Checkpoint for Wednesday 17 December 2014

6:53 PM.Space scientists say they have uncovered new evidence suggesting there may have once been life on Mars. Audio

6:49 PM.Lawyers representing Maori military veterans have outlined out their claims today to the Waitangi Tribunal; The Maori Party says the Climate Change Iwi Leaders Group has some housekeeping to do, to… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.A judge sentencing a young Muslim man for threatening behaviour referred to the Sydney siege as the elephant in the room and warned him to be more careful about what he says. Audio

6:42 PM.The Russian rouble has crashed to a dramatic low a day after Moscow hiked interest rates by 17 percent to try to halt the currency's downward spiral. Audio

6:39 PM.Jeb Bush, the brother of former President George W Bush, says he's actively exploring the possibility of seeking the US Presidency in 2016. Audio

6:33 PM.Australia's Prime Minister has acknowledged the nation's security system failed to keep track of the Sydney gunman. Audio

6:24 PM.A Nelson financial advisor, who swindled more than half a million dollars out of his mainly elderly clients has been jailed for six years and nine months after a four year legal battle. Audio

6:20 PM.The lawyer for the convicted murderer and paedophile Phillip John Smith says his client has named the Corrections officer he accuses of helping him escape the country. Audio

6:06 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:58 PM.The Labour MP Phil Goff has escaped sanction for leaking parts of a report by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security the day before it was due to be made public. Audio

5:54 PM.Lawyers representing Maori military veterans have outlined their grievances today to the Waitangi Tribunal. Audio

5:51 PM.Auckland City Football Club will make history tomorrow when they play in the semi final of the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco. Audio

5:47 PM.There are more troubles for the Aratere ferry which has broken down again. Audio

5:43 PM.A row of 80-year-old Pohutukawa trees in central Auckland looks set to be axed to make way for wider roads. Audio

5:39 PM.A Nelson investment advisor has been jailed for six years and nine months for stealing more than half a million dollars from his clients, many of whom were retirees entrusting him with their life… Read more Audio

5:38 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

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

5:28 PM.A man who got his American bulldog to maul his one-legged neighbour in Whangaparaoa, ripping into the stump of his leg, has been jailed for eight and a half years. Audio

5:26 PM.Police in the Upper North Island are urging people to stay off the roads this evening because wild winds and heavy rain have been battering parts of the region. Audio

5:20 PM.One of the first hostages to flee the Sydney cafe siege has described his relief at escaping. Audio

5:14 PM.Pakistan has declared 3 days of mourning after the slaughter of 141 children and staff at a military run school in Peshawar, the deadliest attack in the country's history. Audio

5:08 PM.Police in Australia say an Auckland man arrested as part of a big international drug ring was carrying up to 12-kilograms of heroin. Audio

5:07 PM.The High Court has cleared the way for former Catholic brother Bernard McGrath to be extradited to Australia to face hundreds of charges of sexually abusing children. Audio

5:00 PM.Way cleared for Catholic brother's extradition on child sex charges and Auckland man busted with 12 kilos of heroin. Audio