Checkpoint for Thursday 31 July 2014

6:52 PM.The 50th Parliament wound up today with MPs thanking staff, telling jokes and reminding voters there's an election coming up on September the 20th. Audio

6:48 PM.MPs have passed a law to ensure crew on foreign-owned fishing boats in local waters come under New Zealand working and safety laws; Young Maori men are describing as 'inspirational' the experience of… Read more Audio

6:45 PM.Parliament has passed the first reading of legislation that would put beyond doubt that sports match fixing can be tackled under the Crimes Act. Audio

6:42 PM.Public health and road safety experts are heralding the drop in the alcohol limit for drivers as a life-saver. Audio

6:38 PM.In the United States, the House of Representatives has voted to sue President Obama for overstepping his powers. Audio

6:35 PM.The New Zealand dollar is mixed against the currencies of its major trading partners, ahead of some key employment and inflation data, to be released in the United States, late on Friday. Audio

6:28 PM.More details have emerged of the death of a man in central Dunedin bar in April, now that his killer has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Audio

6:23 PM.The Porirua chocolate maker Whittakers has been forced to recall thousands of packs after bits of blue plastic were found in some of its bars. Audio

6:20 PM.A 17 year old who stabbed to death a close family friend, and sexually violated her, has been jailed but just why he did it remains a mystery. Audio

6:15 PM.A scholar who worked under several US presidents as a Middle East negotiator says the Gaza conflict this time is bloodier and more intractable than those that went before, in 2008 and 9, and 2012. Audio

6:12 PM.Parliament and the Prime Minister have condemned the Israeli shelling of civilians sheltering at a UN-run school in Gaza and John Key is calling it deeply worrying. Audio

6:07 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:55 PM.The future of Hawera's brass band, the Taranaki town's oldest organisation, is under threat from its shaky building. Audio

5:51 PM.Young Maori men are describing as 'inspirational' the experience of building a new Whanau Ora health centre at Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt. Audio

5:48 PM.The acting principle of a primary school in Canterbury that's come under fire for proposing to use digital wristbands says IT'Sre taking the idea back to the drawing board. Audio

5:44 PM.Parliament has passed a Bill to force foreign-owned fishing boats to adopt New Zealand labour and safety laws by 2016. Audio

5:39 PM.It has been a day of drama for Australians in Glasgow with a head coach sacked, a medal-winning weightlifter arrested and a boxer's brother facing criminal charges. Audio

5:36 PM.A 32 year old man appeared in court this afternoon after a police pursuit in the Bay of Plenty where several people were threatened and a car was taken at gunpoint. Audio

5:33 PM.The New Zealand dollar is mixed against the currencies of its major trading partners, ahead of some key employment and inflation data, to be released in the United States, late on Friday. Audio

5:27 PM.World champion Valerie Adams, cruised to her third Commonwealth gold medal in Glasgow today. Audio

5:23 PM.In the space of just four hours, 17-year-old Steven Churchis beat up another teenager for talking to his girlfriend, threatened to beat his friend to a pulp and bashed a homeless man before leaving… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.The deputy director of the FBI, paid the New Zealand Government a visit today, but the Beehive is refusing to say whether the internet entrepreneur, Kim Dotcom, was discussed. Audio

5:15 PM.The lawyer for the teenager who stabbed a young Asburton mother to death says the 17 year old will not talk about what he did or why. Audio

5:11 PM.A short time ago we spoke with the Israeli ambassador to New Zealand Yosef Livne. Audio

5:08 PM.Parliament and the Prime Minister have condemned the Israeli shelling of civilians sheltering at a UN-run school in Gaza and John Key is calling it deeply worrying. Audio

5:00 PM.Parliament unanimously condemns Israel's attack on a UN run school in Gaza. The FBI met Chris Finlayson at the Beehive today - but did they talk about Kim Dotcom?? and - Valerie Adams adds Glasgow… Read more Audio