1Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer is on hi way to Washington to discuss the nuclear ships issue with United States officials. Following his United States visit, Palmer will travel to France were he says he will do some "blunt talking" with French officials regarding the Rainbow Warrior bombing.

2Two days of intensive searching in perfect weather have failed to find any sign of the Sequoia II or four yachtsmen missing off the Wellington coast since Wednesday. The official search has been called off after wreckage was found.

3The Auckland Hospital Board (AHB) met with Minister of Health Dr Michael Bassett today, to discuss the possible closure of the orthopaedic ward at Middlemore Hospital.

4The Government has turned down an application from Race Relations Conciliator Hiwi Tauroa to spend another year in the role. He will conclude his tenure in February 1986.

5En route to Mururoa Atoll, French president Francois Mitterrand stopped off at French Guinea to witness a test flight of a rocket launcher. However, technicians were forced to blow it out of the sky when its final stage failed to ignite.

6Twenty-five Soviet officials have been expelled from the United Kingdom, accused of spying.

7An official Advisory Council to the South African Government has called for the scrapping of the country's Pass Laws, one of the main controls of apartheid.

8Several thousand people marched in various centres around New Zealand this evening in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. However, in Wellington, the march was marred by clashed between supporters and members of the 'moral majority'.

9Interview with a leading authority on United States nuclear strategy who believes New Zealand can assess whether American ships carry nuclear arms.

10There has been growing pressure during the week for the Rugby Union (NZRFU) to relent and allow tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield showdown between Canterbury and Auckland to be shown live on television. However, the union has remained steadfast in its opposition to such a move.

11Tomorrow's Ranfurly Shield showdown between Canterbury and Auckland at Lancaster Park is being billed of the match of the year, or even the decade. However, it is also a battle between the two coaches, Auckland's John Hart versus Canterbury's Alex Wylie (aka Grizz Wylie) and the top captains, Andy Haden of Auckland and Don Hayes of Canterbury. It is also about the pride of two cities - bold, brassy Auckland and quiet, conservative Christchurch.