TONIGHT ON ONE NEWS ` THE POPE'S FINAL FAREWELL. ROYALS AND REFUGESS SET TO COME TOGETHER FOR THE FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS. AS THE FAITHFUL SAY LAST GOODBYES, THE COFFIN IS SEALED. WE'RE LIVE TO ROME. ALL SMILES AS RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS TRUMP'S ENVOY. WHAT THE LATEST NEGOTIATIONS MEAN FOR THE CHANCES OF PEACE IN UKRAINE. AND A NEW TWIST IN THE TALE OF MISSING DACHSHUND, VALERIE, LOST IN THE AUSTRALIAN WILDERNESS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. CAPTIONS BY JOHN GIBBS AND KATE MCCULLOUGH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2025 KIA ORA, GOOD EVENING. AN ARRAY OF INVITEES, FROM ROYALTY AND HEADS OF STATE AS WELL AS REFUGEES, PRISONERS AND THE HOMELESS ARE SET TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS. AROUND 200,000 PEOPLE WILL BE THERE, WITH BILLIONS MORE WATCHING ON. THE POPE'S LYING IN STATE HAS CONCLUDED INSIDE ST PETER'S BASILICA. THE FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE IN ST PETER'S SQUARE, BEGINNING AT 8pm NEW ZEALAND TIME ` 10am IN ITALY. MORE THAN 150 HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT AMONG THE GUESTS. AFTER THE SERVICE'S CONCLUDING PRAYER, A PROCESSION WILL TRAVEL 7.5km AT WALKING PACE, WITH CROWDS EXPECTED TO GATHER ALONG THE ROUTE TO ST MARY MAJOR BASILICA, OUTSIDE THE VATICAN WALLS IN THE CENTRE OF ROME. HE'LL BE BURIED IN THE EVENING IN A SIMPLE TOMB, INSCRIBED WITH JUST HIS CHOSEN NAME IN LATIN, FRANCISCUS. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THESE LIVE PICTURES, CROWDS ARE BEGINNING TO GATHER AT ST PETER'S SQUARE. CROWDS ARE BEGINNING TO GATHER AT ST PETER'S SQUARE. THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING THEIR WAY AND SINCE JUST AFTER DAWN. A PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR EASTER BROUGHT THE LEUNG-WAIS TO ROME. BUT NOW THIS AUCKLAND FAMILY HAS A NEW MISSION ` PAYING TRIBUTE TO POPE FRANCIS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US, AND I WILL DEFINITELY KEEP THIS AS SOMETHING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. (LAUGHS) YEAH. THE SIBLINGS LINED UP WITH THE MASSES TO SEE THE PONTIFF LYING IN STATE. IT WAS REALLY EMOTIONAL AND MOVING AND SAD AT THE SAME TIME, BUT ALSO, REALLY IMPORTANT AND BEAUTIFUL JUST TO SEE HIM THERE. AND IT'S STILL SURREAL TO ME THAT I'M IN ROME. SHE MET THE POPE AT A CATHOLIC YOUTH EVENT IN POLAND NINE YEARS AGO. HER SISTER WAS ALSO AT THE EVENT. WE WERE ONLY MEANT TO WALK WITH POPE FRANCIS, BUT HE ENDED UP CHANGING THE PLAN, TELLING` SHAKING OUR HEADS, BUT HE ENDED UP CHANGING THE PLAN, TELLING` SHAKING OUR HANDS, TELLING US TO GO ON THE POPEMOBILE, GOING ON A RIDE. SO YOU'VE BEEN ON THE POPEMOBILE? I'VE BEEN ON THE POPEMOBILE. SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED IN ROME TO FARWELL THE PONTIFF ` THE LEUNG-WAIS WILL BE AMONG THEM. I DO FEEL LIKE REPRESENTING OCEANIA AND THOSE WHO CAN'T MAKE IT, THAT I'M HERE. SO PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME WHERE WE'RE FROM, WE SAY NEW ZEALAND OR SAMOA. A SMALL GROUP OF CATHOLIC NEW ZEALANDERS WILL BE AT THE POPE'S FUNERAL, INCLUDING SOME WHO LIVE HERE IN ROME IN CHURCH ROLES. CARDINAL JOHN DEW WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE BEFORE REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND IN THE CONCLAVE PROCESS TO ELECT THE NEXT POPE. MOST PEOPLE SAY ANYONE WHO LOOKS FOR THE JOB AND WANTS THE JOB WOULD NOT BE THE RIGHT PERSON. HE HAS SOME PEOPLE IN MIND, BUT FOR NOW IS FOCUSED ON THE FUNERAL. LAST NIGHT, THE POPE'S FACE WAS COVERED WITH A WHITE SILK VEIL, AND HIS BODY SPRINKLED WITH HOLY WATER. A BAG OF COINS MINTED DURING HIS PAPACY, AND A DOCUMENT ABOUT HIS SERVICE WAS PLACED IN THE COFFIN BEFORE IT WAS SEALED ` THE RITE ENDING THREE DAYS OF PUBLIC VIEWING. AND I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE LINING UP TO GO INTO THE BASILICA TO SEE THE POPE'S BODY. I THOUGHT, THIS IS JUST SAYING SOMETHING INCREDIBLE ABOUT HIM AND THE WAY PEOPLE HELD HIM IN SUCH ESTEEM. MANY MORE WILL BE PAYING THEIR FINAL RESPECTS TODAY. THE VATICAN EXPECTING SCENES NOT WITNESSED SINCE THE FUNERAL OF JOHN PAUL II 20 YEARS AGO. KATE NICOL-WILLIAMS, ONE NEWS, ROME. WHAT IS THE LATEST THERE? EXTRA ORDINARY SCENES HERE AND THE HEART OF ROME, WE ARE IN THE VATICAN CITY AND EVERYWHERE YOU CAN LOOK , CROWDS ARE PACKING THE STREETS YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE ALL LINING UP, AND THEY ARE SLOWLY LETTING PEOPLE IN ONE BY ONE, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS PEOPLE HERE FROM ALL OF THE WORLD, PEOPLE WAVING FLAGS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GETTING UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, CAMPING OVERNIGHT, JUST TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO POPE FRANCIS. THERE IS A BIG SECURITY OPERATION. LOTS OF GLOBAL DIGNITARIES HAVE ARRIVED, NOT JUST TODAY BUT OVERNIGHT, THERE IS SOME SUGGESTION THAT DONALD TRUMP IS COMING, HE'S SITTING ON THE BACK AND REPORTEDLY UNHAPPY ABOUT IT, RELIGIOUS ROYALTY MAKES UP THE FRONT ROW, THEN BEHIND THEM ROYALTY, THEN BEHIND THEM WILL BE OTHER WORLD LEADERS, THEN THERE WILL BE THE ARGENTINIAN PRESIDENT AND THE ITALIAN PRESIDENT, AND THEN BEHIND THEM WORLD LEADERS WILL BE SET SET IN THE FRENCH ALPHABETICAL ORDER, SO ZELENSKYY AND TRUMP PROBABLY WON'T BE NEXT TO EACH OTHER, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOME TENSION THERE RELATING TO THE UKRAINE WAR. THE PROCESSION ADDS AN EXTRA LAYER OF SECURITY, DOESN'T IT? JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE PACKED INTO ONE SPOT, THAT ADDS AN EXTRA COMP CASE AND TO THE SECURITY PEOPLE, THAT TO DEAL WITH ROOFTOPS, THEY'RE HAVING TO BRING IN BOMB SQUADS, WE'VE SEEN DOGS AND THE ARMY BROUGHT AN WITH QUITE INTENSE ANTI-DRONE DEVICES, IT ADDS A COMPLICATION WITH THAT FUNERAL PROCESSION, BUT IT'S A PROCESSION LIKE NO OTHER FOR A POPE LIKE NO OTHER. MEANWHILE, MANY HERE ALSO HAVE PLANS TO WATCH THE FUNERAL ` SOME CHURCHES HOLDING SPECIAL SERVICES AS A FINAL FAREWELL FOR THE PONTIFF. JACOB JOHNSON REPORTS. A SATURDAY MORNING MASS AT THE FLATBUSH CHURCH IN AUCKLAND REMEMBERING THE POPE. THE WHOLE WORLD COMES TOGETHER TO WITNESS THE FINAL HOURS OF OUR LOVED LEADER, POPE FRANCIS. MANY HERE ALSO SETTING ASIDE THE EVENING FOR HIS FUNERAL. WE'LL DEFINITELY BE WATCHING. WE'D LIKE TO WATCH TOGETHER, YEAH. FOR THE KIDS AS WELL. THAT INCLUDES THIS RETIRED BISHOP WHO MET THE PONTIFF SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY IN SINGAPORE. AND I SAID TO HIM, HOLY FATHER, I'M BISHOP PETER BROWN 'FROM AMERICAN SAMOA.' AND HE LAUGHED, AND SAID, 'YES, I KNOW, I SENT YOU THERE.' (LAUGHTER) THE TRADITION IS, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL HIS FUNERAL, AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE SOMETHING MORE PUBLIC, AND SO THIS` MY IDEA WAS TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO RECOGNISE THAT WE ARE MOURNING ALSO. HE SAYS THE POPE'S SENSE OF HUMOUR AND WARMTH ALWAYS STUCK OUT TO HIM. IT'S JUST A VERY FATHERLY TYPE OF PRESENCE ABOUT HIM THAT WE REALLY ENJOYED WHEN MEETING TOGETHER WITH HIM. IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, SIMILAR SERVICES HELD TODAY, WITH AN INTIMATE GATHERING AT THIS WELLINGTON CHAPEL. THE SISTERHOOD HERE HAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POPE, IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEIR FOUNDER, MERI HOHEPA SUZANNE AUBERT, RECOGNISED AS NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST SAINT. BECAUSE WE'RE FAR AWAY, AND WE'RE A VERY SMALL NEW ZEALAND CONGREGATION AND WE'RE NOT WORLD-KNOWN. POPE FRANCIS, DECLARING HER VENERABLE IN 2016, AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE ON THE PATH TO SAINTHOOD. IT'S A MISSION MARGARET ANNE MILLS TOOK TO THE PONTIFF WHEN VISITING HIM. IN MY POCKET, I'VE GOT A PICTURE OF MARY HOHEPA SUZANNE AUBERT, AND WHEN I ENGAGED WITH POPE FRANCIS, YOU KNOW, HE'S LOOKING AT ME, AND THEN I GO, 'LOOK, LOOK.' AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL, BECAUSE IN HIS EYES, THERE'S THIS RECOGNITION. HE ALWAYS KNEW NAMES, DATES, EVENTS, EVERYTHING. ARCHBISHOP GABOR PINTER KNEW THE POPE WELL, SERVING AS THE VATICAN'S AMBASSADOR IN BELARUS, HONDURAS AND NOW HERE IN AOTEAROA. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, AND FOR ME, I'M KIND OF SURPRISED, THE REACTION OF THE WHOLE SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND. NOT ONLY THAT, THEY KNEW WHO WAS THE POPE, BUT ALSO MANY OF THEM, THEY HAVE FOLLOWED HIS TEACHING. HE'LL BE WATCHING TONIGHT, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER DEVOUT CATHOLICS HERE CELEBRATING THE POPE'S LIFE. JACOB JOHNSON, 1 NEWS. AND THE FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS IS BEING LIVE STREAMED ON 1 NEWS ` YOU CAN WATCH IT ON 1NEWS.CO.NZ AND ON TVNZ+, BEGINNING FROM 8PM TONIGHT. TO OTHER NEWS NOW, ROUND 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR FIRST SPECIALIST APPOINTMENTS BASED ON FIGURES FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH, WITH SOME EXPERTS SAYING THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THINGS SO BAD. BUT HEALTH NEW ZEALAND SAYS THE TIDE HAS FINALLY STARTED TO TURN, AND PROGRESS IS BEING MADE. HERE'S JESSICA RODEN'S EXCLUSIVE REPORT. RESIDENTS IN THE TOP OF THE SOUTH ARE WAITING THE LONGEST IN THE COUNTRY TO SEE SPECIALISTS. THIS WOMAN WAITED 18 MONTHS FOR HERNIA SURGERY ` SHE WAS FINALLY GIVEN A DATE FOR LAST NOVEMBER THAT SHE COULDN'T MAKE. BUT I GOT REBOOKED FOR FEBRUARY, AND EVENTUALLY GOT TO HAVE MY SURGERY, AND EVERYTHING WAS GREAT, AND 10 DAYS POST-OP, UNFORTUNATELY, I LEANED BACK IN SOMEBODY'S ARMCHAIR AND WENT FLYING BACK MORE THAN I ANTICIPATED, AND I FELT MY WOUND RIP. DESPITE NOW BEING IN A LOT OF PAIN, SHE'S BEEN TOLD SHE'LL BE SEEN WITHIN FIVE MONTHS. THE SYSTEM NATIONWIDE IS UNDER STRAIN. REDUCING WAIT TIMES IS AMONG THE GOVERNMENT'S FIVE HEALTH TARGETS. WE SAW CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN DEMAND IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND WE'RE NOW SEEING THAT THAT APPEARS TO HAVE PLATEAUED, AND CERTAINLY IN RECENT WEEKS TO MONTHS, WE HAVE SEEN A NET REDUCTION. SOME SAY THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN. I HAVE A PATIENT WHO HAD CANCER, BASICALLY, AND I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS TYPE OF CANCER. HER REFERRAL TOOK OVER SIX MONTHS TO BE SEEN. BUT SOME AREN'T REFERRED AT ALL. MANY OF THEM ARE BEING DECLINED, AND A RESULT OF THAT IS OFTEN A GP WILL NOT EVEN BOTHER SENDING A REFERRAL IN. THE FLOW-ON EFFECTS OF DELAYS ARE HUGE FOR PATIENTS. THEY WILL BE IN CONSIDERABLE PAIN, DISCOMFORT. THEY MAY BE STRUGGLING TO HOLD DOWN A JOB. YOU KNOW, THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE IS SEVERELY AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THIS. OF COURSE, THEN THE GP NEEDS TO MANAGE THAT PATIENT, AND THEY'RE OFTEN MANAGING PATIENTS WHO THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY EQUIPPED TO MANAGE. WORK IS UNDERWAY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES. IT'S NOT AS QUICK AS ANY OF US WANT. AND THE REDUCTIONS YET ARE NOT AS BIG AS WE NEED, BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WAIT LISTS ARE BEING REVIEWED, AND 10,000 PROCEDURES ARE BEING OUTSOURCED. PRIVATE HOSPITALS ONLY HAVE LIMITED EXTRA CAPACITY, AND ALSO THE COST PER PROCEDURE TO THE TAXPAYER IS HIGHER. THE COST TO PATIENTS LANGUISHING ON WAIT LISTS EVEN HIGHER STILL. JESSICA RODEN, ONE NEWS. SUBSIDISED RENT AND GROCERY VOUCHERS ARE JUST SOME OF THE WAYS LANDLORDS ARE TRYING TO GET TENANTS AS RENTAL LISTING LEVELS HIT A RECORD HIGH. BUT WHILE OVERSUPPLY IS CAUSING REDUCED RENT IN SOME AREAS, OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE SEEING PRICES RISE. JORDYN RUDD HAS MORE. THIS WELLINGTON RENTAL HAS SAT EMPTY FOR SIX WEEKS. IT WAS RENTED OUT FOR $1,200 A WEEK EARLIER THIS YEAR. NOW IT'S ADVERTISED AT $650. REALLY QUITE STRESSFUL. I MEAN, WE'VE HAD, THE LAST FEW YEARS, BIG INCREASES IN COSTS FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS. VERY HARD TO GET, UH, GET TENANTS. UH, WE'VE GOT INVESTORS WHO ARE ENTICING TENANTS INTO PROPERTIES ALL SORTS OF WAYS. IT'S A RENTERS MARKET, WITH THE NUMBER OF LISTINGS THE HIGHEST SEEN IN TEN YEARS. WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING THE COUNTRY, SO THAT'S FREEING UP SOME OF THOSE RENTAL PROPERTIES. IT'S QUITE HARD TO SELL PROPERTIES AT THE MOMENT AND TO GET THOSE ASKING PRICES. SO THOSE PROPERTIES THAT AREN'T SELLING ARE BEING PUT BACK INTO THAT RENTAL POOL. YEAR ON YEAR COMPARISONS SHOW LISTINGS UP BY 41%, ACCORDING TO TRADE ME PROPERTY, WHILE THE MEDIAN RENT HAS FALLEN 2.3% TO $635 A WEEK, FORCING LANDLORDS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN THE INCENTIVE OF AN ADDED FREE WEEK OF RENT UP FRONT, GROCERY VOUCHERS, I THINK SOMEONE MENTIONED TO ME A FREE TELEVISION UPGRADE, ALL THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. SO PEOPLE ARE REALLY GETTING QUITE CREATIVE TO BE ABLE TO FILL THEIR RENTAL PROPERTIES. A LOT OF LANDLORDS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND TENANTS, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE PUTTING RENTS DOWN. IT'S BETTER TO HAVE SOMEONE IN AT A LOWER RENT THAN TO HAVE AN EMPTY PROPERTY SITTING THERE WAITING. BUT RENT HASN'T DROPPED IN ALL AREAS ` NELSON TASMAN MEDIAN WEEKLY RENT HAS REACHED A RECORD HIGH OF $600, WHILE OTAGO'S INCREASED BY 5% TO $630 AND WAIKATO'S UP BY 2.7%. WE DON'T REALLY WANT THESE RECENT STATISTICS TO DOWNPLAY THE REALITY THAT IT'S STILL VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE MIGHT BE A BIT MORE POWER ON THE SIDE OF THE TENANT, WHICH IS GREAT. IT'S CERTAINLY OCCUPYING SOME HEAD SPACE AND, YOU KNOW, A BIT OF STRESS THAT I'D RATHER NOT HAVE. IT'S HIS RENTAL SPACE HE'D RATHER BE OCCUPIED AS THE MARKET LEANS IN TENANTS FAVOUR. JORDYN RUDD, 1 NEWS. IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WAS MANAGED. PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS FOR PHASE TWO OF THE INQUIRY CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. THE FOCUS OF THE INQUIRY LOOKS AT THE USE OF VACCINES, MANDATES LOCK-DOWNS AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH TOOLS. THE INQUIRY CHAIR GRANT ILLINGWORTH KC SAYS HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC IS VITAL TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT PEOPLE THINK SHOULD BE DONE NEXT TIME. A MURI AKE NEI, JUST AHEAD ` AS RUSSIA BLAMES KYIV FOR KILLING A GENERAL IN A CAR EXPLOSION NEAR MOSCOW, UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO THE LATEST U.S-LED PEACE NEGOTIATIONS AT THE KREMLIN. AND VIRGINIA GIUFFRE, ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ACCUSERS OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN AND PRINCE ANDREW, HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. (FUNKY MUSIC) VOICEOVER: Deals so good they're out of this wooooorld. Get stellar savings on any satellite ready phone when you buy interest-free on an eligible Pay Monthly plan. TXT in the middle of nowhere. Only with One New Zealand. HOKI MAI ANO, WELCOME BACK. A SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICER HAS BEEN KILLED IN A CAR BOMBING WHICH MOSCOW IS BLAMING ON UKRAINIAN SPECIAL FORCES. THIS DIDN'T STOP A MEETING GOING AHEAD AT THE KREMLIN, THOUGH, BETWEEN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND U.S PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ENVOY AT THE KREMLIN FOR WHAT HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS 'CONSTRUCTIVE TALKS' ABOUT A POSSIBLE PEACE DEAL. THE BBC'S STEVE ROSENBERG REPORTS. STEVE WITKOFF WAS BEAMING... HOW ARE YOU, MR PRESIDENT? ...AS HE ARRIVED IN THE KREMLIN. 'I'M FINE,' SAID VLADIMIR PUTIN. 'IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU,' SAID HIS GUEST. THEY LOOKED THE BEST OF FRIENDS ` THE U.S ENVOY AND RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT, AT TALKS THAT COULD DECIDE UKRAINE'S FUTURE. ON ONE SIDE OF THE TABLE, THE FULL MIGHT OF THE RUSSIAN DELEGATION ` ON THE OTHER, JUST MR WITKOFF AND AN INTERPRETER. (MAN SPEAKS RUSSIAN) LATER, ON A KREMLIN CONFERENCE CALL, PRESIDENT PUTIN'S AIDE SAID THE NEGOTIATIONS HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTIVE. (SPEAKS RUSSIAN) 'MAY I ASK A QUESTION?' I SAY. 'WHAT ARE THE MAIN STICKING POINTS TO PEACE?' (MAN SPEAKS RUSSIAN) 'THANK YOU. I THINK WE'LL END IT THERE,' HE SAYS. (BANG!) EARLIER, ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY, PEACE SHATTERED. A CAR BOMB KILLED A SENIOR RUSSIAN GENERAL. NO CLAIM OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THE KREMLIN BLAMED KYIV. IF TRUE, IT'S A SIGN THAT RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE HAS COME MUCH CLOSER TO HOME. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THESE TALKS IN THE KREMLIN WILL BRING PEACE, AND THERE WILL BE CONCERN IN KYIV AND IN EUROPE THAT THEY ARE NOT AT THE TABLE. BUT WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND DONALD TRUMP ARE DETERMINED TO BRING THEIR COUNTRIES CLOSER TOGETHER. THE WATCHWORD IS COOPERATION. (BAND PLAYS FANFARE) AND SYMBOLISING THAT, A CEREMONY AT A MOSCOW WAR MEMORIAL, MARKING THE MOMENT 80 YEARS AGO TODAY, WHEN AMERICAN AND SOVIET SOLDIERS MET ON THE ELBE RIVER AT THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, WHEN RUSSIA AND AMERICA WERE ALLIES. PRESIDENT PUTIN'S INVASION OF UKRAINE PUT THE U.S AND RUSSIA ON OPPOSITE SIDES. (BELLS TOLL) TIMES ARE CHANGING AGAIN ` THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE KREMLIN GROWING CLOSER, AND AS THEY DO SO, THE PRESSURE ON UKRAINE BECOMING GREATER. BUT DISCUSSED TODAY INSIDE THE KREMLIN, THE IDEA OF DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND KYIV. MIGHT THAT BE A STEP TOWARDS PEACE? THAT'S STILL UNCLEAR. WHILE UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY HAS REPEATEDLY REJECTED RECOGNISING CRIMEA AS PART OF RUSSIA, HE SAYS 'TERRITORIAL' ISSUES COULD BE DISCUSSED IF A 'FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE' IS AGREED ON. VIRGINIA GIUFFRE, WHO ACCUSED JEFFREY EPSTEIN AND PRINCE ANDREW OF SEXUAL ABUSE, HAS DIED. HER FAMILY SAYS THE-41 YEAR-OLD TOOK HER OWN LIFE AT HER FARM IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. GIUFFRE, WHO BECAME A PROMINENT CAMPAIGNER AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE, WAS ONE OF THE MOST OUTSPOKEN CRITICS OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN. SHE CLAIMED HE SEXUALLY TRAFFICKED HER TO PRINCE ANDREW WHEN SHE WAS 17. THE ROYAL WHO HAS ALWAYS DENIED THE CLAIMS, REACHED AN OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT WITH GIUFFRE IN 2022. JEFFREY EPSTEIN DIED IN JAIL IN 2019 WHILE AWAITING TRIAL. THE FBI HAS ARRESTED A MILWAUKEE JUDGEM THE FBI HAS ARRESTED A MILWAUKEE JUDGE, ACCUSING HER OF OBSTRUCTING IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS BY HELPING A MAN ESCAPE HER COURTROOM THROUGH THE JURY DOOR. AGENTS THEN CHASED DOWN THE MAN ON FOOT. TENSIONS HAVE BEEN ESCALATING BETWEEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE US JUDICIARY OVER THE PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN. THE ABC'S PIERRE THOMAS REPORTS. TONIGHT, A SITTING STATE COURT JUDGE IS FACING FEDERAL CHARGES AND POSSIBLY YEARS IN PRISON IN WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING IS A MAJOR ESCALATION IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORT TO PRESSURE OFFICIALS TO ASSIST IN DEPORTATION EFFORTS. JUDGE, ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS? MILWAUKEE COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE HANNAH DUGAN, SEEN HERE LEAVING COURT AFTER BEING ARRESTED BY THE FBI. DUGAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY OBSTRUCTING ICE AGENTS TRYING TO ARREST AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT. ACCORDING TO A NEWLY UNSEALED INDICTMENT ON APRIL 18TH, DUGGAN WAS VISIBLY UPSET AND HAD A CONFRONTATIONAL, ANGRY DEMEANOUR WHEN SHE AND ANOTHER JUDGE CONFRONTED A GROUP OF FEDERAL AGENTS THAT HAD COME TO HER COURTHOUSE TO ARREST EDUARDO FLORES-RUIZ, AN UNDOCUMENTED MEXICAN CITIZEN WHO WAS IN COURT TO FACE MISDEMEANOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES. AGENTS SAID SHE TOLD THEM TO GO TO SEE THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURTHOUSE AND WENT BACK TO HER COURTROOM, WHERE JUDGE DUGAN THEN ESCORTED FLORES-RUIZ AND HIS COUNSEL OUT OF THE COURTROOM THROUGH A JURY DOOR. YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING? WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO PROTECT VICTIMS. WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO PROTECT CITIZENS, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. AND IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. DOESN'T MATTER. WE'RE GOING TO PROSECUTE YOU. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. NOT EVEN A JUDGE. CROWD CHANTS: # NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE. DUGAN'S ATTORNEY SAYING IN COURT SHE WHOLEHEARTEDLY PROTESTS THE ARREST AND BELIEVES IT WAS NOT MADE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. INVESTIGATORS SAY JUDGE DUGAN DIRECTED THE ARREST TEAM TO ANOTHER OFFICE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE COURTROOM, WHERE SHE WAS HEARD SAYING 'WAIT, COME WITH ME,' ESCORTING FLORES-RUIZ THROUGH THE JURY DOOR. IN THE U.S, FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN GEORGE SANTOS SOBBED IN COURT BEFORE BEING SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT. DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, HE CLAIMED HE WENT TO NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, WORKED AT GOLDMAN SACHS, AND THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS FLED THE NAZIS DURING WORLD WAR TWO. ALL WERE LIES. HE WON OFFICE IN 2022, BUT AS CHARGES WERE LAID FOR ENRICHING HIMSELF FROM STEALING DONORS' IDENTITIES, SANTOS WAS KICKED OUT OF CONGRESS, BECOMING JUST THE SIXTH HOUSE MEMBER TO BE EXPELLED IN U.S HISTORY. DESPITE CRYING IN COURT TODAY AND APOLOGISING, THE JUDGE SAID SHE DIDN'T SEE ANY REMORSE FROM THE 36-YEAR-OLD, AND HANDED DOWN THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE. MEI U TONU MAI, COMING UP ` FOLLOWING POSSIBLE SIGHTINGS, A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE HUNT FOR VALERIE, A BELOVED DACHSHUND WHO WENT MISSING DURING A HOLIDAY ON A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ISLAND A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. PLUS ` # MDMA IN THE BACK GARDEN, BLOW OUR PUPILS UP, # WE KISSED FOR HOURS STRAIGHT, # WELL, BABY, WHAT WAS THAT? # AND WITH THESE NEW YORK ELEMENTS DROPPED INTO LORDE'S NEW VIDEO JUST A DAY AFTER BEING RECORDED, HOW HER NEW SINGLE'S CHARTING SINCE ITS RELEASE. AND IN WEATHER, WE'RE HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND. HOW IT'S SHAPING UP AT YOUR PLACE AFTER SPORT. (SONG): 'COLD AS ICE' BY FOREIGNER BEN: Hello? From the bank? Really? VOICEOVER: Know it's really ASB with Caller Check. (PHONE RINGING) # You're as cold as ice # We can verify it's us through the ASB Mobile Banking app. BEN: Oh, it is you ASB! WELCOME BACK. LORDE'S NEW SINGLE, 'WHAT WAS THAT', IS ALREADY CLIMBING CHARTS AROUND THE WORLD JUST DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED. IT'S HER FIRST MUSIC IN FOUR YEARS, WITH PARTS OF THE VIDEO SHOT IN A POP-UP PERFORMANCE IN NEW YORK'S WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK THE DAY BEFORE IT DROPPED. AND IT ALMOST DIDN'T GO AHEAD, AFTER INITIALLY BEING SHUT DOWN BY POLICE. SAM OLLEY REPORTS. # BABY, WHAT WAS THAT? CYCLING THROUGH NEW YORK STREETS, SINGING CANDIDLY ABOUT HEARTBREAK. # WHAT WAS THAT? I THINK IT'S FANTASTIC. IF THIS IS WHAT WE'RE IN FOR FOR THIS ALBUM, WE'RE ALL IN FOR A TREAT. THE SONG QUICKLY SOARING TO THE TOP OF GENIUS, THE WORLD'S BIGGEST WEBSITE FOR SONG LYRICS, OVERTAKING KANYE WEST AND JACK BLACK'S RELEASES. IT'S IN THE MOST POPULAR YOUTUBE SEARCHES, HITTING NUMBER ONE'S ON APPLE MUSIC TOO, FROM NEW ZEALAND TO BRAZIL, AND THE THIRD MOST POPULAR SPOTIFY SONG IN THE USA. THIS IS HER GOING BACK TO THOSE POP SOUNDS, A LOT OF SYNTH, A LOT OF DANCEY, UPBEAT VIBES. I WAS REBORN. BEEN BLASTING LORDE'S NEW SONG THIS MORNING. I LOVE HER. I LIKED HER WALKING, LIKE, STRUTTING. THE MUSIC VIDEO ENDS WITH LORDE DANCING SURROUNDED BY U.S FANS; IT WAS SHOT ON WEDNESDAY... # IN THE BACK GARDEN... ...THE CROWD UNAWARE THEY'D BE IN AN OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO, SIMPLY GIVEN THREE HOURS NOTICE TO GATHER. SO MANY COMING, POLICE INTERVENING. THIS GATHERING AT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK WAS SHUT DOWN. I WAS LIKE, OH, THIS IS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE COPS AND PARK RANGERS ONLY REALLY GET INVOLVED WHEN THERE'S ACTUAL DANGER. THIS WAS JUST THE VOLUME OF PEOPLE THERE. THE SINGLE IS LORDE'S FIRST RELEASE SINCE 2021'S SOLAR POWER. # SOLAR... THE THIRD ALBUM DIDN'T GO DOWN AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY, SHE SHOT OUT OF THE GATES WITH PURE HEROINE ` THAT'S AT 16 YEARS OLD. SHE BACKS THAT UP WITH MELODRAMA. NOW AGED 28, THE NEW SONG FOLLOWS A VIRAL COLLABORATION WITH SUPERSTAR CHARLI XCX ` THE PAIR PERFORMING LIVE TWO WEEKS AGO. # AND NOW I TOTALLY GET IT. LORDE ALSO PART OF THE NEW MARLON WILLIAMS ALBUM. HER OWN SOLO SONGS HAVE WON GRAMMYS AND AMASSED BILLIONS OF STREAMS OVER THE YEARS. GETTING FAMOUS AT 16 YEARS OLD CAN SOMETIMES HAVE VERY PRECARIOUS RESULTS. LUCKILY FOR LORDE, TO HER CREDIT, SHE HASN'T GONE DOWN A DARK PATH. INSTEAD, NEW MUSIC LIGHTING UP SCREENS WORLDWIDE. SAM OLLEY, ONE NEWS. NOW TONIGHT WE HAVE A SURVIVAL STORY FOR THE AGES. BEHIND ME YOU CAN SEE VALERIE ` A SAUSAGE DOG WHO'S BEEN LOST FOR 529 DAYS. SHE WAS ON KANGAROO ISLAND IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA WHEN SHE BECAME SEPARATED FROM HER OWNERS, BUT THANKFULLY THE REMOTE SPOT IS HOME TO ANIMAL RESCUE WORKERS, WHO MADE QUITE THE DISCOVERY OVERNIGHT. THOMAS MEAD HAS MORE. WHEN AUSSIE COUPLE JOSH AND GEORGIA WENT FOR A GETAWAY ON KANGAROO ISLAND, THEY HAD NO IDEA THEIR SAUSAGE DOG, VALERIE, HAD PLANNED A MUCH LONGER HOLIDAY. IT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE JUST SEEING THE IMAGES OF HER. THE MINIATURE DACHSHUND GETTING LOST IN THE BUSH FOR DAYS, THEN MONTHS, THEN A YEAR. HER OWNERS NOT DARING TO HOPE, GETTING BY ON POSSIBLE SIGHTINGS LIKE THIS ONE. IT'S 3.30 IN THE MORNING. IT'S FREEZING COLD. BUT THEIR PLIGHT SOON ATTRACTED A GROUP OF PET DETECTIVES ` THE KANGALA WILDLIFE RESCUE TEAM. PUT OUT ALL SORTS OF TREATS ALL OVER THE PLACE. WITH VALERIE UP AGAINST THE AUSTRALIAN WILDERNESS, IT TOOK SOME SERIOUS INVESTIGATIVE WORK. FANTASTIC NEWS OFF THE BAT ` WE HAVE SEEN HER. WE'VE MANAGED TO NARROW DOWN THE SEARCH AREA. A MAJOR LEAD COMING IN TWO WEEKS AGO. THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT MANY SAUSAGE DOGS IN THAT AREA. KANGALA HAD BUILT A TRAP WITH A SECURITY CAMERA, BUT VALERIE SNUCK OUT BEFORE THEY COULD SHUT THE DOOR. SO NOW THE PLAN IS JUST TO GET HER REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH THE FOOD THAT THEY'RE PUTTING OUT. IT WORKED, VALERIE ENJOYING SOME GOURMET TREATS AFTER EATING WHO-KNOWS-WHAT IN THE WILD. I'M FEELING VERY POSITIVE ABOUT THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, SO... END GAME. END GAME. BRING HER HOME. HER OWNERS IN DISBELIEF. IMAGINE` THE STORIES SHE COULD TELL. IT WOULD BE INSANE. AND LAST NIGHT, THE MOMENT FINALLY CAME ` VALERIE RESCUED. THE SAUSAGE DOG SAFE AND FIT, GIVING THE CAMERA A WINK. SHE'S SOON TO BE REUNITED WITH JOSH AND GEORGIA, AND AFTER 539 DAYS AWAY, SHE'S SURE TO HAVE SOME STORIES TO TELL. THOMAS MEAD, ONE NEWS. I'M NOT SURE IF SHE WANTED TO BE FOUND. MAYBE SHE WAS JUST HAVING A GREAT TIME. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WARRIORS. AND IT'S A GOOD DAY TO BE WARRIORS FAN? A HISTORIC VICTORY OVER THE NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS AS THEY WELCOME A NEW INTERNATIONAL SIGNING. PLUS, WHAT SPOILED THIS PIECE OF ARDIE MAGIC AS MOANA PASIFIKA TAKE ON THE DRUA. A KIWI COLLEGE HOOPS RECORD-BREAKER COMES HOME TO TAKE ON THE AUSSIES. WELL, THEY MIGHT HAVE NEEDED HER IN THE NBA TODAY ` WHAT PROMPTED THIS REACTION FROM THE CELTICS. KIA ORA, WELCOME TO SPORT. THE WARRIORS HAVE NABBED ONE OF THE TOP YOUNG PLAYERS IN ENGLAND, WITH LEEDS BACK-ROWER MORGAN GANNON SIGNING ON FOR THREE SEASONS FROM 2026. THE NEWS COMING ON THE BACK OF AN HISTORIC 26-12 VICTORY FOR THE WARRIORS OVER THE NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS. MICHELLE PRENDIVILLE HAS MORE. CROWD CHANTS: # WE ARE THE POWER! WHAT? CROWD CHANTS: # WE ARE THE SPEED! COME ON! CROWD CHANTS: # WE ARE THE SKILLS, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA NEED. THE SOUND OF A CITY CELEBRATING SOME WELL-DESERVED WARRIORS HISTORY. CROWD CHANTS: # WE ARE THE WARRIORS, 100%! AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF WAITING, FINALLY, AN ANZAC DAY WIN. IF WE CAN KEEP TICKING ALONG THE WAY WE'RE GOING, AND JUST ADD THAT CLASS IN, MATE, LIKE, WHO KNOWS WHERE WE CAN GET TO? THE WARRIORS JUMPING UP TO THIRD ON THE NRL LADDER AFTER RUNNING IN A TOTAL OF FIVE TRIES TO NEWCASTLE'S TWO, ADAM POMPEY SCORING TWICE... HERE'S POMPEY! POMPEYYY! ...JACKSON FORD MARKING HIS MILESTONE MATCH WITH A DOUBLE OF HIS OWN. POMPEY` AND IT'S A TRY! JACKSON FORD, IN HIS 50TH! HERE'S METCALFE, CLARK, AND IT'S FORD AGAIN! ANYTHING BUT A WIN IN CHRISTCHURCH NEVER REALLY LOOKING IN DOUBT. REALLY HAPPY. I THOUGHT OUR ATTACK IMPROVED A LOT. A LOT OF GAMES EARLIER THAT WE WON, WE HAD TO COME OVER THE TOP LATE TO WIN. UM, YEAH, WE CONTROLLED IT REALLY WELL, I THOUGHT. BUT, YEAH, LIKE, LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. ONE AREA PERHAPS THEIR DISCIPLINE ` IN THE FIRST TWO MINUTES, THIS HIGH SHOT REDUCING THE WARRIORS TO JUST 12 MEN. ON REPORT, HE'S IN THE BIN. (CROWD BOOS) MINUTES LATER, NEWCASTLE ALSO DOWN TO 12. ANOTHER HIGH TACKLE HELPING LEVEL THE NUMBERS. THEY'RE CRACKING DOWN ON THOSE MOMENTS, BIG TIME. BUT I THOUGHT WE HANDLED THAT PERIOD REALLY WELL. I WAS WRAPPED IN THAT. I KNOW THEY ENDED UP GETTING ONE IN THE BIN, BUT YOU COULD SEE THAT WE WERE ON AND WE WERE EMBRACING IT. THE WARRIORS CURRENTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MOMENTUM... AND IT'S LUKE METCALF! WILL HE HAVE TOO MUCH GAS? ...NOW WITH FIVE WINS FROM SEVEN MATCHES, A WINNING RUN THEY'LL LOOK TO EXTEND AGAINST THE NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS. BRO, YOU'VE GOTTA RECOVER FAST, BRO, RECOVER FAST AND RECOVER HARD. WE'RE PLAYING A GRITTY GAME AT THE MOMENT, AND THAT'S HOW WE WANNA PLAY. AIMING TO TAKE THAT PLAY INTO NEXT WEEK'S MAGIC ROUND, AND HOPING IT'S NOT ALL JUST AN ILLUSION. MICHELLE PRENDIVILLE, 1 NEWS. MOANA PASIFIKA HAVE CLAIMED SUPER RUGBY BRAGGING RIGHTS AGAINST THEIR PACIFIC RIVALS THIS AFTERNOON, TAKING DOWN THE FIJIAN DRUA COMFORTABLY IN AUCKLAND. BOTH SIDES STRUGGLING TO CONTROL THE BALL IN GREASY CONDITIONS BEFORE THE HOSTS FINALLY MADE SOME PASSES STICK TO OPEN THE SCORING. DANNY TOALA PUTS SOME BEAUTIFUL FOOTWORK ON, HE'S GOT FINE INISI, THE INSIDE PASS, LALOMILO, HE'S STILL`! LALOMILO-! LALOMILO PASSES OFF TO TOALA OH, HOW GOOD, MOANA! ARDIE SAVEA THEN SEEMINGLY DOING IT ALL BY HIMSELF IN THE SECOND HALF... PUTS A LITTLE KICK OVER THE TOP FOR HIMSELF, ARDIE SAVEA! OH, WHAT HAVE WE JUST SEEN?! IT'S AIR ARDIE AT NORTH HARBOUR! SAVEA'S TRY CRUELLY TAKEN AWAY AFTER A KNOCK-ON SPOTTED BY THE TMO IN THE BUILD-UP. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE 34-15 WIN TEMPORARILY ELEVATING MOANA PASIFIKA TO 7th, WHILE THE DRUA SIT FIRMLY IN LAST PLACE. AND ONE OF THOSE GAMES SEES THE HIGHLANDERS HOST THE CRUSADERS TONIGHT, BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, THE CHIEFS SIT ON TOP OF THE SUPER RUGBY TABLE AFTER A BIG WIN OVER THE FORCE. THE BLUES WOULD TAKE A WIN OF ANY KIND RIGHT NOW, SUFFERING ANOTHER DEFEAT. BRODYN KNUCKEY WRAPS UP THE ACTION FOR THE KIWI SIDES SO FAR THIS WEEKEND. A RARE SUPER RUGBY FIXTURE IN THE BAY OF PLENTY... WHAT A SIGHT IT IS. ...THE CHIEFS GIVING A SOLD-OUT MOUNT MAUNGANUI CROWD PLENTY TO CHEER ABOUT. HE'S DONE IT. EMONI NARAWA! WHAT A BRILLIANT TRY! PROUD AND PASSIONATE BAY OF PLENTY MAN. COULDN'T HELP BUT FEEL A BIT OF PRIDE SITTING IN THE COACH'S BOX. SAMISONI TAUKEI'AHO MARKING IT WITH A SPECIAL TRY AS HE BROUGHT UP A CENTURY OF SUPER RUGBY GAMES. AND HERE'S TAUKEI'AHO STEAMING FOR THE LINE, AND SCORES. HE'S ONLY THE 12TH CENTURY IN THE WHOLE HISTORY OF CHIEFS RUGBY. SO WE CELEBRATE TONIGHT. AS THEY HAVE ALL SEASON, MCMILLAN'S MEN GOING UP A GEAR AFTER HALF-TIME. HE'S GOT RATIMA WITH HIM. AND CORTEZ RATIMA SCORES FOR THE CHIEFS! TURNING A 10-POINT LEAD INTO A 56-22 BLOW-OUT, SCORING FIVE TRIES AND LIMITING THE WESTERN FORCE TO JUST ONE. IT WAS JUST KEEPING THE SMALL THINGS, KEEP BUILDING THEM UP, AND THE IDEA WAS THAT THEY WOULD CRACK AND I THINK THEY PROBABLY` FAIR REFLECTION OF THAT IN THE SECOND HALF. BUT PERHAPS FOR SOME CHIEFS FANS, THE BEST PART OF THE SECOND HALF CAME NEAR THE END. THE NICE STEP AND THE BREAK. WALLACE SITITI! WALLACE SITITI BACK FROM A KNEE INJURY EXPERTS THOUGHT WOULD SIDELINE HIM FOR THE SEASON, INSTEAD PRODUCING 47m WITH JUST SEVEN CARRIES AND 10 MINUTES OF PLAY. HE GOT ON THERE AND HE HAD A COUPLE OF REALLY NICE TOUCHES THAT REMINDED EVERYONE OF HIS QUALITY. SO GREAT TO BE GETTING HIM BACK. ACROSS THE DITCH, THE BLUES' TITLE DEFENCE STILL ON LIFE SUPPORT. NOW LYNAGH, LOOKING FOR HIS SECOND. TWO EARLY TRIES TO THE REDS PUTTING THE DEFENDING CHAMPS ON THE BACK FOOT. THEIR COMEBACK ATTEMPT TIPPED ON ITS HEAD SOON AFTER. MARK TELEA'S YELLOW UPGRADED TO A RED. ANOTHER TWO QUEENSLAND TRIES AFTER THE BREAK ENOUGH TO EVENTUALLY SEE THEM SECURE A 35-21 WIN AND REMAIN FOURTH OVERALL. DIDN'T REALLY PLAY WELL TODAY, AND REED'S GOT A ROLL ON WHERE WE SAID WE WOULDN'T LET THEM. SO DISAPPOINTING RESULT. RESULTS NOW ESSENTIAL WITH ONLY FOUR ROUNDS TO GO, BEFORE A SEASON THAT PROMISED SO MUCH SLIPS THROUGH THEIR FINGERS. BRODYN KNUCKEY, ONE NEWS. MT SMART STADIUM IS ON THE VERGE OF ANOTHER SELLOUT AS AUCKLAND FC LOOK TO CLAIM THE A-LEAGUE'S MINOR PREMIERSHIP TOMORROW. THE BLACK KNIGHTS TAKING ON BOTTOM-PLACED PERTH, NEEDING ONLY A POINT TO WIN THE REGULAR SEASON IN JUST THEIR FIRST YEAR IN THE LEAGUE, LOOKING TO DELIVER IN FRONT OF ANOTHER BIG CROWD. I THINK THE BOYS DESERVE IT AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY WANT TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR THEM, AND I THINK THERE'S NO BETTER WAY THAN DOING IT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOME FANS. AUCKLAND ON A 13-GAME UNBEATEN RUN ` THEIR LAST DEFEAT, THOUGH, AND SECOND OF THE SEASON, COMING AGAINST PERTH IN JANUARY. IT HASN'T BEEN SUCH A HAPPY SEASON FOR THE WELLINGTON PHOENIX. WHO HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE PLAYOFF PICTURE FOR SOME TIME. PLAYING THEIR PENULTIMATE MATCH OF THE SEASON, WELLINGTON PUT UNDER EARLY PRESSURE AGAINST THE BRISBANE ROAR. WELLINGTON'S JOSH OLUWAYEMI BY FAR THE BUSIEST OF THE TWO KEEPERS, BUT HE COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS STRIKE. BERENGUER! THAT IS SOME QUALITY! THAT IS A STRIKE. BRISBANE STILL LEADING 1-0 WITH ABOUT 10 MINUTES REMAINING. TWO OF THE BIG FAVOURITES SUFFERED DEFEATS TODAY AS THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS HEATS UP. THE DEFENDING CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS, NORMALLY A POTENT ATTACKING TEAM, FINDING IT HARD TO SCORE AGAINST THE MAGIC ON THEIR HOME COURT. PORZINGIS HITS THE DECK, BROWN GETS DEEP, AND BROWN GOT IT SWATTED AWAY. THAT NUMBER TWO DEFENCE SHOWING UP BIG IN THE SECOND HALF, HOLDING BOSTON TO 11 POINTS. ORLANDO WINNING 95-93, BUT BOSTON STILL LEADING THE SERIES 2-1. THE STAR-STUDDED LOS ANGELES LAKERS NO MATCH FOR MINNESOTA ` ANTHONY EDWARDS COMING UP WITH THE CLUTCH PLAYS FOR THE TIMBERWOLVES. DRIVES IT! SIDE ON THE SLAB! WHAT A FINISH FOR EDWARDS. EDWARDS STEPPED BACK, JUMP SHOT, GOT IT! ANTHONY EDWARDS, ANOTHER CLUTCH SHOT. MINNESOTA WINNING 116-104, AND NOW LEAD THE SERIES 2-1. WHILE KIWI BASKETBALLER EMME SHEARER SAYS SHE'S LUCKY TO HAVE LANDED A STINT WITH PORTLAND UNIVERSITY, YOU COULD ARGUE THEY'VE BEEN LUCKIER TO HAVE HER. HER FIVE SEASONS WITH THE PILOTS HAVE BEEN SOME OF THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER. SHEARER NOW JOINS THE TALL FERNS FOR NEXT MONTH'S TRANS-TASMAN SERIES AS SHE EYES UP HER NEXT OPPORTUNITY. IN THE CORNER, FINDS SHEARER, SHE SINKS IT! A COLLEGE HOOPS STAR, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE EMME SHEARER CAN'T WAIT TO SINK WHEN SHE GETS HOME. THE CAPPUCCINOS JUST DON'T HIT THE SAME AS THEY DO AT HOME. THE 23-YEAR-OLD KIWI GUARD WILL LEAVE THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND HAVING BEEN A HIT OF HER OWN OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. OH! TOP-SCORING IN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASONS IN PILOTS HISTORY, EARNING HER WEST COAST CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM HONOURS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FACT THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO COME TO AMERICA AND HAVE THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING COLLEGE BASKETBALL, WHICH IS SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF SPORT TO PLAY AT ` IT'S BEEN AWESOME. IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN. I'M REALLY PROUD OF MYSELF AND HOW MUCH I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. BREAKING RECORDS TOO ` THE MOST NCAA DIVISION 1 GAMES PLAYED BY A KIWI, NOTCHING HER 158TH LAST MONTH. IF YOU'D ASKED ME BEFORE I CAME TO COLLEGE IF I'D BREAK THE RECORD FOR MOST GAMES PLAYED, I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) MOST TEAMS I PLAYED ON AT HOME, WE TRAINED MAYBE TWO TIMES A WEEK, BUT HERE, YOU'RE PLAYING BASKETBALL SIX DAYS A WEEK. WE GET ONE OFF DAY, SO I THINK COMING HERE AND REALLY DIVING INTO AND BUCKLING DOWN ON DEVELOPING MYSELF AS AN ATHLETE. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) I PLAYED MARCH MADNESS TWICE, WE WON A REGULAR SEASON TITLE. I THINK I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE HERE AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER. IT COULD MEAN PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY IN AUSTRALIA OR EUROPE. NEXT MONTH, THOUGH, SHE'LL JOIN THE TALL FERNS FOR THE TRANS-TASMAN THROWDOWN. THE FACT THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO COME HOME AND PLAY IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN NEW ZEALAND IS ALSO REALLY REALLY EXCITING. MOTIVATED TO GROW WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOW SHE'S SEEN JUST HOW BIG IT CAN BE. I'M GOING TO PLAY BASKETBALL UNTIL MY BODY TELLS ME I DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANY MORE. FOR NOW, WE'LL JUST SEE HOW MUCH I CAN DO WITH BASKETBALL. BUT FIRST, COFFEE. DEFINITELY A CAPPUCCINO WITH LOTS OF CHOCOLATE ON TOP. APPARENTLY THEY DON'T SPRINKLE ALL THE CHOCOLATE ON TOP. THAT'S WHY SHE'S COMING BACK. COMING UP ` ERIN'S HERE WITH YOUR SUNDAY FORECAST, AND SOME WILL NEED THE RAINCOAT, WITH MORE THUNDERY FALLS. ON Q+A TOMORROW, THE LESSONS OF COVID-19. ONE OF THE KEY ADVISERS FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE REFLECTS ON THE GOOD CALLS AND THE MISTAKES. Q+A, TOMORROW, 9am ON ONE AND TVNZ+. (ENGINE REVS) Oh. OK, turn off the car. (PHONE RINGS) GIRL: Dad! Hey, man. Long time no talk. Yeah, just... I'm teaching Samara how to drive. (BRIGHT MUSIC) Hi! Could you do something for me? SONG: # Oh, baby, you... # Thanks. # You've got what I need # You got everything I need NAU MAI ANO, WELCOME BACK. A FINE SATURDAY FOR MANY IN THE SOUTH TODAY, SOME MORE WELCOME SUN TO CHRISTCHURCH, BUT GREY IN AUCKLAND IN PREPARATION FOR MORE RAIN COMING IN FROM THE NORTH. AND YOU CAN SEE THAT STREAM OF YELLOW CLOUD TO THE NORTH OF US ` THAT WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH THOSE HEAVY FALLS INTO THE UPPER NORTH IN THE COMING DAYS. YOU CAN SEE IT ALREADY BUILDING OVER NORTHLAND, AND WITH THE WINDFLOW FROM THE NORTH, WE'RE SEEING WARM TEMPERATURES TOO. WHANGANUI OUR HOT SPOT TODAY WITH 22. THE WATCH FOR BOTH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN IS IN PLACE OVER NORTHLAND THROUGH UNTIL AFTER LUNCH TOMORROW, SO IT COULD BE THOSE HEAVY DOWNPOURS ON ALREADY VERY WET GROUND, SO THERE'S THAT EXTRA RISK OF FLOODING.. AND THAT RAIN TRACKS DOWN THE NORTH ISLAND; THE LOWER NORTH AND SOUTH ISLAND MORE SETTLED. A FEW SHOWERS TO THE WEST COAST, AND IF WE LOOK AT THE RAIN ACCUMULATION IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE SEE IT REALLY BUILD; AREAS INTO THE GREEN, EVEN SPOTS OF RED, SO LOTS MORE RAIN ON THE WAY. AND HERE IT IS ` IT COULD BE HEAVY, THUNDERY DOWNPOURS, NORTHLAND, EASING IN THE AFTERNOON. WHILE FOR WHITIANGA, PERIODS OF RAIN PICK UP IN THE AFTERNOON, AND A TOP OF 20 OR 21. YOU'RE IN FOR SOME RAINY TIMES, TAMAKI MAKAURAU, AUCKLAND, MAYBE SOME MORE HEAVY, THUNDERY FALLS TOO. THINGS SHOULD BE EASING IN THE EVENING, BUT TAKE THE RAINCOAT IF YOU'RE HEADING TO THE FOOTBALL. 21 IS YOUR HIGH. YOU'LL SEE THE RAIN OCCASIONALLY, KIRIKIRIROA, HAMILTON, MAYBE SOME SUN IN BETWEEN, AND A TOP OF 21. SAME GOES FOR CENTRAL AREAS ` SEE THE BLUE RAIN BUBBLES CROSSING THROUGH THE DAY? AND A HIGH IN THE TEENS TO LOW 20S. A GREY DAY WITH SOME RAINY TIMES TOO, TAURANGA. 21 IS YOUR HIGH. THE EAST HOLDING ON TO SOME FINE WEATHER. JUST GISBORNE WITH SOME CLOUD ` MAYBE A SPRINKLE BOTH MORNING AND AFTERNOON, 21 TO 23 DEGREES. AGAIN, THE NORTHERN-MOST CENTRE HERE HAS SOME RAIN ARRIVE, OTHERS MOSTLY FINE DURING THE DAY, BUT CLOUD ROLLING IN FROM AFTERNOON THEN EVENING SHOWERS. 21 TO 23 DEGREES. A PARTLY CLOUDY SUNDAY IN THE CAPITAL, MAYBE AN EVENING SPRINKLE, AND A TOP OF 19. A FEW SHOWERS PEPPERING BOTH NELSON AND WESTPORT. THOSE FURTHER EAST MAY JUST SEE SOME HARMLESS HIGH CLOUD. 20 TO 22 DEGREES. AGAIN, IT'S JUST SOME HIGH CLOUD THAT YOU'LL SEE IN PATCHES, OTAUTAHI, CHRISTCHURCH. PLENTY OF SUN AND A TOP OF 20. A FEW SHOWERS UP THE WEST COAST, WHILE THE EAST IS MOSTLY FINE. PATCHY HIGH CLOUD HERE TOO, AND 20 TO 22 DEGREES. IT'S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, TAHUNA, QUEENSTOWN, A FEW PERIODS OF HIGH CLOUD, AND 19 IS YOUR HIGH. THE WEST COAST AND OBAN ARE IN FOR RAIN OR SHOWERS; OTHERS, JUST SOME CLOUD ABOUT, AND 19 FOR INVERCARGILL. A PRETTY DECENT SUNDAY IN OTEPOTI, DUNEDIN. JUST A FEW PATCHES OF HIGH CLOUD AND A TOP OF 20 DEGREES. MONDAY, RAIN OR SHOWERS IN THE UPPER NORTH AS WELL AS WEST, NOT TOO BAD ELSEWHERE. AND THE SOUTH ISLAND SEES SOME RAIN TO YOUR WEST AND LOWER ISLAND, AND OTHERS ARE IN FOR LATER DAY SHOWERS. TUESDAY, A RAIN BAND SPREADS DOWN THE NORTH ISLAND. THERE COULD BE SOME HEAVY FALLS, AND SCATTERED RAIN OR SHOWERS FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, SO KEEP THE BROLLY HANDY. IT CERTAINLY HOW IT LOOKS. AND THAT'S ONE NEWS THIS SATURDAY. REMEMBER, YOU CAN KEEP RIGHT UP TO DATE WITH ANY DEVELOPMENTS ON OUR STORIES TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE, 1NEWS.CO.NZ, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN VIEW THE POPE'S FUNERAL BEING LIVE-STREAMED FROM 8. FROM US, GOOD NIGHT. CAPTIONS BY JOHN GIBBS AND KATE MCCULLOUGH CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR.