1A second cyclone is threatening Vanuatu this evening, less than 24 hours after Cyclone Uma devastated the capital of Port Vila. One person has reportedly been killed, and thousands have been left homeless.

2Fourteen people have been killed on the roads this week, and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) says fibe of the fatal accidents were alcohol-related.

3An unconfirmed report from Beirut says missing hostage negotiator Terry Waite has been released by the Muslim extremist group that has been detaining him.

4Israel is holding another 50 Palestinians, after intercepting a boat off the Lebanese coast. Officials say they were Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) guerrillas.

5Seventeen year old Ursula Ryan has won the title of Miss Universe New Zealand 1987.

6An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter Scale and centred in Cook Strait shook Wellington this afternoon, however there have been no reports of damage.

7The Whanganui National Park has opened this weekend, bringing together more than 150 small reserves along the Whanganui River.

8An influx of elderly Americans may be likely thanks to a summer education programme organised by some New Zealand universities.

9Vandals have broken into the New Zealand Heritage Park in Auckland, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to a trout tank.

10Communist rebels in the Philippines have rejected an appeal by President Corazon Aquino for an extension to their 60-day ceasefire.

11Californian officials have confirmed reports that antibodies for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were found in the blood of deceased musician Liberace, however they emphasize that this does not necessarily mean he had the disease.

12An American toy manufacturer has developed toys that can be used in the sitting room to interact with the television screen.

13Record companies are warning that long playing records (LPs) are rapidly becoming obsolete in favour of compact discs (CDs).

14Zoos in China re trying to encourage their pandas to exercise more often by teaching them tricks.