1Soviet paratroopers have moved into the headquarters of the break-away Lithuanian Communist Party in Vilnius. Lithuanian President Stasys Lozoraitis Jr has appealed to the West for help in preventing the Soviet Union from using force against Lithuania. Earlier today, Soviet paratroopers stormed a Lithuanian hospital and seized around two dozen people who deserted from the Red Army.

2Nurses at Auckland Hospital claim they are so overworked and stressed that mistakes are being made, and they say they can no linger guarantee patient safety. Health officials have reacted swiftly, saying the recruitment problem is being handled.

3The campaign to stop fluoride going into household water supplies is gathering momentum. The Hastings District Council decided on the issue last night and tomorrow the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) will consider the issue.

4Health officials have taken samples of building materials from a Christchurch home where high levels of the toxic gas formaldehyde have been detected.

5New Zealand Railways Corporation (NZRC) has returned a profit for the first time in years.

6Fresh violence in Sebokeng near Johannesburg may jeopardise planned talks between the South African Government and the African National Congress (ANC).

7There is political deadlock in Hungary tonight, but it would seem that the Communists have been soundly defeated.

8A 96-year old Rabbi appears to have stymied a bid by Labour leader Shimon Peres to become Israel's next Prime Minister.

9A key new satellite network for the Pacific has come a step closer to completion. Peacesat has been working with limited equipment since the 1970s but is about to take off with a new satellite and state of the art earth stations.

10The 62nd Academy Awards (Oscars) were held today.