1The Government is writing new laws on unlawful assembly that will give police more power to take action against gangs. However, civil rights campaigners and some Maori leaders fear that the laws could be used against lawful protesters and strikers.

2Michel Rocard, the new French Prime Minister took office today.

3The Conservative Government in Denmark has failed to get the voter support it was seeking on the nuclear warships issue. It has retained power following a snap election, but may be unable to prevent an Opposition resolution calling for a ban on nuclear ships in Denmark.

4South African born runner Zola Budd has quit athletics and returned to her native country bitter about the way the world has treated her.

5Customs officials from more than twenty Pacific countries are investigating the idea of creating a new international drug busting agency.

6An international survey conducted by Interpol has placed New Zealand high on the list of the most violent Pacific nations.

7Prime Minister David Lange and the farming community appear to have made some progress in settling their differences during a meeting where they discussed the plight of the regions.

8Hundreds of well-qualified students are being turned away from Polytechnics because there are not enough full-time places for them in the institutions.

9Equiticorp Holdings has announced one of New Zealand's largest company restructure. It is selling its 80$ stake in New Zealand Steel and all of its holdings in Australian company Monier.

10Striking Polish workers in Gdansk have suddenly given up a nine-day strike without winning any concessions.

11Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says the Soviet Union is in turmoil over his economic moves to restructure society, known as Perestroika. Public criticism over his radical programme is growing and there has even been an unprecedented attempt to start a political party in opposition to the ruling Communist Party.

12An investigation into the crash of Northwest Airline Flight 255 at Detroit Airport in August 1987 has concluded that pilot error as well as the failure of a crucial safety device were to blame for the tragedy which killed 155 people.

13A group of young Mathletes are competing to win a place in the first New Zealand team to compete in the Mathematics Olympics in Australia.