Forgive Pope Francis’ security team for looking a bit nervous.
One pope was shot in St. Peter’s Square while riding in an open vehicle. Another was tackled by a woman with mental problems in St. Peter’s Basilica. So in the early days of Francis’ pontificate, as the pope delights the flock by wading into crowds and pressing the flesh, it’s only natural that chief Vatican cop Domenico Giani seems on edge.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10872618
The bodyguard providing personal security for Sir Peter Jackson on The Hobbit red carpet had failed a criminal history check and should not have been granted a licence to work at the high-profile event.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sir-peter-jackson-s-bodyguard-failed-security-check-5261512
A “known anti-royalist” will face court this morning charged with preparing to assault the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during the couple’s tour of Auckland.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10846982
Kim Dotcom’s bodyguard Wayne Tempero, who faces firearms charges stemming from the Megaupload raid, suspects he was also a victim of illegal spying.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10842233
Despite the high security risks that come with guarding the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s Secret Service agents can expect to have their guns confiscated when they arrive with her in Rarotonga this week for the Pacific Islands Forum.
The State Department is yet to formally confirm Mrs Clinton’s visit – her first to the Cook Islands – but it is an open secret and the local newspaper, the Cook Islands News, is describing it as the biggest for the country since the Queen’s in 1974.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10829623
Lady Gaga has cancelled her sold-out show in Indonesia after Islamist hard-liners threatened violence, claiming her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt the nation’s youth.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10808973
An embarrassing scandal involving prostitutes and US Secret Service agents has deepened with 11 agents placed on leave, and the agency designed to protect President Barack Obama had to offer regret for the mess overshadowing his diplomatic mission to Latin America.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/6745213/US-Secret-Service-sex-scandal-deepens
A man will appear in the Auckland District Court this morning after he allegedly threatened to blow up Phil Goff and Labour Leader David Shearer’s electorate offices.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/man-in-court-over-alleged-shearer-goff-bomb-threats-4788008
Hundreds of teenage fans mobbed X-Factor heart-throb Reece Mastin last night, forcing organisers of his public appearance to cancel a signing session as young girls started to faint.
Several teenage girls fainted and one had to be dragged from an emotional, overheated crowd after thousands of fans crammed into The Warehouse at Sylvia Park at 6pm.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10787686