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Everything you need to know about the world today curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Plans to Revive the Romanov Empire in Kiribati
Russian businessman Anton Bakov says his project for an ‘Alternative Russia’ in the Pacific is still alive. Mr Bakov is offering to invest a total of $350 million in return for the rights of three uninhabited islands in Kiribati. Although the Romanov empire was overthrown during the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, Bakov has enlisted a German noble to be new Czar. Even though the Kiribati government initially shut down the idea, Bakov says there are still plans to return to the project. Bakov’s search to set up an empire has led him to negotiate with other countries including Gambia.Young Kiwis Showing Up with Serious Dental Problems
The number of young children with dental problems is increasing, despite children on average having healthier teeth than they did ten years ago. The NZ Herald found health data shows the number of children admitted for dental treatment in hospital jumped from 4,500 a year to 7,500 over the past 15 years. Worst affected were children from the poorest families. Catherine Fuge, the clinical director of the Bee Healthy dental service in Wellington said “it was heartbreaking to find children with decay, which affects the way they smile, eat and play.” Dental Association president Bill O'Connor said too many children were being admitted to hospital and having teeth extracted under full anaesthetic.Syrian Refugees Settling in Dunedin
Since April, Dunedin has become a refugee hub, with more than 200 people from Syria have settled in the city. However, a resident from Dunedin has set up her own refugee centre as she believes there is not enough help being offered after the first year of support. Refugee advocate Afife Harris is helping refugees find work, access services and sort out the basics of life in New Zealand. Mr Allo, a Syrian refugee, says a new permanent refugee centre is needed, as currently Syrian families receive 12 months of support that’s government-funded or from the Red Cross.Government’s Quick Work Criticised by National
The National party is accusing the government of hypocrisy for rushing through policy as part of its 100 day plan. The first bill of plan is the Paid Parental Leave bill, which increases parental leave to 26 weeks. The bill was passed with urgency, meaning it was not sent to a select committee. National MP Amy Adams says the move was an incredible turnaround of principles from a party who formerly derided the use of urgency in legislation. Adams also says Treasury had not obtained a sufficient assessment of the bill’s fiscal impact. The former National government had previously vetoed the bill when they were in government, but voted to support it this time round, saying increased parental leave was part of their policy anyway.A National Spanish Referendum on Referendums
The Spanish Government has proposed a national vote on whether to better accommodate referendums of independence. This is in response to tensions in Catalonia, whose referendum of independence was been ruled unconstitutional and void. Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis says a committee has been created in parliament to explore this possibility and the decision has to be made by all Spanish people. While strikes and protests are still ongoing in Catalonia, he denies disproportionate force was used during the referendum last month.Virginia Elects Transgender Legislator
Transgender candidate Danica Roem has been elected state legislator by the State of Virginia following the U.S off-year Sate elections. Roem, who campaigned predominantly on the issues of jobs, schools and traffic congestion, will be the the first transgender member of the House of Delegates. She ran against pro-Trump Republican, Bob Marshall who has described himself as the state's "Chief Homophobe". The special elections have seen several Democratic wins, which is a contrast to the voting outcomes from this time last year.India’s Capital Covered in Pollution
The capital of India, Delhi, has become covered in pollution forcing a state of medical emergency. This is the third straight day residents have had to face heavy pollution. Air pollution levels shut down schools and triggered health warnings. People with heart disease and respiratory problems are at greater risk, and the city's population are taking to social media to complain of breathing difficulties and uploading images of thick smog covering the city. The Indian Medical Association has recommended the city's half marathon, due to take place in November 19, be cancelled. Activists have said very little has been done to curb the rising pollution levels over the past few years. In October the government took new steps to restrict traffic and shut down major plants.Reporting by Lillian Hanly, Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves
LOCAL NEWS
Russian businessman Anton Bakov says his project for an ‘Alternative Russia’ in the Pacific is still alive. Mr Bakov is offering to invest a total of $350 million in return for the rights of three uninhabited islands in Kiribati. Although the Romanov empire was overthrown during the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, Bakov has enlisted a German noble to be new Czar. Even though the Kiribati government initially shut down the idea, Bakov says there are still plans to return to the project. Bakov’s search to set up an empire has led him to negotiate with other countries including Gambia.Young Kiwis Showing Up with Serious Dental Problems
The number of young children with dental problems is increasing, despite children on average having healthier teeth than they did ten years ago. The NZ Herald found health data shows the number of children admitted for dental treatment in hospital jumped from 4,500 a year to 7,500 over the past 15 years. Worst affected were children from the poorest families. Catherine Fuge, the clinical director of the Bee Healthy dental service in Wellington said “it was heartbreaking to find children with decay, which affects the way they smile, eat and play.” Dental Association president Bill O'Connor said too many children were being admitted to hospital and having teeth extracted under full anaesthetic.
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Since April, Dunedin has become a refugee hub, with more than 200 people from Syria have settled in the city. However, a resident from Dunedin has set up her own refugee centre as she believes there is not enough help being offered after the first year of support. Refugee advocate Afife Harris is helping refugees find work, access services and sort out the basics of life in New Zealand. Mr Allo, a Syrian refugee, says a new permanent refugee centre is needed, as currently Syrian families receive 12 months of support that’s government-funded or from the Red Cross.Government’s Quick Work Criticised by National
The National party is accusing the government of hypocrisy for rushing through policy as part of its 100 day plan. The first bill of plan is the Paid Parental Leave bill, which increases parental leave to 26 weeks. The bill was passed with urgency, meaning it was not sent to a select committee. National MP Amy Adams says the move was an incredible turnaround of principles from a party who formerly derided the use of urgency in legislation. Adams also says Treasury had not obtained a sufficient assessment of the bill’s fiscal impact. The former National government had previously vetoed the bill when they were in government, but voted to support it this time round, saying increased parental leave was part of their policy anyway.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Spanish Government has proposed a national vote on whether to better accommodate referendums of independence. This is in response to tensions in Catalonia, whose referendum of independence was been ruled unconstitutional and void. Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis says a committee has been created in parliament to explore this possibility and the decision has to be made by all Spanish people. While strikes and protests are still ongoing in Catalonia, he denies disproportionate force was used during the referendum last month.Virginia Elects Transgender Legislator
Transgender candidate Danica Roem has been elected state legislator by the State of Virginia following the U.S off-year Sate elections. Roem, who campaigned predominantly on the issues of jobs, schools and traffic congestion, will be the the first transgender member of the House of Delegates. She ran against pro-Trump Republican, Bob Marshall who has described himself as the state's "Chief Homophobe". The special elections have seen several Democratic wins, which is a contrast to the voting outcomes from this time last year.India’s Capital Covered in Pollution
The capital of India, Delhi, has become covered in pollution forcing a state of medical emergency. This is the third straight day residents have had to face heavy pollution. Air pollution levels shut down schools and triggered health warnings. People with heart disease and respiratory problems are at greater risk, and the city's population are taking to social media to complain of breathing difficulties and uploading images of thick smog covering the city. The Indian Medical Association has recommended the city's half marathon, due to take place in November 19, be cancelled. Activists have said very little has been done to curb the rising pollution levels over the past few years. In October the government took new steps to restrict traffic and shut down major plants.Reporting by Lillian Hanly, Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves