Checkpoint for Thursday 16 January 2014

5:57 PM.The New Zealand tennis player, Marina Erakovic, has been knocked out of the Australian Open singles competition by a woman ranked 100 places below her. Audio

5:55 PM.New Zealand has been ranked among one of the worst countries in the world for obesity. Audio

5:49 PM.Transport officials say they haven't caved into public pressure by scrapping most of their options for a contentious stretch of Auckland road. Audio

5:45 PM.The ACT party president, and former ACT MP, John Boscawen, is putting his hat in the ring as a nominee for the party in the Epsom electorate. Audio

5:39 PM.Nine whales were euthanased at Farewell Spit this morning after they beached themselves again after attempts were made to refloat them last night. Audio

5:36 PM.New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, is now 30 metres shorter. Audio

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

5:27 PM.Kim Dotcom, has cancelled his album release and birthday party after being advised by the Electoral Commission it could break electoral law. Audio

5:24 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:21 PM.Opponents of a proposed Pacific-wide trade deal say the future health of the environment is being put at risk. Audio

5:17 PM.A bus carrying 20 prisoners, including two with a maximum-security classification, broke down on the Desert Road last night and was damaged by those on board. Audio

5:11 PM.Another forestry worker is dead today following an accident in the Wairau valley in Marlbrough, while another forestry worker was injured felling trees in Whakatane. Audio

5:08 PM.Dunedin's West Harbour community is in shock today after two children were seemingly shot dead by a man who had no gun licence and protection orders against him. Audio