Checkpoint for Friday 10 July 2009

6:57 PM.The interim leader of Honduras Roberto Micheletti has left mediation talks in Costa Rica without meeting the deposed president Manuel Zelaya who was ousted in a coup last month. Audio

6:54 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:38 PM.Despite mounting pressure to reverse its Budget cuts for night classes, the government is showing no signs of backing down. Audio

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

6:33 PM.Black holes have something of a bad reputation for swallowing anything that's nearby. Audio

6:28 PM.The Western Chinese city of Urumqi is quiet at the moment but tension's simmering between Han Chinese and ethnic Uighurs in the capital after days of rioting between the 2 groups . Audio

6:23 PM.Struggling dairy farmers are being given a life-line to help them afford essential dairy supplies while they grapple with lower payouts and high debt. Audio

6:20 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:16 PM.Tension over Mongrel Mob evictions from state houses in Lower Hutt ratcheted up a notch today as partners of the gang members took their case to the the Tenancy Tribunal. Audio

6:13 PM.There's a chance Wellington commuters may get another free train ride after this morning's debacle when a contractor changed overhead wiring and shut down the region's entire rail network. Audio

6:10 PM.The Obama administration has given America a reality check today saying Swine flu isn't over yet and that it may get a lot worse especially as the Northern Winter approaches. Audio

6:04 PM.Hospitals around the country are imposing stricter visiting conditions as they try to stem the rise of swine flu and flu cases. Audio

5:58 PM.A human rights group has accused the authorities in Saudi Arabia of not living up to a commitment to end the tradition of male guardianship of women. Audio

5:55 PM.Car thefts in Auckland's central city have jumped 50% so far this month. Audio

5:52 PM.The historic Kingston Flyer steam train looks set to close indefinately after the owners failed to meet the repayments on a $4.7 million loan. Audio

5:50 PM.Northlanders especially those north of Whangarei are being warned to batten down the hatches, tie down their boats and watch out for flooding this weekend. Audio

5:47 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:42 PM.The American President Barack Obama has hailed what he calls an historic consensus at the G-8 summit between industrialised and emerging countries on climate change. Audio

5:41 PM.The Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock has stepped into the supercar roof-perching-row and is asking the council to withdraw infringement notices sent to people who sat on roofs and set up makeshift stands to… Read more Audio

5:36 PM.The Australian government is adopting a cautious approach with China over the arrest of an Australian employee of the mining giant Rio Tinto, for alleged spying. Audio

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

5:25 PM.New Zealand companies will no longer be able to use the Cook Islands to evade taxes. Audio

5:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:18 PM.A former colleague of murder accused Clayton Weatherston has told the High Court in Christchurch he was ultra competitive and liked to have the last word. Audio

5:15 PM.Westpac has thrown down the gauntlet to it's banking rivals by advertising mortgages for homebuyers with deposits of less than 20%. Audio

5:12 PM.Taito Phillip Field has revealed more details to the High Court in Auckland about Thai workers who he admits he let stay rent free at his house. Audio

5:07 PM.One of the country's biggest hospitals is restricting visitors and says it doesn't want children visiting at any time because of swineflu. Audio