1The heart of Mexico City has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Hundreds of people are known to have been killed, although some estimates suggest the casualties could run into the thousands.

2The Government is concerned about a multi-million dollar defence deal that has stalled in Washington DC. The deal concerns much-needed avionics for the Air Force (RNZAF) Skyhawks. Is this a case of the United States being difficult because of New Zealand's anti nuclear stance and the row over the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)?

3New Zealand's effort to patch up the row over the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) appears to have run into a brick wall of opposition in Washington DC. The United States has rejected New Zealand's proposal to make its own decisions as to whether or not they believe a ship is carrying nuclear weapons.

4The heart of Mexico City has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Hundreds of people are known to have been killed, although some estimates suggest the casualties could run into the thousands. Fourteen minutes after the Mexico earthquake, shockwaves were registered at the Wellington observatory.

5French President Francois Mitterrand appears to be losing patience with French Defence Minister Charles Hernu over the Rainbow Warrior affair.

6A large search has been mounted in te Hapua in Northland, for missing hitchhiker Heather Stevens.

7The yacht Tereata II, the centre of a search for the past two days, has turned up in the Bay of Islands. The two-man crew are in good health, despite encountering bad weather on their return from Fiji.

8South Africa says its troops which went into Angola last Monday in pursuit of Namibian guerrillas, have completed their task and will return to South Africa by Sunday.

9White South Africans Schalk Burger and George Scheepers have been condemned to hang in the small South African town of Klerksdorp, after being found guilty of raping a young Black woman and burning her to death in the boot of a car.

10The Government says it is prepared to live with high interest rates in order to hold down inflation.

11Sweeping tax changes have been announced in Australia. These include the introduction of a Perks Tax and a Capital Gains Tax, as well as a reduction in Income Tax and an end to many tax shelters.

12The management of the Tasman Mill at Kawerau has followed through on its threat to lock out 600 members of the Northern Pulp and Paper Workers' Federation.

13The long-awaited report into Police handling of the sex ring inquiry in Dunedin last year was released today. It clears the actions of the Detective Chief Inspector, but is critical of the Police District Commander.

14Angry farmers are preparing to fight unions and the Government to gain the right to export live sheep.

15An Auckland archaeologist has found evidence of early Maori settlement in New Zealand. Carbon dating of evidence taken from Pouerua Pa in Northland shows Maori have been in the region since at least AD1050, and possibly long before that.

16New Zealand women writers have taken top placings in the Wattie Book Awards.