ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Friday, June 14, 2013
WORLD
www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
US snooping foiled ‘dozens’ of attacks Secret US surveillance has thwarted dozens of potential attacks, the head of the National Security Agency says as he defends his agency after leaks revealed hidden programs. “It’s classified, but it’s dozens of terrorist events that these have helped prevent,” NSA chief General Keith Alexander told MPs as he was questioned on the
importance of internet and phone surveillance efforts. Following an uproar over the disclosure about NSA-led programs to monitor internet and phone data, Alexander said: “I want this debate out there. “I think what we are doing to protect Americans is the right thing,” he said. “Our agency takes great pride
in protecting our nation and civil liberties ... this is what our nation expects our government to do.” Alexander said the attacks foiled included “dozens for both here and abroad, in disrupting or contributing to the disruption of terrorist attacks”. Appearing at a congressional hearing, Alexander said his agency was working to provide more
data to politicians and the public. “I want the American people to know that we’re being transparent in here,” he said. He maintained that the agency needs “reasonable articulable suspicion” before it gets a warrant to look more closely at data. Alexander said that when the NSA seeks specific phone data, “that it is auditable by the (con-
7
gressional) committees, by the courts, by the administration.” Asked whether NSA could determine what people are looking for on the search engine Google, he said: “Yes we could. You could get a court order ... to do any kind of search in this area, you would need a court order.” Alexander said part of the mission of the NSA and the Cyber
• Book sells for $2m
Command he heads is to protect so-called critical infrastructure, which includes power grids, water systems and computer networks which support them. “On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being strongly defended, our critical infrastructure’s preparedness to withstand a destructive cyber attack is about a three based on my experience.” – AFP
Mandela ‘responding better’
A 540-year-old copy of Virgil’s Opera has been sold for more about $NZ2 million at auction. Printed on vellum with hand-painted decorations, Christie’s said the second edition of the work was produced in 1470 – less than a year after printing began in Venice. The last copy was sold in 1920, which Christie’s said indicates its rarity. Margaret Ford, from the auction house, said: “The newly discovered Virgil has joined the exclusive club of books sold for over £1 – PA million.
• Berry having a boy
Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment on his fifth day in hospital, South African President Jacob Zuma has told parliament. “I am happy to report that Madiba is responding better to treatment from this morning,” Zuma told a scheduled budget hearing yesterday, using the antiapartheid icon’s clan name. “We are very happy with the progress that he is now making, following a difficult last few days.” Mandela, 94, was admitted to hospital at the weekend for a recurring lung infection and has since been described only as being in a “serious but stable” condition. His apparent failure to respond to days of intensive treatment had prompted widespread concerns about his condition. Zuma, speaking 49 years after Mandela was sentenced to life in prison, paid tribute to his predecessor and the others who were imprisoned that day as heroes of South African democracy. “Because of their sacrifices and the foundation that was laid for a free and democratic South Africa, our country is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994, even though we still have so much work to do.” Zuma also thanked people around the world for their prayers. “We appreciate the messages of support from all over the world. It is an honour for us as South Africans to share Madiba with the international community.” “We are so proud to call him our own.” – AFP
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez will welcome a son, the French actor has confirmed. The 47-year -old Martinez and the 46-year-old American actress announced they were expecting a child earlier this year, with Martinez now revealing what country their boy will grow up in. “My son will be an American, but I remain French,” Martinez told People magazine at the opening night of the ChampsElysees Film Festival in Paris. – CM
LEFT: One of two window washers rescued from a collapsed scaffolding on the side of the 183-metre Hearst building in midtown Manhattan steps through an opening in a glass to safety in New York yesterday.
• Cold Chisel working
BELOW: The Hearst Tower (centre).
Cold Chisel are back at work working on something new in the studio, but aren’t giving too much away. The legendary Aussie band posted a message on Facebook announcing their return to the studio, that said: “Cold Chisel are messing around in the studio? Just writing and demoing? See what happens.” Cold Chisel’s last album No Plans in 2012 was their first studio album since The Last Wave Of Summer 14 years earlier. – Noise11
photos ap
• West stays off show
Window washers trapped near top of skyscraper Two maintenance workers left dangling from a collapsed scaffold near the top of a New York City skyscraper have been rescued. The men were stuck Wednesday afternoon at the Hearst building in Manhattan. Fire department officials say other workers cut open windows on the 44th floor and
Turkey PM proposes referendum to end protest
Open Home
Charlesworth Drive, Ashburton
Are birdsong apps harming birds? Mobile phones have become an unexpected threat to birds because apps mimicking their song divert them from the business of nesting. Dorset Wildlife Trust in southern England is launching an online campaign to raise awareness after several incidents on the Brownsea Island nature reserve in Poole Harbour. Visitors to the nature reserve
have used apps imitating the unusual “churring” call of the nightjar to attract the birds so they can be photographed more easily. The trust is advising photographers not to use bird apps on all of its 42 reserves and signs have been put up on Brownsea Island to remind visitors. The nightjar is rare but enjoys a refuge on Brownsea Island
LESS THAN $16 PER WEEK
MONTHS
EASYPAY
499$999
MONTHS
EASYPAY
SPEND
1000$1499 AND GET
4
WOW
CL
NO W
1499
99
I N E RS
99 OR $2499
99 9 $199
100 SAVE $
00 WITH $5
IN* TRADE-
BONUS
TRADE-INS WELCOME UPGRADE YOUR OLD FURNITURE TO SOMETHING FRESH AND NEW
60”
UNDER HALF PRICE!
PS60F5000 60” FULL HD 1080P PLASMA TV
MONTHS
LESS THAN $21 PER WEEK EASYPAY
1500
$
MONTHS
EASYPAY
EASYPAY OPTION MEANS ALL YOU PAY IS THE ADVERTISED PRICE PLUS INSURANCE AND CREDIT FEES. CONDITIONS APPLY. SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.
09 WAS $2
$
9
NO W
99
1999
99
100 SAVE $
INCLUDES A SAMSUNG BONUS TAB2 7” TABLET WORTH $359.99
38 Kermode St, ASHBURTON Ph: 307 9110
Provisonal member of rvA.
Sumptuous and hardwearing velour fabric that features 2 recliners and a 3 seater with a recliner at each end. LESS THAN $21 PER WEEK *Trade-in is for your old lounge suite in good overall condition.
99 WAS $15
INCLUDES A PANASONIC DMP-BD79 BLU RAY PLAYER WORTH $149.99
SKU: 8372393
SPEND
AND GET
ARIZONA RECLINER LOUNGE SUITE
• FHD Panel • Narrow Bezel • Clear Image panel • 600Hz Subfield • ConnectShare USB 2.0 • 2x HDMI • 1x USB
$
OR MORE
The Terminator is back. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he will receive a script for Terminator five next week, with filming expected to begin in January or February next year. Speaking at a function in Perth on Wednesday night, Schwarzenegger said he also expected to receive the script for the sequel to Twins, called Triplets, in the next couple of weeks. Schwarzenegger said it was a film he “really wanted to do badly”. – AAP
99
$
SPEND
AND GET
Contact 03-307-9080 Free phone 0800-2727-837 After hours: 03-302-6887 Email: tony@lochlearesort.co.nz
50”
SKU: 8376675
Sat 15 June at 10am-12pm Sun 16 June at 10am-12pm
Enquiries to Tony Sands, Resort Manager
mon. “I’m sure visitors would be devastated if they realised the possible disturbance they were causing to wildlife.” The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ Tony Whitehead said repeatedly playing recordings of birdsongs or calls could divert a territorial bird from important duties, such as feeding its young. – AP
• 1920 x 1080p Full HD Resolution • Slim and Attractive Design • Media Player via USB • HDMI x2 • Viera Link • Ambient Sensor
$
Three new villas to view
where it is protected under the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act which makes it an offence to intentionally disturb any nesting bird. In addition, Brownsea Island has special protection area status for the habitats it provides for birds. Chris Thain, reserve manager on Brownsea Island, said the apps were becoming quite com-
TH-L50B6Z 50” FULL HD 1080P LED TV
(entry via Lochlea Estate, racecourse rd)
Lochlea Lifestyle Resort
• Terminator is back
!
“We think that after this gesture of goodwill people will decide to go home.” A campaign to save Gezi Park’s trees from being razed to make way for a replica of Ottoman-era military barracks was met with a heavy-handed police response on May 31. The crackdown sparked a countrywide outpouring of anger against Erdogan, seen as increasingly authoritarian. Hundreds have since been camping out in Gezi Park, the symbolic heart of the protest movement. Police have not interfered with the tent city that has sprung up there, but on Wednesday they stormed Taksim Square, firing tear-gas and water cannon at tens of thousands of demonstrators, some of whom hurled back fireworks and molotov – AFP cocktails.
pulled the men inside. The metal scaffold appeared to have buckled in the middle. The men were on either side, communicating with firefighters on the roof of the 46-story building for about an hour and a half before they were rescued. The Hearst Tower is the world headquarters of the Hearst Corp. – AP
RE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he will consider holding a referendum on plans to redevelop an Istanbul park that have sparked nationwide protests, in his first major concession in nearly two weeks of anti-government unrest. The gesture came as thousands gathered in the city’s Taksim Square yesterday, next to Gezi Park, for a 13th evening of demonstrations. The mood was subdued and peaceful, in stark contrast to the previous night when protesters fought running battles with riot police. “We might put it to a referendum ... In democracies only the will of the people counts,” said Huseyin Celik, a spokesman for Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after talks between Erdogan and protest leaders.
Kanye West refused to be filmed for Kim Kardashian’s reality TV show because of the backlash he suffered when the couple’s relationship was first thrust into the spotlight. The rapper is currently expecting a baby with his socialite girlfriend, but he has been noticeably absent from her various fly-on-the-wall reality shows in recent months. West has now opened up about his decision to step away from his partner’s projects, revealing he was hit with harsh criticism for going public with his relationship on – WENN TV.
PROUDLY MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
PAEDICREST PLUSH QUEENSIZE MATTRESS & BASE Popular with those looking for a great value quality bed, the Paedicrest Plush combines the durable Truflex heat tempered spring unit with multiple eco-friendly Dreamfoam comfort layers and a luxurious pillow-top resulting in a restful nights sleep. LESS THAN $10 PER WEEK
EASYPAY® OPTION MEANS ALL YOU PAY IS THE ADVERTISED PRICE PLUS INSURANCE & CREDIT FEES. EASYPAY® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF SMITHS CITY (SOUTHERN) LIMITED. MINIMUM PURCHASE FOR EASYPAY® OPTION IS $499 (OTHER PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE LESS THAN $499). ALL FINANCE OFFERS ARE SUBJECT TO NORMAL CREDIT GRANTING PROCEDURES. AN INSURANCE CHARGE AND CREDIT FEES ARE REQUIRED. A DEPOSIT MAY BE REQUIRED ON COMPUTERS, MOBILE PHONES, CAR AUDIO PRODUCTS AND NEW ACCOUNTS. INTEREST IS CHARGED FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, HOWEVER IF YOU COMPLETE THE ACCOUNT IN FULL WITHIN THE EASYPAY® OPTION PERIOD ALL YOU PAY IS THE ADVERTISED PRICE PLUS THE CREDIT FEES AND INSURANCE CHARGE. WEEKLY PAYMENTS IF STATED ARE BASED ON A 36 MONTH TERM AND INCLUDE BOOKING AND CREDIT FEES, INSURANCE & INTEREST CHARGE. APPLE PRODUCTS, SELECTED COMPUTERS, GAME CONSOLES & SOME PROMOTIONAL ITEMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH DISCOUNT OR EASYPAY® OPTIONS OFFERS. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, DISPLAY ACCESSORIES ARE NOT INCLUDED. DEPENDING ON COLOUR AND COMBINATION, SOME LOUNGE FURNITURE MAY HAVE TO BE ORDERED TO CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS. ALL OFFERS AND PRICES IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT ARE VALID FOR A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OR WHILE STOCKS LAST. SOME PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN SOME STORES.
9 WAS $18
$
999
NO W
8 99
99
000 SAVE $1
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR HOME
1211 MW