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All you need to know about the world this morning, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Avocado Black Market Thrives in Sunny BOP
It turns out millennials aren't the only ones hotly demanding avocados at the moment—the fruit also appears popular with bandits. A number of avocados in the western Bay of Plenty area have been stolen from orchards and sold to small-scale retailers in an underground black market scheme. Bay of Plenty police officer Sergeant Trevor Brown said that by purchasing and on-selling stolen fruit, retailers are encouraging continued thefts. It is unclear how many houses could have been bought with the value of these stolen avocados.Health Ministry Criticised for Approach to Suicide
The Ministry of Health has been called out for not taking a clear stand on suicide. Mental health workers told officials at the National Zero Suicide Forum yesterday that there was a lack of leadership, support, and communication in the sector. Ministry of Health director of mental health Dr John Crawshaw said that doing more of the same will not change anything and that they need a different approach to suicide.PM Defends Government Programmes for Homeless
The Government is doing more than ever for Auckland's homeless, according to Prime Minister Bill English. Speaking at an event hosted by Heart of the City, English advocated for the Government's Housing First process, saying it's the most effective way to tackle the problem. English's comments come a week after the memorial service for a homeless man who died outside a church in South Auckland.New Zealand Fines Fishing Company $100,000
A Japanese fishing company has received a $100,000 fine for malpractice while in New Zealand waters. The fine was issued after workers completed over 5000 hours of unrecorded work. An investigation found that 16 Indonesian workers had only been paid for half of the hours they worked. All but $20,000 of the fine will be paid to the employees.Russian Intelligence Tried to Spy on Macron, Report Says
Russian spies are said to have attempted surveillance on Emmanuel Macron's presidential campaign using fake Facebook accounts. Roughly two dozen profiles were apparently created in hopes of gain access to Macron's inner circle and obtain personal details. Facebook eventually sniffed out the accounts and went to law enforcement.Venezuelan President Lashes Out at 'Illegal' US Sanctions
Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has decried sanctions imposed by the US government on his top officials as "illegal, insolent, and unprecedented." The sanctions have imposed control over the US assets of 13 officials, including officials organizing Sunday's vote to elect a new "constituent assembly," a move condemned by the US as a power grab. Maduro's government vowed the vote would go ahead.Pakistani Police Arrest 20 in Connection with Alleged Revenge Rape
Police in Pakistan have arrested 20 people suspected of sanctioning the revenge rape of a 16-year-old girl. The sexual assault of the teenager in a Punjab Province village followed the rape of a man's 12-year-old sister. A council of village elders is said to have instructed the man to sexually assault the teen relative of the initial alleged rapist by way of retribution. Police are still searching for seven council members.Michael Jackson's Estate Must Pay Quincy Jones $9.4 Million
Michael Jackson's estate owes Quincy Jones $9.4 million after a Los Angeles jury ruled in Jones's favor Wednesday. The longtime collaborator of Jackson's claimed he never received royalties and fees for the production of Thriller, Bad, and Off the Wall, among other albums.Reporting by Lucy Austin and Ollie Powell.
LOCAL NEWS
It turns out millennials aren't the only ones hotly demanding avocados at the moment—the fruit also appears popular with bandits. A number of avocados in the western Bay of Plenty area have been stolen from orchards and sold to small-scale retailers in an underground black market scheme. Bay of Plenty police officer Sergeant Trevor Brown said that by purchasing and on-selling stolen fruit, retailers are encouraging continued thefts. It is unclear how many houses could have been bought with the value of these stolen avocados.Health Ministry Criticised for Approach to Suicide
The Ministry of Health has been called out for not taking a clear stand on suicide. Mental health workers told officials at the National Zero Suicide Forum yesterday that there was a lack of leadership, support, and communication in the sector. Ministry of Health director of mental health Dr John Crawshaw said that doing more of the same will not change anything and that they need a different approach to suicide.
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The Government is doing more than ever for Auckland's homeless, according to Prime Minister Bill English. Speaking at an event hosted by Heart of the City, English advocated for the Government's Housing First process, saying it's the most effective way to tackle the problem. English's comments come a week after the memorial service for a homeless man who died outside a church in South Auckland.New Zealand Fines Fishing Company $100,000
A Japanese fishing company has received a $100,000 fine for malpractice while in New Zealand waters. The fine was issued after workers completed over 5000 hours of unrecorded work. An investigation found that 16 Indonesian workers had only been paid for half of the hours they worked. All but $20,000 of the fine will be paid to the employees.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russian spies are said to have attempted surveillance on Emmanuel Macron's presidential campaign using fake Facebook accounts. Roughly two dozen profiles were apparently created in hopes of gain access to Macron's inner circle and obtain personal details. Facebook eventually sniffed out the accounts and went to law enforcement.Venezuelan President Lashes Out at 'Illegal' US Sanctions
Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has decried sanctions imposed by the US government on his top officials as "illegal, insolent, and unprecedented." The sanctions have imposed control over the US assets of 13 officials, including officials organizing Sunday's vote to elect a new "constituent assembly," a move condemned by the US as a power grab. Maduro's government vowed the vote would go ahead.Pakistani Police Arrest 20 in Connection with Alleged Revenge Rape
Police in Pakistan have arrested 20 people suspected of sanctioning the revenge rape of a 16-year-old girl. The sexual assault of the teenager in a Punjab Province village followed the rape of a man's 12-year-old sister. A council of village elders is said to have instructed the man to sexually assault the teen relative of the initial alleged rapist by way of retribution. Police are still searching for seven council members.Michael Jackson's Estate Must Pay Quincy Jones $9.4 Million
Michael Jackson's estate owes Quincy Jones $9.4 million after a Los Angeles jury ruled in Jones's favor Wednesday. The longtime collaborator of Jackson's claimed he never received royalties and fees for the production of Thriller, Bad, and Off the Wall, among other albums.Reporting by Lucy Austin and Ollie Powell.