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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Social Worker Takes Baby
An Oranga Tamariki social worker took an eight week old baby from its parents because of a suspected cannabis smell. The baby's parents, Freyja and Laurence Maisey, say there was no explanation for the social worker's actions until four days after the baby was removed from his home. Acting Manawatu regional manager for the ministry, Monica Miranda, says a temporary placement order was granted so social workers could investigate safety concerns for baby Charlie. Freyja Maisey has cerebral palsy and an arrangement had been made for the baby's father or grandfather to be with her at all times. Maisey's midwife, Annette Turner-Steele, says there was no reason for Charlie to be taken, especially considering both parents immediately took drug tests that came back clean.Climate Change Refugees May Get Special Visa
The Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw, says the government will consider creating a new visa category for people displaced by climate change. Last week the Immigration and Protection Tribunal rejected applications by families from Tuvalu to stay in New Zealand due to sea level rises. Current refugee conventions don't recognise climate change victims. Shaw says the visa would be developed in partnership with Pacific nations, and that the first target should be to avert the effects of climate change in Pacific Island nations.Fletcher Workers Striking for Living Wage
Fletcher Building employees are on strike again, demanding the company pay an appropriate living wage to firth workers. Employees from other companies are making $5 more than Fletcher workers for doing the same job. First Union representative and Fletcher employee, Mathew Oates says the company is holding a firm stance to hold control over the workers. Oates told bFM News he suspects they do not want a precedent of defiance to be created. The workers are set to continue the strikes with the support of the First Union until an agreement can be made.Pre-Genetic Screening Improves Pregnancy Rates for Older Mums
New in vitro fertilisation technology has improved pregnancy rates by by between a third and a half, a study says. The pre-implantation genetic screening study trialled 267 women between 35 and 40 years old. The technology, which involves taking a biopsy of the embryo so chromosomes and further pregnancy can be monitored, was first used in New Zealand by ReproMed. Guy Gudex, ReproMed director, said the tests are carried out in Auckland with The University of Auckland's genomic centre. Another facility, Fertility Plus, now offers the testing. As well as providing an improvement to the pregnancy rate, the technology decreased the miscarriage rate by 25 percent. Gudex said the clinic had provided the pre-implantation testing to 20 women and that the first baby is expected in January. An anonymous patient told the NZ Herald that the testing allowed her to be certain the embryo was healthy before implanted. She is now 31 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby. The study results were presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine conference yesterday.Thousands of Retirees Overpaid Super
Thousands of people were overpaid on their superannuation or veteran's pension in the last financial year. New figures show that nearly 53,000 people were overpaid, an increase of 15,000 on the same figure five years ago. The total cost of the overpayments has not been released, but the single largest amount was over $200,000. A spokesperson for the Ministry says a number of the overpayments can be attributed to people who are also receiving a foreign pension.Casualties in North Korean Tunnel Collapse
At least 200 people are reported to have died as a result of a tunnel collapsing at a nuclear test site in North Korea. An unverified Japanese media report is making the claim that the collapse took place at the Punggye-ri test site at Mount Mantap which is undergoing construction in northeastern North Korea. South Korea's Yonhap, news network are also reporting, saying the incident was the result of the ground weakening around the site following the sixth nuclear test at the same place. Seoul is warning that another missile test there could risk destruction of the facility and trigger a radiation leak. There are concerns over the geographical stability of the region after three small earthquakes occurred nearby after the blasts, with experts claiming the base is suffering from "Tired Mountain Syndrome".Almost Half of Americans Exposed to Russian Content on Facebook
Around 126 million Americans saw Facebook content created by Russia, the company disclosed. Facebook general counsel Colin Stretch said 29 million US users received free Russian content, which then spread through shares and likes. Twitter has estimated at least 36,700 accounts linked to Russia had pumped out "election-related content" on its own platform.Seven Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza Tunnel
Israeli authorities said its air force had bombed a tunnel in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, near a border wall under construction. According to Gaza's ministry of health, five of the seven people killed were from the al-Quds Brigades, a militant Islamic group. Another nine people were reportedly injured in the strike.Opposition Leaders Vow Boycott of Venezuela's Next Election
Leadership of three political parties—Justice First, Democratic Action, and Popular Will—said they will not take part in December's municipal polls, claiming recent votes had been "manipulated." Julio Borges, leader of Justice First, said: "The objective remains getting Nicolas Maduro out of power, and in this struggle, the world is with us."Hundreds Refuse to Leave Papua New Guinea Refugee Camp
Around 600 refugee men are determined to remain at a detention centre on Manus Island, despite plans to shut off electricity, food, and water Tuesday. Australia refused to accept the group, though the processing centre is run on its behalf. Human rights lawyers have filed action to stop the centre's closure.Reporting by Harry Willis, Mary-Margaret Slack and Reilly Hodson.
LOCAL NEWS
An Oranga Tamariki social worker took an eight week old baby from its parents because of a suspected cannabis smell. The baby's parents, Freyja and Laurence Maisey, say there was no explanation for the social worker's actions until four days after the baby was removed from his home. Acting Manawatu regional manager for the ministry, Monica Miranda, says a temporary placement order was granted so social workers could investigate safety concerns for baby Charlie. Freyja Maisey has cerebral palsy and an arrangement had been made for the baby's father or grandfather to be with her at all times. Maisey's midwife, Annette Turner-Steele, says there was no reason for Charlie to be taken, especially considering both parents immediately took drug tests that came back clean.Climate Change Refugees May Get Special Visa
The Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw, says the government will consider creating a new visa category for people displaced by climate change. Last week the Immigration and Protection Tribunal rejected applications by families from Tuvalu to stay in New Zealand due to sea level rises. Current refugee conventions don't recognise climate change victims. Shaw says the visa would be developed in partnership with Pacific nations, and that the first target should be to avert the effects of climate change in Pacific Island nations.
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Fletcher Building employees are on strike again, demanding the company pay an appropriate living wage to firth workers. Employees from other companies are making $5 more than Fletcher workers for doing the same job. First Union representative and Fletcher employee, Mathew Oates says the company is holding a firm stance to hold control over the workers. Oates told bFM News he suspects they do not want a precedent of defiance to be created. The workers are set to continue the strikes with the support of the First Union until an agreement can be made.Pre-Genetic Screening Improves Pregnancy Rates for Older Mums
New in vitro fertilisation technology has improved pregnancy rates by by between a third and a half, a study says. The pre-implantation genetic screening study trialled 267 women between 35 and 40 years old. The technology, which involves taking a biopsy of the embryo so chromosomes and further pregnancy can be monitored, was first used in New Zealand by ReproMed. Guy Gudex, ReproMed director, said the tests are carried out in Auckland with The University of Auckland's genomic centre. Another facility, Fertility Plus, now offers the testing. As well as providing an improvement to the pregnancy rate, the technology decreased the miscarriage rate by 25 percent. Gudex said the clinic had provided the pre-implantation testing to 20 women and that the first baby is expected in January. An anonymous patient told the NZ Herald that the testing allowed her to be certain the embryo was healthy before implanted. She is now 31 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby. The study results were presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine conference yesterday.
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Thousands of people were overpaid on their superannuation or veteran's pension in the last financial year. New figures show that nearly 53,000 people were overpaid, an increase of 15,000 on the same figure five years ago. The total cost of the overpayments has not been released, but the single largest amount was over $200,000. A spokesperson for the Ministry says a number of the overpayments can be attributed to people who are also receiving a foreign pension.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
At least 200 people are reported to have died as a result of a tunnel collapsing at a nuclear test site in North Korea. An unverified Japanese media report is making the claim that the collapse took place at the Punggye-ri test site at Mount Mantap which is undergoing construction in northeastern North Korea. South Korea's Yonhap, news network are also reporting, saying the incident was the result of the ground weakening around the site following the sixth nuclear test at the same place. Seoul is warning that another missile test there could risk destruction of the facility and trigger a radiation leak. There are concerns over the geographical stability of the region after three small earthquakes occurred nearby after the blasts, with experts claiming the base is suffering from "Tired Mountain Syndrome".Almost Half of Americans Exposed to Russian Content on Facebook
Around 126 million Americans saw Facebook content created by Russia, the company disclosed. Facebook general counsel Colin Stretch said 29 million US users received free Russian content, which then spread through shares and likes. Twitter has estimated at least 36,700 accounts linked to Russia had pumped out "election-related content" on its own platform.Seven Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza Tunnel
Israeli authorities said its air force had bombed a tunnel in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, near a border wall under construction. According to Gaza's ministry of health, five of the seven people killed were from the al-Quds Brigades, a militant Islamic group. Another nine people were reportedly injured in the strike.Opposition Leaders Vow Boycott of Venezuela's Next Election
Leadership of three political parties—Justice First, Democratic Action, and Popular Will—said they will not take part in December's municipal polls, claiming recent votes had been "manipulated." Julio Borges, leader of Justice First, said: "The objective remains getting Nicolas Maduro out of power, and in this struggle, the world is with us."Hundreds Refuse to Leave Papua New Guinea Refugee Camp
Around 600 refugee men are determined to remain at a detention centre on Manus Island, despite plans to shut off electricity, food, and water Tuesday. Australia refused to accept the group, though the processing centre is run on its behalf. Human rights lawyers have filed action to stop the centre's closure.Reporting by Harry Willis, Mary-Margaret Slack and Reilly Hodson.