APEC: New Zealand's leadership of APEC will be put to the test today at a meeting in Auckland. Economics correspondent says that early signs are not good as trade ministers have failed to agree a common position. US Trade Representative Richard Fisher says it would be a tragedy to slip backwards at this point - "the worst thing that could happen would be to move backwards".

SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: The jury in the Scott Watson murder trial will visit Furneaux Lodge today where the missing pair Ben Smart and Olivia Hope were last seen.

IRISH PEACE: The British and Irish PMs are holding last ditch talks in Belfast to come up with a solution to a deadlocked peace process. David Trimble has hinted he may accept a pledge of disarmament by May next year.

POLICE CHANGES: Northland detectives are delighted to a change to their prosecutions system which is saving them paper-work. A detective says he is able to deal more with catching crims rather than paper work. New changes make police prosecutions independent this week also.

ASIAN SOCIAL SERVICES: Asian Social Services of New Zealand launched in Auckland last night. The group will address social issues and mental health issues in the Asian community.

WIMBLEDON: Australian teenager Dotcich has reached the quarter finals at Wimbledon beating Mary Pierce. Other matches delayed due to rain.

© 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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