Checkpoint for Thursday 12 September 2013

6:56 PM.Scientists have discovered that sugary drinks increase the risk of gout by reversing the benefits of a gene that usually helps prevent the disease. Audio

6:50 PM.A human rights leader in Fiji says the military regime has made no improvements to warrant New Zealand easing sanctions. Audio

6:47 PM.A Bay of Plenty tribe say there's nothing wrong with the Resource Management Act - and says the Government shouldn't attempt make any changes to the legislation that looks after the environment; The… Read more Audio

6:40 PM.A veteran trekker is accusing the Australian Government of negligence over the attack in Papua New Guinea on a group of tourists including a New Zealander. Audio

6:36 PM.The police have launched a homicide investigation into the violent death of a 35-year-old dairy farm worker near Oamaru yesterday. Audio

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

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

6:20 PM.A newly formed coalition says the Government's proposed pricing regime for broadband over copper wires amounts to a 600 million dollar transfer of wealth from New Zealand consumers to the telephone… Read more Audio

6:11 PM.The new Australian coalition Government is going even further than New Zealand in restoring relations with Fiji, which has just brought in a new constitution. Audio

6:08 PM.New Zealand is easing sanctions against Fiji saying it's made progress towards holding elections, even as Australia moves to normalise relations with Suva. Audio

5:55 PM.A police officer has admitted smuggling contraband such as tobacco and cigarettes, to prisoners in court cells. Audio

5:52 PM.The fishing industry wants a company seeking to mine the ocean floor for phosphate to release all the information it has about how the environment would be affected. Audio

5:50 PM.A man has been found not guilty of the murder of a security guard who was attacked with a wooden post on his first day at work in Auckland nearly two years ago. Audio

5:47 PM.A Bay of Plenty tribe say there's nothing wrong with the Resource Management Act - and says the Government shouldn't attempt make any changes to the legislation that looks after the environment; The… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Nine thousand households are still have no power in Canterbury following Tuesday night's violent storm. Audio

5:37 PM.A wide-ranging review prompted by a series of high-profile deaths in the Defence Force is calling for urgent safety improvements. Audio

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

5:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:22 PM.Cabinet papers show the Government ignored Treasury's advice to not pay a subsidy for the Tiwai point smelter. Audio

5:18 PM.Interest rates hikes are getting closer, due to the gathering pace of economic activity. Audio

5:15 PM.A wide-ranging review following a series of high-profile deaths in the military says the defence force suffers from a casual attitude to safety and needs to make urgent changes. Audio

5:08 PM.New Zealand is easing sanctions brought in to punish Fiji's coup leaders, despite opponents of its military regime saying the government of Frank Bainimarama is still repressive. Audio

5:00 PM.The Government eases sanctions brought in to punish Fiji's coup leaders. The defence force is told it has a casual attitude to safety and needs to make urgent changes and Government ignored Treasury… Read more Audio