1Young backpackers travelling in New Zealand have been warned to take their personal safety seriously. Yesterday a Swiss hitchhiker was raped when she was given a lift between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay.

2Fisheries inspectors have cracked down on companies abusing fishing quota regulations by overfishing.

3A New Zealand plan to fight the international drug war is being adopted worldwide. Today, 21 nations meeting in Christchurch agreed to swap computer information about suspected drug traffickers.

4The southern part of the North island has been shaken by two earthquakes within seven hours. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

5The effects of the ocean on global warming are being closely studied by a group of visiting American scientists. Can the seas slow down the greenhouse effect by absorbing greenhouse gases?

6New Zealand motorists have been slow to switch to environmentally safer unleaded petrol. Now the Government is hinting that the next Budget may make unleaded petrol more attractive to motorists.

7The Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit at Hanmer Springs opened a new programme today. specifically catering to Maori addicts.

8With only one day of campaigning left in Australia, the Labor Party is being forced onto the back foot by growing speculation that Australia is heading for a recession. A notable issue in this election campaign has been the emphasis placed by all major parties on environmental issues.

9Lithuania remains defiant in the face of a new attempt by Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to force the republic not to break away from the Soviet Union.

10Romania is blaming Hungary for inciting violence between Romanians and ethnic Hungarians in the province of Transylvania.

11The paparazzi are gathering outside the London hospital where the Duchess of York is due to give birth to her second child any day.