1Heavy rain over much of the North island has caused widespread flooding today and more is predicted. Still recovering from Cyclone Bola, the East Coast has been severely hit again.

2Former Social Credit Party leader Bruce Beetham has re-formed Social Credit New Zealand and plans to lead it as an alternative to the New Zealand Democratic Party (formerly Social Credit).

3Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey has spent the first day of his New Zealand visit going to Church and looking at race horses. The Government is using his visit to encourage Ireland not to block New Zealand butter exports to Europe.

4Opposition leader Jim Bolger has criticised the Government's handling of Waitangi Tribunal decisions and race relations in general.

5Police are searching for convicted murderer Keith Nepia, who escaped from Paremoremo Prison's medium security prison last night. However, another Paremoremo Prison inmate married his sweetheart inside the jail today.

6The Police Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) conducted an exercise in Wellington today.

7Five people have died in a hotel fire in Paris.

8Warsaw Pact leaders have ended a two-day Summit which was used by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to advocate for his social and economic reforms (perestroika and glasnost). The leaders have decided to negotiate with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) leaders over the size of conventional military forces in Europe..

9Pop superstar Michael Jackson has met with Prince Charles and Princess Diana in London ahead of a charity concert at Wembley.

10Nine people have been arrested in South Africa for organising 70th birthday celebrations for jailed Black anti apartheid activist Nelson Mandela.

11A look at the English seaside town of Blackpool - England's most popular holiday spot.