Checkpoint

The Government has come out in favour of raising GST to 15 percent, while at the same time cutting personal income tax rates. Audio

Much trumpeted legislation aimed at stamping out smoking in Greece, Europe's most tobacco-addicted nation, has been declared a failure by health campaigners. Audio

A homeowner in a quiet suburb of Melbourne has not paid a single electricity bill over the past decade, and not very much for his water use either. Audio

In Melbourne a cafe owner has been fined $277,000 (nz) in a workplace bullying case. Audio

Preparations are underway in Afghanistan for one of the biggest counter insurgency operations since the conflict began in 2001. Audio

Iran says it will begin enriching uranium to a higher grade, prompting objections from several western governments who say it could eventually lead to the production of a nuclear bomb. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

Just a week out from the opening ceremony, critics are finding voice in Canada over the hosting of the Winter Olympics. Audio

We cross to the UK now and our correspondent in London Barney Burnham. Audio

An update from the RNZ sports team. Audio

Male moa were hard done by according to new research from Canterbury University which shows females outnumbered males by five to one. Audio

The finance company Marac, whose chief risk officer disappeared for four days last week, is writing down 2 and half million dollars after an investigation revealed an unauthorised loan. Audio