Simon Marks
Relations between US and Iran begin to thaw at UN
Iran's new president has taken a first step to end decades of hostility between his country and the West. Audio
US Navy orders full review of security
The US Navy has ordered a full review of security at its bases throughout the United States, following Monday's mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard that left 12 people plus the gunman dead. Audio
US gunman a former Navy reservist
The FBI is heading up the investigation into yesterday's mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard that left 13 people, including a 34-year old gunman, dead. Audio
One Washington gunman killed, hunt continues for others
One gunman has been killed, but the hunt continues for another potential suspect after a Washington DC shooting that has left at least 11 other people dead not far from Capitol Hill and the White… Audio
Washington DC shooting: Four dead, two gunmen on the loose
At least twelve people have been killed in a shooting rampage at a Navy headquarters in Washington DC. Audio
Syria avoids US air strikes
A Syrian minister has called a new deal that avoids US air strikes a 'victory' for his country. Audio
Growing optimism over a deal on Syria's chemical weapons
US and Russian officials will hold more talks in Geneva later today amid growing optimism over the prospects for a deal that would strip Bashar al Assad's regime of its chemical weapons stockpile. Audio
Checkpoint Top Stories for Friday 13 September 2013
Watercare ordered to pay reparations; Lawyer for Ms Gulland's family on the sentence; Council chief resigns over crisis and gets large payout; Team NZ confident but not ruling out Oracle yet; Growing… Audio
Obama delivers speech on Syria
President Obama has delayed the vote on a military strike and stepped up diplomacy over Russia's deal for Syria to surrender its chemical weapons stockpile for destruction. Audio
UN Security Council to meet
The United Nations Security Council has postponed an urgent meeting on Syria planned for this morning. Audio
No strike on Syria if Assad follows through with Russia deal
President Obama has today guaranteed that he will not launch a strike on Syria if the Assad regime follows through on a diplomatic deal brokered by the Russians. Audio
Obama has mountain to climb to green light a Syria strike
President Obama faces a critical test of his leadership this week as he continues to urge the US Congress to give him approval to launch a military strike on Syria. Audio
World leaders divided on mility strike on Syria
The US has hit out against Russia, accusing it of holding the United Nations Security Council hostage. Audio
John Kerry speaks in senate on Syria after Putin softens stance
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is not ruling out backing military action against Syria. Audio
Evidence of Sarin in Syria as Obama delays strike
The United States says it has evidence that the deadly nerve gas sarin has been used in attacks on the Syrian people. Audio
US may go it alone against Syria
The US is hinting it could go it alone in taking military action against Syria. Audio
US Correspondent - Simon Marks
US Correspondent, Simon Marks, discusses news from the US including the US response to the chemical attacks in Syria. Audio
UN inspectors fired at in Syria
The United Nations inspectors have made it to the site of the fatal gas attacks in Syria after initially being shot at by snipers. Audio
Syria says UN can go in but White House critical of delay
The Syrian Government says it will allow the United Nations to inspect the sites of alleged gas attacks on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus. Audio
Hearing for three Oklahoma teenagers accused of killing jogger
One of the three Oklahoma teenagers accused of killing a passing jogger out of boredom broke down in tears in court today saying he had pulled the trigger. Audio
