1Four people have been confirmed dead in the eastern Australian floods, and twenty remain missing. Over a million square kilometres are underwater in Australia's worst flooding in 100 years and 6000 people are in temporary shelters.

2American academic Robert Polhill has been released from captivity by Islamic Jihad, and it is hoped more Middle East hostages may be released soon.

3Another British jail has been taken over by rioting prisoners, this time Pucklechurch Remand Centre near Bristol.

4Merchant bankers Fay Richwhite are going public. A listed associate company, Capital Markets, will buy the merchant banking business for $225 million.

5The Pilots' Association has warned it will take legal action unless Air New Zealand withdraws its contract offers by midday tomorrow. Air New Zealand has offered individual contracts to pilots in return for flying the new 747-400 long-haul jumbo jets.

6The young man accused of murdering single mother Carina Junge in South Auckland last week appeared in court today.

7David Wayne Tamihere, the man accused of murdering Swedish tourists Sven Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen last year has returned to court for a depositions hearing.

8Around 600 angry Auckland ratepayers tonight demanded that local government amalgamation be scrapped, because it is causing huge rate increases.

9Tribute to New Zealand showbiz entertainer Lew Pryme who died today aged 46.

10The AIDS Foundation has launched a new handbook on learning to live with HIV. They remain concerned that there is insufficient support available for sufferers.

11American academic Robert Polhill has been released from captivity by Islamic Jihad, and it is hoped more Middle East hostages may be released soon. The release has placed United States President George Bush in a delicate situation. While grateful for Polhill's release, the White House remains adamant it will not negotiate with terrorists to secure further hostage releases. Interview with Dr Robert Hunter, a Middle East expert and advisor to former United States President Jimmy Carter.

12Princess Anne, the Princess Royal has completed her South Island leg of her New Zealand visit, and is now in Wellington where she has attended a concert and reception.