1The tax departments of both New Zealand and Australia are investigating a double-dipping tax write-off scheme, that is costing both countries millions of dollars. Companies operating on both sides of thew Tasman are writing off the same tax deductions in each country.

2Computer software companies in New Zealand are declaring war on software piracy.

3The Government's user-pays policy has struck a hitch and as a result, vital work on earthquake protection in Wellington and Christchurch has been halted. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has stopped several research projects due to objections over the way it is being charged for information by the Department of Lands and Survey.

4The Trans Tasman airline price war is heating up, with Continental Airlines promising to match the reduced fares offered by Air New Zealand and Qantas. United Airlines says it is also considering such a move.

5Mozambique today buried seventeen top officials, killed alongside President Samora Machel in a plane crash in South Africa last week. Machel is lying in state, ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

6Britain's ruling Conservative Party has decided not to replace Deputy Chairman Jeffrey Archer, who resigned on the weekend over allegations linking him with a prostitute.

7Dunedin man Ralph Alexander hamilton, who doused himself in petrol and then set himself on fire, died in Dunedin Hospital today.

8The Government has approved the appointment of five people to the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Social Policy, but their identity will not be revealed until later this week.

9Britain has appealed to the European Community (EEC) for support in its diplomatic fight with Syria. British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe is seeking European sanctions against Syria to help in the fight against terrorism. However, so far he has remained empty-handed.

10The London Stock Exchange fell into chaos today, just as it was shedding 200 years of tradition. For the first time, new rules have allowed foreigners to operate off the floor in buying and selling, but the Exchange's brand new computer system crashed.

11Japanese investigators say a broken bulkhead on a brand new Thai airliner was the cause of a mid-air dive and an emergency landing at Osaka yesterday, which injured sixty passengers.

12United States President Ronald Reagan has signed a $1.7 billion anti-drugs Bill, which incorporates extra funds for treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement.

13The remains of a 25 million year old dolphin have been found in north Otago.

14A virtually unknown Auckland pavement artist is causing a stir overseas after he began practicing his craft on the streets of Britain.