Checkpoint for Wednesday 20 August 2014

6:51 PM.Australian scientists studying zebrafish have accidentally made what's being called one of the most significant discoveries in stem cell research. Audio

6:47 PM.The Chief Coroner's suicide figures show there has been a slight increase in the number of tangata whenua who have taken their own lives; Maori commercial fishing groups say they're strongly opposed… Read more Audio

6:37 PM.The car Central to the conviction and ultimate exoneration of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain over the disappearance of their daughter Azaria has become an exhibition piece. Audio

6:36 PM.The New Zealand dollar fell more than half-a-US-cent today following last night's global dairy auction and the release of some key United States economic data. Audio

6:28 PM.The main environmental watchdog says mining for phosphate off the Chatham Islands could do catastrophic and permanent damage to the seabed. Audio

6:24 PM.Overnight, anti-government demonstrators in Pakistan have advanced towards parliament, breaching a designated secure zone in the capital Islamabad. Audio

6:18 PM.Just hours after Australian senate powerbroker Clive Palmer labelled the Chinese Government "bastards" and "mongrels", a senator of his has been warning of a Chinese invasion. Audio

6:11 PM.The top spy agency watchdog has launched an investigation into whether the SIS released official information to the blogger Cameron Slater for political purposes. Audio

6:00 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:52 PM.A Hawkes Bay woman has been found not guilty of fatally stabbing her boyfriend. Audio

5:48 PM.Maori commercial fishing groups say they're strongly opposed to plans to mine phosphate from the Chatham Rise and say it could have a disastrous effect on the ecosystem and future fish stocks. Audio

5:43 PM.The parents of the American journalist apparently being executed in a video posted by Islamic State are imploring his killers to spare the life of the other US reporter. Audio

5:40 PM.The Chief Coroner says the suicide rate is stubbornly high and disappointingly consistent, and remains high compared to international rates. Audio

5:38 PM.A South African woman caught smuggling a million-dollars worth of heroin into Christchurch has been sent to prison for seven years and ten months. Audio

5:35 PM.The New Zealand dollar fell more than half-a-US-cent today following last night's global dairy auction and the release of some key United States economic data. Audio

5:27 PM.A fire officer who helped free a meatworks cleaner who had his face impaled on a meat hook says the victim was in a jovial mood, despite being in severe pain. Audio

5:25 PM.The Labour Party says it will have to rein in some of its spending promises following a new forecast showing slower than expected economic growth. Audio

5:22 PM.Protesters have hit the streets once again in Ferguson, Missouri, the US town shaken by days of unrest over the killing of the unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, just hours after police shot dead a… Read more Audio

5:18 PM.Mighty River Power says it's likely power prices will come down on the back of its massive profit jump, but it won't say by how much or when. Audio

5:13 PM.Meanwhile, the person responsible for hacking into Mr Slater's site has released more facebook messages which confirm much of what is in the book Dirty Politics. Audio

5:09 PM.The Labour MP Phil Goff says while it is worthwhile the Inspector-General investigating, he doubts she will find anything that leads back to John Key. Audio

5:07 PM.The top spy agency watchdog has launched an investigation into whether the SIS released official information to the blogger Cameron Slater for political purposes. Audio

5:00 PM.The SIS watchdog investigates if information was given to Cameron Slater for political purposes. Mighty River Power's massive profit - but will it mean cheaper electricity and - a fire officer frees… Read more Audio