1Treasury has released a report which states that the New Zealand economy would be much better off if the Think Big projects had never been started.

2Rod Hansen, the Auckland lawyer for Greenpeace, says today's agreement with France over the loss of the Rainbow Warrior is a major victory for the environmental group.

3A bomb attack at a shopping mall in a South African holiday resort near Durban has killed six Whites and left many more injured.

4Melbourne police believe robbery was the motive for the killing of a New Zealander in the city last week.

5The New Zealand Line freighter Coastal trader ran aground in Otago Harbour this morning.

6The live sheep carrier the Merino Express has left Timaru bound for Mexico with 17,500 ewes on board.

7While most New Zealanders are enjoying the Christmas holiday, the busy period means more work for some people

8Doctors have once again warned New Zealanders against skin cancer. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, and despite education campaigns, more and more people are stricken with the disease each year.

9The Department of Health says there is nothing to fear from a noxious gas cloud blowing across the Tasman from a series of chemical fires in Australia.

10An American court has ruled that the RJ Reynolds tobacco company can not be held liable for the death of a long-term smoker.

11Cuban President Fidel Castro has announced his intention to stop smoking cigars.

12During the summer recess Parliament is being given a long overdue makeover.

13What are believed to be the original Christmas gifts, presented to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men, are on display for the first time in more than 400 years in Northern Greece.

14The men who work the famous Needles Lighthouse in the English Channel have already had a special Christmas delivery.