Checkpoint for Thursday 15 August 2013

6:57 PM.Seven cities found out today they are guaranteed exposure to an estimated 170 million football fans when they share hosting rights for the 2015 FIFA Under 20 World Cup. Audio

6:50 PM.Labour's Maori Affairs spokesperson says it's disappointing to see ongoing quarrels amongst South Island iwi, Ngati Rarua, about which tribal entity should govern its treaty assets; A Ngati Kahungunu… Read more Audio

6:47 PM.The accounting body CPA Australia is calling for clarity from Australia's political parties, saying taxes and jobs are key issues for the election on September 7. Audio

6:40 PM.The head of Waikato DHB is hitting out at the information on fluoride Hamilton City Council is providing to ratepayers ahead of a referendum on water fluoridation. Audio

6:37 PM.Snow sports athletes from across the world are gathering in Queenstown and Wanaka for the bi-annual Winter Games. Audio

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

6:27 PM.The Auckland District Health Board has admitted keeping post-mortem tissue samples by mistake. Audio

6:23 PM.The United States is considering calling off a major military exercise with the Egypt in the wake of the latest bloodshed there. Audio

6:19 PM.A former New Zealand ambassador to Moscow says the Government has failed to handle the Fonterra botulism scandal for countries like Russia and China. Audio

6:12 PM.Angry workers at Solid Energy's Huntly coal mine have spoken of their shock and disgust at the news more than half them will lose their jobs as the debt laden state owned company slashes production. Audio

6:08 PM.The police are defending their investigations into the Far North paedophile teacher who went on abusing boys from 1999 till last year despite warning signs and allegations. Audio

5:56 PM.A Wellington man prosecuting the Act leader, John Banks, wants the boss of Sky City and Kim Dotcom to give evidence against the politician. Audio

5:53 PM.A notorious Australian spammer has been fined nearly a hundred thousand dollars by a New Zealand court. Audio

5:50 PM.A tired, texting driver at the wheel of an overloaded, unroadworthy van led to crash in July 2010 that was almost inevitable. Audio

5:46 PM.Labour's Maori Affairs spokesperson says it's disappointing to see ongoing quarrels amongst South Island iwi, Ngati Rarua, about which tribal entity should govern its treaty assets; A Ngati Kahungunu… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.There are further signs the economy is picking up. Audio

5:39 PM.The Far North paedophile teacher James Parker is tonight beginning an open ended prison sentence for sex crimes against 20 boys spanning many years and about 300 separate acts. Audio

5:36 PM.The American soldier Bradley Manning has told a military court he is sorry for leaking numerous government documents to Wikileaks, in what was the biggest breach of classified material in US history. Audio

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

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

5:19 PM.Miners at Huntly East have been floored by the news more than half of them are losing their jobs. Audio

5:13 PM.At a news conference called by the police after the sentencing, reporters questioned them about why it took so long to bring Parker to justice. Audio

5:08 PM.The Far North paedophile teacher James Parker is tonight beginning an open ended prison sentence for sex crimes against 20 boys spanning many years and about 300 separate acts. Audio

5:00 PM.Emotions run high as paedophile teacher James Parker is sent to jail and Solid Energy slashes more than half its workforce at Huntly East Mine. Audio