1The first results from the counting of special votes has provided mixed news for the Government.

2Former Prime Minister David Lange has arrived in Jordan hoping to secure the release of 18 New Zealanders being held in Iraq and Kuwait. He plans to take advantage of the break-up of the ANZUS alliance to distance New Zealand from the United States. However, that tactic puts him at odds with the new National Government.

3Police have launched another homicide inquiry in Wellington following the death of a man who was shot on Saturday night in hospital this afternoon. Today a Porirua man was attacked with a machete following an argument between neighbours.

4Cook Island police have made several arrests over attempts to smuggle $20 million worth of heroin into Rarotonga.

5India's government is on the verge of collapse with Prime Minister VP Singh expected to lose a no-confidence that he initiated.

6British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has moved the date forward for a leadership vote.

7The Government's crucial Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) bailout still has to gain the approval of shareholders, and some are not keen.

8Shares in Robert Jones Investments rallied today, along with the share market.

9Business Matters New Zealand's negotiating team expects to leave for important trade talks in Europe in a fortnight. After weeks of negotiations, the European Community (EEC) has decided it must cut farm subsidies to avoid a worldwide trade war and threat to the upcoming GATT talks. Reaction in New Zealand has been lukewarm.

10World at Ten United States President George Bush and his Republican Party have suffered a setback at the polls in the Congressional Mid-Term elections. The Democrats have tightened their grip on majority control in both the Senate and the United States House of Representatives (Congress).

11Pope John Paul II has created more saints than any other Pope in the Catholic Church's history. Critics say the haste is devaluing the image of saints among the faithful.