1A British newspaper is claiming that children playing with matches began the fire that killed at least 41 people at a Bradford football stadium.

2Cabinet Minister Koro Wetere escaped injury today when the light plane he was a passenger in crashed at Wairoa.

3Timaru By-election Both the National Party and New Zealand Party have named their candidates for the Timaru by-election today.

4The National Party's Auckland Division Chairman, Pat Baker says the decision by Dr Ian Shearer to challenge Sue Wood for the Party Presidency could not have come at a worse time.

5Security forces are rounding up Sikh extremists in northern India after a wave of bombings that have left at least 72 people dead.

6Pope John Paul II has begun his controversial visit to The Netherlands, despite opposition from the Dutch Roman Catholic community.

7Three Japanese fisherman have been found alive after drifting in a life-raft in sub-zero temperatures for sixteen days following the sinking of their ship.