**** Checkpoint FOR THURS 23 APRIL
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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A fingerprint expert has told a High Court jury he discovered the fingerprints of David Bain on the rifle used to kill the 5 members of the Bain family and Mr Bain's partial palm print on the family washing machine. Kim Jones has given evidence this afternoon at the trial where 37-year-old David Bain stands accused of the 1994 murders.
Our reporter Monique Devereux is with us now ..Q&A
In South Africa the ruling African National Congress has taken a commanding early lead - but with just a fraction of the votes counted the party could still suffer a dent to the huge majority it has held since the end of aparthied in 1994. On election day queues of voters, some carrying chairs turned up at polling booths and turnout was so high in some areas that the election commission reported shortages of ballot papers. Andrew Geoghegan (gay ghin) from the ABC is in Johannesberg and he joins us now...LIVE
The Government's has confirmed its nine-day working fortnight scheme to save jobs is being extended and will now be available to an extra 2-thousand businesses employing around 140-thousand workers. Under the original scheme, companies with more than a hundred staff could apply for a wage top-up to help cover hours cut from each worker's fortnight. But that's now been extended to include medium-sized businesses with 50 to 100 workers.
Phil O'Reilly from Business New Zealand says its a logical move. PREREC
Airport operators are against increased screening of passengers on domestic flights, saying the cost and inconvenience far outweigh any risk posed by terrorism.A review of aviation security prompted by an alleged hijacking attempt on a flight from Blenheim last year has identified areas of high risk associated with unscreened passengers and baggage on smaller domestic flights. Andrew McRae reports. PKG
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Nadine Chalmers Ross
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Some of Christchurch's lowest earners face a 14 per cent rent hike this year. The city council made the controversial decision today.
However, it voted against increasing rents a further 16 per cent next year, to build a fund to replace some units. Instead, rents will increase almost six per cent next year, and nearly three per cent over the following four years, plus inflation. Jessica Maddock reports: PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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A covert operation by a group of mothers worried about the safety of a child has led to the arrest of a school teacher who's now accused of being paedophile. The details are revealed in documents obtained by Radio New Zealand, outlining the Crown's case against an 61 year old Nicholas Baldwin. The Crown says he began abusing a ten year old boy in 2006 and the abuse ended two years later when Mr Baldwin was arrested. He's pleaded not guilty to 17 charges including unlawful sexual connection. Our reporter Laura Davis tells us more about what happened. Q&A
The United Nations Security Council has called on the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka to lay down their arms and allow the evacuation of remaining civilians from the combat zone. Sri Lankan government forces are closing in on the final stronghold of the Tamil Tigers, where tens of thousands of people are trapped - some reportedly being held as human shields. But the Security Council stopped short of making a formal, binding statement and has no plans to take action. Our correspondent at the UN, Paige Kollock says the Council was briefed by the assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Catherine Bragg. PREREC
Meanwhile back in New Zealand, the Tamil community is calling on the Government to help bring about an immediate cease-fire to the war in Sri Lanka. Around 200 people have gathered at Auckland's Aotea square in protest of what they are calling a humanitarian catastrophe. The march, organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation, has just started and its spokesperson Narupa George is on the line now. LIVE
Lawyers for Taito Phillip Field say the former Labour MP has been at the centre of public witch-hunt. His defence team has briefly addressed a jury in the High Court in Auckland. Mr Field is charged with 12 counts of bribery and corruption, and 23 of obstructing or perverting the course of justice. They relate to allegations Mr Field gave immigration help to Thai men and women in return for work done on his properties. Our reporter Kim Baker Wilson is at the High Court in Auckland. Q&A
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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Fiji could have judges sworn in and back operating in the Supreme and High Courts next week. But the Pacific nation will remain under emergency rule for the next two weeks and there is no indication of what will be required before it is lifted. Philippa Tolley is in Suva and joins us now: Q&A
Auckland City's ratepayers have been left with a bill for around a million dollars after the failure of three shows underwritten by the council My Fair Lady makes up the bulk of the 2.5 million dollar loss suffered by the council-owned promoter The Edge, with two smaller shows also contributing. Rowan Quinn reports PKG