1The Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has turned around a $600 million deficit six months ago to a half-yearly profit of $48 million. However, the bank still has a long way to go to restore its former reputation.

2The laws governing insurance companies may be tightened after the collapse of Auckland-based Multicorp.

3Former Prime Minister David Lange has spoken out about the turmoil in his marriage breakup.

4The Eastern bloc is slowly but surely being caught up in creeping Perestroika. Czechoslovakia has become the latest hardline Communist country to lift the barriers on free travel for its citizens, but most Czechs remain underwhelmed.

5East Germans are awaiting the most symbolic breach in the Berlin Wall - the opening of the Brandenburg Gate.

6Traffic officers may choose to give up chasing offenders because they are not allowed to follow them onto private property.

7Environmentalists are trying to prevent an Australian company mining for gold near Reefton, despite the locals being strongly supportive.

8The New Zealand Tourism Industry wants to bring 3 million foreign visitors and $4 billion in tourism revenue to New Zealand by the year 2000. But it will need some very expensive marketing to achieve this.

9British police have successfully defused a bomb found under a car in central London. It is believed to be the work of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Police fear the group are planning a pre-Christmas bombing campaign in London.

10Namibia is experiencing its first taste of democracy after 74 years of South African rule. However, the winning Nationalist Party South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) will have to consult its archrivals before taking power.

11Lady Elizabeth III is Wellington's new police launch. Today she had to undergo some tough sea trials.