1The Government has explained its recent economic package to groups of farmer around New Zealand today.

2The New Zealand dollar appears to have stabilised on the local foreign exchange market after falling sharply over the past three days.

3Police armed with long batons, were called out to guard the Auckland Employers' Association office from several hundred striking builders labourers today.

4The High Court has ruled that earnings on life insurance policies amount to interest, and are therefore taxable.

5The Merino Express, a ship that will transport a shipment of live sheep to Mexico, has arrived and berthed in Timaru.

6There are reports this evening that South African troops have again advanced deep into Angola, hunting for guerrillas who have been planting bombs inside the South African border.

7A memorial service was held today for the 248 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were killed when their plane crashed in Newfoundland.

8A propane gas explosion has left up to 12 people dead and 13 seriously injured in the Colorado town of Glenwood Springs.

9An investigation into the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) fire in Auckland last Christmas has found an alarming lack of training in the handling of hazardous chemicals, and recommends the introduction of a coordinated Government policy on such materials.

10The Commission for the Environment has criticised State coal mines for its failure to be open with the public about coast estimates for the proposed Huntly East mining project.

11Hospital physiotherapists are hoping that the settlement of the nurses' pay claim will mean more money for them too. They are concerned that payouts from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) have led to a boom in private physio work, causing many staff to leave the public system to seek work in private practices.

12The use of tallow to fuel diesel trucks is looking more promising, after trials run by the Liquid Fuels Trust Board.

13American film director Steven Spielberg is on the verge of propelling a New Zealand-born dancer into stardom. He has cast Lynley Meeham in a $32 million musical to be filmed in Los Angeles near year.

14Oscar, Heathrow Airport's springer spaniel, has has stolen the limelight from the Princess of Wales, while showing off his drug detection skills.