1There appears to be no quick solution in sight for the freezing works strike. However, around 500 people attended a meeting in Invercargill today to discuss returning to work in defiance of the strike. In Christchurch, meat workers picketed the annual meeting of Waitaki NZR in protest at the company's .decision to increase directors' fees.

2More than 500 people marched through Te Kuiti today, in protest at the Government's farming policies.

3The official Soviet news agency TASS has welcomed the findings of the preliminary inquiry into the sinking of the Mikhail Lermontov. Picton pilot Captain Don Jamieson has surrendered his pilot's license in response to the findings of the Mikhail Lermontov Inquiry, which declared him responsible for the sinking of the Soviet cruise liner.

4All Interislander ferry sailings across Cook Strait have been cancelled until further notice, and hundreds of passengers delayed, because of a pay dispute between The Railways Corporation and the Cooks and Stewards Union.

5Today was Race Relations Conciliator Hiwi Tauroa's final day in office before his retirement. He leaves his position believing that the Treaty of Waitangi issue continues to divide Maori and Pakeha and that Government will one day have to right the wrongs developed following the Treaty signing.

6Fletcher Challenge has paid $25 million for New Zealand's largest television and video rental company, Group Rentals. Meanwhile, investment bankers Equiticorp Tasman announced a $1.3 billion takeover bid for the packaging group ACI International.

7Ireland has softened its opposition to New Zealand butter exports to the European Community (EEC).

8The South African Government has tonight lifted the state of emergency imposed on parts of the country last July. More than 300 political detainees have also been released. Fire has gutted the Johannesburg offices of the group that is pushing for the release of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela from prison.

9The first American woman in space, astronaut Sally Ride, says she will not fly into space again until the cause of the blast which destroyed the space shuttle Challenger is fully understood.

10Scientists from around the world are analysing photographs of Halley's Comet, which were transmitted to earth last night by the Soviet space probe Vega 1.

11A year ago, Eyewitness News commissioned a Heylen poll to find out what the public thought about New Zealand's Cabinet Ministers. Last Saturday, this poll was repeated - has public opinion changed in the intervening twelve months?

12A recent visit to New Zealand by Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip sparked some discussion about the value of the monarchy. In the past, the anti-royalist campaign has been dominated by British Labour Party MP Willie Hamilton. Hamilton has announced his intention to retire from politics at the next British election. However, the ardent anti-royalist is determined to fire some parting shots at the Royal family.