1The Prime Minister's announcement of a snap election yesterday marks the second time in New Zealand history when a sitting Government has been unable to govern for its full term. A look back at Sir Robert Muldoon's reasons for calling an early election yesterday and why his announcement will be a significant moment in New Zealand history.

2Early indications suggest that this election campaign will develop into a battle of personalities between National Party leader Sir Robert Muldoon and Labour Party leader David Lange. Sir Robert has called Lange "a buffoon" and questioned his economic competence, but Lange is being more circumspect in his choice of words. Reporter Richard Harman interviews both leaders.

3Sir Robert Muldoon laid the blame for the early election on Waipa MP Marilyn Waring, saying he no longer has a majority in Parliament following her Caucus withdrawal after the outspoken back bench MP refused to support the Government on rape, abortion and nuclear issues. However, being at odds with her party is nothing new for Waring.

4News of an early election was greeted with relish by both Social Credit and the New Zealand Party. However political commentators are warning that in snap elections, attention tends to concentrate on the major parties. What will the minor parties adopt as their strategy? How well equipped are they to fight this election?

5The Broadcasting Corporation took a Labour Party advertisement off the airwaves this morning, prompting Leader David Lange to accuse them of trying to censor his campaign. The advertisement urged voters to sign up on the electoral rolls before they close on Monday night. Post Office staff admit they have been caught on with the Prime Minister's announcement of an early election with only one working day left for voters to enrol.

6What will be the most significant issues facing voters on July 14th? The economy, unemployment and industrial relations will certainly be issues debated during the campaign, although the parties disagree over which should take priority.

7The four Party leaders have spelled out what they see as the main issues for the upcoming election campaign. Studio interview with political analyst Dr Rod Alley who assesses their performances..

8A rescue plan has saved the troubled West Coast plywood manufacturer Aorangi Industries.

9Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Lionel Bowen is due to arrive in New Zealand this weekend to discuss Trans-Tasman and trade and economic issues with politicians and business leaders.

10The Marsden Point Refinery expansion site was brought to a standstill today for almost two hours after management received a phone warning that a bomb had been placed there. A thorough search failed to find any bomb.

11A group of around 100 angry Sikhs marched through Wellington today, protesting at the Indian Army's storming of their holiest of shrines. The Indian Army has claimed that huge quantities of heroin and other drugs were found in the Sikhs' Golden Temple after troops captured during Operation Blue Star it last week. Army authorities believe Sikh extremists have been trading the drugs in exchange for weapons.

12One crewman was killed and two others are still missing after a crash between two freight trains in Motley, Minnesota.

13Huge hailstones have injured 22 people and caused $300 million worth of damage in Denver, Colorado.

14Soviet President Konstantin Chernenko has used a three-day summit meeting of Eastern Bloc trading nations to call for an easing of international tensions. He aimed his message at Western nations, which he said were opposed to nuclear madness. United States President Ronald Reagan has responded by saying the United States was trying to establish a basis for diplomacy and he would like to meet with President Chernenko.