Checkpoint for Tuesday 7 October 2008

6:58 PM.The disaster has inspired a play as part of Melbourne's Fringe Festival. Audio

6:56 PM.The founder of Microsoft Bill Gates argues the World's innovators are ready to kick start the stalled global economy. Audio

6:53 PM.The American coffee chain Starbucks has been accused by environmental groups of wasting phenomenal quantities of water. Audio

6:50 PM.A suicide bomber has blown himself up in Northern Sri Lanka killing at least 27 people. Audio

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

6:45 PM.With less than a month to go before Americans choose their next President, the stakes are rising. Audio

6:43 PM.A new report suggests things are looking up for kiwifruit growers and that Marlborough wine production is booming. Audio

6:38 PM.Financial markets in the United States and Europe have plunged again. Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:28 PM.The Noble prize is awarded to AIDS and Cancer virus pioneers. Audio

6:25 PM.An Anglican Cathedral in Napier is defying the Historic Places Trust, with the demolition of its church hall. Audio

6:24 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:20 PM.Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society in London comments. Audio

6:15 PM.Mr. Reid is charged with murdering the 20 year old, Emma Agnew, on November 15th 2007. Audio

6:10 PM.Findings of an independent review into cardiac services at Wellington's embattled Capital and Coast DHB. Audio

6:06 PM.Markets in New Zealand, Asia and Australia have taken a beating today after another rocky night on Wall Street. Audio

5:58 PM.Researchers in Australia have been studying the behaviour of male bosses and shows a favourable comparison to monkey groups. Audio

5:57 PM.An assessment of the Worlds wildlife has found that nearly a quarter of the planets land mammals are at risk of extinction. Audio

5:55 PM.Extreme winds whipped through the lower North Island today, causing havoc for emergency services. Audio

5:50 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:48 PM.Councils around the country are considering cutting services, in the wake of global financial troubles. Audio

5:45 PM.Pharmac puts the spotlight on antipsychotic medication for the elderly, in light of overseas alerts. Audio

5:38 PM.With the introduction of the government's regional levy scheme. Audio

5:35 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:25 PM.The report says 8 people who died waiting for surgery in Wellington experienced delays in their care could have been avoided. Audio

5:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:20 PM.There are predictions now that the recession here will last until the end of the year. Audio

5:15 PM.The New Zealand dollar held its own today after its biggest fall overnight against the US dollar in 23 years. Audio

5:05 PM.The National Party has announced it will scale back its tax cuts slightly. Audio