1The Government has announced tax cuts on many new vehicles as part of the Motor Vehicle Industry Plan.

2Energy Minister Bob Tizard says he is not prepared to reconsider his decision to grant three licenses for gold prospecting on the Coromandel Peninsula to a South African company, despite pressure from within the Labour Party caucus as well as from Coromandel locals.

3The Inquiry into the Queen Street riot could start as early as Friday.

4In the wake of the Queen Street riot, a row has erupted between the head of the Police Association and the Commissioner of Police and Minister of Police over who was responsible for the outbreak of violence.

5A special bullet-proof jacket for police dogs is being tested in New Zealand.

6Anne Crawford, a 23 year old Southland woman, may become the first New Zealander to receive a heart and lung transplant. However, she will need to travel to London for the operation and a fundraising appeal is currently underway.

7A massive pile-up on a fog-blanketed British motorway has killed nine people and seriously injured another ten.

8Mother Teresa, along with many of her helpers, has travelled to Bhopal to help the victims of the Union Carbide gas leak tragedy.

9Two weeks ago, a group of top British musicians recorded a song to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The group, Band Aid's single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" has done better than anyone expected, having already raised over $2 million.

10Opposition leader Jim McLay is predicting at least 15% inflation next year and a further period of uncertainty for the business community. He has also accused the Labour Government of removing New Zealanders' freedom of choice.

11The Government has indicated it will not be increasing television license fees. Senior broadcasting officials have also indicated they will consider six-day per week advertising across the two major channels, instead of the present five.

12Dissension is brewing within Government ranks over moves to ratify the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

13Marlborough Seafood is poised to begin exporting kina to the lucrative Japanese market.