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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Destiny Church Charities Get the Boot
Two of Destiny Church's charities will be removed from the charities register next month after they failed to meet annual returns obligations. Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings are the church's two biggest charities. The Charities Registration Board had issued a series of warnings to Destiny Church, and board chair Roger Holmes Miller said it was in the public interest to remove the charities from the register. The two charities have been given time until December 20 to appeal the decision to the High court. If they are deregistered, both charities will have to immediately pay a 28 per cent tax on net assets - a sum which would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.“Momma Doof” Guilty of Illegal Partying
A Christchurch woman, nicknamed "Momma Doof", has pleaded not guilty to letting unlicensed premises be used for the consumption of alcohol. Theresa Soper threw notorious parties at her property for up to 400 teenagers, one of which had to be broken up by riot police earlier this month. She was charging around $15 on the door to cover costs like security. This morning, Soper told the judge she didn’t know what she was doing was illegal.Police Go After Malcolm Rewa for Murder
Police are attempting to lift a stay of prosecution and re-try Malcolm Rewa for the third time, for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett. If it goes ahead, it will be the first time the stay has lifted in NZ’s legal system. Burdett was raped and killed in her home in 1992. Initially, police went after Teina Pora for the murder—he was wrongfully convicted for the crime and spent 20 years in prison before the conviction was overturned. Now, police are looking to bring a case against Rewa for the third time, after two failed prosecutions. The decision will be made by the High Court.Mussels to Restore Gulf Waters
An environmental group is planning to put more than 50 tonnes of mussels in the Mahurangi Harbour. "Revive Our Gulf" plans to build up mussel reefs, which can help clean up water and work as nurseries for juvenile fish. Project manager Peter van Kampen says 1200 square kilometres of mussel reefs used to exist in the Hauraki Gulf. The group is working with government, iwi, the aquaculture industry and Auckland University at five sites around the harbour.Chemical Spill at Auckland Airport
Five fire crews and a hazardous chemical unit have been called to the Air New Zealand Cargo building at Auckland Airport this morning, following a mystery chemical leak. People who inhaled the fumes are currently under medical examination. A spokesperson for Auckland Airport says the spill would not disrupt flights.Australia to Legalise Euthanasia
The Australian state of Victoria is to become the first country to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. After a 28-hour marathon sitting, the state government passed with 22-18 votes in Victoria's upper house. As amendments were made to the voluntary assisted dying bill, the bill must return to the lower house for ratification before becoming law. Amendments made include, halving the time frame for eligible patients from 12 months to live, to 6 months to live. Under the legislation, the patients must be over 18, of sound mind and have lived in Victoria for at least 12 months. Once the legislation is passed, patients with intolerable pain will have the right to choose a doctor-assisted death from 2019.Lebanese Prime Minister Suspends Resignation
Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, said he is suspending his resignation that he announced two weeks ago from Saudi Arabia. Hariri's surprise resignation on November 4 prompted fears he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia and forced to leave office. Hariri denies that Saudi Arabia forced him to resign. Lebanon is centre-stage in the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The postponement will offer the Lebanese a brief respite, many of whom are struggling from the war in Syria and the influx of a large refugee population. Hariri initially resigned because of alleged threats to his life. Hariri’s father, Rafik, the former Prime Minister was killed in a car bombing in Beirut in 2005. He holds both Lebanese and Saudi citizenship, where he has substantial business investments.Female Motorcycle Squad to Take Over Delhi
An all-female motorcycle squad has been created in Delhi, India, to tackle the rising crime against women. The patrol will launch in December, with 600 female officers deployed on motorbikes. It is hoped that the presence of the female officers will deter offenders and reassure women. However, research has shown that women who do report crimes are routinely harassed by police or bullied into silence. A poll conducted by Thomson Reuters Foundation in October found that Delhi and Sao Paulo, Brazil are the world's worst cities for sexual violence against women.Mladic Sentenced to Life
Former Bosnian Serb Commander, Ratko Mladic has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. The military leader was convicted of contributing to the genocide which resulted in the murder of 7,000 Bosnian men and boys. Troops under his command committed heinous crimes and the judge ruled there was intent to eliminate the Muslim community. The verdict however, did not declare genocidal intent in the 6 other districts affected during the Balkan conflict. Mladic has denied all charges.Not a crisis, says Schäuble
Prominent political figures across Germany are saying concern over the break down of coalition talks is over-exaggerated. The fragmented election outcome has made it difficult to reach consensus for a coalition, but Merkel's government is still stable and working. President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble says the extraordinary situation is a test but not a crisis of state. Johannes Kars of the Social Democrats, part of the current coalition, says the debate of what to do with election results should be part of any democracy.Additional reporting: Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves
LOCAL NEWS
Two of Destiny Church's charities will be removed from the charities register next month after they failed to meet annual returns obligations. Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings are the church's two biggest charities. The Charities Registration Board had issued a series of warnings to Destiny Church, and board chair Roger Holmes Miller said it was in the public interest to remove the charities from the register. The two charities have been given time until December 20 to appeal the decision to the High court. If they are deregistered, both charities will have to immediately pay a 28 per cent tax on net assets - a sum which would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.“Momma Doof” Guilty of Illegal Partying
A Christchurch woman, nicknamed "Momma Doof", has pleaded not guilty to letting unlicensed premises be used for the consumption of alcohol. Theresa Soper threw notorious parties at her property for up to 400 teenagers, one of which had to be broken up by riot police earlier this month. She was charging around $15 on the door to cover costs like security. This morning, Soper told the judge she didn’t know what she was doing was illegal.
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Police are attempting to lift a stay of prosecution and re-try Malcolm Rewa for the third time, for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett. If it goes ahead, it will be the first time the stay has lifted in NZ’s legal system. Burdett was raped and killed in her home in 1992. Initially, police went after Teina Pora for the murder—he was wrongfully convicted for the crime and spent 20 years in prison before the conviction was overturned. Now, police are looking to bring a case against Rewa for the third time, after two failed prosecutions. The decision will be made by the High Court.Mussels to Restore Gulf Waters
An environmental group is planning to put more than 50 tonnes of mussels in the Mahurangi Harbour. "Revive Our Gulf" plans to build up mussel reefs, which can help clean up water and work as nurseries for juvenile fish. Project manager Peter van Kampen says 1200 square kilometres of mussel reefs used to exist in the Hauraki Gulf. The group is working with government, iwi, the aquaculture industry and Auckland University at five sites around the harbour.Chemical Spill at Auckland Airport
Five fire crews and a hazardous chemical unit have been called to the Air New Zealand Cargo building at Auckland Airport this morning, following a mystery chemical leak. People who inhaled the fumes are currently under medical examination. A spokesperson for Auckland Airport says the spill would not disrupt flights.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Australian state of Victoria is to become the first country to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. After a 28-hour marathon sitting, the state government passed with 22-18 votes in Victoria's upper house. As amendments were made to the voluntary assisted dying bill, the bill must return to the lower house for ratification before becoming law. Amendments made include, halving the time frame for eligible patients from 12 months to live, to 6 months to live. Under the legislation, the patients must be over 18, of sound mind and have lived in Victoria for at least 12 months. Once the legislation is passed, patients with intolerable pain will have the right to choose a doctor-assisted death from 2019.Lebanese Prime Minister Suspends Resignation
Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, said he is suspending his resignation that he announced two weeks ago from Saudi Arabia. Hariri's surprise resignation on November 4 prompted fears he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia and forced to leave office. Hariri denies that Saudi Arabia forced him to resign. Lebanon is centre-stage in the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The postponement will offer the Lebanese a brief respite, many of whom are struggling from the war in Syria and the influx of a large refugee population. Hariri initially resigned because of alleged threats to his life. Hariri’s father, Rafik, the former Prime Minister was killed in a car bombing in Beirut in 2005. He holds both Lebanese and Saudi citizenship, where he has substantial business investments.Female Motorcycle Squad to Take Over Delhi
An all-female motorcycle squad has been created in Delhi, India, to tackle the rising crime against women. The patrol will launch in December, with 600 female officers deployed on motorbikes. It is hoped that the presence of the female officers will deter offenders and reassure women. However, research has shown that women who do report crimes are routinely harassed by police or bullied into silence. A poll conducted by Thomson Reuters Foundation in October found that Delhi and Sao Paulo, Brazil are the world's worst cities for sexual violence against women.Mladic Sentenced to Life
Former Bosnian Serb Commander, Ratko Mladic has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. The military leader was convicted of contributing to the genocide which resulted in the murder of 7,000 Bosnian men and boys. Troops under his command committed heinous crimes and the judge ruled there was intent to eliminate the Muslim community. The verdict however, did not declare genocidal intent in the 6 other districts affected during the Balkan conflict. Mladic has denied all charges.Not a crisis, says Schäuble
Prominent political figures across Germany are saying concern over the break down of coalition talks is over-exaggerated. The fragmented election outcome has made it difficult to reach consensus for a coalition, but Merkel's government is still stable and working. President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble says the extraordinary situation is a test but not a crisis of state. Johannes Kars of the Social Democrats, part of the current coalition, says the debate of what to do with election results should be part of any democracy.Additional reporting: Darashpreet Johal, Jenn Tamati & Leah Garcia-Purves