1The second reading to the controversial abortion amendments was passed through Parliament last night in a conscience vote by MPs, but was preceded by tense and angry clashes.

2Police will resume the search for the person who kidnapped a newborn baby from Middlemore Hospital, later abandoning it. The baby is safe and well and has been reunited with her parents.

3The Canadian Government is considering tightening its gun laws after yesterday's mass shooting at Montreal University.

4Czechoslovakia's Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec has resigned during efforts to form a new Government acceptable to the pro-democracy movement.

5Fears of a violent backlash in East Germany are increasing as more evidence of corruption by its former leaders is uncovered.

6Philippines President Corazon Aquino has called the nation out onto the streets for a major show of support after a failed coup attempt by rebellious army units.

7Egypt has conditionally agreed to a United States plan for the first ever direct dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians. Preparations are being made to mark the second anniversary of the Intafada, the Palestinian uprising on the West Bank.

8Armenia has marked the first anniversary of the huge earthquake that devastated their nation and killed 25,000 people.

9Indoor rock climbing is a new craze in the United States.