1The United States has made friendly overtures to New Zealand at today's formal swearing in of the new United States Ambassador to New Zealand Della Newman.

2Despite a day of informal talks aimed at ending the stalemate between waterfront employers and unions, the country's four container ports remain idle. The effects of the two-week strike are now beginning to bite other industries such as transport and manufacturing and retail.

3The head of Wellington Area Health Board has called for a Commissioner to come in to run the Board's affairs following the Board's inability to agree on making the $17 million budget cut required by the Government.

4Several prominent businessmen have been charged in connection with the collapse of the Rada Corporation.

5There has been a major oil spill at the Williams Air Field near McMurdo Base in Antarctica.

6East Germany's hardline leader Erich Honecker is again under pressure to bring about reform in his country, but this time the urging is coming from within his own Polit Bureau.

7Sweden's Court of Appeal has ordered the release of Christer Pettersson, the man convicted of assassinating former Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986 due to insufficient evidence.

8Two South African police officers have been cleared of assault charges. Despite clear evidence of their guilt, the existing State of Emergency afforded the officers immunity from prosecution. The accusations were made by another police officer, Lieutenant Gregory Rockman, who has become a hero in Cape Town.

9Excavations below a South London carpark have revealed what are thought to be the remains of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

10Voter turnout in this year's local body elections is expected to be low. However, this has not prevented the candidates from spending up large on their campaigns. But is unlimited spending giving some candidates an unfair advantage?

11It has been revealed that New Zealand is facing a major pollution problem related to the disposal of waste. Today the Government launched a new packaging plan aimed at reducing plastic waste by 20% by 1993. However, their reliance on industry and public cooperation, rather than coercion, has not impressed recyclers or environmentalists.