Plenty of fine weather about today under a ridge of high pressure. But it was a frosty start for inland parts of both islands. Our ridge is now facing a double threat as fronts close in on both ends of the country. Later in the news hour, I'll tell you what that means for our weekend weather. Right now, it's 6 o'clock. Due to the live nature of ONE News we apologise for the lack of captions for some items. This is ONE News, with Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie. Tonight, slaughter sentence ` the men who gunned down dozens of dogs in a 'spree of cruel destruction' find out their fate, and the SPCA isn't happy. Syria's president comes under more intense attacks as rebels seize control of key border posts. Pedestrian danger ` safety measures are being looked at after a bus company boss is run over by a bus. And Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney gets smoked by the Eels. What will he do now after being pushed from Parramatta? Kia ora, good evening. Animal-welfare groups say the sentences handed down to two men who slaughtered 33 dogs during a shooting spree are too soft. Tony Campbell and Russell Mendoza will both serve time at home for what the SPCA described as the worst case of animal cruelty its seen. One of them was also ordered to do community work at the SPCA. The massacre followed a dispute with a neighbour. Ruth Wynn-Williams was in court. Tony Campbell walked out of court today... I've got nothing to say. ...to begin a six-month sentence at home. The other man involved, Russell Mendoza, will also serve his six months at home ` next door to where the two men shot more than 30 dogs. I believe this certainly should have been a jail sentence. No question of that. The dogs' former owner agrees. Didn't care where they shot, how they shot, how many or what. In all, the pair executed 10 dogs and more than 20 tiny puppies on the Wellsford property. They were also found guilty of recklessly using a firearm for what the court labelled a 'commando-style killing spree'. In sentencing, the judge said it was a 'miracle' only the dogs were hurt. They just lost their plot and shot everything they saw, pretty much, except for me. The carnage left SPCA investigators shocked. Can only be described as bloodthirsty, cruel, inhumane. A killing spree led by Campbell. < He was more experienced with firearms. < He was the primary instigator of this... < spree of cruel destruction. Tony Campbell wouldn't speak on camera, but he told ONE News he still thinks the guilty verdict is unfair. He believes his neighbour's dogs were dangerous, and he says he was only trying to help. Mendoza and Campbell will pay reparation to cover the financial cost at least, and both men will serve 300 hours of community service. Campbell will spend that time with the SPCA. Ruth Wynn-Williams, ONE News. A comedian who admitted sexually assaulting his young daughter will have to wait another week to learn his fate. Today would have been the second time the man was sentenced in Auckland. His discharge without conviction in September caused outrage after the judge at the time said he was a talented NZer who made people laugh. The Crown was unhappy with the result and sought a judicial review. A new judge has now adjourned the case for a week to consider legal argument made in court this morning. The man was permanent name suppression to protect the victim. Syria's embattled president has appeared on national TV as fierce fighting continues for control of the capital, Damascus. It's the first time Bashar al-Assad's been seen since a bomb attack killed three of his high-ranking officials. The pressure is mounting on his regime, with rebels seizing control of four border crossings into Iraq and Turkey. Syrian rebels seized one of the crossings into Turkey, dismantling the welcome portrait of President Bashar al-Assad. Something similar was reported from the border with Iraq. When a state loses control of its frontiers, even for a day, it's a sign of great weakness. GUNFIRE Rebel fighters are still shooting in the centre of Damascus. These are unverified pictures, but there are many reports from the city that areas once considered regime strongholds have been affected. Syrian State TV showed president Assad swearing in a new defence minister. Presumably his TV appearance was designed to show calmness and strength. In the right-hand screen was the failed attempt to increase pressure on him in the Security Council. International diplomacy's deadlocked because the Security Council can't agree on what to do next. At the UN in New York, Russia and China vetoed a Western-supported attempt to strengthen sanctions. The Russians argued it might lead to military intervention. At the Security Council, the Syrian ambassador blamed foreigners for causing the trouble at home. That has been the Assad regime's consistent line since the uprising started. President Assad's strategy, with smoke rising over Damascus, needs to overturn one crucial development if his regime is to survive. Even though his side has the tanks and heavy weapons, the armed opposition is showing more coordination and strength than ever before. Allegiance is at the centre of a spreading sectarian war. The rebel fighters ` these are more unverified pictures ` are predominantly Sunni Muslims. The chances are that they're shooting at elite units and militias dominated by men from the President's Alawite sect, who believe that their future depends on his survival. But a majority of Syrian soldiers, like the rebels, are Sunnis. There has to be a question mark over their loyalty to the President. And there are reports President Assad has fled to a house on the coast to escape the fighting in Damascus. An investigation has been launched after confidential patient-health files were found lying on a Christchurch street. The documents were taken when a Healthcare NZ employee's car was broken into. Healthcare NZ, the country's largest community health and disability provider, says it doesn't believe the information has been compromised, but is deeply saddened it's happened. It says almost all affected patients have been contacted. The Prime Minister says the government wants answers over a listeria outbreak that claimed the lives of two patients at Hawke's Bay Hospital. Tests are still underway to find out if they contracted listeria from processed meat supplied to the hospital or from another source. We need to understand firstly absolutely what the source of that listeria was; if there were any protocols breached in terms of the patients that were served food that may have included listeria. We don't know that for a fact at this point. The Ministry of Health has sent a letter to all health boards to check they are following food safety policies. A company director remains in intensive care at Wellington Hospital tonight after being hit by one of his firm's own buses. It's the latest in a string of accidents involving buses and pedestrians in the inner city. And as Simon Bradwell reports, it's forced the council to take another look at safety issues. The kerb's so close to where the buses are actually driving. Like, you step off the kerb, you're going to get hit by a bus. The buses are going pretty quick, and some people are just zoned out, and they just walk across the road sometimes. I can see how they go very close and there could be a few problems. Problems that appear to be on the rise. In the last two years, 22 pedestrians have been injured by buses in the capital; one fatally. That compares to 14 injured in the two years previously. Many occurred since the re-routing of bus lanes through the city ` a situation the deputy mayor is looking at closely. Every accident is one too many. Just yesterday, Tim Brown, ironically a director of the company that runs the city's buses, was hit by one at this intersection. He's now in a serious condition in hospital with head injuries. In a statement, the bus company says it's offering on-site counselling services to staff. NZ Bus says it's working with authorities and commencing its own investigation into the cause of this terrible accident And on the streets, there's sympathy for those behind the wheel. Definitely pedestrians, I think, need to give a bit more respect to bus drivers. And the council says they will investigate the latest accident to see if they need to add more safety measures. We've instituted a number of measures already on this, what we call the golden mile ` reduced speed limits, improved sight lines, etc. Hoping for greater safety for those on foot and on wheels. Simon Bradwell, ONE News. The alert level has been slightly raised at Mt Tongariro after a swarm of small volcanic earthquakes. The new level-one status means there are signs of volcanic unrest. But don't panic yet. The scale goes from zero to five, when a large, hazardous eruption is in progress. And although they're now keeping a closer eye on the mountain, experts say no one near the volcano is an any immediate danger. The Waitangi Tribunal has begun deliberating on whether to recommend the government stop the partial sale of state assets. The Crown has finished summing up its case against issuing water rights at a Lower Hutt marae. The Maori Council, which prompted the hearing, is confident the Tribunal will call for a halt to asset sales. If you were, sort of, uh, the lady with the scales, all right, balancing justice, I think that's heavily weighted in our favour. The Waitangi Tribunal's decision is due by the end of the month. Fireworks are expected outside the National Party annual conference in Auckland this weekend, with fired-up protesters vowing boisterous rallies at the venue. Preparations are underway at SkyCity, where political reporter Jessica Mutch joins us live. 100 PARTY FAITHFUL SET TO GATHER HERE OVER THE WEEKEND. HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE HERE THIS AFTERNOON. THEY'RE STILL HERE NOW, BECAUSE OF PLANNED PROTESTS HERE OVER THE WEEKEND. WELFARE REFORM AND OTHER ISSUES. JOHN KEY SAYS EVEN IF THERE IS A PROTEST, HE DOESN'T THINK THAT FEELING IS REFLECTED NATIONWIDE. While there will always be individual people that will complain about the government, and they'll obviously go and protest, largely they're our political opponents, as opposed to, I think, really genuine aggression against what the Government's doing. THEY'RE PROMISING TO ANNOUNCE NEW MATERIAL. THE CONFERENCE IS HELD HERE AT SKYCITY. THERE ARE QUESTIONS OVER A DEAL AROUND POKIES AND A NEW CONFERENCE CENTRE. Thank you, Jessica Mutch. A tip-off has prompted the search of a Rotorua waterway for the weapon used in the murder of security guard Howard Percy 36 years ago. The police dive squad is focusing on a small canal near the crime scene for a sawn-off rifle. Police are asking anyone who may have found a firearm around Old Taupo Rd and Sunset Rd to come forward. Howard Percy (65) was shot twice during a robbery at the ANZ Bank in 1976. A reinvestigation was launched this week. Murdered prostitute Jane Furlong has finally been laid to rest nearly 20 years after she disappeared from Auckland's Karangahape Rd. Around 200 people attended the funeral. Kate Lynch was there. It's well known that Jane Furlong worked the streets. Today those farewelling her remembered her as so much more. I decided to hold this service for Jane because it will acknowledge, I hope, that Jane was a real person with a family and friends, rather than just a teenage prostitute. Around 200 people gathered for the funeral, including her partner, Dani Norsworthy, and son Aidan. Judith Furlong told mourners her daughter was an adorable baby and a mischievous teen with a love for heavy-metal band Guns 'N' Roses. GUNS 'N' ROSES' 'SWEET CHILD O' MINE' PLAYS She says the 17-year-old was a prostitute for just two years. At the time, she thought it was just a phase. I still think that would have been the case, had she lived. But she didn't get the chance. That's because on the 26th of May in 1993, Jane's life and the lives of those who loved her changed forever when she disappeared from K Road. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into years ` 19, in fact. Judith Furlong says it's a miracle her daughter's remains were found at Port Waikato two months ago. And while the hunt's still on for a killer, at least she's had a chance to give Jane a proper goodbye. Kate Lynch, ONE News. The 28 miners rescued after being trapped by a fire in a Waihi mine are back at work. Production at the Trio mine restarted after thermal imaging confirmed the fire, which started in the engine of a truck, was completely out. Investigations into what caused the fire are expected to take at least a week. A stop work by border control staff is threatening to disrupt the London Olympics right on the eve of the opening ceremony. The strike could delay thousands of visitors arriving at British airports for the showpiece event in a week's time. The threat of transport chaos is adding pressure on the government, which has already called in thousands of soldiers to beef up security. London is the first city to host the Games three times ` first in 1908, then 40 years later. NZ sent a team of just seven in 1948. Charlotte Whale went to meet the last surviving member. ARCHIVE: The NZ team for the 1948 Olympic Games, to be held in London, is leaving Auckland by the Port Hobart. It was 64 years ago, but Ngaire Galloway remembers setting sail to London like it was yesterday. ARCHIVE: Time to say goodbye. We were dreadfully seasick for the first two or three days at least. There were six in our cabin, so it was... you had to be very chummy. (CHUCKLES) The seven Kiwis had to keep up their training on the ship ` especially difficult for Ngaire, who was competing in backstroke. And, of course, we weren't used to overseas competition. We'd had very very little contact with overseas people at all. So it was very daunting. As was heading to London post-war. London was in a very very sad state when we saw it. But the real battle of nerves came on race day. It was terrifying to stand there on the starting block, with all these hundreds of people in the stands all calling out. Finishing under her best times in the qualifying rounds, there was no medal for Ngaire. The team's manager, David Woodfield, wasn't much help. It was widely believed he preferred London's pubs to his responsibilities. When I got to London, I had no idea where I was going to... I could do any training. And he didn't do anything to help in that respect. I had to find my own place to train, which was actually very difficult. Great days. Great days that are now happy memories. Charlotte Whale, ONE News. And the 87-year-old says her secret to a long life is a happy marriage. Now you'll find full details about our latest London Olympians on... Now, coming up next on ONE News ` they'll get a sniff of any danger, but are these dogs enough to keep damaging bugs from our borders? Do you think this bloke looks harmless? Hear why he's suspected of killing tourists. And uncovering one brave boy ` a three-year-old's remarkable survival story. Then at 7, an exclusive chat behind the scenes with the creative brains of the operation. Team NZ's designers share some trade secrets. Critics say five new sniffer dogs at our international airports aren't enough to protect NZ's most valuable industries. More than 90 biosecurity jobs have disappeared in the past four years, and in that time, our horticulture industry's faced two significant threats. This from Lisa Owen. This is one of five new detector dogs graduating to the front line of border control. Good. Good girl. It's their job to sniff out anything that could jeopardise our $4b-a-year horticulture industry. 11 new dogs will be on duty by December. I am keen to get us to the stage where we can say we are monitoring every international flight coming into our airports. But Labour says canine recruits alone don't cut it. We believe the system needs a complete review and overhaul. A system they say has lost 91 'people jobs' since 2008. If we get one nasty pest or disease, it will be irreversible. Out on the orchard, the concerns are shared. It is a nervous times, because I know there is not the... resources there to catch everything. I think they can rest easy knowing they have the best biosecurity system in the world. But this year suburbs of Auckland were locked down after a single Queensland fruit fly arrived here. The kiwifruit-killing disease PSA made it across the border too. Monte Neal says NZ's economic 'fruits' deserve better protection. We need more people on the front line, and we need more education of visitors to this country. The government says as well as these dogs, it's also bolstering frontline workers. We are now actively recruiting more positions at the border, with 40 staff about to start. And eight new trainers are needed so the extra dogs can get to work as soon as they graduate. Lisa Owen, ONE News. We can now show you a visitor with deadly intent, as investigators try to figure out who's behind an attack on a bus full of Israeli tourists. Pictures have emerged of the suicide bomber at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria, before the blast which killed six others. ABC's Jeffrey Kofman has more. You are looking at video of a hunter stalking his prey ` a group of tourists getting off a plane. The guy with the long hair and backpack in the airport in Bulgaria looks like a young tourist himself. But rewind that image. The hair ` a wig; inside the backpack, deadly bombs. SIRENS WAIL And this is the result. Just as a group of Israeli tourists boarded a bus to take them to a seaside resort, the suicide bomber pulled the detonator, killing five Israelis. Amidst the carnage, police found this ` the bomber was carrying an American driver's licence. The picture ` that same man with the backpack. But look closely. It's a cheap fake. A Michigan driver's licence, yet the address is in Louisiana, in Baton Rouge. It's actually the address of a casino called the Belle of Baton Rouge. Clearly the bomber wanted to blend in. And there are reports the bomber may have been carrying a fake US passport. Counter-terrorism officials' worst fear is somebody who blends in; who is against the stereotype of what people think of as an Arab terrorist. SIRENS WAIL It is still unclear who did this, but Israel has no doubt. This attack was part of a global campaign of terror carried out by Iran and Hezbollah. It's a lethal game of cat and mouse, with Israel now pledging to avenge this latest bombing. Authorities believe the bomber was 36 years old and had been in Bulgaria for up to a week. The family of a newspaper seller is vowing to fight on after a policeman who pushed him to the ground during G20 protests in Britain was cleared of manslaughter. Constable Simon Harwood walked free from court three years after Ian Tomlinson (47) collapsed and died during demonstrations in London. We were expecting a guilty verdict, not a not guilty verdict. It really hurts. But it's not the end. We're not giving up for justice for Ian. The family says it'll take a civil case against police, while Harwood also faces a police complains hearing. A little boy's survived against the odds after falling into a waterlogged sewer shaft in Colombia. The three-year-old was missing for a day before he was found clinging to a pipe, just keeping his head above water. Rescuers had already searched the sewer system once, but fortunately went back for a second look. It was straight into Mum's arms, then to hospital for a check-up. Doctors say he was a bit dirty but otherwise OK. Armchair tourists can now take a virtual tour of the South Pole. Research giant Google has posted a series of panoramic views across Antarctica on the internet. The real-life mapping gives a 360-degree tour inside the bases and living quarters of polar explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Weather time now. Does that mean we're in for a wet weekend? We've still got the high hanging in there, so not everyone will get wet. But there's certainly some rain on the way. For weather, see onenews.co.nz Jo Boyd took this photo of the Mackenzie Country near Lake Pukaki late this afternoon as the sun was just making an appearance through the cloud layer. Lovely golden colours. The temperature was around 5 degrees. I'll be back with your weekend forecast after sport. Now, if you've got a taste for whitebait fritters, you've got to check out these creatures. Coming up on ONE News, why they're a breeding breakthrough. Also, he's usually such a big noise; Justin Bieber tells us why he's lying low in Auckland. Tonight on Close Up ` they're the kids with prisoners for parents. I've heard them referred to as the invisible children. So what's to stop them following in their family's footsteps? Plus, an exclusive chat behind the scenes with the brains of the operation. Everyone's here for their own unique contribution. Team NZ's designers share some trade secrets. Close Up at 7, TV ONE. Three families are spending their holidays here,... LAUGHING, CHATTERING ...with one toilet. Luckily, there's new Harpic Hygienic, for powerful cleaning with bleach. 1 Computer giant Microsoft has made its first ever loss, shedding $613m in its fourth quarter. It follows a $7.7b write-down of its online advertising business, which has struggled to compete with rival Google. But Microsoft's annual profit still hit nearly $21b. The head of the world's biggest navy exercise has spoken for the first time about a ban against NZ ships in Pearl Harbour. American Vice-Admiral Gerald Beaman says it's a long-standing political decision, which is outside his control. Our US correspondent Jack Tame reports from Hawaii. 42 ships; 25,000 military personnel. The RIMPAC maritime exercise off Hawaii is the world's biggest, and US Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman is the commanding officer. It's an opportunity to bring together a team now in a training environment, as opposed to once a world event might take place. NZ's ships Te Kaha and Endeavour are participating in both parts of the exercise. After weapons testing and the combat-tactical phase,... BOOM! ...the emphasis is now on training for humanitarian aid. But as a result of NZ's ban on nuclear ships, when they dock in Hawaii, our Navy's ships aren't allowed inside Pearl Harbor. That what a policy decision. That was outside of the purview of the RIMPAC exercise. From the main docks here in Pearl Harbor, it's 15 minutes or so to the docks assigned for NZ ships. But there has been a benefit for Kiwi sailors ` here, they've discovered, they're rather closer to the Honolulu nightlife. There are six countries this year participating in RIMPAC for the first time. Still, there's one very noticeable absence from the invite list: China. And the US insists the exercise isn't just a show of force to the Chinese government. The United States has, however, begun a tactical shift with its naval fleets, moving more ships to the Pacific. And it says in the next few years, RIMPAC exercises will be critical in strengthening its allied Pacific force. Jack Tame, ONE News, Honolulu, Hawaii. Scientists are celebrating a breakthrough ` successfully breeding one of our rarest native fish, the giant kokupu. As Joanna Hunkin reports, it's good news for greenies and foodies alike. You might not recognise it this big and without the batter. But this is an adult whitebait ` one of our most endangered native fish. The giant kokopu is one of six whitebait species in NZ whose habitat's being destroyed by man and cows. Now it's the first to be bred successfully in captivity. Closing the life cycle of the giant kokopu is just so exciting, because now that's been achieved, it opens it up to both environmental restoration projects and also commercialisation of whitebait farming. It's taken the team five years to get to this point through a process of trial and error, perfecting the exact temperature and conditions to see the whitebait thrive. And thrive they have. These little bubbles are fertilised fish eggs ` just some of the 70,000 produced this week. Next year 200 adult fish will be released into the Tawharanui Fish Sanctuary. So to put fish back in that will start that life cycle again is really important, and it's a big step for NZ for freshwater fish conservation. And it's good news for foodies who enjoy nothing more than a fresh whitebait fritter. We'll be able to supply eggs to whitebait farmers. They hatch them, grow them on for three months, and then they'll sell them to the marketplace. That export potential as a restaurant product is just massive. But good news for some is bad news for others, with some of these guys earmarked for taste testing in the coming weeks. Joanna Hunkin, ONE News. It's been all work and no play for pop idol Justin Bieber, who says his plans for a bungee jump have been scuppered by a neck injury. Instead, the 18-year-old's spent the day in Auckland doing media interviews. Despite arriving to a quieter reception than two years ago, he says Bieber fever's still burning strong. My thing is just the security about it, you know. I think that if we were to go downstairs and really cause hysteria, we could do that. Um, but it's just about now, we just know how to control it better. And Kiwi 'beliebers' could soon see him live. The Canadian's finalising dates for a world tour and says he hopes to include NZ. # If I was your boyfriend, # I'd never let you go. # I'd keep you on my arm, girl. # You'd never be alone. # I could be your gentleman, anything you want. # If I was your boyfriend, # I'd never let you go. And you can see the extended interview with Bieber on our website... as well as on Breakfast tomorrow from 7 o'clock. Looking at tonight's leading stories ` Animal-rights groups are angry two dog killers have walked out of court as free men. The SPCA says Tony Campbell and Russell Mendoza should've been jailed for gunning down more than 30 dogs on a neighbour's property at Wellsford, north of Auckland. They've been sentenced to six months' home and community detention, and community work. Syria's rebels have seized control of four border crossings into Turkey and Iraq, increasing pressure on Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime. The President's appeared on national television for the first time since a bombing attack killed three of his key allies. Jenny-May's here with sport now, and Steve Kearney's gone from the Eels. STILL RECOVERING FROM SEEING BEIBER. STEPHEN KEARNEY'S GONE. THIS IS A BIT OF A SHAMBLES. HE'S QUIT OR BEEN PUSHED, BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHEN AND THERE'S NO REPLACEMENT So while Kearney gets punted, the Blackcaps appoint a new coach for three years, but how long will he last? Why is Rory McIlroy giving this fan a signed glove? The war of words begins ahead of Sunday's trans-Tasman netball final. Kia ora, welcome back. It's official ` Stephen Kearney is no longer head coach of the Eels,... or is he? Confusion reigned today over just when the Kiwis coach will leave Parramatta. Australia correspondent Steve Marshall explains. The statement was clear-cut,... I've decided to resign from my position as senior coach of the club. ...but Stephen Kearney's departure date is not. Just like the Eels' on-field performance, today's announcement has been pretty much a shambles. Neither Kearney or the CEO could actually say when the coach will be departing. We'll sit down in the next few days and work that out. But Kearney wants out. He told me in private that tomorrow night's match against the Storm will likely be his last after failing to replicate his international success at club level. We could go through a thousand reasons why and why not and how and how come. We could go through a thousand reasons why and why not and how and how come. But I'm not here, you know, to give you all those reasons today. Kearney's record reads just nine wins from 41 games. But he insists he wasn't pushed. It's my decision. Yep. Kearney's the fifth Eels coach to depart in the past six years. Oh, there's enormous pressure, there's no doubt. The scrutiny of the Sydney media when you are not winning games is furnace-like. It's been a real difficult four months, to be fair, and it's been really challenging at times. But I just thought the best thing for myself and the family and the club is to move forward. The under-performing Eels players accept some of the blame. So, in a way, we feel partly responsible, yes, for the results we're... we've been giving out. Kearney's keen on returning home to focus on his role as Kiwis coach. Potentially, that's a role... a full-time role, which I think I am very passionate about, and which I could easily slip into. He might have lacked results, but Kearney still commands respect, and his passion for rugby league remains. Steve Marshall, ONE News, Sydney. As Kearney was quitting, NZ Cricket was appointing its fifth coach in less than four years. Otago's Mike Hesson ` whose previous coaching roles included Argentina and, until two months ago, Kenya ` beat 21 other applicants for the job. He brings a new freshness to the role. He's very intelligent, well organised and well rounded. The 37-year-old, who started his coaching career in 1998, has been signed for three years. Very much looking forward to getting to know the players and working with them and trying to work out ways of getting better and more consistent. Hesson will take charge once the underwhelming tour of the West Indies is completed. The world's two top Test cricket nations have opened their much-anticipated series in London with England dominating South Africa. Alistair Cook batted for the entire opening day for his first Test century in 11 months. There you are. Test match hundred number 20 for Alistair Cook. The gap was left. Alistair Cook says, 'Thank you very much indeed. I'll certainly take that one.' His opening partner, skipper Andrew Strauss, was given not out to the fourth ball of the day, but that was overturned, and he went for his 14th Test duck. The two other batsmen dismissed were the other South African-born pair ` Johnathan Trott and danger man Kevin Pietersen. Cook was unbeaten on 114 at stumps ` his second ton against South Africa, steering England to a healthy 267/3. To the other huge event in England ahead of the Olympics ` the British Golf Open, which began in Lancashire today. 36 players bettered par at Royal Lytham, including resurgent three-time Open champion Tiger Woods. Here's the BBC's Andy Swiss. It was calm; it was dry; for golf, it was almost perfect. PA: Tiger Woods! APPLAUSE And what better man to take advantage? Tiger Woods began with pinpoint precision and finished on a fine three under par. He was delighted with his form, just slightly confused by the English weather. The forecast hasn't been right all week, so... (CHUCKLES) Um, so that's probably just standard. So whatever we hear on TV, just don't expect it. Not even Woods, though, could rival Australia's Adam Scott ` the first-round leader on six under after a stunning display. For the more partisan spectators, though, there was plenty to cheer, not least Paul Lawrie. The 1999 champion rolled back the years. Oh my goodness. He's just a shot off the pace. But not all the home favourites flourished. Lee Westward struggled, while Darren Clarke needed a strimmer more than a golf club. It was also an adventurous day for Rory McIlroy. One wayward tee shot thwacked a spectator in the head. Ooh. Thankfully he was OK and got a signed glove for his pains. There was little damage to McIlroy either ` right in contention on three under. McIlroy double-bogeyed that hole, otherwise he would have been higher than in an eight-way tie for sixth. Kiwi Steve Alker shot a one-under par 69 ` five strokes behind Scott. And the Tour de France continues to be a British benefit, with Bradley Wiggins now looking certain to become Britain's first overall winner of the great race. Paced by his loyal teammate Christopher Froome, who lies second, Wiggins put more time on third-placed Vincenzo Nibali on the final mountain stage. Two British riders completely dominating the Tour de France in the Pyrenees. We hit the last climb, and I just went on the front and sort of lost concentration, really. I started thinking a lot of things. Um, Froomy was there egging me on for more, but I knew they were all gone. One of the pre-tour favourites, Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, held off the British pair by 19 seconds for the stage win. One of our Olympic hopefuls may pull the plug on his running career altogether after announcing his withdrawal from the Games. An ankle injury's forced Adrian Blincoe to pull out of the 5000m. While the injury itself won't end his career, the 2008 Beijing Olympian is now evaluating whether to keep running. That's for Adrian to evaluate and` and, you know, see where he's at. Absolutely. I mean, that's very much his decision to make. US-based Blincoe holds the NZ record for 5000m. While much of the focus will be on our rowers and Valerie Adams to win gold in London, one of our best hopes will not be competing for NZ. Christchurch-born and raised volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon is guiding the top-ranked American women in search of his second Olympic gold. Here's Blair Norton. He's one of our most successful coaches, but Hugh McCutcheon is hardly a household name. And it's a great block from the USA, and that's it. They've wrapped it up in straight sets. The Christchurch-born 42-year-old lead the United States women to the World Volleyball League title and number one ranking. Yeah, it was a good tournament. We were able to win it for the third time in a row, and it's the biggest annual volleyball competition that they have internationally. And, yeah, you know, great result. Especially considering McCutcheon didn't play any of his starters during the final tournament. But try telling him his team is the favourite for gold in London. You know, I think it's fair to say that we'd like to come away with some hardware. But, you know, as anyone in this world will tell you ` this Olympic world ` you've got to be good, you've got to stay healthy and you've got to be a little bit lucky. McCutcheon was voted American Olympic coach of the year in 2008, after leading the US men to gold in Beijing. The United States have taken the gold. The win came after his father-in-law Todd Bachman was stabbed to death while sightseeing in Beijing on the Games' opening day. I'm still affected by the events of 2008, and that's a whole different personal side of this story. But, you know, I don't think it has any bearing with how we're going into London or what's going on. McCutcheon refuses to buy into hype around the prospect of a gold medal double. Can he do it in London with this women's team? This is what I do. It's not who I am. So I don't think it defines me too much. I'm not going to lose too much sleep if we don't win another gold medal. Certainly it would be wonderful, but, you know, it's certainly not about me. That statement alone proves though McCutcheon's representing America, he's still a Kiwi at heart. Blair Norton, ONE News. Embarrassment for Basketball Australia officials with the revelation the Opals ` the women's basketball team ` flew economy class to the Olympics while their male counterparts enjoyed business class. Basketball Australia has defended its actions, saying the Opals were consulted about their travel arrangements and chose to fly economy. However, incoming Sports Federation chairwoman Kristina Keneally has given a scathing assessment of Basketball Australia's long-standing travel policy. The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic are adamant their late afternoon arrival in Melbourne tomorrow is the best approach for Sunday trans-Tasman netball grand final. Meanwhile their opponents, the Vixens, believe the two-week break will help capture their second title. Here's Australia correspondent Steve Marshall again. Looking to put the boot in. The Vixens and Hawthorne Aussie-rules players engaged in some code-promotional jostling ahead of a massive Melbourne sporting weekend. Imposing Vixens veteran Bianca Chatfield made her mark, no matter what shape the ball. She owns that back third, so it was tough work out there. But hopefully she takes that into Sunday. Chatfield's task on Sunday is to suck the marrow out of the menacing Magic attack. And she's thankful for the break. I think it's an advantage. It's... You get a week off. You know, we had a hard practice match on Friday night, and we've got the rest of the week now to just recover and prepare for the game. So I think it's a massive advantage for us. The Vixens are on the verge of becoming the first team in championship history to win two titles, while the Magic haven't missed the finals. Today, players plugged their team's chances on breakfast TV couches on both sides of the Tasman. Our team's got a lot of versatility, and I think that's a strength ` to make sure that, you know, we can throw out anything any time during the game to make sure that we can get the job done. I think we've got more than mongrel. In our trainings ` I don't know, you may not have seen it ` but there's a lot of stuff going on so that when we get into the match, it's a lot easier. Just trying to make everybody experience what it feels like, so when you get out on to the court, you're not surprised by what's happening to you. An expected sell-out of more than 12,000 people will favour the Vixens, whose home record offers some help to the Magic ` they've lost two from six in Melbourne this season. Steve Marshall, ONE News, Sydney. Robyn Broughton has re-signed with the Pulse. WHO ARE YOU GOING FOR THIS WEEKEND? MAGIC. HEART AND HEAD? BOTH, ABSOLUTELY. I THINK LEANA DE BRUIN AND CASEY WILLIAMS WILL BE TOO GOOD. Next on ONE News ` Karen says a couple of fronts are converging on us for the weekend, but not everyone will get wet. Tonight on Close Up ` they're the kids with prisoners for parents. I've heard them referred to as the invisible children. So what's to stop them following in their family's footsteps? Plus, an exclusive chat behind the scenes with the brains of the operation. Everyone's here for their own unique contribution. Team NZ's designers share some trade secrets. Close Up's here next, TV ONE. ENGINE RATTLES SONIC CRACKLING, ZAPPING Debt comes in all shapes and sizes. SONIC CRACKLING, ZAPPING Sometimes borrowing is a smart thing to do,... SONIC ZAPPING INTENSIFIES ...and sometimes it isn't. SONIC ZAPPING SOARS Shrink your dumb debt. It's all part of being sorted. Hello, again. Got a front closing in on the south coast of the South Island and another frontal system tracking towards Northland. Here's the northern system, tucking round into a low. And broad area of frontal cloud pushing up out of the Southern Ocean. There's colder air in behind that cloud mass. We still had plenty of clear sky over us today, under our friendly ridge. And the ridge is really trying to stay with us tomorrow, but it gets squeezed on two sides as these systems push closer. The southern front makes landfall, but this system is still held at bay for now, although the isobars crunching up over Northern Districts are producing a strong easterly up there. Cloudy areas along the western side of the South Island, with some rain or drizzle in the south-west and south coast. It's mostly fine everywhere else, but high cloud increases. Mostly light winds. Cloudy skies in the far north with a few showers. Coastal cloud for eastern areas with some patches of drizzle. Mostly fine everywhere else. East to north-east winds. For weather, see onenews.co.nz I'll leave you with this stunning photo from the Chatham Islands. David Short reckons it was not a bad day for a spot of fishing on the south-west coast. Have a good evening. And that's ONE News for Friday Now here's Close Up.