Checkpoint for Thursday 27 March 2008

6:57 PM.David Beckham has been capped for a hundredth time for England, becoming only the fifth player to reach that landmark. Audio

6:54 PM.Scientists from around the world are in Gabon to pool knowledge on the deadly Ebola and Marburg viruses. Audio

6:52 PM.Relations between Syria and the USA have worsened, with Damascus accusing the US of trying to undermine the Arab summit. Audio

6:48 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:48 PM.A few days out from the Zimbabwe election, there are more fears the government of Robert Mugabe is attempting to rig the poll. Audio

6:45 PM.Shia militants in Iraq still have until Saturday to hand over their weapons or face arrest. Audio

6:41 PM.A Cannonball-like Object, has been found near Gisborne and is now being tested to determine its age and origin. Audio

6:38 PM.French President Nicolas Sarkozy says his country will deploy more troops to Afghanistan to help fight the Taliban. Audio

6:34 PM.An update from the RNZ sports team. Audio

6:28 PM.Kiwi tennis sensation Marina Erakovic has guaranteed herself a place in the main draw of this year's French Open. Audio

6:23 PM.Auckland community groups gathered today to see what the response has been to concerns about youth employment issues. Audio

6:17 PM.The National Party has blamed redtape and bureaucracy for the crisis in home affordability. Audio

6:13 PM.A new youth apprenticeship scheme will see schoolchildren as young as 14 entering the workplace. Audio

6:06 PM.A take-over bid for Ozjet appears has grounded Palmerston North's chance of having its trans-Tasman service reinstated. Audio

5:57 PM.Change is on the cards for NZ rugby following a 2-day forum of more than 80 rugby people in Wellington. Audio

5:52 PM.A South Auckland community worker says rising rents are forcing poorer families into overcrowded homes. Audio

5:49 PM.Having a drink in the streets and parks of Wellington looks set to become a thing of the past. Audio

5:49 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:43 PM.The Defence Minister has revealed more about the assassination attempts on East Timor's President and Prime Minister last month. Audio

5:40 PM.An update from the RNZ sports team. Audio

5:40 PM.Police in Waikato say it is possible that former power company employees are behind recent thefts of power cables. Audio

5:26 PM.An English tourist has become the latest victim of a violent sexual attack while walking a popular track in the Bay of Islands. Audio

5:24 PM.Foreign journalists have been allowed into Lhasa to inspect the aftermath of the riots ten days ago. Audio

5:20 PM.United States President George W Bush has urged China to begin dialogue with Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Audio

5:10 PM.Auckland University has been ordered to pay more than 65 thousand dollars to a high profile academic who was sacked last year. Audio

5:06 PM.Trans-Tasman airline services out of Palmerston Nth looks unlikely due to news that Ozjet is the subject of a takeover bid. Audio