**** CKPT FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24 *******
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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STADIUM AUCKLAND: The score is one all, but the referee has not yet blown the final whistle on the venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Cabinet will discuss on Monday the clashing verdicts from Auckland's regional and city councils - only one of which is in favour of a waterfront site. Earlier today, the Auckland Regional Council gave the thumbs down to the Government's preferred venue, spanning two wharves effectively owned by the local body. Sarah Bristow was there as councillors cast their vote. PKGE
Critics argued that Auckland wouldn't be able to reach a united decision - especially in such a short timeframe - and they've been proved right. Mayor Dick Hubbard admits it's disappointing. PREREC
Auckland's mayor Dick Hubbard. and we'll be talking to MIke Lee - head of the Auckland Regional Council later in the programme.
BRASH BOOK: Good Afternoon Don and John - that's the start of an Exclusive Brethren letter to National's Don Brash and John Key, putting forward a plan for Quote "a very extensive election campaign with the sole goal of getting party votes for National".unquote The letter was written in May last year - and reminds the MPs the Brethren were behind an 350 thousand dollar advertising and pamphlet campaign in April, calling for the repeal of anti-nuclear legislation, and describing New Zealand as practically defenceless. The letter by Brethren member Ron Hickmott refers to a meeting with National's campaign manager Stephen Joyce the previous week, and suggests a meeting with Dr Brash and Mr Key at their earliest convenience. Mr Hickmot refers to our/ your election campaign. The letter is just one extract from Nicky Hagar's book "The Hollow Men" released today after the High Court lifted the injunction sought by Don Brash over stolen emails. Dr Brash yesterday resigned as leader - although he said it had nothing to do with Mr Hagar's book. Dr Brash and John Key have not returned our calls today. Deputy leader Gerry Brownlee refused to be interviewed by Checkpoint about the book. On Wednesday I asked Don Brash about the allegation he was well informed about Exclusive Brethren's plans and knew they were putting out a serious of "attack" pamphlets. CUT Our political editor Brent Edwards has been reading the book - he's with us now. LIVE
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH SEAN KENNEDY
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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RUSSIAN POISONING: Scotland Yard is now investigating what it calls the unexplained death of the former Russian intelligence officer, Alexander Litvinenko. He died in a London hospital this morning after claiming he was poisoned earlier this month. But exactly what killed him remains unclear. The latest medical thinking is that it was not radiation or heavy metal poisoning. But Mr Litvinenko openly expressed fears that he would be targetted and killed because of his criticism of the Russian government. Some of the accusations went to the highest levels. The division between Mr Litvinenko and his superiors started after a series of bomb attacks on Russian apartment blocks as Mathew Chance reports from Moscow: PKGE
SCHOOLS ARSON: The destruction of two computer suites at a Hamilton high school in July has earned two teenagers a lengthy dose of community service. The two, both aged 15 were sentenced today in the Hamilton District Court for an arson attack on Melville High School which resulted in nearly one million dollars worth of damage. One boy, Jadye Ham received 350 hours community service and the other, Sean Tortenson, 300-hours. Both were also placed on supervision, Tortenson for 18 months and Ham for two years. Andrew McRae was at the sentencing and joins us now. LIVE
FIJI MILITARY: There are fresh fears that Fiji may be on the verge of a fourth coup. This week Commodore Frank Bainimarama repeated threats to remove the Fiji government if it doesn't drop several proposed laws. Today the Police Commissioner, Australian Andrew Hughes, has been awaiting confirmation from the Director of Police Prosecutions that he can lay charges of sedition against the commodore, who is currently in New Zealand visiting family. Mr Hughes has said it would be normal practice for the commodore to stand down from his position while investigations into the allegations are conducted. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says he has serious concerns about Commodore Bainimarama's intentions. CUT
Mr Downer says he has spoken to the Fijian Prime Minister urging him to call a meeting of pacific island foreign ministers as soon as possible to address crisis.
\New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he has been in contact with Mr Downer, but says he will not be conducting diplomacy through the media. However he also reiterated that there is no political role for the military in a democracy. CUT
Meanwhile in Fiji, last ditch efforts are being made to save the country's coalition government from collapse. The multi party cabinet looked set to implode this week with four Labour MPs facing the sack for opposing the government's Budget, which was passed on Wednesday. Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry's now trying to claw back their jobs in the cabinet, as Radio New Zealand International's Margot Staunton reports. PKGE
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WAATEA NEWS WITH ERU REREKURA
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DUNEDIN AIR NZ: Dunedin seems to be the worst affected city in the Air New Zealand reshuffle of its trans-Tasman flights capacity. Yesterday the airline announced it was cutting flights to Australia. Schedules at Auckland and Hamilton are not affected, but the other international airports will all lose services. Monique Devereux reports. PKGE
STADIUM AUCKLAND (2): Twelve Auckland Regional Councillors have unanimously rejected the idea of a stadium on the waterfront - but Auckland City's mayor insists the proposal is not dead yet. So the decision now goes back to Cabinet on Monday in the meantime the Minister for the Rugby World Cup Trevor Mallard is declining interviews. So are are the Ports of Auckland or Eden Park With us now is the Chair of the Auckland Regional Council Mike Lee. LIVE
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