News of Zealand: Around 63,000 Kiwis' Facebook Data Harvested

Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ .

New Green Party Co-Leader Announced
The Green Party has announced a new co-leader, Marama Davidson. Davidson was strongly supported by her party with 110 delegate votes over runner-up Julie Anne Genter's 34 votes. Both leadership contenders were careful to minimise public distrust in the party, by emphasising their unity on key issues while outlining strategic differences for the 2020 election. Davidson campaigned on the need for political risks in order for the Green party to survive, emphasising the need for diversity and action on poverty. The search for a new Greens co-leader followed Metiria Turei's resignation six months ago after admitting to benefit fraud.

Kiwis Affected by Facebook Data Misuse
Facebook has released estimates over whose data could have been taken by Trump-campaign-linked firm Cambridge Analytica. 10 New Zealanders are estimated to have downloaded the quiz app related to data misuse by the firm–which in turn could have put up to 63,714 connected profiles of New Zealanders at risk. The app accessed not only the personal information of users who downloaded it, but also harvested information from friends’ profiles without permission. Last month, New Zealand’s privacy commissioner said Facebook was in breach of NZ laws, for failing to provide information for his investigation into privacy breaches. Facebook argued that it is not subject to NZ laws, as its operation headquartered in Ireland.

NZ Defence Spends Millions on Peter Thiel Spy Software
The New Zealand Defence Force has spent millions on with Peter Thiel's secretive software company Palantir. Thiel controversially became a New Zealand citizen despite only spending 12 days in the country, less than 1 percent of the usually-required 1,350 days. Palantir, of which Thiel is the largest shareholder, was found to have links to Cambridge Analytica, with Palantir employees helping to collect private Facebook data. Since 2012 the Defence Force has spent around 7.2 million on the company's services- an average of $1.2 million per year.

Cases of Measles confirmed in the South Island
Three cases of measles have been confirmed in the South Island. The cases were reported in Queenstown, Wanaka, and Christchurch and are likely to have been exposed in late March at Queenstown airport. All three people were not immunised, and the Southern and Canterbury DHBs have identified all those in close contact without immunisation. Canterbury DHB's medical officer Dr Ramon Pink said anyone who has been exposed and not immunised is likely to fall sick this month.

Leaked Footage Shows a Body Intact After the Pike River Explosion
A documentary filmmaker says leaked footage of the Pike River Mine shows a fully intact body four months after the 2011 explosion. Filmmaker Tony Surtorius says in the footage you can see a body fully intact lying in a recovery position. Surtorius says a number of lies have been told about Pike River, including that nothing but ashes remained in the mine after the explosion. The footage will be used as part of a documentary about union leader and social activist Helen Kelly

Rural Health Alliance Faces Closure
A New Zealand Health group representing the rural health sector faces shut-down next week if it does not receive government funding.The Rural Health Alliance New Zealand has run on donations and volunteers since being set up five years ago. The group, which aims to develop health solutions and influence health policy for rural communities, can no longer continue without funding. Chief executive Michelle Thompson said a funding bid was presented to the Minister of Rural Communities and Minister of Health late last year but no answer has yet been received.

NZ Chemical Tests Suggested to be Inadequate
Experts say an investigation looking into contamination levels and the spread of harmful class chemicals from firefighting foam is failing. The tests are currently being carried out at airports, military bases, and an Auckland housing development. According to scientists in the UK and Australia, the current tests used in New Zealand do not address the full scale of the contamination problem. A new test known as Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOPA) has been suggested as more efficient. UK chemist Dr Robert Klein said the difference in using the new alternative method can be between ten and 100 more fluorochemicals discovered.

Fiji Braces for More Harsh Weather
More bad weather is set to hit Fiji as a new tropical cyclone was formed over the weekend. Tropical Cyclone Keni has formed 800 kilometres outside the Fijian city of Nadi and is expected to track towards the country. Keni follows the destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Josie, which left two people dead over the weekend. Fiji is currently experiencing major flooding throughout the country.

EU Condemns Alleged Chemical Weapon Attack in Syria
An attack by the Syrian Government on rebel forces in Douma on Saturday killed 49 people including civilians and shows evidence of chemical weapon use. The EU released a statement condemning the attack in the strongest terms and has called for an immediate response by the international community. The Syrian government and ally Russia have denied the reports, stating accusations are a plot to excuse western military action against the Syrian government and nation. The United Nations Security Council met in an emergency meeting on Monday.

Junior Hockey Team mourned after fatal crash
At least 15 people were killed and another 14 injured after a bus collided with a truck in Saskatchewan, Canada.The bus was carrying the Humbolt Broncos, a Junior hockey team, and killed several of the young players and their coach. The small town of Humbolt in central Canada was sent into mourning, leaving flowers at their local arena. Donations have poured in for the families affected with $1.7 million raised in less than 24 hours.

Indian Train Loses Carriage with over 1000 People Aboard
A train in India took over a thousand passengers on a seven-mile journey before being stopped by rocks placed on the track. The carriages carrying the passengers were detached from the train and began to roll backward in the opposite direction. Spokesperson, JP Mishra says seven railway workers have been suspended following the incident as they were not following the proper safety protocol. There were no injuries from the incident.

Berlin Police Arrest Six Suspected of Planning Attack
Police in Berlin arrested six people suspected of planning a crime during the city's half marathon on Sunday. German Newspaper Die Welt reported the main suspect has links to the man responsible for the 2016 Berlin Christmas Market attack. Prosecutors and police released a joint statement on Twitter saying there were separate indications that those arrested were participating in the preparation of a crime in connection with the event. Security at the event had already been increased following an unrelated van incident in Munster earlier in the week.

Trump Says China will Back Down
Trump has responded to concerns of a trade war with China, stating China will back down because it's the right thing to do. Both countries have threatened the other with high trade tariffs in recent weeks. Trump's latest proposal intensifies import tariffs on the state to up to US$100 billion. White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said this is a problem caused by China, not by Trump. China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson, Gao Feng said no negotiations are likely under the current circumstances and rhetoric.

Additional reporting by: Mark Casson, Damian Rowe and Jenn Tamati