Checkpoint

Public health experts are calling for children to be regularly checked into adulthood for any symptoms of illnesses linked to asbestos exposure. It comes after a number of children's play sands were found to be contaminated with asbestos. One mother had to pay to have her home tested after her three year old twin's sand tested positive for asbestos. Elle Chrisp spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand has the chance to virtually eliminate cervical cancer but the uptake of a vaccination that prevents it remains incredibly low. The latest State of Cancer report released today says half of all cancers are preventable. The Human Papilloma viruses or HPVs are the main causes of several cancers including cervical, mouth and throat cancer. But the HPV vaccine can prevent the virus. Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at the Cancer Society, Rachael Neumann spoke to Lisa Owen.

Donald Trump's push to strengthen US borders could get tougher on Kiwi travellers, who might have to hand over years of social media posts if they want to enter America. The Trump administration wants to make visitors that don't need a visa to disclose five years' worth of social media history before they're allowed in. New Zealand is among dozens of countries that'll could be affected if proposed changes go through and one former diplomat is worried he won't make the cut. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

The government is pushing ahead with plans to loosen regulations for the hemp industry, which it says has been hamstrung by outdated rules. The changes mean hemp growers will no longer require a licence if the plants contain less than one-percent THC which is the main psychoactive compound that can make people high. The Regulation Minister David Seymour, who made the announcement in Ashburton today, says the changes could generate more than $7 million of economic benefit over the next ten years. Adam Burns reports.

Sevu Reece has announced he is leaving the All Blacks after next season to take up a contract in France. He is currently Super Rugby's all time leading try scorer and has played 37 tests for the All Blacks, but the writing may well have been on the wall for Reece given his age. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Two years on from setting up it's own security service a popular Auckland shopping precinct says its slashed crime in its area, but it is appealing to the government for help with some people who are still falling through the cracks. In the past year the Newmarket security team has recovered more than $170,000 of stolen product, dealt with 88 breaches of trespass orders and 416 repeated offenders. Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the US seizing an oil tanker of the coast of Venezuela - further escalating tensions between the two nations, as well as tourists - including kiwis - potentially having to expose more of their digital life if they want to travel to the US.

NZTA is reducing speed limits on several sections of a popular holiday route in time for Christmas. Four sections of State Highway 25 will drop to 50 kilometres from 80 or 70 kilometres. Waka Kotahi says there were 982 submissions on the speed review in the Coromandel region and the majority saw benefits in lowering the speed limits. Linda Davidson owns a bed and breakfast on one stretch of road where the speed limit is reducing and spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about school's in the UK reintroducing Covid measures to combat this season's flu outbreak, as well as the owner of a controversial nude gladiator statue preparing for a legal fight.

Special Olympics fever has touched down in Christchurch with the national summer games getting under way. The pinnacle event for athletes with intellectual disabilities has returned to the Garden City for the first time in 20 years. Teams began pouring into Otautahi yesterday ahead of today's opening ceremony which started this afternoon. Adam Burns reports.