Donald Trump has been elected as the next president of the United States, three people have been charged following the death of a woman whose body was found in a bag in Auckland's Gulf Harbour, and the Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced to Parliament.
1 Trump wins White House in comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.
The victory validates his bare-knuckle approach to politics. He attacked Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in deeply personal – often misogynistic and racist – terms as he pushed an apocalyptic picture of a country overrun by violent migrants. The coarse rhetoric, paired with an image of hypermasculinity, resonated with angry voters – particularly men – in a deeply polarised nation.
2 Gulf Harbour death: 3 charged with kidnapping, manslaughter
Three people have been charged with kidnapping and manslaughter following the death of a woman whose body was found in a bag in the water in Auckland's Gulf Harbour earlier this year.
The body of 70-year-old Chinese woman Shulai Wang was found in a black rubbish bag in the water in Gulf Harbour on March 12. She was only identified last month.
A 37-year-old man and two women - aged 36 and 61 - were arrested at a home in Orewa this morning, Acting Detective Inspector Tim Williams said.
The trio have been charged with kidnapping and manslaughter.
3 Treaty Principles Bill introduced to Parliament
The Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced to Parliament – and will have its first reading next Thursday, November 14.
The bill was originally set to be introduced on November 18. After it was revealed its introduction was being brought forward the Waitangi Tribunal released the second part of its interim report into the bill on Tuesday.
When it is debated in Parliament next week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not be in the country.
4 Weather: Summer arrives early this weekend — with a bit of rain
A "taste of summer" is on the way, particularly for those who live in eastern parts of the country, according to the latest forecast.
Temperatures could exceed 30C as New Zealand heads into the weekend thanks to an Australian heatwave being pushed across the Tasman.
"We are going to get a taste of summer for the rest of this week and for much of the country, even into the weekend… and this is coming from Australia," NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino said in a video update.
5 Liam Payne's death investigation sparks raids on homes
Liam Payne's death investigation has reportedly sparked raids on the homes of two hotel employees and a "friend" of the tragic singer.
The 31-year-old former One Direction star fell to his death on October 16 from the balcony of his room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, and it is now said police investigating his shock passing in Argentina have stepped up their probe into his passing.
Law enforcement sources have told TMZ raids on two hotel workers were carried out on Tuesday night (local time), with the outlet also claiming lockers of the staffers at the hotel where Liam died were also searched.
AUSSIE BEACH MYSTERY SOLVED
Testing has revealed that hundreds of materials from household fats to human hair made up the thousands of mysterious black balls that washed up on some of Sydney's most popular beaches.
But where they came from remains a mystery.
ONE 'WONDERFUL' AUCTION
A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz is on the auction block nearly two decades after a thief stole the iconic shoes, convinced they were adorned with real jewels.
Online bidding has started and will continue through December 7, Heritage Auctions in Dallas announced in a news release yesterday.
The auction company received the sequin-and-bead-bedazzled slippers from Michael Shaw, the memorabilia collector who originally owned the footwear at the heart of the beloved 1939 musical. Shaw had loaned the shoes in 2005 to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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