Govt. Launches Legal Action Against IBM - Secrets And Lies: The Native Logging Scandal FULL COVERAGE - Scoops Of The Day - Kevin Roberts Letter From Manilla -Baby Blood - Scott Watson and much more...

TODAY'S SCOOPS

Govt. Launches Legal Action Against IBM

- The Crown issued legal proceedings today against IBM NZ and IBM Corporation in relation to the INCIS contract, Finance Minister Sir William Birch announced today. See... Crown Issues Legal Proceedings Against IBM [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00279.htm

Secrets And Lies: The Native Logging Scandal

- Nicky Hager, the author of Secret Power - the bestseller that documents New Zealand's involvement in the global spy community - has just written a book documenting how a public relations company has worked to eliminate public debate over native logging by the State Owned Enterprise Timberlands West Coast limited. Secrets and Lies was written after Hager was leaked a stack of papers from Timberlands' public relations company, Shandwick, which shows how highly questionable methods were used to discredit protestors and shut up debate on the issue. See... Timberlands Book Makes Worries For Government [1] in the Headlines wire. The Green Party has immediately called on State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall to initiate an investigation into Timberlands following the allegations in the book. See... Greens Urge Ryall To Initiate Timberlands Inquiry [2]
in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00065.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00275.htm

Timberlands Is - Presumably - Now Reading

- Timberlands' CEO Dave Hilliard says he has not seen the book and cannot comment on the accuracy of allegations. See... Timberlands CEO On Allegations [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00042.htm

Info Pack On Timberlands Allegations

- A series of information releases have been provided to accompany the launch of Secrets and Lies. The book by Bob Burton and Nicky Hager claims Timberlands Worked To "Neutralise" Greenies [1] and that Timberlands actively targeted the Labour Party due to fears that a change of government would see the end of native logging. See... State Company Targets Labour Party [2] . The book alleges that West Coasters Manipulated By PR Campaign [3] and that Jenny Shipley was behind the vigorous political lobbying. See... Jenny Shipley Behind SOE's Political Lobbying [4] . See also... State Company's Dirty Tricks Exposed [5] and <
A href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00040.htm" TARGET="NRmain">Secrets And Lies - Background Info On Writers [6] . All in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00041.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00039.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00038.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00037.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00036.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00040.htm

Thanks Nicky!

Scoop is heading for a very high rating day today - the top 20 so far - at 2.30pm [1] is in the News Monitor wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/NM9908/S00108.htm

The Next Step In The Blood Access Debate

- This erosion of 'the spirit' of Privacy Act rights must surely be destined for a legislative tidy-up. That's clearly the next step necessary in the DNA-Blood-Library paternity case debate consuming the minds of Auckland's legal fraternity this week. Scoop's Selwyn Manning reports. See... Paternity-Blood-Access Ruling Needs Legislation [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00066.htm

Kevin Roberts' Letter From Manilla

- Kevin Roberts has delivered another speech on his vision for the future. "I've called it Nine Muses after the daughters of Zeus who have inspired creativity over the centuries. I hope you find some inspiration too", Kevin says. See... Kevin Roberts Speech: Nine Muses [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00064.htm

Watson Trial - Hair Likely From Olivia, Defence Go On Offense

- A forensic scientist said today that DNA analysis on a blonde hair found on Watson's boat showed that the hair was very likley to have come from Olivia Hope. The tests on the DNA were done in Australia and similar tests in Britain confirmed the findings. The defence for Watson are suggesting that the hairs were mixed up in the lab and that the hairs tested may be sample hairs from Olivia's room. The forensic scientist said she couldn't completely rule the possibility out. See also.. TV1 News [1] and TV 3 6pm News [2] in the News Monitor wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/NM9908/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/NM9908/S00102.htm

Crisis At Rotorua Hospital

- Alliance Health spokesperson Phillida Bunkle says cuts have led to a crisis at Rotorus Hospital. See... Emergency Surgery Falls Over [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00277.htm

New Contract Offer For Ansett Pilots

- Ansett New Zealand Ltd has advised the pilots' union, ALPA, that it has prepared a further contract offer for pilots. The offer will be forwarded to the union later this week. See... Ansett Promises New Contract Offer For Pilots [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00067.htm

Telecom Profits Up As It Sets Off On Internet Hunt

- Telecom posted a $202 million profit for the quarter ended June 30. This return is up 2.7 per cent on last years corresponding quarter. The company says they experienced strong growth in data and cellular services. Laile Harre is worried about Telecom "capturing the internet" in the Parliament wire.

Albright Coming To APEC

- The United States is strengthening its contingent scheduled for the APEC leaders summit in Auckland next month, with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright confirmed to attend. See... USA's Albright To Attend APEC [1] in the Auckland wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00077.htm

Plunket Supping With The Devil

- The Libertarianz are neither impressed nor surprised by Jenny Shipley's decision to subsidise Plunketline from the public trough. See... Plunket Sups With The Devil [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00034.htm

Green MP Ahead In Coromandel

- Another key electorate in the coming election is the Coromandel. If Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons wins the seat over encumbent Nat Murray McLean it will guarantee Green MPs, and more support for a new government, in Parliament. A poll of the seat yesterday showed Fitzsimons in front. See... Poll Shows Fitzsimons Ahead In Coromandel [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00271.htm

Nats Disappointed At Labour Cannabis Review

- Minister of Youth Affairs, Tony Ryall, said yesterday that he was disappointed at Labour's pledge to review New Zealand's cannabis laws. See... Labour's Cannabis Pledge "Disappointing" [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00270.htm

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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