1The war of words between the Government and oil companies over petrol prices is escalating, with Energy Minister David Butcher announcing that he is prepared to allow independent importers to use Auckland's naval facilities to import cheaper petrol to New Zealand.

2Rainbow Warrior saboteur Dominique Prieur is back in Paris tonight after serving less than two years of her three year sentence on Hau Atoll. She is rumoured to be pregnant. The final round of the Presidential race between French President Francois Mitterand and Prime Minister Jacques Chirac is expected to be close. Has Chirac staged managed the release of hostages in Lebanon, the rescue of hostages in New Caledonia and the repatriation of Prieur to give himself and his campaign a last-minute advantage?

3Some Labour Party activists, attending the Party's Wellington regional conference, are delighted at the report of the Royal Commission on Social Policy because it expresses many of their own concerns about Rogernomics.

4Criticism is emerging over the report of the Royal Commission on Social Policy because of what some see as unrealistic goals thanks to a lack of funds. The same critics are urging the Government to give the same priority to social policy as it gives its economic objectives.

5Tension is running high again in New Caledonia tonight following a large but generally peaceful pro-independence protest march in Noumea.

6Thirty-six people have been killed in one of the worst plane crashes in Norway's history.

7Two British airmen were killed when a Royal Air Force helicopter crashed at the Hanover Air Show in Germany.

8The Polish Government says it will ban all forms of protest, including strikes, until the end of 1988.