal to end the power struggle in south Yemen agreed in Riyadh, the STC and other southerners were supposed to join a new national cabinet and place all forces under control of the internationally recognized government.Yemen's foreign ministry said on Twitter that the STC's announcement is a resumption of...WW…

Silicon Valley billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg offered duelling views on lockdown measures designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus on Wednesday, with Facebook's Zuckerberg endorsing the measures while Tesla's Musk condemned them as anti-democratic.Musk, who has often made outspoken and even inflammatory comments on conference calls and on Twitter, said in comments to analysts on Tesla Inc's earnings call that it was "fascist" to say people cannot leave their homes."This is not democratic, this is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom," Musk said.Zuckerberg,...…Silicon Valley billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg offered duelling views on lockdown measures designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus on Wednesday, with Facebook's Zuckerberg endorsing the measures while Tesla's Musk condemned them as anti-democratic.Musk, who has often made outspoken and even inflammatory comments on conference calls and on Twitter, said in comments to analysts on Tesla Inc's earnings call that it was "fascist" to say people cannot leave their homes."This is not democratic, this is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom," Musk said.Zuckerberg,...WW…

A range of fishing equipment is being sent to islands in Vanuatu's north affected by Cyclone Harold.The director of coastal fisheries, Sompert Gereva, said the gear will allow villagers to fish for protein, and will complement relief supplies which are slowly being sent.Mr Gereva said the category five cyclone destroyed forests, gardens and bird life which remote villagers often depend on for food."It's an effort to try and bring back the communities' lifestyle in terms of accessing the fresh fish. They need it most to supplment the food rations that's given out by the government."Sompert...…A range of fishing equipment is being sent to islands in Vanuatu's north affected by Cyclone Harold.The director of coastal fisheries, Sompert Gereva, said the gear will allow villagers to fish for protein, and will complement relief supplies which are slowly being sent.Mr Gereva said the category five cyclone destroyed forests, gardens and bird life which remote villagers often depend on for food."It's an effort to try and bring back the communities' lifestyle in terms of accessing the fresh fish. They need it most to supplment the food rations that's given out by the government."Sompert...WW…

Data to determine if community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring in New Zealand will be a big factor in tomorrow's decision on whether to extend the level 4 lockdown.At a media briefing this afternoon, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield reported nine new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand. All were linked to existing cases.There were now 18 people in hospital, including three in intensive care, with two in a critical condition, while more than 4000 tests were processed in laboratories yesterday. Dr Bloomfield also confirmed a death that occurred in Invercargill last week was...…Data to determine if community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring in New Zealand will be a big factor in tomorrow's decision on whether to extend the level 4 lockdown.At a media briefing this afternoon, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield reported nine new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand. All were linked to existing cases.There were now 18 people in hospital, including three in intensive care, with two in a critical condition, while more than 4000 tests were processed in laboratories yesterday. Dr Bloomfield also confirmed a death that occurred in Invercargill last week was...WW…

The Coalition for Human Rights in Fiji says the country's enforcement and security forces should not use the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse for human rights violations.The coalition said this followed allegations of assault by Corrections officers and the death of a prisoner in Suva last week.Coalition chair Nalini Singh said the situation was even more troubling at a time when hundreds of people were being arrested for breaching the nationwide curfew.Singh said the rights and dignity of those detained should be protected."The Covid-19 pandemic is not an excuse for human rights violations....…The Coalition for Human Rights in Fiji says the country's enforcement and security forces should not use the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse for human rights violations.The coalition said this followed allegations of assault by Corrections officers and the death of a prisoner in Suva last week.Coalition chair Nalini Singh said the situation was even more troubling at a time when hundreds of people were being arrested for breaching the nationwide curfew.Singh said the rights and dignity of those detained should be protected."The Covid-19 pandemic is not an excuse for human rights violations....WW…

Australians have risked penalties by protesting during Covid-19 restrictions in support of Nauru and Manus Island refugees detained in Australia.The refugees, who are held in hotels and detention centres, have been against their indefinite, arbitrary incarceration.Their protests were sparked by fear of the Covid-19 pandemic.They say they are unable to comply with Australia's social distancing rules, are exposed to infection by guards and should be released into the community.A guard from a Brisbane hotel, where about 120 refugees are detained, has tested positive for the virus.Activist...…Australians have risked penalties by protesting during Covid-19 restrictions in support of Nauru and Manus Island refugees detained in Australia.The refugees, who are held in hotels and detention centres, have been against their indefinite, arbitrary incarceration.Their protests were sparked by fear of the Covid-19 pandemic.They say they are unable to comply with Australia's social distancing rules, are exposed to infection by guards and should be released into the community.A guard from a Brisbane hotel, where about 120 refugees are detained, has tested positive for the virus.Activist...WW…

New figures obtained by RNZ show last year had the highest rates of gun crime and deaths involving firearms for nearly 10 years.But despite that rise, there has not been a corresponding increase in officers taking out or using their guns.The figures, obtained from police under the Official Information Act, show the rates of gun crime went up in both 2018 and 2019.Last year, there were 3540 occasions where an offender was found with a gun.And in both of the last two years, the rate of deadly incidents involving a firearm was the highest it had been since 2009.The number of guns seized by...…New figures obtained by RNZ show last year had the highest rates of gun crime and deaths involving firearms for nearly 10 years.But despite that rise, there has not been a corresponding increase in officers taking out or using their guns.The figures, obtained from police under the Official Information Act, show the rates of gun crime went up in both 2018 and 2019.Last year, there were 3540 occasions where an offender was found with a gun.And in both of the last two years, the rate of deadly incidents involving a firearm was the highest it had been since 2009.The number of guns seized by...WW…

Customs seized 70 percent less methamphetamine and 60 percent less MDMA at the border in the first three months of this year, compared to last year.It seized 64kg of methamphetamine from January to March, compared to 214kg in 2019, and 135kg of MDMA, compared to 320kg in 2019.The data, released today, includes drugs travelling by sea, air and mail.Customs manager of investigations Bruce Berry said the decrease in the country's "two most prevalent drugs" was partly due to disruption from international travel restrictions, and partly because police took out a large supply chain before...…Customs seized 70 percent less methamphetamine and 60 percent less MDMA at the border in the first three months of this year, compared to last year.It seized 64kg of methamphetamine from January to March, compared to 214kg in 2019, and 135kg of MDMA, compared to 320kg in 2019.The data, released today, includes drugs travelling by sea, air and mail.Customs manager of investigations Bruce Berry said the decrease in the country's "two most prevalent drugs" was partly due to disruption from international travel restrictions, and partly because police took out a large supply chain before...WW…

The number of recovered cases of Covid-19 continues to be higher than the number of new infections, the Director-General of Health says.As spreads around the world, it can be daunting keeping up with the information. For RNZ, our responsibility is to give you verified, up to the minute, trustworthy information to help you make decisions about your lives and your health. We'll also be asking questions of officials and decision makers about how they're responding to the virus. Our aim is to keep you informed.The Director-General of Health says there are 18 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19...…The number of recovered cases of Covid-19 continues to be higher than the number of new infections, the Director-General of Health says.As spreads around the world, it can be daunting keeping up with the information. For RNZ, our responsibility is to give you verified, up to the minute, trustworthy information to help you make decisions about your lives and your health. We'll also be asking questions of officials and decision makers about how they're responding to the virus. Our aim is to keep you informed.The Director-General of Health says there are 18 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19...WW…