Checkpoint

Many people travelled to parts of the Pacific region over the weekend to catch a glimpse of today's total eclipse of the sun. Audio

Researchers in Australia have developed software that allows ordinary mobile phones to communicate with each other without phone towers or satellites. Audio

Japan's ruling party has been thrashed in the upper house elections - putting the Prime Minister's job at risk. Audio

News from the business sector. Audio

To Northumberland in the UK now, where Raoul Moat is dead after a week-long manhunt that culminated in a six hour stand-off with armed officers over the weekend. Audio

Opinion polls in Australia suggest that Julia Gillard's elevation to Prime Minister has boosted Labour's position against the coalition lead by Tony Abbott. Audio

Two men have been rescued after their plane crashed in the Ruahine Ranges, near Palmerston North, this afternoon. Audio

New photographs of Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro have appeared on an official Cuban website. Audio

MPs here have heard that proposed new electoral laws are archane and could lead to confusion over who is funding campaigns. Audio

Japan's governing Democratic party has been thrashed in the upper house elections - putting the Prime Minister's job at risk. Audio

We begin a series on road safety - taking a closer look at why around 400 people die on New Zealand roads every year. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio