The British government announced it will hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a settlement that ends decades of disputes over Britain’s last African colony, while maintaining a key US-British military base in the archipelago.

Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney says the UK keeping its military base for another 99 years marks a landmark deal for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's new government.

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The British government announced it will hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a settlement that ends decades of disputes over Britain’s last African colony, while maintaining a key US-British military base in the archipelago.
Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney says the UK keeping its military base for another 99 years marks a landmark deal for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's new government.
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A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Vincent McAviney: Europe correspondent on UK giving sovereignty to Chagos Islands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/53fc681b-ca70-4da3-a74c-b1fe016c080a/transcript

There's several possible reasons behind a rise in the number of homes empty on Census night. 

The latest data shows just more than 110 thousand homes were empty, up from just under 100 thousand in 2018. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says part of that could be due to Cyclone Gabrielle flood levels, and high levels of construction.  

He told Ryan Bridge that some of the biggest areas with the largest increase in “ghost homes” were Auckland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's several possible reasons behind a rise in the number of homes empty on Census night.&nbsp;
The latest data shows just more than 110 thousand homes were empty, up from just under 100 thousand in 2018.&nbsp;
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says part of that could be due to Cyclone Gabrielle flood levels, and high levels of construction. &nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge that some of the biggest areas with the largest increase in “ghost homes” were Auckland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the ghost houses revealed in the latest census data

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4f564b77-f46c-4f31-bd33-b1fe015af97b/transcript

Flooding and landslips are keeping officials busy in Otago.  

The area is in a State of Emergency due to heavy rain, with downpours expected to continue into the afternoon. 

Fire and Emergency NZ have responded to 31 calls between 6pm last night and 5.30am, with around 70 people evacuating to welfare centres. 

Dunedin Civil Defence Manager Scott MacLean told Ryan Bridge their advice is for people to stay home and stay safe. 

He said that people should avoid going out driving unless they absolutely have to, as it causes problems for emergency responders. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Flooding and landslips are keeping officials busy in Otago. &nbsp;
The area is in a State of Emergency due to heavy rain, with downpours expected to continue into the afternoon.&nbsp;
Fire and Emergency NZ have responded to 31 calls between 6pm last night and 5.30am, with around 70 people evacuating to welfare centres.&nbsp;
Dunedin Civil Defence Manager Scott MacLean told Ryan Bridge their advice is for people to stay home and stay safe.&nbsp;
He said that people should avoid going out driving unless they absolutely have to, as it causes problems for emergency responders.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Scott MacLean: Dunedin Civil Defence Manager on the State of Emergency in the region

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ffedea8d-026c-4798-a8bd-b1fe0155b4ad/transcript

Kudos to Qantas for introducing a wellbeing zone on the cattle class of the aircraft. 

Airlines are cramming us in like sardines, anyone who's travelled will know this. 

They serve you booze, you recline your seat, the planes dry you out and then as a natural consequence, people go nuts. 

Unruly passengers ripping open the emergency doors, running up and down the aisles screaming like mad people. 

Globally, physical assaults on aircrafts are up 60% post-pandemic. Air New Zealand alone deals with 200 reports a month of abusive behaviour. 

People are responsible for their behaviour, yes, but the airlines are responsible for the environment which you travel in. The world is full of nutty people, and you have to cater for nutty people on aircraft, don't you? 

So good on Qantas. From 2026 they will have a dedicated wellbeing area at the front of economy, they've got sculpted wall, integrated handles for exercise, stabilising you in doing some squats or whatever you want to do. 

They've got a cabinet of healthy snacks, fruit juices, smoothies, self-service. 

Now, here's the kicker - It's for their 20-hour flights. Would you do it? 

Would you do it, even if there's fruit smoothies and integrated handles for stretching and exercise? 

The answer for me is a resounding no, but at least they're trying something. Others should follow suit. 

Kudos to Qantas for introducing a wellbeing zone on the cattle class of the aircraft.&nbsp;
Airlines are cramming us in like sardines, anyone who's travelled will know this.&nbsp;
They serve you booze, you recline your seat, the planes dry you out and then as a natural consequence, people go nuts.&nbsp;
Unruly passengers ripping open the emergency doors, running up and down the aisles screaming like mad people.&nbsp;
Globally, physical assaults on aircrafts are up 60% post-pandemic. Air New Zealand alone deals with 200 reports a month of abusive behaviour.&nbsp;
People are responsible for their behaviour, yes, but the airlines are responsible for the environment which you travel in. The world is full of nutty people, and you have to cater for nutty people on aircraft, don't you?&nbsp;
So good on Qantas. From 2026 they will have a dedicated wellbeing area at the front of economy, they've got sculpted wall, integrated handles for exercise, stabilising you in doing some squats or whatever you want to do.&nbsp;
They've got a cabinet of healthy snacks, fruit juices, smoothies, self-service.&nbsp;
Now, here's the kicker - It's for their 20-hour flights. Would you do it?&nbsp;
Would you do it, even if there's fruit smoothies and integrated handles for stretching and exercise?&nbsp;
The answer for me is a resounding no, but at least they're trying something. Others should follow suit.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Kudos to Qantas for trying something new

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f5314b4b-5938-4dc9-8a71-b1fe014c7f90/transcript

Vincent McAviney: Europe correspondent on UK giving sovereignty to Chagos Islands

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