1A Grey Area The West Coast Hospital Board, as a matter of policy, makes no provision for abortion facilities. This policy appears to flout current law, which grants every women right of access to information on abortion and facilities for termination of an unwanted pregnancy. Health Minister Dr Michael Bassett claims he has no power to compel any hospital board to provide an abortion service. However, the angry debate on the West Coast over this issue had repercussions on last weekend's local body elections in the region.

2A Compact State A profile of the small Pacific state of Palau, which is currently engaged in a David versus Goliath tussle with the United States. Palau is an American Trust Territory and for the past sixteen years, has been trying to negotiate a compact of Free Association with the United States - an agreement similar to that between New Zealand the Cook Islands. However, the sticking point is Palau's nuclear free status. The Americans want Palau as a naval base option, but an anti nuclear faction is Palau is fighting the American proposal.

3The AWOL Kids Truancy, or wagging school, is being seen as an important factor in the high incidence of juvenile crime. Police warn that chronic truants often descend down the slippery slope through petty crime to serious and violent offences. Everyday, thousands of children are absent from class without a sufficient explanation. Interview with police, educationalists and the truants themselves.