1The Howard League for Penal Reform, a prison watchdog group, says conditions inside Auckland's Mount Eden Prison are below minimum standards set by the United Nations (UN).

2Two more men have been arrested in connection with the arson attacks that have plagued the town of Ruatoria.

3Searchers are losing hope of finding a New ZEaland yachtsman, who is drifting in the Coral Sea. despite the fact that Colin Akhurst distress beacon is still sending signals.

4A full-scale search has been underway today for a nineteen year old girl missing on Lake Rotorua.

5Despite the Reserve Bank's actions to prevent interest rate rises, the Australia New Zealand (ANZ) Bank has followed Westpac and he Rural Bank and increased its lending rate.

6Share prices in New York have rocketed to their highest price yet, following a series of falls in recent days.

7Two journalists have been shot and wounded, and 22 other people wounded in violent clashes between police and youths in Chile, during Pope John Paul II's Mass of Reconciliation.

8The Tasman Pulp and Paper Company intends to proceed with a $5 million damages claim against the Northern Pulp and Paper Workers' Federation for the lengthy closure of the Kawerau MIll due to industrial action last year.

9Opposition leader Jim Bolger today denied speculation that his Finance spokesman George Gair is about to be dumped from his post in a reshuffle.

10The Duchess of Windsor''s (Wallis Simpson) jewellry collection has earned over NZ$80 million at an auction in Geneva. The funds will go towards medical research in the fight against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).