Checkpoint for Wednesday 12 November 2014

6:55 PM.Research into a Typhoid Fever resistant gene could lead to a more effective vaccination against a disease which kills about 200-thousand people a year. Audio

6:47 PM.Some Maori student advocacy groups says the 400 students withdrawn from two failed Maori performing arts courses at a New Plymouth institute have wasted their time and money; The Education Ministry… Read more Audio

6:36 PM.Lessons are emerging from France about the struggle countries have dealing with jihadists returning from fighting in the Middle East. Audio

6:35 PM.New developments in the investigation into the escaped prisoner Phillip Smith. Audio

6:28 PM.A lucrative university essay writing service has shut down its website after being exposed by journalists in Sydney. Audio

6:23 PM.The Australian Government is likely to scrap Norfolk Island's parliament early next year but residents are vowing to fight a return to what they call "colonial style" rule. Audio

6:20 PM.Hotel rooms are beginning to fill up in the countdown to the Cricket World Cup. Audio

6:15 PM.The serial stalker Glenn Green has once again been sent to prison - for the maximum term possible. Audio

6:12 PM.Leaders of the world's superpowers the US and China have unveiled new targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Audio

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

5:56 PM.A Christchurch householder who complained that a senior Earthquake Commission engineer treated his family badly says he's ecstatic at the outcome of an inquiry. Audio

5:50 PM.Maori student advocacy groups say Maori courses have come under fire following revelations by the Tertiary Education Commission about two failed Maori performing arts courses at the Western Institute… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.New figures from ESR show a small but increasing number of people testing positive for drugs while driving. Audio

5:44 PM.An Auckland hardware store has had to pay nearly 60-thousand dollars, a third of it to a teenage worker who lost two fingers using an industrial saw. Audio

5:41 PM.The Whangarei District Council is to hold a referendum on a push to build a Hundertwasser Art Centre that doesn't go to the ratepayer for money. Audio

5:39 PM.The Prime Minister has said from China that he has full confidence in the Corrections department which is under fire for Phillip Smith's escape while on a three-day leave from jail. Audio

5:37 PM.Fugitive Phillip Smith has told Radio New Zealand his version of why he fled the country, but a law professor is warning the media not to become a pawn in the criminal's mind games. Audio

5:34 PM.The New Zealand dollar's value didn't change much today, despite the Reserve Bank reiterating that it's unjustified and unsustainable at current levels. Audio

5:25 PM.A Wairarapa businessman and former MP is warning other small centres about the difficulties of trying to replace Air New Zealand flights. Audio

5:20 PM.A Christchurch Vietnamese restaurant ordered to pay 175-thousand dollars in unpaid wages and fines to an immigrant worker is refusing to accept the penalty. Audio

5:17 PM.The serial stalker Glenn Green gave the thumbs up to his lawyer as he was led into the cells this morning, despite receiving a maximum sentence. Audio

5:14 PM.Restrictions on home lending look set to stay in place until new home building in Auckland and elsewhere starts in earnest, amid fears an unexpected surge in immigration could put more pressure on the… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Getting the fugitive prisoner Phillip Smith back from Brazil could take years, with months of negotiation yet to come before he can even be arrested. Audio

5:00 PM.The latest from Brazil on Phillip Smith and how his capture could take years. No let up for home lending controls and New Zealand's worst serial stalker heads back to jail. Audio