1Tension is growing between Britain and Syria. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa says Britain has made "a big blunder" in breaking off diplomatic relations with Syria. However, both Canada and the United States have demonstrated their support for Britain by recalling their ambassadors from Syria.

2Five people have died on the roads this holiday weekend, four of them members of the same Hawkes Bay family.

3The cocaine found in a big haul in Auckland and Palmerston North earlier this week has proved to be 100% pure, with the potential to kill anyone who used it.

4The International Red Cross has expelled South African Government delegates from its conference in Geneva because of the country's apartheid policy. The Pretoria Government has responded by telling Red Cross delegates to leave South Africa.

5Art thieves have stolen four paintings from an historic mansion in Adelaide, valued at over $2 million. Three of the works are by French artists Paul Gauguin and one by Eugène Boudin.

6The two-day Polynesian Festival has ended in Christchurch, with Auckland dominating the competition. Judges have praised the exceptionally high standard of entrants this year.

7The senior Spanish General who was the Military Governor for the Basque province has been killed along with his family by Basque separatists.