1Unemployment has increased by about 4000, bringing the total number of jobless in New Zealand to around 152,000. However, the Labour Department says the increase is largely due to procedural changes in its statistics-gathering.

2Dairy workers will vote today on whether to accept the 6.25% pay increase offered to them by their employers. However, several ports remain closed as the wharves dispute drags on.

3In an unprecedented move, the United States Navy has temporarily shut down its sea and air operations worldwide following a spate of accidents involving ships and aircraft.

4Rumours are rife in East Berlin that Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will visit the Berlin Wall. It is also anticipated that the Brandenburg Gate will be opened today. Mikhail Gorbachev has spoken about the future of reforms in East Germany, and warned the West against trying to export capitalism into the Soviet bloc. Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze has expressed grave concerns about the possibility of German reunification.

5The United States Senate has voted to send around $1 billion in aid to Eastern Europe, with the majority of it going to Poland.

6Thousands have been evacuated from their homes in southern Spain after torrential rain triggered flash flooding.

7After four days of heavy fighting in El Salvador, it remains unclear which side has the upper hand in the conflict. However, residents in and around San Salvador are paying the highest price.

8Does drinking decaffeinated coffee increase the chances of a heart attack?

9Bolivia's centre-left government has declared a state of siege and taken emergency powers to end a hunger strike by teachers over a pay dispute, which the Government claimed threatened Bolivia's democracy.

10Bitter rivals North Korea and South Korea have held border talks in a rare amicable atmosphere.

11Finance Minister David Caygill has said he would be happier if economic figures were more "buoyant". This follows a slump in retail sales and the smallest growth in income since the wage price freeze.

12Executives looking to secure top jobs in New Zealand's biggest State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) can expect salary and bonus packages of more than $100,000.

13The Katherine Mansfield Scholarship was awarded in Wellington last night to Auckland novelist Lisa Greenwood.

14A unique satellite will be launched this weekend which is expected to reveal more about the creation of the universe.