Checkpoint for Friday 4 March 2022

5:07 PM.Fierce fighting has erupted around Europe's largest nuclear power plant - and fire has broken out this afternoon.

Russian forces have been shelling the plant, in southern Ukraine.

President… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.Health officials think the Omicron outbreak in Auckland may have peaked.

It could provide some relief to struggling GP clinics, who have been facing the outbreak head-on.

Katie Doyle reports. Read more Audio

5:14 PM.A RAT race is on as tens of thousands of people try to source Rapid Antigen Tests amid the growing omicron outbreak.

RATs are now the primary testing method and kits are available at retail outlets… Read more Audio

5:18 PM.Inmates at Auckland prison are missing mental health appointments and facing extended lock downs due to Covid cases.

There's currently more than 220 active infections in our jails with shortages of… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.Countdown is bringing in reinforcements from Australia to help keep shelves stocked as Omicron benches hundreds of staff here.

You may have noticed a bit of empty real estate at the supermarket… Read more Video, Audio

5:33 PM.Rain is still falling in Queensland and New South Wales adding to the devastation with several damns releasing water into the already overflowing rivers.

While many of the evacuated Sydneysiders have… Read more Video, Audio

5:39 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:43 PM.Several European nations have called on Russia to immediately halt its attack on the nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Russian troops shelled it this afternoon - starting a fire.

There have been… Read more Video, Audio

5:52 PM.Wellingtonians have been out on the streets today, telling anti-mandate protesters they're not welcome.

[embed]… Read more Video, Audio

5:56 PM.After a long wait, the Cricket World Cup is finally underway here on New Zealand soil.

The White Ferns facing the West Indies in today's tournament opener in Mt Maunganui.

Clay Wilson has been… Read more Video, Audio

6:06 PM.It's 7am in Kyiv where it has been another sleepless night for many there.

At 4:30am, President Volodymyr Zelinsky recorded a desperate emergency video address to European leaders after Russian tanks… Read more Video, Audio

6:17 PM.Amnesty International wants urgent action to curb the spread of Covid in our jails, including delayed jail time, bringing forward parole eligibility and prioritising community sentences.

There… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.The squeeze could go on blood donors under peak Omicron, with thousands of people catching the virus or having to isolate as contacts.

The Blood Service is keen to get stockpiles above usual levels… Read more Video, Audio

6:23 PM.New Zealand has three alpine skiers competing at the Beijing Winter Paralympics over the next 10 days with two of them strong medal contenders again.

Adam Hall is attending his fifth games, while… Read more Audio