Checkpoint

Dr Robert Ayson has just finished as the director of the Graduate Studies in Strategy and Defence Program at the Australian National University. Audio

President Barack Obama has announced he'll send 30-thousand additional US troops to Afghanistan by the middle of next year- bringing the total number to just under 100 thousand. Audio

A new study says the so called 'brain drain' of skilled New Zealanders migrating to work in Australia may not be as acute as once thought. Audio

Greypower says its amazed at a doubling in the number of mature students leaving university with debt. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

The Australian made movie"Balibo"has been banned in Indonesia just hours before it was supposed to premiere in Jakarta last night. Audio

Firebrand MP Hone Harawira is now back in the Maori Party fold after making a second apology for offensive comments he made in a terse email exchange. Audio

Parliament's speaker has been asked to rule on what the green party is calling"Schmuck clauses"added to legislation by the National MP John Carter to help a Bay Of Island's businessman. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

The price tag for repairing the Auckland Harbour Bridge clip-on lanes has blown out by 41 million dollars, meaning the cost of the work has almost doubled. Audio

News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

In Australia, the senate has defeated the Federal government's Emissions Trading Scheme leaving the Prime MInister Kevin Rudd without an ETS to take to Copenhagen. Audio