Checkpoint for Tuesday 20 October 2009

6:58 PM.The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told a gathering of the world's biggest carbon emitters that pledges on emissions reductions by 2020 are inadequate. Audio

6:54 PM.The United States is offering Sudan incentives to end violence in Darfur and the semi-autonomous South ahead of elections next year. Audio

6:51 PM.The assistant police commissioner Grant Nicholls says while much of the public dissatisfaction raised in the survey was mostly about perception, he acknowledges the results shouldn't be ignored. Audio

6:48 PM.29 per cent of those surveyed in the force's annual satisfaction survey specifically mentioned feeling threatened by youths hanging around in groups, especially at night. Audio

6:46 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:43 PM.A European Union investigation has found Sri Lanka in breach of international human rights laws, jeopardising more US$100 million of concessions for its top exports to Europe. Audio

6:38 PM.A United Nations backed Electoral Complaints Commission has declared that about 1.3 million votes in Afghanistan's August election were invalid. Audio

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

6:29 PM.A New Zealander has just reclaimed his title as the fastest tap dancer in the world. Tony Adams averaged more than 17 taps per second in his attempt to reclaim his Guinness World Record. Audio

6:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:22 PM.Police investigating an Auckland homicide say they're frustrated at the stonewalling tactics from the people living in the house where the deceased was found. Audio

6:19 PM.Scientists from around the world are gathering in Paris for a conference that will take stock of the search for a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. Audio

6:14 PM.New research suggests more than a third of gay or bi-sexual school kids have seriously considered suicide. It also shows a high rate of alcohol and drug use. Audio

6:10 PM.The Christchurch City Council is fielding criticism over plans to fund a controversial new music conservatorium in the city. Audio

6:07 PM.New Zealanders will have the chance to change the way they vote at the next election. Audio

5:59 PM.Police in the United States have arrested and charged a scientist with spying. Audio

5:55 PM.In what's believed to be a world first, police in Tasmania have used blood taken from a leech to catch one of two men who robbed and attacked an elderly woman in her home eight years ago. Audio

5:52 PM.Big Brother-style snooping could be the latest way to fight crime in Whangarei, if a council plan to put webcams in shops goes ahead. Audio

5:49 PM.American pressure is mounting on the Afghan President Hamid Karzai to end the political uncertainty in his country by calling a run-off election. Audio

5:46 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:44 PM.The technology giant Apple has shrugged off the recession with profits surging on demand for its iPhones, laptops and desktop computers. Audio

5:40 PM.The Auckland Grammar School boys who took photos of themselves posing with Nazi regalia have apologised and will do work at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to make up for their actions. Audio

5:37 PM.Queensland residents are preparing to evacuate as a major bushfire heads their way. Audio

5:35 PM.The Finance Minister has blamed the previous Labour-led Government for a forecast doubling in public debt over the next four years. Audio

5:31 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:27 PM.The police in Picton are investigating the death of a tourist, who apparently drowned while swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds. Audio

5:23 PM.Supporters of community night classes took their fight to parliament today backed by a 53,000 signature petition. Audio

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

5:18 PM.There have been more twists and turns today over controversial reforms to the ACC scheme, with the Maori Party and Labour offering their initial support to the legislation. Audio

5:13 PM.Peter Shirtcliffe, who in the early 90s unsuccessfully spearheaded the campaign opposing a change to MMP, comments. Audio

5:08 PM.The next time the nation goes to the polls MMP will also be put to the vote. The Government has confirmed today that the first referendum on the Mixed Member Proportional system will be held in… Read more Audio