The inauguration of Donald Trump has taken place, meaning he is officially President of the United States.
Many tech giant were at the event, including SpaceX and Tesla’s Elon Musk who appeared to do a nazi salute during his speech.
On his first day in office, Trump signed a series of controversial executive orders, including ordering the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organisation and Paris Climate Agreement.
For States of the States this week Wire Host Caeden spoke to Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the inauguration and Trump’s first few days in office, as well as the short-lived Tiktok ban.
And Producer Sofia spoke to honorary academic at the University of Auckland Faculty of Science and climate scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth about Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and what this says about his administration’s policy for climate change
It seems that the United States continues to be a hot topic for many people and journalists following Trump’s inauguration. This is not only because of his intense challenging of the pre-established international order or his strong determination to turn the world into his view, but also with his alliances with prominent billionaires and tech entrepreneurs.
While he has been successful in his establishment of chaos to rouse the public while quietly enacting new policies fundamentally but slowly changing the country, questions arise around his right-hand man, Elon Musk, and his own personal agenda. It seems as though pretending to be a man of the internet and “i am become meme” archetype has not worked out for him, and he has shown his true colours much like other people in great positions of power and money.
Sasha spoke to Chris Ogden, Associate Professor from The University of Auckland about Elon Musk’s comments about the United States leaving the UN, the potential implications and stability of the world order shifting towards a multipolar governance.
While the health benefits of dance seem obvious, there is little specific data available to determine how movement and dance can help mental wellbeing. With that in mind, Carlene's been taking the tapedeck on the reg to the retirement home (and other places) in order to glean her own doctoral research. Should we all have more lambada in our lounges?
There has been a lot of confusion in the media recently about Māori seats. 95bFM reporter Sam Smith made a report on their history, and how they work, in order to clear up any misconceptions.
Catalonia is currently in the process of seeking independence from Spain. A referendum was held earlier this week to which the Spanish government responded with force. More than 800 people were injured trying to cast their votes while Spanish police raided polling stations, beating voters and firing rubber bullets at crowds. The Catalonia regional parliament responded to the overwhelming majority voting for independence by saying they will declare unilateral independence from Spain. Since then, the Spanish constitutional court ordered the suspension of the Parliamentary session required to make this declaration. Lillian Hanly speaks with Anisha Sankar from Tamil Nadu in India. She is currently completing a Master’s in sociology here at the University of Auckland. She also completed a Masters in Political Philosophy at a University in Barcelona.
On the Green Desk this week with Jack Marshall, we hear from Dr Alexander Harwood Taylor, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Auckland, who’s been studying how intelligent birds use ‘play’ in order to learn.
Rosalyn Albaniel Evara was a Journalist in Papua New Guinea who passed away recently. There were allegations that her death was the result of domestic abuse, and a court order has been released halting her burial until a full post-mortem report is available. This case is bringing to light issues surrounding violence against women in the country. Joel spoke with AUT Pacific Media centre’s Kendall Hutt and PhD Student Stephanie Tapungu about this.
Wendy Allison, director of Know Your Stuff NZ, runs a team of volunteers who aren't interested in judging if/when/why a person may choose to use recreational drugs - they just want to give them as much information as possible in order to reduce harm and keep party goers safe. Wendy's team offer free drug testing at festivals around the country, spotting 'extra ingredients' ranging from the harmless to the potentially fatal. So, how does it all work? What are they finding? Are there roadblocks to the process? How can we help?
Congratulations are in order for NZ's first family - and being a recent(ish) father himself, Mike's as pleased as punch. And just what is a piece of errant budget modelling code? Or, more importantly, _whose responsibility_ is a piece of errant budget modelling code?
Bridge's voice made a disappearance the weekend before Laneway, so in order to continue on with a beauti chat with TOKiMONSTA, he became 'Tracy USA' via a text-to-speech website.
They talk through her new album Lune Rouge, her comeback after contracting moyamoya, remixes, and her favourite L.A. homecoming meal.