Checkpoint for Thursday 2 October 2014

6:55 PM.35 thousand walrus have hauled themselves onto a beach in Alaska because their normal resting spots on sea ice have melted. Audio

6:52 PM.Australian scientists have discovered a set of drugs that appear to stop the growth of bowel cancers in about 80 to 90 per cent of cases. Audio

6:47 PM.The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says Maori nurses are choosing to work in District Health Boards over Whanau Ora health providers because of a lack of pay parity; Research on a 600-year old waka… Read more Audio

6:42 PM.Students and teachers in one of America's largest school districts will take to the streets later today protesting about proposed changes in the teaching of American history. Audio

6:39 PM.A coroner has suggested painting planes with high-visibility paint to prevent mid-air collisions. Audio

6:36 PM.Locals fighting a meat company's application to discharge treated waste water into a Canterbury river have labelled the practice disgusting, and a retrograde step. Audio

6:35 PM.The New Zealand dollar rose a cent against the US dollar, despite the poor dairy auction results overnight. Audio

6:18 PM.Plummeting wholesale dairy prices are killing the chances of many farmers making a profit this season with many expected to feel the bite after Christmas. Audio

6:15 PM.The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says Maori nurses are choosing to work in District Health Boards over Whanau Ora health providers because of a lack of pay parity. Audio

6:13 PM.Our reporter Natalie Mankelow is at the Mount's Main beach and is with us. Audio

6:11 PM.Police and lifesavers have now begun a targeted shoreline search for Jack Dixon, the five year old boy who was swept out to sea by a giant wave at Mt Maunganui yesterday. Audio

6:07 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:56 PM.A Wellington bus company has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws when passengers became trapped by doors closing on them. Audio

5:53 PM.A high-profile political donor and property developer, has been fined over 17 thousand dollars after an investigation by the local Council. Audio

5:50 PM.Kiwifruit company Zespri has told all growers today to not sign up to a group which hopes to sue the government over the PSA outbreak. Audio

5:47 PM.The Christchurch City Council wants to review the performance incentives for the Lyttelton Port's chief executive when it takes over full ownership of the port. Audio

5:43 PM.Riot police used tear gas, pepper spray and baton charges last weekend to quell the unrest which started when China said it will vet candidates for the 2017 elections. Audio

5:39 PM.Thirty Dunedin workers are set to lose their jobs in a major restructuring at a local rope factory. Audio

5:36 PM.The New Zealand dollar rose a cent against the US dollar, despite the poor dairy auction results overnight. Audio

5:28 PM.Auckland Transport says it's new camera monitoring system won't be used to carry out Big Brother-style surveillance. Audio

5:23 PM.A police chase last February at high speed down the wrong side of a Christchurch avenue was an unjustified risk to the public, the officer and the four people inside the fleeing truck. Audio

5:19 PM.Plummeting wholesale dairy prices are killing the chances of many farmers making a profit this season. Audio

5:16 PM.World dairy prices have slumped again but consumers are being told not expect a price cut on their milk, butter and cheese before Christmas. Audio

5:07 PM.A shoreline search is due to get underway in the next hour for Jack Dixon, the five year old boy who 's still missing after being swept out to sea by a giant wave at Mt Maunganui yesterday. Audio

5:00 PM.The desperate search for 5 year old Jack Dixon at Mount Maunganui. Plunging dairy prices - but will the price of milk and cheese drop too and - Auckland Transport rules out Big Brother-style… Read more Audio