1David Lange has survived today's leadership ballot in Caucus to remain Prime Minister, however the challenge from former Finance Minister Roger Douglas continues.

2The Government announced the long-awaited details of its latest asset sales package today. Air New Zealand will be sold to Brierley Investments and Qantas, and Postbank will be sold to the ANZ, pending Commerce Commission approval. However, the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) will not be sold at this time.

3The Higher Salaries Commission (HSC) has given MPs a top up on their salaries and expenses, giving them an extra 15% in some cases.

4The family of murdered Auckland hotelier Rex Bell have made a public appeal for help in finding his killers.

5The Fortex Group signed an agreement today with the Meatworkers' Union, which sweeps away traditional work methods, allowing for 24 hour shiftwork six days a week. Is this a blueprint for the industry's future?

6New Zealand's export figures for the year to November show a $2 billion turnaround.

7Animal rights activists have been blamed for several fires in British department stores. Letter bombs have also been sent to people associated with the fur trade, scientific research and police officers in the Midlands.

8Princess Beatrice was baptised today.

9Defeated Sri Lankan Presidential candidate Sirimavo Bandaranaike is refusing to accept the results of the election which gave her rival Ranasinghe Premadasa the slimmest of victories.

10Vanuatu's President Ati George Sokomanu is in police custody tonight after legal action was taken against him by the Government of Father Walter Lini.

11The British media are reporting that the planned tour of the English cricket team to New Zealand this summer will be cancelled.

12Poet Sam Hunt has lost his best friend and inspiration - his dog Minstrel died today aged 18.