1Health authorities are worried by a dramatic increase in the number of babies born with abnormalities in Wellington last winter. The number of miscarriages is also causing concern.

2Health officials say tougher measures need to be introduce to clean up air conditioning systems to prevent the spread of Legionnaire's Disease amid reports that as many as one in seven may be infected by Legionella Bacteria.

3Latest police figures show a significant fall in Auckland's crime rate, a larger drop than anywhere else in New Zealand. The police Eagle helicopter is being given much of the credit.

4A survey has found that over 800 firms went into receivership last year, and warns that hundreds more New Zealand companies will collapse this year.

5Wanganui plastics firm Pacific Helmets has today begun producing $1 million worth of headgear for the London Fire Brigade, a contract it hopes will rescue it from two years of receivership.

6The New South Wales Government has partly cleared former New Zealand Rail Chairman Ross Sayers of allegations regarding expenses. Sayers suffered a heart attack yesterday, but was saved by a New Zealand doctor.

7West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has backed down and agreed a united Germany should recognise the borders with Poland established following World War Two.

8Afghanistan's President Najibullah has crushed a coup led by his Defence Minister Khalqist Shahnawaz Tanai.

9Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir has been given an ultimatum by his coalition partner, Labour's Shimon Perez - either approve United States' proposals for peace talks with the Palestinians, or Labour will bring down the Government.

10British opposition to Margaret Thatcher's new poll has turned violent today, with protesters clashing with police after trying to gate crash Council chambers in Bristol. In London, a war hero protested the poll tax by returning his OBE to the Queen.

11The top secret spy plane SR71 Blackbird averaged over 3000 kilometres per hour as it crossed the United States today before its retirement.

12The first real proof that the endangered Kokako is having difficulty breeding has been found in the Rotoehu Forest near Rotorua.

13The school canteen staples of donuts, chips and fizzy drinks are coming under siege by those who would prefer more healthier options be made available.