Checkpoint for Thursday 22 December 2011

6:57 PM.One of the big stories this year was the death of Osama bin Laden in May and for one US school teacher it was a particularly special day. Audio

6:53 PM.This year was the 70th anniversary of one this country's biggest and most significant battles of the Second World War. Audio

6:47 PM.A lawyer representing the Bay of Plenty family of a Christchurch man, says the whanau wants the Supreme Court to decide on the legality of their actions; The Principal of Rangitahi College in Murupara… Read more Audio

6:42 PM.February's deadly earthquake claimed 182 lives but one man who had a narrow escape on the 22nd was Ken Hird. Audio

6:38 PM.Thailand and Cambodia have reached a deal to withdraw their troops from a hotly contested border region near the Preah Vihear temple. Audio

6:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:28 PM.As we look back over some of the stories we covered this year we remember the boxing legend Joe Frazier, who died last month. Audio

6:25 PM.Britain and Argentina are locked in a new row over the Falkland Islands. Audio

6:21 PM.Tourism organisations say they're dismayed with a court ruling that will let the European Union to levy a carbon emissions tax on airlines. Audio

6:13 PM.The Labour Party says the rebuild of Christchurch hospitals' will be the first step towards a part privatisation of health services under National. Audio

6:11 PM.Our reporter Lorna Perry is outside the Club Habitat holiday park where the attack happened. Audio

6:09 PM.A five year old girl is in a serious condition after surgery following a sexually motivated attack by an intruder late last night at a Turangi campground. Audio

5:54 PM.Teacher and principal groups are warning of a growing rich-poor gap and say government funding for poorer schools must be boosted. Audio

5:51 PM.Now to the latest in the Nelson and Tasman districts, where more than 100 houses are still off limits after last week's record rainfall. Audio

5:48 PM.A lawyer representing the Bay of Plenty family of a Christchurch man, says the whanau wants the Supreme Court to decide on the legality of their actions; Auckland's Medical Officer of Health is… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.Mediation has failed between the country's largest port and the Maritime Union, with workers due to strike again from tonight. Audio

5:41 PM.The Occupy Auckland group has lost a last minute bid to continue its stand at Aotea Square. Audio

5:39 PM.The Prime Minister has confirmed that the SAS will come home from Afghanistan in March, but is not ruling out sending them back in the future. Audio

5:36 PM.The economy is growing at its fastest rate in nearly two years. Audio

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

5:24 PM.Opposition parties say a Treasury report confirming state-owned businesses are doing well is further reason for the Government to drop the plan to partially privatise its energy companies. Audio

5:21 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:20 PM.The protestors marched from their court hearing to the Auckland Town Hall near Aotea Square. Audio

5:17 PM.The protesters occupying Auckland's Aotea Square have lost a last minute bid to stay. Audio

5:12 PM.Canterbury's biggest public hospital could end up being owned by a private company which will then lease it back to the District Health Board. Audio

5:07 PM.A five year old girl has undergone four hours of surgery after a sexually motivated attack by an intruder late last night at a Turangi campground. Audio

5:00 PM.A five year old girl is attacked in a Turangi camping ground. A move towards part privatisation of public hospitals and Auckland protestors lose a last minute bid to stay in Aotea Square. Audio