1The captors of 27 French gendarmes in New Caledonia have threatened to kill the hostages unless tomorrow's elections are cancelled. They also want security forces withdrawn from Ouvea and an emissary sent from France.

2The Government has again been criticised by their own Party President. Rex Jones has criticised the Government's asset sales policy and the level of unemployment in New Zealand, saying it is time for a rethink.

3Michael Lihou, the man alleged to have kidnapped Christchurch teenager Leanne McGrath from her home last weekend, appeared in court today, charged with kidnap and rape.

4Police have ended their search for an abducted Christchurch women after a trail of blood, thought to be hers, turned out to be sheep's blood.

5Federated Farmers has warned that the high value of the New Zealand dollar will force many farmers off the land, by making New Zealand exports too expensive.

6It now seems unlikely that United States President Ronald Regan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will sign a major Strategic Arms Treaty at the Moscow Summit. Pre-summit talks have faltered with little progress.

7A Greek oil taker has broken in two off the coast of Newfoundland. One body has been found but 28 sailors are missing.

8Britain is suspending visits to Denmark by its warships until after the snap election in Denmark on May 10th.

9The captors of 27 French gendarmes in New Caledonia have threatened to kill the hostages unless tomorrow's elections are cancelled. They also want security forces withdrawn from Ouvea and an emissary sent from France. New Caledonia's long struggle for political independence from France has become a significant political issue in France itself and the issue is dominating the French Presidential election campaign.

10Two central Otago farmers have surrendered to the rabbits, turning over 5500 hectares to the pests.