1Prime Minister David Lange has delivered his State of the Nation address in which he issued a stark message to New Zealanders to expect no improvement in the economy or the standard of living for at least two years.

2An extradition hearing for convicted drug runner and Mr Asia associate Peter Fulcher will begin in Sydney on Friday. Opposition Leader Jim McLay says he does not believe that publicity over the case will jeopardise Fulcher's chances of a fair trial in New Zealand.

3Opposition leader Jim McLay says the Government may let some American ships visit New Zealand this year, in an effort to keep the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) intact.

4A Black South African student has been arrested during a Halt All Racist Tours (HART) protest outside the Benson and Hedges Tennis Open in Stanley Street.

5Arms talks between the United States and the Soviet Union began in Geneva today, with the United States' Star Wars missile defence system a key topic for discussion.

6Israel's airlift of Ethiopian Jews has been halted with thousands still trapped in the amine-stricken Horn of Africa.

7Rebels in Mozambique have shot or bayoneted at least 27 people to death in two attacks on passenger buses.

8Princess Margaret is spending a second night in hospital while tests on her condition continue.

9United States Senator Edward Kennedy (AKA Ted Kennedy), on a week-long visit to South Africa, has made a strong attack on the South African Government's policy of apartheid.

10A gala day has commemorated the 150th anniversary of Kerikeri's historic Stone Store.

11Europe has been hit by a polar blast that has killed five people in France and closed a number of airports across the continent.