1A massive stock rescue operation is underway in drought-stricken North Canterbury. Thousands of beef cattle are being trucked for grazing in Nelson.

2Chinese Premier Li Peng has arrived in Christchurch for a four-day visit, where he is expected to discuss trade with senior Cabinet Ministers.

3Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer's whirlwind visit to the Soviet Union has ended in Vladivostok, a city rarely seen by Westerners. Mikhail Gorbachev is determined to open the city and turn it into a major Pacific trading centre.

4Ethnic tension is mounting in Yugoslavia after more than a million Serbs participated in a rally in Belgrade. The tension is mainly centred in Kosovo, where the minority Serbs accuse the majority Albanians of nationalism and persecution.

5There is to be an investigation into the sudden death of Greek multi-millionaire Christina Onassis, daughter of shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

6Descendants of soldiers from the British unit that fought the Battle of Rangiriri 125 years ago met their old Maori foe once again, but this time in peace.

7Donkeys have a reputation for being stubborn and lazy, however a couple near Queenstown have a working team of six donkeys.