1More than 800 jobs in state coal mines were axed today as the new Coal Corporation announced its staffing requirements for 1988.

2The Watties factory in South Canterbury is to close, with the loss of 182 jobs.

3Employment, Regional Development and Immigration Minister Kerry Burke is to be relieved of his Cabinet duties indefinitely, in order that he can spend more time with his seriously ill wife.

4The Government released today a White Paper it calls the "most fundamental change in defence policy since World War Two". The study concludes that New Zealand must concentrate on becoming more self-reliant.

5More information has emerged on the contents of the Tower Commission report into the Iran Arms deal. It is said to reject badly on United States President Ronald Reagan's leadership, and his control of the National Security Council (NSC). The ongoing Iran Arms scandal is affecting Europe's perception of United States President Ronald Reagan, as he is increasingly portrayed less as a confident, opinionated leader, and more as a doddery, forgetful President.

6Alleged war criminal John Demjanjuk, suspected to be Ivan the Terrible, a sadistic Nazi camp guard, today offered to shake the hand of a prosecution witness, during his trial for war crimes in Jerusalem.

7An amateur astronomer in Nelson has made the startling discovery of a supernova in deep space.

8Opposition MP Winston Peters was suspended from the debating chamber for 24 hours today, following a lengthy row in Parliament last night, when Parliament;s Speaker Dr Gerard Wall took exception to what he considers, the attempt of four National MPs to undermine his authority.

9A tourism boom in Canterbury is having unfortunate repercussions for quarantine officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), as their flight inspection workloads has doubled in the last eight months.

10New Zealand doctors are considering using British techniques, involving hormone treatment, to prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones) in older women. The use of hormones has been controversial in the past, but the current practice of oestrogen therapy is said to be safe.

11A unique real estate offer in the wilds of Scotland is attracting plenty of attention. For around NZ$300,000 one could purchase the historic fishing village of Crawton.