Checkpoint for Friday 21 May 2010

7:00 PM.Government says asset portfolio 'ripe' for change, eg Kiwibank. PM plays down inflation fears. Police officer's partner gives evidence at murder trial. More market panic. Police believe disappearance… Read more Audio

6:58 PM.The centre of Buenos Aires has been brought to a standstill by a large march in support of indigenous rights. Audio

6:56 PM.Today is the final day of campaigning in Ethiopia ahead of parliamentary elections on Sunday. Audio

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

6:38 PM.In his Budget on Thursday the Finance Minister, Bill English, announced the most substantial change to the tax system since the goods and services tax was introduced in the mid-1980s. Audio

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

6:29 PM.A New Zealand film maker has won the grand prize for the best short film at critics week at the Cannes Film Festival. Audio

6:26 PM.A solar powered space yacht has set sail for Venus. Audio

6:25 PM.Pacific Island leaders say many in their community will not be better off because of the budget's tax changes. Audio

6:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:19 PM.The annual Regent Theatre 24 Hour Book Sale is underway in Dunedin, at a crucial time for the theatre. Audio

6:15 PM.The mayor of Paris is calling it an"intolerable attack"on the city's heritage. Audio

6:12 PM.The German Chancellor has indicated she's still keen for a tax on world financial markets. Audio

6:08 PM.Some retailers are predicting a rush in spending on big-ticket items in the run up to the increase on GST in October. Audio

5:58 PM.The international oil giant British Petroleum has conceded that it underestimated the amount of oil leaking from its rig in the Gulf of Mexico which exploded and sank a month ago. Audio

5:55 PM.The Australian television station that outed a gay New South Wales cabinet minister is today defending its decision. Audio

5:52 PM.In Fiji proposed strict rules on how women dress and even do their hair are under discussion as the country appears to clamp down even more on individual freedom. Audio

5:48 PM.Three weeks after the fatal stabbing of a New Zealand nurse in Sydney, a former US marine has been charged with her murder. Audio

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

5:43 PM.Scientists in the United States have announced they've developed the world's first synthetic living cell. Audio

5:40 PM.The heavy rain that's broken the drought in Northland has caused one unwelcome side-effect, a sewage spill in Whangarei harbour. Audio

5:35 PM.There are warnings a further sidelining of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund in the Budget means people should prepare to rely less on the Government to provide for them in their old age. Audio

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

5:25 PM.The Commerce Commission is warning banks and credit card companies against charging unreasonable late payment fees. Audio

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

5:19 PM.Christchurch Police now say it is likely Emma Campbell's disappearance has been staged, but they're still unsure if anyone else is involved. Audio

5:16 PM.Fears that Europe will be unable to get on top of the debt crisis has sparked another round of market panic. Audio

5:13 PM.A police officer whose partner was shot dead during an undercover operation in Auckland has told a High Court jury how he raised his hands in surrender when confronted by two armed men. Audio

5:10 PM.The Government's admitting its tax cuts won't cover the rising cost of living. Audio

5:08 PM.The Finance Minister Bill English has this afternoon floated the idea of partial asset sales in a second term - using Kiwibank as an example. Audio