Current Events T1 W5 2025

Why was Sky TV in the news last week?

• It has launched a new streaming service

• It announced a merger with Spark Sport

• It reported a 106% decrease in net profit

Answer explanation

c. It reported a 106% decrease in net profit - Sky TV announced a $1.75 million loss in its half-year results, blaming satellite migration issues and economic pressures.

Satellite migration refers to the process of shifting broadcast services to a new satellite, which can cause technical disruptions for customers. Despite these challenges, Sky TV secured the broadcast rights for Black Caps and White Ferns matches in New Zealand from 2026.

What does Donald Trump want from Ukraine in return for continued support in the war?

• Control over Ukraine’s military strategy

• A long-term lease on Ukrainian farmland

• Access to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources

Answer explanation

c. Access to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources - Trump has proposed that Ukraine grant the US access to its rare earth minerals, those crucial for defence and technology industries. The deal would involve joint development of Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with revenues shared between the two nations as compensation for US wartime aid.

Why did New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticise China last week?

• China placed new trade restrictions on New Zealand exports

• China failed to provide sufficient notice about its naval exercises in the Tasman Sea

• China withdrew from a major diplomatic agreement with New Zealand

Answer explanation

b. China failed to provide sufficient notice about its naval exercises in the Tasman Sea - Peters raised concerns with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, about China conducting live-fire drills without adequate warning. The lack of notice led to changes in civil aviation flights and was seen as a failure in the New Zealand-China relationship.

What was stolen last week from the platform ByBit?

• $1.5bn in cryptocurrency

• A rare Bitcoin mining machine

• Personal data from crypto investors

Answer explanation

a. $1.5bn in cryptocurrency - Hackers, believed to be from North Korea’s Lazarus Group, stole $1.5bn from the crypto trading platform ByBit in what is considered the biggest cryptocurrency heist in history.

ByBit has launched a bounty scheme, offering rewards to individuals and companies who help track and freeze the stolen funds.

According to the Ministry of Education, there is currently a shortage of how many teachers in New Zealand?

• 500

• 1,250

• 6,100

Answer explanation

b. 1,250 - The Ministry of Education warned that schools could face a shortage of 1,250 teachers due to immigration-driven roll growth and increased classroom release time. In a worst case scenario, the shortfall could be as high as 3,100 teachers, while a best-case scenario could result in a small oversupply.

What was stolen last week in a series of freight train heists in the United States?

• A shipment of luxury cars

• A train carriage full of electronics

• $3.5m worth of Nike sneakers

Answer explanation

c. $3.5m worth of Nike sneakers - Thieves targeted freight trains in California and Arizona, stealing over $3.5m worth of Nike sneakers, including many unreleased modes. The heists are part of a growing trend of organised train thefts, which have surged by 40% in the past year.

What caused widespread disruption across Chile last week?

• A major earthquake

• A massive power blackout

• A nationwide transport strike

Answer explanation

b. A massive power blackout - A sweeping blackout plunged most of Chile into darkness, affecting 14 of the country's 16 regions, including the capital Santiago. The outage disrupted daily life, halted mining operations, and led the government to declare a state of emergency with a mandatory night time curfew.

In which New Zealand city did police have to deal a runaway bull last week after it injured two people?

• Hamilton

• Christchurch

• Wellington

Answer explanation

a. Hamilton - A runaway bull was on the loose in Hamilton, causing chaos near Waikato Hospital. Police attempted to contain the animal for an hour before shooting it. Two people were injured and taken to Waikato Hospital in moderate condition.

What did scientists announce last week about asteroid 2024 YR4?

• It will collide with Mars in 2032

• It is no longer a threat to Earth

• It is the largest asteroid ever discovered

Answer explanation

b. It is no longer a threat to Earth - After two months of observations, NASA and the European Space Agency confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4 will safely pass Earth in 2032, reducing previous impact odds from 3% to nearly zero. Scientists will continue to track the asteroid, which swings by Earth every four years.

Why did Waipoua in Northland make news headlines last week?

• A large wildfire forced evacuations

• A historic Māori site was uncovered

• A river mysteriously changed colour overnight

Answer explanation

a. A large wildfire forced evacuations - A wildfire near the Waipoua River in Northland spread across more than 70 hectares, threatening homes and prompting evacuations. Firefighters, supported by at least seven helicopters, worked to contain the blaze, with additional helicopters brought in from other regions to assist.