Nine To Noon for Thursday 20 June 2024

 

 

09:05 Impact on refugee health as NZ and global food aid spend falls

World Vision says New Zealand's spend on international food aid has fallen, contributing to global food ration cuts hitting the most vulnerable.  In a new report today, the international aid agency says drastic cuts to emergency food aid are leaving refugee populations around the world hungry and malnourished. World Vision's report shows that UN World Food Programme funding has dropped by nearly  NZ$8 billion this year,  compared with last year - and New Zealand's contribution is down by more than NZ$13 million. World Vision New Zealand National Director Grant Bayldon says this means reduced food rations, impacting not just the physical and mental health of refugees, but also with implications for child labour and child trafficking.

09:20 New cervical self test a 'game changer' but is funding being cut?

A new self test to detect cervical cancer is being hailed as a game changer, but those in the sector fear funding cuts will undermine it. The new HPV self test was introduced nationwide over six months ago. It can be done by the woman either at a health centre, or at home. It's a more accurate test, and as a result, routine screening has been extended from three to five years. Doctors say women love it and participation rates are up. But last month's budget documents for Vote Health show a $14.2 million cut in funding for the National Cervical Screening Programme which is causing concern. Kathryn speaks with Professor Bev Lawton, founder and director of Victoria University's Centre for Women's Health Research and Rachael Hart, Chief Executive of the Cancer Society. Health NZ says it is in the process of finalising its internal budget following Budget 2024.

09:35 Why using AI to ID mushrooms is a bad idea 

The use of AI to identify mushroom is increasingly concerning fungi enthusiasts.  In one example in the US,  a person used Google's Gemini generative AI chatbot, which stated a mushroom was a white button - like those in the supermarket.  But in reality it was the deadly 'destroying angel' mushroom - which can kill with just half a cap worth consumed, and without immediate medical attention.  Kenny Rupert, a North Carolina fungi forager, has noticed the rise of AI for mushroom identification among mushroom hunters - and has some scary tales. He joins Kathryn Ryan.Mycologist and senior researcher at Landcare Research here, Jerry Cooper, agrees that foragers should not trust AI to identify what is safe to eat. He says the correct ID of many fungi often relies on non-visual clues such as what tree it was growing with or what it smells like.

09:45 UK: Tories on track for worst result in 200 years, cop investigated over election bet

Correspondent Dan Bloom digs into the polling trends ahead of election day and the dismal result that looks set to be delivered to the Tories. He'll also talk about a close protection officer for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who's been arrested over alleged bets about the timing of the general election.

Dan Bloom is senior author of Politico's London Playbook 

10:05 Jono Lancaster: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Jono Lancaster was only 36 hours old when his parents abandoned him in a hospital Yorkshire. Years later, reading his adoption certificate, he learned that his parents had been "horrified" by how he looked. He had been born with a rare genetic condition - Treacher Collins syndrome - which affects craniofacial development in the womb. In Lancaster, the sporadic gene mutation meant he had no cheekbones, and "little Bart Simpson ears". It means he stands out in a crowd. Growing up, he learned to hate his face and developed unhealthy coping mechanisms as a teenager - drinking to excess and actively avoiding mirrors. Struggling in a world obsessed with looks, he became isolated. However, two unexpected encounters in early adulthood changed his life. He is now an advocate for others who look different from the 'norm' and has met kids around the world - becoming the person for them, that he needed when he was younger. Lancaster launched the Love Me, Love My Face Foundation in 2016 and is currently working on a BBC show Love My Face, and has recently published a book, Not All Heroes Wear Capes. 

10:35 Book review: The Skeleton House by Katherine Allum

Laura Caygill reviews The Skeleton House by Katherine Allum published by Fremantle Press, 'a promising first novel packed with familial tension on the Mormon Mesa'.   

10:45 Around the motu: David Williams in Christchurch

Ōtautahi/Christchurch has just hosted the Environmental Defence Society conference, which followed the huge nature march in Auckland against some Government policies. David says before the politicians turned up to the conference, it was left to public servants to explain the Government's agenda. And SailGP has quit its contract to hold next year's event on Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour.

David Williams is Newsroom's Te Waipounamu South Island Correspondent
 

11:05 Tech: Scam the scammers, Nvidia top - but for how long? and Adobe's endless subs

Technology journalist Peter Griffin looks at NetSafe's new Re:Scam tool, which aims to turn the tables on cyber crooks. He'll explain how it uses ChatGPT to lure scammers into a time-wasting conversation with a fake person. Chip maker Nvidia has surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable company - but how long could it last? AI applications are driving demand for chips, but Peter talks about new research which suggests that could drop as businesses find it doesn't add as much value as expected. And the US is taking on Adobe over subscriptions that are nearly impossible to cancel. 

Peter Griffin is a Wellington-based science and technology journalist

11:25 Is my kid old enough to watch this show?

How young is too young to watch Jaws? Or Stranger Things? What about young teens who might want to watch Euphoria? Navigating appropriate TV shows or films, has long been a nightmare for parents - but the sheer proliferation of content is making it even harder. The job of determining what rating movies or streaming content has is done by the Classification Office. And you might be surprised to find an R restriction carries legal weight - and it's an offence to allow someone under the age restriction watch or access the content. Kathryn is joined by Kate Whitaker from the Classification Office to talk about how ratings are assigned, how parents can decide whether the content is right for their child and how to use parental controls.

11:45 Screentime: Inside Out 2, Elsbeth, The End We Start From, DocEdge

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Kathryn to look at the sequel to kids film Inside Out, a new dramedy called Elsbeth that follows an unconventional New York attorney and a thriller The End We Start From starring Jodie Comer that looks at a women who gives birth right as there's a catastrophic breach of London's flood defences that wipes out much of the country. James also looks at some of his picks from this year's DocEdge festival.

James Croot is the deputy editor of TV Guide