JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

            In accordance  with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf
of each of them of a statement on Schedule 13D  (including  amendments  thereto)
with  respect  to  the  common  stock,  $0.01  par  value  per  share,  of  News
Communications,  Inc.  and further  agree that this Joint  Filing  Agreement  be
included  as an  Exhibit  to  such  joint  filings.  In  evidence  thereof,  the
undersigned  hereby  execute  this Joint Filing  Agreement  this 5th day of July
2002.

                                By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    The Xxxx Xxxxx of Crossharbour,
                                    PC (Can), OC, KCSG, individually, and
                                    on behalf of Xxxxxx Xxxxx Capital
                                    Corporation
                                    Chairman of Xxxxxx Xxxxx Capital Corporation

                                    THE RAVELSTON CORPORATION
                                    LIMITED

                                By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Q.C.
                                    Vice President and Secretary

                                    XXXXXXXXX INC.

                                By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Q.C.
                                    Vice President and Secretary




                                    XXXXXXXXX INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    Vice President, Corporate Counsel
                                    and Secretary

                                    XXXXXXXXX NCI HOLDINGS, LLC

                                By: Xxxxxxxxx International Inc.,
                                    Sole Member

                                By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    Vice President, Corporate Counsel
                                    and Secretary

                                    JAF-HLR, LLC

                                By: Xxxxxxxxx NCI Holdings, LLC,
                                    Member

                                By: Xxxxxxxxx International Inc.,
                                    Sole Member

                                By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                    Vice President, Corporate Counsel
                                    and Secretary

                                By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx,
                                    Member