Checkpoint for Monday 1 December 2008

6:56 PM.The controversial rapper Kanye West has arrived in the country to perform in Auckland and Wellington. Audio

6:53 PM.Survival rates of babies exposed to the HIV virus are significantly better in countries with early treatment programmes. Audio

6:51 PM.A bitter dispute has broken out between the Nigerian military and Greek operators of a tanker seized earlier this year. Audio

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

6:43 PM.Doctors in Western Australia say heroin appears to be making a comeback. Audio

6:41 PM.Swiss voters have overwhelmingly backed a proposal to prescribe heroin to registered addicts. Audio

6:39 PM.The President of Russia has wrapped up talks with Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro. Audio

6:37 PM.There has been a happy ending for one South Auckland family devastated at the loss of their mother's ashes. Audio

6:35 PM.The police have spoken for the first time to a 23 year old taxi driver who was stabbed. Audio

6:32 PM.An update from the RNZ sports team. Audio

6:26 PM.We are joined by our correspondent Barney Burnham. Audio

6:23 PM.News from the business sector. Audio

6:19 PM.Some hardy Australian plants are being put to the test to see whether they could survive - or indeed thrive on another planet. Audio

6:14 PM.The Wellington city council is investigating selling some of its shares in the local airport. Audio

6:07 PM.Thousands of government supporters have rallied in the Thai capital Bangkok to condemn protesters. Audio

5:56 PM.The U.S. President elect will unveil his national security team tomorrow. Audio

5:54 PM.The cost of buying your Christmas fruit and veg looks like it'll be more palatable than first thought. Audio

5:52 PM.Five gang members and associates are charged with causing grievous bodily harm to party goers. Audio

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

5:45 PM.Most of the $17,000,000 at the centre of the Otago District Health Board fraud trial, was spent on cars, boats and property. Audio

5:42 PM.The Wellington city council may have to accept a discount price if it seeks to sell part of its stake in the local airport. Audio

5:39 PM.The chorus of Indian voices blaming Pakistan for the Mumbai terror attacks is growing louder. Audio

5:37 PM.The government is working to get about 200 New Zealanders stranded in Thailand out of the country. Audio

5:33 PM.An update from the RNZ sports team. Audio

5:29 PM.The former maths teacher at Opotiki College, was found dead on Tuesday morning. He had severe head injuries. Audio

5:23 PM.Opposition parties have accused the Government of deceiving the public after it revealed plans to limit state house numbers. Audio

5:21 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:17 PM.Opposition parties have accused the Government of deceiving the public after it revealed plans to limit state house numbers. Audio

5:14 PM.Anti-government protesters are allowing empty planes to leave Bangkok's beseiged international airport. Audio

5:08 PM.A pilot and passenger have told how they feared for their lives during a terrifying half hour flight. Audio