1A Royal Commission has proposed sweeping changes to the New Zealand electoral system. It suggests increasing the number of MPs to 120 by using some proportional representation, establish a four-year electoral term and abolishing the four Maori seats.

2The report from the Inquiry into Teaching has been reported to Parliament today. It finds that the school leaving age should be raised, possibly as high as eighteen.

3Acting Maori Affairs Minister Dr Peter Tapsell has denied any knowledge of the multi-million dollar overseas loan negotiated by Maori Affairs Secretary, Dr Tamati Reedy.

4Labour MP Dover Samuels is calling for the Government to set up a special armed force to deal with gang violence, and relieve the pressure on the police.

5The United States Ambassador to New Zealand has quickly disowned statements made today by the United Secretary for the Navy, John Leyman. Leyland has said he will ask the United States Government to use its economic might against New Zealand to force a reversal of the nuclear ships ban.

6The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Casey was rushed to hospital today after suffering a brain seizure while giving evidence in the Congressional Inquiry into the Iran Arms sales. United States President Ronald Reagan has given the go-ahead for his Chief of Staff Donald Regan to testify at the Senate hearings and has asked other witnesses to stop sheltering behind the Fifth Amendment and testify. It has been disclosed that the CIA dealt directly with Iraq, even as the arms sale to Iran was underway.

7A political row has erupted in Britain over the Thatcher Government's plan to re-equip the armed forces with American surveillance aircraft. The Government's failure to buy British-made aircraft is expected to lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.

8Two pilots are making good time on their mission to fly non-stop around the world in the Voyager aircraft, without refuelling.

9A mini airship was forced to make an unscheduled "precautionary landing" into the Auckland suburb of Remuera today.

10Pork producers gave MPs a taste of New Zealand Pork today, in an effort to convince the Government to change its policy surrounding controls of pork imports from Australia.

11Carnegie Hall reopened in New York today, after being closed for seven months for a complete refit.