IT'S MIDDAY. THAI POLICE REVEAL MORE DETAILS AFTER AN ALLEGED ATTACK BY TWO NEW ZEALANDERS ON A POLICE OFFICER IN PHUKET. WHY AUTHORITIES WANT BAIL DENIED. HOW WORKERS RIGHTS ARE ON THE LINE, AS UBER TAKES ITS EMPLOYMENT CASE BACK TO COURT. PLUS, BANKSY STRIKES AGAIN. THE MEANING BEHIND THIS LATEST DISPLAY FROM THE ELUSIVE ARTIST. CAPTIONS BY KATE MCCULLOUGH AND DREW WELSH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 THAI AUTHORITIES WANT BAIL TO BE DENIED FOR TWO NEW ZEALAND BROTHERS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER IN PHUKET AT THE WEEKEND. OSCAR AND HAMISH DAY REPORTEDLY EACH FACE FIVE CHARGES OVER THE INCIDENT, WHICH WAS CAPTURED ON VIDEO. SIMON MERCEP IS FOLLOWING THE STORY. SIMON, THAI POLICE HAVE REVEALED MORE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY ALLEGE HAPPENED? THEY HAVE. POLICE HAVE HELD A MEDIA CONFERENCE WHERE THEY RAN THROUGH THEIR CASE. THEY ALLEGE THAT THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED AFTER A TRAFFIC OFFICER PULLED OVER THE KIWIS FOR SPEEDING ON A MOTORBIKE AND TOOK PHOTOS. POLICE SAY THE ASSAULT STARTED WHEN THEY TRIED SEIZING THE PHONE. THEY SAY THAT DURING THE STRUGGLE THE OFFICERS HANDGUN WENT OFF AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THEY ALLEGE THE BROTHER HOLDING THE OFFICER WAS A MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER. THEY WERE ARRESTED WHEN MORE OFFICERS ARRIVED. THEY SAY THE MEN TRIED TO BRIBE THEM. THEY POSTED AN IMAGE OF THE OFFICER IN HOSPITAL AND SAID HE WAS RECOVERING WELL. POLICE SAY THOSE CHARGES TO INCLUDE ASSAULT AND ATTEMPTED BRIBERY. THAI MEDIA REPORT THE PAIR HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND ARE BEING HELD IN THE PHUKET PROVINCIAL COURT. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW LONG THIS TRIAL PROCESS MAY TAKE. IN THE MEANTIME, THAI AUTHORITIES HAVE REVOKED THEIR VISA AND BLACKLISTED THEM SO THEY CAN NEVER RETURN. THEY HAVE ALSO AND ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR ALL TOURISTS TO RESPECT LOCAL LAWS AND AT THAT ANY WRONGDOER WOULD BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR THAT, SIMON. UBER DRIVERS HAVE PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE COURT OF APPEAL IN WELLINGTON, WHILE THE RIDE SHARING COMPANY APPEALS A LEGAL RULING THAT THEY QUALITY AS ITS EMPLOYEES. THE LANDMARK CASE IS BACK IN COURT AFTER THE 2022 EMPLOYMENT COURT DECISION SAID UBER DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AS A RESULT. CUSHLA NORMAN IS WITH US NOW. WHAT'S HAPPENING, CUSHLA? EARLIER THIS MORNING THERE WAS A SMALL BUT VOCAL GROUP SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT FOR UBER DRIVERS. THERE WERE DRIVERS THEMSELVES AND MEMBERS OF THE UNION GROUPS WHICH ARE FUNDING THESE LEGAL CASES. THERE WERE ALSO POLITICIANS FROM THE GREENS AND LABOUR PARTIES. THEY ARE OUT SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT BECAUSE UBER DRIVERS ARE HEADING INTO COURT TO FACE A LEGAL CHALLENGE. THIS ALL GOES BACK TO 2022. AN APPOINTMENT CASE WHICH DRIVERS ONE, WHICH SAID THEY ARE EMPLOYEES AND NOT CONTRACTORS. FOUR UBER DRIVERS TOOK THIS CASE AND WE HEARD ABOUT WHY THEY TOOK THE CASE. WE DESERVE TO BE RECOGNISED AS WORKERS. AS A HUMAN BEING, WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD. WE DESERVE JUSTICE, WE DESERVE FAIRNESS IN THE WORKPLACE. THAT IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. INSIDE COURT RIGHT NOW, UBER'S LAWYERS ARE ADVANCING AN ARGUMENT THAT THE JUDGE IN THE EMPLOYMENT LAW CASE GOT THE DECISION WRONG AND MADE AN ERROR. THEY ARE ARGUING THAT THE COMPANY HAD NO CONTROL OVER DRIVERS AND THAT THEY HAD FLEXIBILITY AND WERE THEREFORE NOT EMPLOYEES. THEY HAD OTHER WORKING COMMITMENTS AND CHOSE TO LOG ON TO THE APP, THAT'S THE UBER APP, WHEN AND WHERE IT SUITED THEM. SIMPLY PUT, THERE WAS NO MUTUALITY OF OBLIGATIONS. THIS CASE IS EXPECTED TO GO ON TOMORROW AS WELL, AND THE JUDGES ARE EXCEPTED TO RESERVE THEIR DECISION. THANKS FOR THAT. THE PRIME MINISTER CAN'T SAY HOW MANY MORE EVICTIONS THERE'LL BE UNDER A CRACKDOWN ON STATE HOUSING POLICY OR HOW MANY CHILDREN WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE TOUGHER POLICY. THE GOVERNMENT HAS TOLD KAINGA ORA TO 'STRENGTHEN' ITS APPROACH TO 'TERMINATIONS' FOR ANTI-SOCIAL AND DISRUPTIVE SOCIAL HOUSING TENANTS. MINISTERS SENT A LETTER TO THE STATE HOUSING AGENCY'S BOARD, OUTLINING THE CORE FUNCTIONS THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS, INCLUDING EVICTING TENANTS FOR OWING RENT. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY CHILDREN YOU EXPECT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS TIGHTENED UP POLICY? LOOK, I DON'T HAVE THOSE NUMBERS AT HAND, ANNA, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS TODAY THERE ARE THREE AND A HALF THOUSAND KIDS THAT ARE WAKING UP, AND FAMILIES, IN EMERGENCY HOUSING. THERE'S 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS THAT ACTUALLY ARE DESPERATE ON A STATE HOUSE WAITLIST TO GET THEIR SHOT AT A STATE HOUSE AS A RESULT. BUT AUCKLAND ACTION AGAINST POVERTY'S BROOKE PAO STANLEY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T FOCUSING ON THE RIGHT AREA. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND BIRTH RIGHT, SO EVERYONE IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING THAT'S AFFORDABLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES THAT ARE IN KO HOUSING THAT MIGHT BE EXHIBITING PERSISTENT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, BUT IT'S ALSO` AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE NEED A MASS BUILD OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING. SOUTH ISLANDERS ARE CONSUMING MORE ALCOHOL THAN PEOPLE IN THE NORTH ISLAND. THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND MONITORED TEN WATER CATCHMENT AREAS COVERING 40% OF THE POPULATION OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD IN 2021. THE RESULTING DATA FOUND PEOPLE IN SOUTH AUCKLAND DRINK THE LEAST. LISA PILKINGTON SAYS IT GIVES THE POSSIBILITY FOR LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. THIS KIND OF STUDY IS LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE POPULATION COMMUNITY, SO IT'S NOT LOOKING AT INDIVIDUAL DRINKING HABITS. THAT CAN'T BE DISSECTED WITH THIS STUDY, BUT IT'S LOOKING AT OVERALL TRENDS, THE IDEA THAT IF YOU HAVE THIS ONGOING MONITORING, IT MEANS YOU COULD DIRECT RESOURCES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED, OR YOU CAN MONITOR ANY KIND OF POLICY CHANGES. RESEARCHERS ALSO SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE TO LINK DETECTABLE SPIKES IN DRINKING TO BIG EVENTS. THE PRINCESS OF WALES HAS BEEN SPOTTED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HER ABDOMINAL SURGERY. A NEW VIDEO PUBLISHED THIS MORNING SHOWS CATHERINE WITH HER HUSBAND WILLIAM ON A SHOPPING TRIP IN WINDSOR. THE SIGHTING COMES AMID HEIGHTENED SPECULATION OVER HER WHEREABOUTS. EUROPE CORRESPONDENT MEI HERON TOLD BREAKFAST THE CONSPIRACIES HAVE BEEN GATHERING STEAM. THERE IS A REAL INTENSE QUESTION ABOUT WHERE IS KATE MIDDLETON? WHERE IS PRINCESS CATHERINE? IT'S ALL OVER THE FRONT PAPERS, IT'S ALL OVER THE MAGAZINES, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHERE SHE IS. LIKE YOU SAY, THERE IS A SIGHTING THAT'S BEEN REPORTED. PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN HER OUT AND ABOUT AT A SHOP, HER FAVOURITE SHOP IN WINDSOR WITH PRINCE WILLIAM, BUT NO DOUBT, IT IS A TOPIC THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. THE PRINCESS WAS LAST SEEN IN PUBLIC AT CHRISTMAS BEFORE HER SURGERY IN JANUARY. VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS THANKED HIS SUPPORTERS AT A RALLY IN MOSCOW AFTER CLAIMING A LANDSLIDE ELECTION VICTORY. BUT HIS CRITICS SAY THE VOTE WAS RIGGED, WITH SERIOUS CHALLENGERS UNABLE TO STAND FOR ELECTION. THE BBC'S STEVE ROSENBERG REPORTS. AFTER THE LANDSLIDE CAME THE LOVE. VLADIMIR PUTIN PORTRAYED BY THE KREMLIN IS A NATIONAL HERO. AND CONCERT MARKING 10 YEARS SINCE RUSSIA ANNEXED CRIMEA. 'LONG LIVE RUSSIA,' HE CRIED. Q. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND SOME KREMLIN CHOREOGRAPHY TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE PUTIN IS RUSSIA. EARLIER, WE SAW THE CROWDS POURING TOWARDS RED SQUARE. THOUSANDS OF RUSSIANS HAD BEEN GIVEN FREE TICKETS FOR THE EVENT. AFTER ALL, A PRESIDENT WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE ONE 87% OF THE VOTE NEEDS A DECENT AUDIENCE. WESTERN LEADERS HAVE DISMISSED THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IS NEITHER FREE NOR FAIR. BUT THE KREMLIN COULDN'T CARE LESS WHAT THE WEST THINKS. IT PAINTS A PICTURE OF A PRESIDENT WHO ENJOYS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF HIS PEOPLE. DOWN AT THE RUSSIAN ELECTION COMMISSION, THEY COUNTED ALL THE VOTES, AND THEY PRESENTED ALL THEIR FIGURES. SO IT IS SIX MORE YEARS OF PRESIDENT PUTIN. BUT WHAT THAT MEANT FOR RUSSIA AND FOR THE WORLD? DOESN'T SEEM GOOD FOR RUSSIA OR UKRAINE OR THE WORLD, BECAUSE PUTIN WILL CONTINUE THIS PERMANENT WAR. HE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPRESS SOCIETY INSIDE HIS COUNTRY, IN A SENSE, HE BECOMES A FULL-BLOODED AUTOCRAT DICTATOR. AND YET THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL FOR RUSSIA UNDER VLADIMIR PUTIN IS ALREADY CLEAR ` MORE CONFRONTATION ABROAD AND REPRESSION AT HOME. FEW HERE SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT THE SELECTION WILL BRING A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. IF IT IS THE SAME PRESIDENT, THEN I DON'T THINK ANYTHING WILL BE DIFFERENT, SHE SAYS. IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN RULED BY THE SAME AD FOR 1/4 OF A CENTURY, RUSSIANS ARE STARTING TO FORGET WHAT CHANGE LOOKS LIKE. DONALD TRUMP'S LAWYERS SAY HE CAN'T PAY THE $740m FINE HE INCURRED FOR INFLATING THE VALUE OF HIS ASSETS. TRUMP LOST THE CIVIL FRAUD CASE, AND IN ORDER TO APPEAL, NEEDS TO STUMP UP THE MONEY AS A BOND WHICH WILL BE HELD IN TRUST WHILE THE CASE PROCEEDS. HIS LAWYERS SAY HE HAS APPROACHED 30 INSURANCE COMPANIES TO UNDERWRITE THE BILL, BUT NONE WOULD DO SO, MAKING THE FINE A 'PRACTICAL IMPOSSIBILITY'. THE BOND IS DUE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, OTHERWISE IT'S POSSIBLE HIS ASSETS, INCLUDING TRUMP TOWER, COULD BE SEIZED. FORMER U.S PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS CALLED IN FOR A SURPRISE CUPPA WITH THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. OBAMA WAS SEEN ENTERING THE FRONT DOOR OF NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET AND LEAVING ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. DOWNING STREET HAS CONFIRMED HE AND RISHI SUNAK DISCUSSED A RANGE OF TOPICS OVER A CUP OF TEA, INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. THE IMPROMPTU MEETING WAS PART OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S LONDON TRIP. AN ISRAELI DELEGATION IS HEADED TO QATAR TODAY TO RENEW TALKS OF A CEASEFIRE WITH HAMAS. IT'S EXPECTED A PROPOSITION FOR A DEAL COULD TAKE DAYS. BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR PALESTINIANS IN GAZA. OVER HALF OF THE POPULATION THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE EXPERIENCING CATASTROPHIC FOOD SHORTAGES, WHILE ONE OF THE TERRITORY'S LARGEST HOSPITALS HAS COME UNDER ATTACK AGAIN. THE BBC'S ORLA GUERIN REPORTS. SHEER DESPERATION IN GAZA CITY TODAY AND A TINY WINDOW OF HOPE. THIS CRUSH IS TO GET A FEW KILOGRAMS OF FLOUR. MOST DON'T MANAGE IT. THERE'S NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK. 'CHILDREN ARE DYING.' 'THERE ARE MASSACRES WHEN PLANES DROP AID, AND PEOPLE DIE.' THE EU SAYS ISRAEL IS PROVOKING FAMINE AND HAS TURNED GAZA INTO A KILLING GROUND. GAZA WAS BEFORE THE WAR THE GREATEST OPEN-AIR PRISON. TODAY, IT IS THE GREATEST OPEN-AIR GRAVEYARD, A GRAVEYARD FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, AND ALSO A GRAVEYARD FOR MANY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF HUMANITARIAN LAW. (GUNSHOT) IN ANOTHER DISTRICT OF GAZA CITY, THE SOUNDS OF BATTLE. (GUNSHOT) THIS IS THE AREA OF AL SHIFA, GAZA'S LARGEST HOSPITAL. OH MY GOD! INSIDE THEIR OWN HOMES NEARBY, CIVILIANS AT RISK FROM ISRAEL'S FOURTH RAID ON THE HOSPITAL. HERE'S THE ARMY'S HEAVILY EDITED VIDEO OF THE ASSAULT. IT APPEARS TO SHOW TROOPS COMING UNDER FIRE AS THEY APPROACH THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX. (GUNSHOT) THEY SHOOT THEIR WAY IN. DOCTORS TOLD THE BBC THREE PATIENTS DIED BECAUSE THE ELECTRICITY WAS CUT. THE IDEA OF CONDUCTING A HIGH-PRECISION OPERATION IN LIMITED AREAS OF SHIFA HOSPITAL, WE KNOW THAT SENIOR HAMAS TERRORISTS HAVE REGROUPED IN THE SHIFA HOSPITAL AND ARE USING IT TO COMMAND ATTACKS AGAINST ISRAEL. ONCE AGAIN, FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE THE AREA. WAR-WEARY, AND NOW WITH FRESH TRAUMA. FOR GAZANS, NO ESCAPE FROM THE DESOLATION AND THE DANGER. IF THEY DON'T DIE OF ISRAEL'S BOMBARDMENT, THEY MAY SOON DIE OF HUNGER. ETHIOPIA'S LARGEST BANK IS SCRAMBLING TO RECOVER HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AFTER A SYSTEM GLITCH ALLOWED CUSTOMERS TO WITHDRAW MILLIONS. AT THE WEEKEND CUSTOMERS AT THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA DISCOVERED THEY COULD TAKE OUT MORE CASH THAN THEY HAD IN THEIR ACCOUNTS. MORE THAN $65m WAS WITHDRAWN OVER THE SEVERAL HOURS IT TOOK FOR THE BANK TO FREEZE TRANSACTIONS. PEOPLE ARE NOW BEING URGED TO RETURN ANY MONEY THAT ISN'T THEIRS. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS STREET ARTIST LENDS HIS TALENTS TO A WALL IN A NORTH LONDON SUBURB. WHAT CHANGES MIGHT BE INTRODUCED IN A BID TO KEEP THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES ALIVE. AND WHY ONE RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM'S DECIDED ON AN UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT FOR PROFANE INTERVIEWS. ELUSIVE STREET ARTIST 'BANKSY' HAS CONFIRMED A MURAL THAT SUDDENLY APPEARED ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING IN LONDON IS HIS LATEST CREATION. CROWDS HAVE FLOCKED TO FINSBURY PARK TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE MURAL, WITH LOCALS SAYING THEY'RE PROUD THEIR STREET WAS CHOSEN AS A CANVAS BY THE FAMOUS ARTIST. THE BBC'S ELLIE PRICE HAS MORE. IT IS NOT THAT IMPRESSIVE CLOSE-UP, BUT IT ALL MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU SET WITH THE TREE. WHEN BANKSY COMES TO TOWN, SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. A TREAT FOR THE LOCALS WHO JUST HAPPEN TO BE PASSING. I THINK IT'S AMAZING, HONESTLY. I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN ABOUT HIS ARTWORK. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WOULD BE ONE SO CLOSE TO HOME, SO REALLY NICE TO SEE. IT HAD ALREADY ATTRACTED TO NATIONAL INTEREST. WE TOOK THE BUS, BUT WE JUST CAME HERE TO SEE IT. LOCALS TOLD US THE WALL GOT ITS MAKEOVER IN THE EARLY HOURS OF YESTERDAY MORNING, THE GREEN BEING TAKEN AS A STATEMENT THIS IS A PARTICULARLY BIG THING BECAUSE OF ITS SCALE AND THE CLARITY OF THE MESSAGE, AND THE FACT THAT IT EXISTS IN THIS BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN A REALLY CLEVER AND SMART WAY. THE LAST TIME ANYONE FOUND A NEW BANKSY, IT LASTED LESS THAN AN HOUR BEFORE TAKEN DOWN. THERE WAS ALSO THIS ICONIC PAINTING THAT SHREDDED ITSELF JUST AFTER IT WAS SOLD. AND DON'T FORGET THAT 10 YEARS AGO WE HAD SLAVE LABOUR, AND THE BUILDING OWNERS TRIED TO CHIP IT OFF AND SELL IT. THE LOCAL MP HERE IS PRETTY CONFIDENT THIS ONE WILL STAY PUT. IT HAS PUT US ON THE MAP. THE BALL CLEARLY NEEDED REPAINTING ANYWAY, SO HE IS JUST HELPING OUT. CONFIRMATION THIS WORK ` WHICH DOESN'T HAVE A NAME YET ` IS THE REAL DEAL WILL ONLY ATTRACT MORE VISITORS, AND AT 30 FOOT HIGH WITH A BIG TREE IN FRONT, IT'S HOPEFULLY NOT GOING ANYWHERE SOON. TO SPORT, AND IF A NEW HOST FOR THE NEXT COMMONWEALTH GAMES IS TO BE FOUND, IT MAY BE FOR A SMALLER EVENT WITH FEWER SPORTS. THE 2026 GAMES HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VENUE SINCE THE AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA PULLED OUT LAST YEAR, CITING A BUDGET BLOWOUT. MALAYSIA'S THE LATEST OPTION TO STEP IN, BUT IS PITCHING A 'SCALED DOWN' GAMES. THAT INCLUDES USING HOTELS TO HOUSE ATHLETES AND OFFICIALS AND USING EXISTING FACILITIES TO KEEP COSTS DOWN. WE ALSO FEEL THAT THIS CAN BE A DOWNSIZED GAMES. FOR EXAMPLE, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 15 SPORTS, IT CAN BE 10 SPORTS, AND THEN WE HAVE A SMALLER OPENING AND A SMALLER CLOSING. MALAYSIA PREVIOUSLY HOSTED THE GAMES IN KUALA LUMPUR IN 1998. ORGANISERS FOR THE 2032 OLYMPICS IN BRISBANE HAVE SCRAPPED PLANS TO DEMOLISH AND REBUILD THE GABBA CRICKET GROUND, BUT REJECTED A RAFT OF RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT KEEPING THE COST OF THE GAMES DOWN. THE REVIEW OF THE CITY'S OLYMPIC PLANS WAS LAUNCHED AFTER THE COST OF REDEVELOPING THE GABBA TRIPLED. IT RECOMMENDED BUILDING A NEW $3.6b STADIUM IN THE CITY, BUT QUEENSLAND'S STATE PREMIER SAYS THAT COST IS TOO HIGH. INSTEAD, SUNCORP STADIUM, THE HOME OF THE BRISBANE BRONCOS, WILL BE REDEVELOPED TO HOST THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES, ALONG WITH SCALED-DOWN PLANS FOR THE GABBA. AND FRENCH AUTHORITIES HAVE SHOWN OFF THE SECURITY THAT WILL BE IN PLACE AROUND THE OLYMPIC FLAME DURING THE TORCH RELAY FOR THE PARIS GAMES. POLICE DEMONSTRATED THE PLAN FOR THE FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTER, INCLUDING A STAGED ATTACK. THE TORCHBEARER WILL TRAVEL WITHIN A SECURITY BUBBLE, PROTECTED BY AROUND 100 OFFICERS AND ANTI-DRONE MEASURES. WE PLAN FOR THE WORST AND EXPECT THE BEST, SO, IN SHORT, WE'RE PREPARING FOR AN INTRUSION IN THE TORCH BUBBLE, BUT ALSO UP TO A TERRORIST ATTACK. THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE PRESENCE OF SPECIAL FORCES AND TRADITIONAL POLICE ALSO. THE IDEA IS TO HAVE A TOOLKIT SO WE CAN REACT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY. THE FLAME WILL BE LIT IN GREECE NEXT MONTH, BEFORE STARTING ITS JOURNEY TO PARIS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY IN JULY. NEW ZEALAND'S NARROWLY MISSED OUT ON RECORDING A SECOND-EVER WIN AT THE WOMEN'S CURLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CANADA. WITH THE SCORES LOCKED AT 7-7 IN THE ELEVENTH END, THE KIWI TEAM SKIPPERED BY VANESSA SMITH HELD THE SHOT, ONLY FOR ESTONIA TO KNOCK THEM OUT WITH THE LAST STONE, SECURING A 10-7 WIN. THE RESULT DROPS NEW ZEALAND DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STANDINGS WITH ONE WIN AND FOUR LOSSES. KIWIS AND STORM HALFBACK JAHROME HUGHES WILL SERVE A ONE-GAME BAN FOR AN INCIDENT INVOLVING THE REFEREE DURING MELBOURNE'S WIN OVER THE WARRIORS. THE NRL JUDICIARY CHARGED HUGHES WITH CONTRARY CONDUCT AFTER HE KNOCKED OVER THE REF CLOSE TO THE STORM GOAL LINE. HUGHES ENTERED AN EARLY GUILTY PLEA TO THE CHARGE. AND FORGET THE SIN BIN ` THE NRL'S SOUTHS RABBITOHS HAVE BROUGHT IN A SWEAR JAR. IT FOLLOWS AN EXPLETIVE-LADEN LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW BY STAR PLAYER LATRELL MITCHELL AFTER THE SIDE'S LOSS TO THE BRONCOS LAST WEEKEND. MITCHELL WON'T BE PUNISHED, AND SAYS HIS LANGUAGE WASN'T INTENDED TO OFFEND. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` I'LL BE BACK WITH THE AFTERNOON WEATHER. PLUS, AN EXPLANATION WHY THE NEXT COUPLE OF NIGHTS MIGHT FEEL LIKE SUMMER IS LONG GONE. CHILLIER NIGHTS ARE ON THE WAY FOR MANY. A HIGH-PRESSURE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY MOVING OVER AOTEAROA WHICH COULD CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRY, ALLOWING THE HEAT OF THE DAY TO ESCAPE. TOMORROW ALSO MARKS THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX, MEANING THE NIGHTS WILL BE LONGER THAN THE DAYS. WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO A PERIOD WHERE, AS WE KNOW, THE NIGHTS DO GET LONGER THAN THE DAYS. SO WE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COOL AIR. THE SUN HEATS THE EARTH, SO WITHOUT THE SUN, WE DON'T HEAT THE EARTH. THE CHILLIEST NIGHTS FOR MANY ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT. SO LET'S SEE HOW THOSE TEMPERATURES ARE SHAPING UP AT YOUR PLACE TODAY. (RIHANNA'S 'WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN') THANKS FOR JOINING US. TE KARERE IS HERE AT 4, FOLLOWED BY THE ONE NEWS TEAM AT SIX. PLUS, YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL OF TODAY'S NEWS ONLINE AT 1news.co.nz. FROM THE WHOLE MIDDAY TEAM, HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY KATE MCCULLOUGH AND DREW WELSH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024