1Countries in Central and South America are concerned at mounting tensions between the United States and Nicaragua.

2British Police believe a sinister new hand is directing miners in the latest, and most vicious confrontations of the eight month old coal miners' strike. Police are being attacked with petrol bombs, steel bolts and rocks.

3Finance Undersecretary Trevor De Cleene has said he believes New Zealand should float the dollar.

4New Zealand's in-shore fishing industry is to undergo a major reorganisation to try to save some species.

5The Government is to increase court costs and fees in order to help pay towards the $11 million which will be spent on improving the justice system.

6Both the Government and the Opposition have claimed credit for the continuing decline in the number of unemployed in New Zealand.

7The Opposition Housing spokesman says Labour is planning to impose total State control over the residential housing market.

8The daily misery of the Ethiopian famine is taking its toll on many volunteers from international relief organisations working in the affected regions.

9Five people burned to death in South Africa when their house was set alight by a petrol bomb.

10India's new Prime Minister Rajiv gandhi has been elected President of the ruling Congress Party and is expected to hold a general election within the next two months.

11United States astronauts on board the shuttle Discovery have successfully captured and stored a rogue satellite.

12Mexican police have seized more than 8000 tonnes of marijuana, being farmed by around five thousand peasants being forced to work in a remote desert drug factory.

13Surgeons caring for Baby Fae have ordered a human heart, in case the baby's body rejects the baboon heart she received a fortnight ago.

14New Zealand is to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level with Qatar.

15The mating habits of magpies could prove disastrous for a Taranaki petrochemical plant after two amorous birds caused the factory's electrical supply to short out. The plant is expected to be non-operational for at least a month.

16Christchurch Polytechnic has caused controversy by opting to select its nursing trainees by computer ballot, rather than by interview.

17A Tauranga District Court has ruled that the local meter maids have no authority to issue parking tickets.

18The Ministry of Works will pay around $1.5 million compensation to Maniatoto farmers who have been left off the irrigation scheme.

19A campaign is under way to convince top chefs to make lamb a gourmet's delight.