Image: Shutterstock.com
Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.More Kiwis Suspicious of Science, Facts
New Zealand has a growing trend of science mistrust and denial according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency, responsible for environmental management and regulation, reports increasing opposition in decisions regarding fluoride, 1080, vaccinations, genetic modification and glyphosate. Environment Minister David Parker says while it is important for views to be discussed, civil society should be confident in final decisions made by experts. Agency chief executive Allan Freeth says unmoderated internet discussion is a big factor in the growing attitudes suspicious of science. He says it can be problematic as it does not allow a good understanding of why decisions are made by the agency. The rise in science cynicism is seen to coincide with a global rise in distrust of authority and institutions.Rockets Away
Aerospace company Rocket Lab is hoping to launch a rocket into space from its Mahia complex before Christmas. US-owned Rocket Lab will open a 10 day launch window from Dec. 8 to carry out the company's second test of its Electron rocket. CEO of Rocket Lab Peter Beck says it will be be an important step towards making space more accessible. Electron's first test made history, as it was the first orbital class launch vehicle to be launched from a private space facility. Beck has said Still Testing will be the first launch to be live-streamed to the public. The test launch will only proceed if weather conditions are ideal.Auckland is Getting More Expensive
Auckland motorists may be paying an extra 11.5 cents a litre for petrol next year. The fuel tax is designed to help with congestion and raise money for improving the housing crisis and reducing sewage being poured into the city's harbours. The regional tax is a key feature of Phil Goff's 10 year budget and the tax has already been approved by the government. The Automobile Association has estimated it will cost motorists an additional $125 a year. The proposed 10 year budget will be voted on by councillors next month, go for public consultation in March and come into effect in July next year.Visa Crackdown
The number of work visa being refused has gone up this year, with immigrants from India especially affected. According to official statistics, work visa refusals increased 80 percent for Indian nationals compared to an average of 42 percent across nationalities. Association of Migration and Investment policy director Richard Small says the refusals seem discriminatory. He says rejections sharply increased just before and after the election, and visa applicants were being faced with 'cut-down' methods such as unattainable time frames. Immigration New Zealand has denied any changes to the visa application assessment and says any increase in refusals is due to an increase in the volume of applications.Tainui Kaumatua outraged by Gallagher’s comments
A Tainui Kaumatua has protested William Gallagher's false Treaty of Waitangi statements by dressing in Klan robes and entering the Gallagher office headquarters. The comments made by Gallagher last friday are historically inaccurate and promote a narrative detrimental to the Treaty relationship, he says. Timi Maipi of Rahui Pokeka spoke to Radio Watea saying Gallagher’s comments are not the kind of behaviour expected or tolerated of another Kaumatua. He said his protest comes out of concern for Waikato Tainui children and if Sir William's rant continued, he would be back at the office.Redesigning NZ Health Access
A new online medical service is designed to help people in rural areas. The project has been funded by the Ministry of Health and ACC. Navilluso Medical, led by Dr Lance O'Sullivan, will use the funding to develop a model which aims to redesign health access for people in isolated areas. The service sees "digital health deputies" using iPads and software to examine patients remotely. They can be prescribed medications which can be immediately sent to local pharmacies. Services in Patea and Kaitaia opened earlier this year and Dr O'Sullivan says the response shows the importance of redesigning health access.Human Trafficking Rife in Libya
Hundreds of African refugees are being sold as slaves across Libya. A human trafficker who spoke to Al Jazeera, says the refugees who aren't held at ransom are often killed or sold into prostitution. A morgue in southern Libya is overflowing with corpses and the World Health Organisation has been called on for help. The WHO has not yet responded to aid requests. Libya is a main transit hub for African refugees and migrants attempting to reach Southern Europe.Fiji Attempts to Tackle Violence Against Women
A zero tolerance approach is being implemented in the Pacific in response to gender-based violence.The Fiji and Tonga Women and Children's crisis centres along with the Australian Federal Police are in Fiji this week to train the police how best to deal with survivors of gender-based violence. Fiji Crisis Centre's Shamima Ali said frontline police often pressure women to reconcile relationships when they come forward with reports of violence. The zero tolerance approach is seeking to improve the police's response to gender-based violence by promoting more gender equality based responses.Hong Kongers are Getting Fatter
Half of the Hong Kong population aged 15 or older are obese or overweight. A survey of more than 12,000 people found that the number of people drinking and consuming salt has increased. More than 86 percent were consuming too much salt, with nearly 50 percent having high cholesterol and 60 percent suffering from one or more conditions such as cholesterol and diabetes. The number of overweight people has increased from 17.8 percent to 20.8 percent, with obesity increasing from 21 percent to 29.9 percent. Director of Health Constance Chan Hon-Yee said a rise in alcohol consumption was also to blame and of great concern. Hon-Yee noted 80 percent of heart diseases could be prevented by having a healthier diet, increasing physical activity and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco.Additional reporting: Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves
LOCAL NEWS
New Zealand has a growing trend of science mistrust and denial according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency, responsible for environmental management and regulation, reports increasing opposition in decisions regarding fluoride, 1080, vaccinations, genetic modification and glyphosate. Environment Minister David Parker says while it is important for views to be discussed, civil society should be confident in final decisions made by experts. Agency chief executive Allan Freeth says unmoderated internet discussion is a big factor in the growing attitudes suspicious of science. He says it can be problematic as it does not allow a good understanding of why decisions are made by the agency. The rise in science cynicism is seen to coincide with a global rise in distrust of authority and institutions.Rockets Away
Aerospace company Rocket Lab is hoping to launch a rocket into space from its Mahia complex before Christmas. US-owned Rocket Lab will open a 10 day launch window from Dec. 8 to carry out the company's second test of its Electron rocket. CEO of Rocket Lab Peter Beck says it will be be an important step towards making space more accessible. Electron's first test made history, as it was the first orbital class launch vehicle to be launched from a private space facility. Beck has said Still Testing will be the first launch to be live-streamed to the public. The test launch will only proceed if weather conditions are ideal.
Advertisement
Auckland motorists may be paying an extra 11.5 cents a litre for petrol next year. The fuel tax is designed to help with congestion and raise money for improving the housing crisis and reducing sewage being poured into the city's harbours. The regional tax is a key feature of Phil Goff's 10 year budget and the tax has already been approved by the government. The Automobile Association has estimated it will cost motorists an additional $125 a year. The proposed 10 year budget will be voted on by councillors next month, go for public consultation in March and come into effect in July next year.Visa Crackdown
The number of work visa being refused has gone up this year, with immigrants from India especially affected. According to official statistics, work visa refusals increased 80 percent for Indian nationals compared to an average of 42 percent across nationalities. Association of Migration and Investment policy director Richard Small says the refusals seem discriminatory. He says rejections sharply increased just before and after the election, and visa applicants were being faced with 'cut-down' methods such as unattainable time frames. Immigration New Zealand has denied any changes to the visa application assessment and says any increase in refusals is due to an increase in the volume of applications.Tainui Kaumatua outraged by Gallagher’s comments
A Tainui Kaumatua has protested William Gallagher's false Treaty of Waitangi statements by dressing in Klan robes and entering the Gallagher office headquarters. The comments made by Gallagher last friday are historically inaccurate and promote a narrative detrimental to the Treaty relationship, he says. Timi Maipi of Rahui Pokeka spoke to Radio Watea saying Gallagher’s comments are not the kind of behaviour expected or tolerated of another Kaumatua. He said his protest comes out of concern for Waikato Tainui children and if Sir William's rant continued, he would be back at the office.
Advertisement
A new online medical service is designed to help people in rural areas. The project has been funded by the Ministry of Health and ACC. Navilluso Medical, led by Dr Lance O'Sullivan, will use the funding to develop a model which aims to redesign health access for people in isolated areas. The service sees "digital health deputies" using iPads and software to examine patients remotely. They can be prescribed medications which can be immediately sent to local pharmacies. Services in Patea and Kaitaia opened earlier this year and Dr O'Sullivan says the response shows the importance of redesigning health access.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Hundreds of African refugees are being sold as slaves across Libya. A human trafficker who spoke to Al Jazeera, says the refugees who aren't held at ransom are often killed or sold into prostitution. A morgue in southern Libya is overflowing with corpses and the World Health Organisation has been called on for help. The WHO has not yet responded to aid requests. Libya is a main transit hub for African refugees and migrants attempting to reach Southern Europe.Fiji Attempts to Tackle Violence Against Women
A zero tolerance approach is being implemented in the Pacific in response to gender-based violence.The Fiji and Tonga Women and Children's crisis centres along with the Australian Federal Police are in Fiji this week to train the police how best to deal with survivors of gender-based violence. Fiji Crisis Centre's Shamima Ali said frontline police often pressure women to reconcile relationships when they come forward with reports of violence. The zero tolerance approach is seeking to improve the police's response to gender-based violence by promoting more gender equality based responses.Hong Kongers are Getting Fatter
Half of the Hong Kong population aged 15 or older are obese or overweight. A survey of more than 12,000 people found that the number of people drinking and consuming salt has increased. More than 86 percent were consuming too much salt, with nearly 50 percent having high cholesterol and 60 percent suffering from one or more conditions such as cholesterol and diabetes. The number of overweight people has increased from 17.8 percent to 20.8 percent, with obesity increasing from 21 percent to 29.9 percent. Director of Health Constance Chan Hon-Yee said a rise in alcohol consumption was also to blame and of great concern. Hon-Yee noted 80 percent of heart diseases could be prevented by having a healthier diet, increasing physical activity and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco.Additional reporting: Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves