1A state of civil emergency is in force throughout the Bay of Plenty tonight following a major earthquake this afternoon, which caused some injuries and significant damage. A national Civil Defence effort has been launched. Live update on the unfolding situation in the region.

2Prime Minister David Lange says United States interests are conspiring with National Party politicians and other prominent New Zealanders, to undermine New Zealand's defence policy, by alleging it is tied to Communism.

3United States and Soviet arms negotiators will hold a special session today to discuss Mikhail Gorbachev's offer to remove all medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe with no prerequisites regarding the Star Wars missile defence programme..

4Scores of skiers were thrown onto a rocky mountainside in the French Pyrenees today, when a chairlift gave way. Five people were killed and around eighty injured, thirty of them seriously.

5Syrian troops, which moved into Beirut a week ago, are taking a hard line against any gunmen in West Beirut. However, they have thus far not entered the stronghold of the Islamic extremists who have vowed to drive them out. They are currently carrying out a public relations campaign to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Beirut for their intervention.

6Update A state of civil emergency is in force throughout the Bay of Plenty tonight following a major earthquake this afternoon, which caused some injuries and significant damage. A national Civil Defence effort has been launched. Live update on the unfolding situation in the region. An update on the situation. The town of Edgecumbe is the worst hit.

7Two of New Zealand's three firefighters' unions have renewed their strike plans and say this time they will leave no room for any court challenges from the Fire Service Commission.

8Petrol supplies are running low around the country, as a result of a strike by the officers of the Union Shipping Group.

9New Zealand's top civil servants should be given a pay rise of up to 27% this year, according to the Higher Salaries Commission (HSC) so that their salaries will be in line with private sector executives. However, the Government has already said it will limit increases to 10%.

10The Bluff oyster season opened yesterday, but only one oyster boat is working. The other boats are tied up in court over a pay dispute.

11Leading insurance company Metropolitan Life has developed an unusual sponsorship deal for Surf Lifesavers. For every Metropolitan policy holder rescued by Surf Lifesavers, the insurance company will pay the organisation $1000.

12The entire West Coast village of Kopara is for sale for less than the price of an average city house.

13Update A state of civil emergency is in force throughout the Bay of Plenty tonight following a major earthquake this afternoon, which caused some injuries and significant damage. A national Civil Defence effort has been launched. Live update on the unfolding situation in the region. An update on the situation. TIt is now known there were at least three injuries as a result of the quake.