1Financial experts are blaming an interest rate increase on people borrowing money to speculate on the sharemarket or to pay their tax.

2The Government has backed down from its hardline position on the miners' redundancy deal.

3The Government has been forced into last minute talks over the establishment of the new State Owned Corporations. Legal papers were served to Prime Minister David Lange last night. At issue is the transfer of Maori land in South Auckland and Waikato to the new State Owned Corporations.

4For many sectors of the workforce, the Government's restructuring of the economy, new technology and increased competition are all bringing changed work practices and conditions. Most New Zealanders seem to be ill prepared for these changes.

5Talks to try to settle the dispute that has threatened New Zealand's power supplies are expected to continue tomorrow.

6United States President Ronald Reagan has today faced the American media for his first official press conference in four months. His image as a leader in control was at stake, and political pundits say he made a good impression, appearing alert and witty.

7Life in Otautau is returning to normal after last week's flooding. However the students at the local school are faced with an interrupted daily routine for some time yet.

8Two people have been killed in a head-on collision between two cars in Pokeno, south of Auckland. Three other people were seriously injured.

9A four-lane road tunnel, a $400 million plan to ease the increasing traffic congestion on Auckland's Harbour Bridge, was unveiled today.

10Former Greytown commune and religious sect leader Andy Narain today faced more than twenty charges when he appeared in the Masterton District Court.

11The ringleader of a London mob, which hacked to death a police constable in the Tottenham Riots almost two years ago, has been jailed for life.

12Lewis Bandt , the designer of the world's first utility vehicle (Ute), has been killed in a crash near Melbourne.