1Postbank investors are being reassured that their funds are safe, with both the Government and Reserve Bank issuing a statement that quashes reports that the bank was on the brink of collapse before its sale.

2Cabinet Minister David Butcher has criticised Air New Zealand and said its major organisational problems were one of the reasons why the Government sold its shares in the airline.

3Opposition Energy spokesman Merv Wellington has slammed the Electricity Corporation (Electricorp) for publishing an open letter to the Public Service Association (PSA) in a Sunday newspaper, criticizing its strike plans.

4Fruit and fish exporters are criticizing the Government for allowing an 18% increase in airfreight tariffs to go unchecked. They say the new agreement to export nectarines to Japan is under threat as a result.

5Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has replaced threats of war with an invitation to talk in the wake of the United States' shooting down of two Libyan jet fighters. Meanwhile the United States has made it clear they will not allow chemical weapons to be developed and used as a means of terrorism.

6The death of Japan's Emperor Hirohito has reopened old war wounds around the world and left some political leaders in a quandary over whether or not to attend his funeral.

7"Fast Eddie" has made himself the latest attraction at a Christchurch swimming pool complex, due to his prowess on the hydro slide.