Checkpoint for Monday 30 October 2017

5:00 PM.Watch Monday's full programme here. Video

5:11 PM.Shayal Sarmi's lawyer argued today that the death of a baby in her care was a traffic accident, but the Crown says the baby suffered injuries too severe for the babysitter's explanation. Video, Audio

5:15 PM.New Zealand First's Tracey Martin, the new Minister for Children and the Minister for Seniors, backed a campaign for the anti-smacking bill to be repealed. She talks to John Campbell. Read more Video, Audio

5:26 PM.A project to send a robot into Pike River is likely to be scrapped as the new Government looks for ways to send in people instead. Read more Video, Audio

5:32 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:37 PM.A US federal grand jury has reportedly approved the first charges in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the recent US election. Video, Audio

5:43 PM.A McDonald's branch in Christchurch is sending feeds from its CCTV cameras directly to Police as part of a crime prevention exercise. Read more Audio

5:47 PM.SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen says nine months imprisonment for a man who hit a dog three times on the head with a hammer is not long enough. Video, Audio

5:55 PM.Harry Burnard still managed a personal best of 2 hours 53 minutes despite running the best part of 24 kilometres in bare-feet. Read more Audio

6:08 PM.A class action by a group of Southern Response policy holders can go ahead after the Court of Appeal rejected an attempt by the Government-owned insurer to throw it out. Lawyer Grant Cameron joins… Read more Video, Audio

6:13 PM.More than 1200 previously unknown dogs were registered during a 10 week amnesty last year. Auckland Council promised to get tough on owners who didn't take up the offer. Read more Audio