1The rate of inflation is falling. Although food prices rose by 2.3% in the three months to December, this is the lowest rise in a year.

2Physiotherapists have been told by an international expert that Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) should be easily curable.

3Residents of Ruatoria have banded together with Police to fight against a crime wave which has swept the settlement over the past year.

4Ambassador Sayed Mohammed al-Tajir, reputedly the world's wealthiest man, paid a record ransom of two million pounds to free his brother Mohammed Sadiq al-Tajir from kidnappers in London.

5Government forces are reportedly back in control of Aden today, as the Royal yacht Britannia spearheaded a dramatic evacuation of foreign nationals from a nearby Yemeni beach.

6Rocket and mortar fire faked Lebanese President Amine Gemayel's mountain stronghold today. Little help is now held for the frail peace plan signed by warring factions in Damascus last month.

7United States President Ronald Reagan has had three small growths removed from his large intestine and a sample of tissue taken from his nose.

8Relations between South Africa and Lesotho are becoming increasingly sensitive following South Africa's accusations that Lesotho is harbouring Black Nationalist fighters.

9A South African research ship has rescued five members of an Antarctic expedition from an ice floe.

10The Police Association says the threat of industrial action by Waikato Police officers could spread to other regions.

11Internal Affairs Minister Peter Tapsell wants the Government to help fund the Maori Broadcasting company Aotearoa in its efforts to become New Zealand's third television channel.

12Building ice castles have become all the rage among the residents of Saint Paul, Minnesota.