1United States President Ronald Reagan has made a television address to the American people today, to explain his efforts to free American hostages in Lebanon. He admits sending arms to Iran but says it was not an arms-for-hostages deal.

2Television New Zealand (TVNZ) today axed a number of programmes, as the corporation moved to cut $20 million from its budget. TVNZ says the cuts are necessary because of the Government's refusal to set the television license fee higher. Programmes to be axed include Newsline, The Video Dispatch, The Crosbie Report and summer programme This Week. Sports and entertainment programmes will also be culled. Up to forty jobs may go in Dunedin.

3The America's Cup fleet have begun an eighteen-day break to prepare for the third round in the series, which will determine the top four boats. KZ7 went unbeaten in the second round.

4The siege at Peterhead Maximum Security Prison in Scotland has ended in flames. However, the warder prisoners had been holding captive was released unharmed.

5British Cabinet Secretary Sir Robert Armstrong is in Australia to give evidence for the British Government in its attempt to prevent publication of a revealing book about the inner workings of the British Intelligence agency MI5.

6French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac will host a reception for the All Blacks in Paris next week, in a move widely regarded as an attempt to improve relations between France and New Zealand.

7Television New Zealand (TVNZ) today axed a number of programmes, as the corporation moved to cut $20 million from its budget. TVNZ says the cuts are necessary because of the Government's refusal to set the television license fee higher. Programmes to be axed include Newsline, The Video Dispatch, The Crosbie Report and summer programme This Week. Sports and entertainment programmes will also be culled. Up to forty jobs may go in Dunedin. Interview with TVNZ Director-General Julian Mounter.

8Treasury has hired a public relations company to polish up its image and improve its communications. However, senior Treasury officials have reacted negatively to a number of suggestions, including affirmative action. Interview with the Treasury of the Secretary Dr Graham Scott.

9An affirmative action campaign designed to give women equal job opportunities with men is being put to the test in the United States, where a California man is suing his employer for sexual discrimination because they hired a women with slightly fewer qualifications to a job that he had applied for. The case is heading to the United States Supreme Court and its outcome is being watched with interest all over the world. New Zealand has an affirmative action policy. Is this sort of positive discrimination fair? Should employers hire women and Maori ahead of White males, even if they are less qualified to do the job?

10Philippines President Corazon Aquino has arrived home after a visit to Japan to face a major crisis that threatens to engulf her nine-month old Government. Rumours that her own Defence Minister, Juan Ponce Enrile is about to launch a coup, have been rife in Manila for the past few weeks because of his opposition to her conciliatory policies towards communists. Trade unions have tonight called for an indefinite nationwide strike after the murder of left wing leader Rolando Olalia, for which many blame Enrile. Attention is focusing on General Fidel Ramos, who is expected to play a crucial role in either uniting or shattering the fragile People's Party Government led by Aquino.

11American welfare agencies are concerned at the soaring suicide rate among the elderly in the United States.