1The Federation of Labour (FOL) has called on the Government to stop what it says is an employers' campaign to smash the unions through the courts. This follows two big court cases against unions over industrial disputes. In one, the Ford Motor Company won damages of almost $1.7 million from the Northern Storepersons' Union, and in the other, General Foods is seeking nearly $1 million from the Northern Clerical Workers' Union. Are these part of a concerted strategy to financially cripple unions?

2A robber fired two shotgun blasts in Mount Eden as he escaped with $4500 from a Post Office, and a pistol was fired during an armed robbery of the Te Rapa branch of the ANZ Bank.

3Maori leaders are alarmed at the transfer of Maori land to the new State corporations. Maori Council Chairman, Sir Graham Latimer has called on the Maori Affairs Minister Koro Wetere to put a stop to the move, and Dame Whina Cooper is threatening to lead another march on Parliament.

4Opposition leader Jim Bolger predicts the general election will be held late in August to conflict with the National Party conference.

5West Coast MP Kerry Burke will resume his Cabinet duties within ten days. Burke has been on compassionate leave due to his wife's illness.

6The Opposition has claimed that the Government's decision to close all thermal bores near Whakarewarewa was done for political, rather than scientific motives.

7Police are trying to piece together the background of a well-known elderly Auckland man who died in a house fire.

8Fire Commissioner Brian Armstrong has made a personal appeal to each of the striking firefighters in the lower North Island, asking them to reconsider their actions.

9The United States Supreme Court has ruled that women can be given preference over men for hiring and promotion, even if their male rivals are better qualified. This approach is called Affirmative Action, but is it unfair and discriminatory?

10Police have arrested a self-styled religious leader in Philadelphia, who allegedly taunted, starved and sexually abused at least four young women.

11A senior Soviet General today warned Britain and France that they must give up their independent nuclear weapons if the superpowers reach an agreement on arms control.

12Prime Minister David Lange today marked the 10th anniversary of his election to Parliament.

13Christchurch has been invaded by cowboys and cowgirls as it prepares to host the eighth National Quarter Horse Show.