1Day two of the preliminary inquiry into the sinking of the Mikhail Lermontov has heard evidence from the ship's master and has begun hearing evidence from ten other crew members. A profile of Captain Don Jamieson, pilot of the ill-fated liner following the apportioning of blame to Jamieson by the ship's captain, Vladislav Vorobyov on Soviet television. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has rejected reports that some of the lifeboats used by the liner were faulty.

2NZI Enterprise has suffered a snapped mast during the third leg of the Round the World Yacht Race, effectively ending their participation in the competition.

3Tea room and restaurant workers spent three hours staging a sit-in in the foyer of the Beehive tonight demonstrating against their low wages, disrupting a reception for the visiting Australian cricket team. While Prime Minister David Lange called for them to be evicted by security, Labour MP Jim Anderton has expressed solidarity with the protesters.

4Opposition leader Jim McLay has called on Prime MInister David Lange to stop abusing school teachers and instead address the problem of their pay dispute. Teachers around New Zealand have continued to walk off the job today, in protest at the Government's rejection of their wage package. Tensions between striking teachers and the Government erupted today in a heated exchange between teachers and Prime Minister David Lange at a Wellington function.

5Shots have been reported during a police hunt for three armed men who disappeared in rugged bush country near Ruatoria.

6The Local Government Commission has released further details of its nationwide study into the amalgamation of local authorities. Tonight it revealed details of a recommendation to amalgamate four Christchurch local authorities, and create the largest Council in New Zealand.

7Israel continues to carry out a huge search for two Israeli soldiers, kidnapped in Southern Lebanon by Shi'ite guerrillas.

8South African troops have taken control of the Black township of Alexandra, which has been torn apart by rioting and fire bombing over the past four days.

9Heavy rain has caused the worst floods in northern California in thirty years.

10South Island hill country farmers have been offered a helping hand in their struggle against rabbits, weeds and conservationists. Prime Minister David Lange has visited the MacKenzie Country and has promised urgent remedies for the farmers.