"Assertions that the [National Security Agency] has targeted the Vatican, published in Italy's Panorama magazine, are not true," an NSA spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times.

Citing a document purportedly furnished by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the magazine Panorama alleges that the NSA eavesdropped on 46 million Italian phone calls between December 2012 and January 2013, among them calls to and from the Vatican.
According to Panorama, Vatican calls were flagged for special treatment by the intelligence agency. The magazine alleges that the NSA intercepted calls in and out of the residence where cardinals stayed in advance of the papal conclave at which Pope Francis was elected, and that the Pope's conversations may have been monitored then.

The Vatican responded to the report through a spokesperson who said, "We are not aware of anything on this issue and in any case we have no concerns about it."

Sources

Time

Fox News

disnaija.com

Image: AP/Fox News

"There really isn't much a creditor can do with respect to a debtor who truly is out of funds. You can't get blood from a turnip, so not that much can be done. So one wonders, what is the ultimate purpose, " says Hodge.

The peace protesters who damaged the Waihopai spy base in Marlborough now face $1.2 million damages claim, after the Court of Appeal found against them.

In 2008, Father Murnane, Samuel Land and Adrian Leason entered Waihopai and punctured an inflatable dome covering a large antennae.

In 2010 a jury acquitted the three on criminal charges, but the Crown then took civil action against them.

Murnane, who is a Dominican friar in his early 70s, has not had a bank account for half a century.

In May he said anyone demanding compensation from him would have to grab him by the ankles and shake him to find any money.

The activists say they will decide in the next two weeks whether to seek leave for a further appeal.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: The livingmoon.com

They based their action on the Christ's admonition, found in Matthews's Gospel, that if you are sued and lose your coat, give your shirt as well.

One of the protesters, Father Peter Murnane, wants their "gifts" declared on the prime minister's list of pecuniary interests.

The 72-year-old Dominican priest says it is 50 years since he had a bank account.

He says those demanding compensation from him would have to grab him by the ankles and shake him to find any money.

In 2008, Father Murnane, farmer Samuel Land and teacher Adrian Leason entered the Waihopai spy base in Marlborough and punctured an inflatable dome covering a large antennae.

They were acquitted of criminal charges of burglary and intentional damage, but they now face a civil claim for the cost of the damage.

At a fast-track "summary judgment" hearing, an associate judge decided they had no defence to the claim, although the amount of damages was not decided.

The three protesters have appealed against the decision that they have no defence. They say they have defences to the claim, including one about claims based on illegal acts.

The court has reserved its decision.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Cairnspeacebypeace