Image via Nicky Wagner's Twitter account.
Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by bFM and VICE NZ.Disability Minister Says Sorry for Insensitive Tweet
Disability Minister and Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner has apologised for an inappropriate tweet she posted last Wednesday afternoon.
A member of the disabled community, Ben Lucas, has described the tweet as unfortunate but says Wagner's apology was heartfelt.
Prime Minister Bill English said Wagner made a mistake in posting the tweet and that he doesn't "believe she set out to be offensive", adding that Wagner was a respected figure in the disability community.Mental Health Workers Excluded From Historical Pay Equity Deal Seek Higher Wages
Mental health workers that were left out of the care workers pay equity deal are lodging a claim to have their wages increased.
Thousands of mental health workers are currently earning slightly above minimum wage, which they hope with be raised by $6-$7 per hour.
Union member and claimant Vicki Harmon says many mental health support workers are leaving their jobs for higher paying work in the care sector, putting immense pressure on remaining staff to fill rosters.
The two unions lodging the claim estimate it would cost the government about $30 million a year if it was settled.Newly Released Pike River Footage Doesn't "Change What's Going On": Bill English
The government says there is nothing new in the latest Pike River Mine footage, which shows un-touched wooden pallets and rubber hoses.
A mother of one of the victims says the footage raises questions about the government's refusal to re-enter the mine to look for evidence of a fire, as well as the bodies of miners.
Speaking to Susie Ferguson on RNZ this morning, Prime Minister Bill English said the footage had been around since 2010, and that he doesn't "think it fundamentally changes what's going on".
The remains of 29 miners have been trapped in the mine since the 2010 explosion.Grenfell Tower Families Are Getting Emergency Funds from the UK Government
The UK Government has announced more support for families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Those who lost their homes will receive around NZ$9,500 from an emergency fund.
London's Mayor says the blaze was a preventable tragedy caused by years of neglect by councils and the government. He says high-rises built in the 1960s and 70s could be torn down to avoid repeating one of the worst mistakes of that time.
Officials have announced 58 people are believed to have died in the fire, with that figure expected to rise in the next day. 18 people remain in hospital.Forest Fire in Portugal Kills 61
Forest fires have killed 61 people in central Portugal, with hundreds of firefighters still working to control the blaze. Four children are among the victims. Many of the dead were found inside their cars as they tried to flee the fires in the mountainous area northeast of Lisbon. The fire, which is thoughts to have been sparked by a lightning strike, is already one of the the deadliest Portugal has seen in decades. A number of people are still missing and there are fears the death toll could rise.Macron Set to Win Parliamentary Majority in French Elections
The first results in the French parliamentary elections show President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party to have a clear majority. New political party La République en Marche and its ally Democratic Movement will take around 355 of 577 seats. The result will give Macron the freedom to implement his pension and labour reforms, without having to win the support of other parties. Turnout was low compared to 2012, with only 43 percent of people casting their vote. Macron's En Marche party is just over a year old, and many of its candidates have never held political office.Californian Trio Charged for $400,000 Avocado Heist
Three Californian produce workers have been charged with grand theft of fruit after allegedly stealing NZ$413,000 worth of avocados. The men were working in an avocado facility inside of Oxnard City, which is owned by Mission Produce, one of the world's largest avocado distributors.
Ventura County Sheriff's office says the three men were arrested on Wednesday and were selling the stolen fruit to unaware customers.
The three men were believed to be selling boxes of avocados for half of the standard price of NZ$70, according to the company's president, Steve Barnard.Reporting by Alessandra Nixon, India Essuah and Mark Casson.
LOCAL NEWS
Disability Minister and Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner has apologised for an inappropriate tweet she posted last Wednesday afternoon.
Wagner posted an apology yesterday morning stating that she did not intend to offend the disabled community.
A member of the disabled community, Ben Lucas, has described the tweet as unfortunate but says Wagner's apology was heartfelt.
Prime Minister Bill English said Wagner made a mistake in posting the tweet and that he doesn't "believe she set out to be offensive", adding that Wagner was a respected figure in the disability community.
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Mental health workers that were left out of the care workers pay equity deal are lodging a claim to have their wages increased.
Thousands of mental health workers are currently earning slightly above minimum wage, which they hope with be raised by $6-$7 per hour.
Union member and claimant Vicki Harmon says many mental health support workers are leaving their jobs for higher paying work in the care sector, putting immense pressure on remaining staff to fill rosters.
The two unions lodging the claim estimate it would cost the government about $30 million a year if it was settled.Newly Released Pike River Footage Doesn't "Change What's Going On": Bill English
The government says there is nothing new in the latest Pike River Mine footage, which shows un-touched wooden pallets and rubber hoses.
A mother of one of the victims says the footage raises questions about the government's refusal to re-enter the mine to look for evidence of a fire, as well as the bodies of miners.
Speaking to Susie Ferguson on RNZ this morning, Prime Minister Bill English said the footage had been around since 2010, and that he doesn't "think it fundamentally changes what's going on".
The remains of 29 miners have been trapped in the mine since the 2010 explosion.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The UK Government has announced more support for families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Those who lost their homes will receive around NZ$9,500 from an emergency fund.
London's Mayor says the blaze was a preventable tragedy caused by years of neglect by councils and the government. He says high-rises built in the 1960s and 70s could be torn down to avoid repeating one of the worst mistakes of that time.
Officials have announced 58 people are believed to have died in the fire, with that figure expected to rise in the next day. 18 people remain in hospital.Forest Fire in Portugal Kills 61
Forest fires have killed 61 people in central Portugal, with hundreds of firefighters still working to control the blaze. Four children are among the victims. Many of the dead were found inside their cars as they tried to flee the fires in the mountainous area northeast of Lisbon. The fire, which is thoughts to have been sparked by a lightning strike, is already one of the the deadliest Portugal has seen in decades. A number of people are still missing and there are fears the death toll could rise.Macron Set to Win Parliamentary Majority in French Elections
The first results in the French parliamentary elections show President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party to have a clear majority. New political party La République en Marche and its ally Democratic Movement will take around 355 of 577 seats. The result will give Macron the freedom to implement his pension and labour reforms, without having to win the support of other parties. Turnout was low compared to 2012, with only 43 percent of people casting their vote. Macron's En Marche party is just over a year old, and many of its candidates have never held political office.Californian Trio Charged for $400,000 Avocado Heist
Three Californian produce workers have been charged with grand theft of fruit after allegedly stealing NZ$413,000 worth of avocados. The men were working in an avocado facility inside of Oxnard City, which is owned by Mission Produce, one of the world's largest avocado distributors.
Ventura County Sheriff's office says the three men were arrested on Wednesday and were selling the stolen fruit to unaware customers.
The three men were believed to be selling boxes of avocados for half of the standard price of NZ$70, according to the company's president, Steve Barnard.Reporting by Alessandra Nixon, India Essuah and Mark Casson.