1A French military aircraft has arrived in the Cook Islands today, bearing Cyclone relief aid and military personnel to assist with reconstruction work. However, some are suggesting that France is using the disaster as a means to try to improve its political influence in the Pacific.

2New Zealand's campaign to fight sexual attacks on children is being labelled "inadequate" and "behind the times" by professionals working with young victims of sexual abuse.

3Soviet Foreign MInister Eduard Shevardnadze has ended a top level visit to Afghanistan with another appeal for a ceasefire, saying the Soviet Union is prepared to set a timetable for troop withdrawal.

4Libyan planes today bombed a Government outpost in Chad, in retaliation for an earlier French raid on a Libyan base in northern Chad. The United States has been helping the latest French push in Chad by transporting military equipment there.

5Prince Edward is considering his future with the Royal Marines, according to Buckingham Palace, amid reports he is considering quitting his military training scheme because it is too tough.

6A report on the environmental impact of a proposed irradiation plant in Mangere has been made public today. It concludes that the risks are acceptable, despite community concern being high.

7Engineers are considering major structural work on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, due to distortion on the outer clip-on lanes.

8The Government's user-pays policy is forcing maps of New Zealand out of some tourist brochures. Lands and Survey has introduced huge increases to copyright charges on all of its maps, and the added expense is proving too much for members of the Tourist Industry Federation.