Defends Putin remark
Salmond defends his remark that Putin has ‘restored a substantial part of Russian pride’:
When people see the comments I made, they will see that they’re perfectly reasonable. I said I deprecated Russian actions in Ukraine and also its human rights record. I pointed out that the western press underestimated Putin and that’s obviously true … When I was talking about the pride issue, it was in the aftermath of the Sochi [winter] Olympics, which was obviously a restoration of Russian pride. Those are reasonably balanced remarks.
‘Sexual assault violators’ graffitti
A list of “sexual assault violators” is written on the walls of various womens’ bathrooms on the Columbia campus. While the names are redacted in the reports, it is believed that Nungesser’s name is one of those mentioned. The messages are repeated over several days, titled “Rapists on Campus.” All names are written in the same style this time, suggesting a single author, and include the names of a big campus DJ, an athlete training for the Olympics, and a male student who worked at the Bwog, a campus news blog. Sulkowicz says she does not know who was behind the graffiti, but that the list includes the name of the man who had assaulted her.
I think that it’s important for people to know the names, because it’s a matter of safety
And also comments a few days later:
The fact that the University sends Public Safety to tape down the bathrooms—I think that’s a stifling of sorts. For other graffiti they wouldn’t tape the bathroom down. If it were a drawing of a smiley face, they wouldn’t do that.
Solange statement
Beyonce and Jay-Z release a statement about the elevator attack.
As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family. The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.
Counting Stars to be ‘retired’
OneRepublic performs Counting Stars from the album, Native, at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. Ryan Tedder reveals before the performance that the song will soon be retired from the band’s set list.
Meets Abbas in Bethlehem
Francis meets with Abbas, and holds and open air Mass for 8,000 local Christians near Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. The Pope arrives in Bethlehem by helicopter from Jordan. Israel permits over 600 Christians from the Gaza Strip to travel to Bethlehem, while Palestinian authorities deploy 3,000 security forces in the city to supervise the visit. Abbas:
For the good of all, there is a need to intensify efforts and initiatives aimed at creating the conditions for a stable peace based on justice, on the recognition of the rights of every individual, and on mutual security.
Mother: Kids obviously live there
The mother of injured toddler tells news sources that police officers should have been able to see that there were children living in the house before the raid was executed.
They say there were no toys. There is plenty of stuff. Their shoes were laying all over.
Attorney: Police negligent
The family’s attorney asks state and federal investigators to review the raid. He says that the sheriff’s story doesn’t add up, and that surveillance video should have shown the children, who lived in the home for nearly two months. He also says that police also should have noticed a van in the driveway that night which had four child car seats installed.
We believe they were criminally negligent because of the children. This isn’t police work. This is cowboys.
Android ‘dominates malware market’
Cook criticizes Google for not encouraging users to upgrade to a new version of Android. He says that nine out of ten iDevice users have upgraded to the latest version of iOS, but fewer than one out of ten Android users have the latest version, which introduces security risks:
This [upgrading] is particularly important for Android, which dominates the mobile malware market.
Governor awaits investigation
Governor Deal makes a statement that he is awaiting the results of an investigation into the raid before further action, such as executive action or new legislation, is taken at the state level.
Any time you have bad facts like this one, it does give you cause for concern. It’s one of those things that require a thorough investigation … to know what if anything we can learn from it.
Kerry dismisses election
On a visit to Lebanon, Secretary of State Kerry declares the Syrian election meaningless and says it will have no impact on U.S. policy. Kerry says the United States continues to support a political solution to the Syrian crisis and announces a contribution of $290 million in humanitarian aid.
The elections are non-elections. A great big zero. Nothing has changed between the day before the election and after.
Usher: Bieber not a racist
Usher releases a public statement about Bieber via his Instagram account..
At my core, I am a person that supports growth and understands without judgement, that growth often comes as a result of pain and continues effort. As I have watched Justin Bieber navigate difficult waters as a young man, I can tell you that he hasn’t always chosen the path of his greatest potential, but he is unequivocally not a racist. What he was 5 years ago was a naive child who did not understand the negative power and degradation that comes from playing with racial slurs. What he is now is a young man faced with an opportunity to become his best self, an example to the millions of kids that follow him to not make the same mistakes.
Driver tweets innocence
Claiming he is being targeted as a scapegoat because celebrities were involved, driver Kevin Roper sends out tweets of protest over the charges brought against him. Roper sent at least four tweets from his Twitter account, expressing his sorrow over the deaths and injuries, but claiming total lack of blame for the accident. Roper states he was not drunk, high, or sleep deprived at the time of the crash.
‘150 Australians in Syria’
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says that about 150 Australians are fighting in Syria:
In Syria, it seems that over a period of time they have moved from supporting more moderate opposition groups to the more extreme, and that includes this brutal extremist group ISIS
Radicalized fighters could pose a domestic threat:
We are concerned that Australians are working with them [ISIS], becoming radicalized, learning the terrorist trade, and if they come back to Australia, of course it poses a security threat. I’ve canceled a number of passports on the advice of intelligence agencies.
Against legalizing recreational drugs
Francis tells delegates at a drug-enforcement conference in Rome that attempts to legalize recreational drugs such as marijuana…
…Are not only highly questionable from a legislative standpoint, but they fail to produce the desired effects. Let me state this in the clearest terms possible: the problem of drug use is not solved with drugs!
Endorses Mayday Super PAC
Gordon-Levitt releases a video message urging his fans to support the Mayday.us super PAC. The PAC, founded by Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, aims to elect candidates who will enact meaningful campaign finance reform.
Putin puts troops on alert
On the first day of Ukraine’s cease fire directive, Putin puts the military on alert in the central district and resumes airborne troop drills. The alert will continue through June 28. 65,000 troops will take part in military drills under this combat alert.
Pays back taxes to save home
O’Brien pays $8,000 in back taxes to take his Rhode Island residence off the state auction. The talk show host’s publicist releases a statement that he had not been aware of the delinquent tax bills because the bill did not reach his accountant in Los Angeles.
As soon as I was made aware that the tax bill on my parents’ house was being mailed to the wrong address, I paid the bill immediately. The problem has been corrected. I am grateful to the reporter at the Westerly Sun who spotted this error and notified me.
Favors closing U.S. Export-Import Bank
McCarthy says that he favors closing the bank in September when its charter expires and also said he believes the government does not need to be involved in financing exports. Other conservatives within the party also favor the closing saying they view it as a form of “crony capitalism.”
One of the biggest problems with government is they go and take hard-earned money so others do things that the private sector can do. That’s what the Ex-Im Bank does.
Visits Israeli family of kidnap victim
Huckabee’s first stop in Israel is to visit the family of kidnap victim, Naftali Frankle.
(I came here to) show solidarity with the Frenkel family. This is a young man who is also an American citizen; and I am here not just as an American, but as a father.
Statement on illness
Nintendo issues Iwata’s statement on his absence on E3:
Thank you very much for your continued extraordinary support of us. I am Satoru Iwata, President of the company. Today, there is one thing that I would like to share with you…Recently, as the result of one of my routine physical examinations, an issue was detected. Following a more detailed examination, a growth was found in my bile duct.In general, it is said that a bile duct growth can be difficult-to-treat, partly because of the difficulty of detecting it early. In my case, luckily, it was detected very early and I had no symptoms. I was counseled that removal at an early stage would be the desirable medical option. Therefore I had surgery last week, and I came through it well, as predicted. I have already resumed my business by email and by other means, but it is anticipated that a little more time is needed for me to return to my regular work schedule. As a result, I have no choice but to miss the company’s very important activity, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held this month. As the president of the company, I regret that I cannot attend the meeting. However, I understand that I have to prioritize my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand. Best Regards, Satoru Iwata