Successful missile test
North Korea claims the submarine-based test fire of a new design missile is successful. This continues the countries display of rapidly advancing military capabilities. Official:
[North Korea] now possesses a world-level strategic weapon capable of striking and wiping out in any waters the hostile forces infringing upon [North Korea’s] sovereignty and dignity.
Vows to finish politics degree
Black says that she will continue to work on her politics degree, even though she has already become an MP. She still has one exam to finish and will return to Glasgow University at the end of the May.
I’ve worked hard for the last few years so I’m not going to chuck it now.“This is about making Scotland’s voice heard like it’s never been heard before and now we have got the chance to do that.
Opposition calls EU to suspend funds
Burundian opposition leaders call for the EU to suspend €8m of financial assistance and to demand that the government postpone the election. The EU is the main financial contributor to the Project to Support the 2015 Electoral Cycle in Burundi. Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC-IKIBIRI) spokesperson:
We believe the EU’s €8m is a considerable sum. It is shocking that the EU is financing these elections which are killing people, forcing voters of the opposition to flee the country like refugees…It would be unacceptable for the European taxpayer to agree that €8m, which can be used for something else, should be thrown in the trash like that. If these elections are forced to happen, there will be a civil war…Radios have been closed, human rights activists have been imprisoned and these prisoners are refused food and care, are being tortured to the indifference of the international community. The violation of these values must be unacceptable for Europeans partners.
‘The cards weren’t dealt in our favor’
Gruffud takes to Instagram to describe his feelings on Forever’s cancellation:
My dear friends, fans, supporters. Tonight, as you all now know, I received a phone call that I was hoping not to receive, and to be honest I really wasn’t expecting it. I knew the numbers hadn’t been great, but I also knew the studio and the network both loved the show, and of course that it had an incredible fan base…so I thought we were in with a pretty good chance.
It’s been an incredible, wonderful year, one that I will never, ever forget. And guess what? The memories belong to us. We get to keep them ‘forever!’ Thanks again a million times for your unwavering support. Stay strong, be brave, and show kindness as often as you can!
Strips on Letterman
Fey strips down to her Spanx underwear on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Because this is my last time wearing a fancy dress on a talk show — and conforming to gender norms out of respect for you — my gift to you is I want to give you the dress, you can keep it.
Pledges a ‘greater Britain’
Cameron pledges to make Great Britain even greater after winning the 2015 general election.
We will govern as a party of one nation, one United Kingdom…That means ensuring this recovery reaches all parts of our country, from north to south, to east to west.
CNET interview
As part of a CNET special report exploring what people and companies are doing to make the tech industry more diverse, Fonstad says:
Both Theresia and I got to the point in our careers where we decided to focus on the early stage startup again so we can be more collaborative and company-building. We help them as they grow — getting the management team hired, and helping them get early customers and follow-on financing for the next stage of growth. It’s why we both became VCs…I’m noticing an industry shift in general. There’s been a significant inflow of newly wealthy women who are investing for themselves, becoming angels or forming microfunds with less than $4 million. It’s just more gratifying to work for themselves.
Lauds federal appeals court’s NSA ruling
Paul lauds the federal appeals court’s ruling on NSA for illegal spying.
This is a big deal. We’ve been waiting for this for over a year now. I sued the NSA last year because I think that the whole program really is not consistent with the Fourth Amendment and what we find out today is that the appeals court thinks it’s not even consistent with the statute, the Patriot Act, which also goes on to mention that many people in congress had no idea this program was going on, and most of us don’t think that this program is consistent with what the Patriot Act actually said.
Criticizes Clinton immigration proposal
Graham strongly opposes Clinton’s proposal to expand President Obama’s offer of deportation relief to undocumented parents of children brought to the U.S. illegally.
What she’s doing is ensuring a third wave of illegal immigration. I think there’ll be a backlash in this country.
Bloomberg profile
Kirk and Turning Point are profiled by Bloomberg. The article says that the group’s paid workers are each supposed to make at least 1,500 student contacts per semester. and that about 20,000 people have attended a Turning Point event, posted on social media, or volunteered for the group’s events. The organization claims it registered 10,30 voters in Florida in April 2015, and is looking to recruit at least 1000 activists in key battleground states each month. Kirk says he is following the Moveon.org model to grow the group:
I don’t think I agree with them on a single issue. But I have nothing but respect for how successful they’ve been.
Calls for Geller’s death
Choudary says Geller is asking for an attack and a death sentence by insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad:
We’re talking about people who deliberately had a competition to insult the messenger Mohammad… If you saw the cartoons that Charlie Hebdo drew you would understand the anger. And now this woman was to draw cartoons or have people draw cartoons to insult the prophet knowing full well that this carries the death penalty in Islam…She should be put before Sharia court and tried. And of course she would face capital punishment…You cannot continue to go down this road and expect the Muslims to stand back. You know I would retaliate if someone insulted my mother. let alone the prophet, who I love 100 times more than my own family.
Hannity:
You’re just pathetic. You’re evil and pathetic.
Choudary accuses the U.S. of being the “champions of murdering innocent people.” Geller responds:
We [are] the champions of freedom, sir. Look how you can’t take it. You want to kill people.
No regrets
In an interview with the Associated Press, Geller says she believes she saved lives by hosting the contest because the gunmen would have picked another soft target and killed innocent civilians.
Would you regret saving lives?…Cartoons are political critique. It’s a cartoon. Is that what we want to outlaw? We want to outlaw humor? We want to outlaw comedy? If you want to know who rules over you, find out who you cannot criticize…I will continue to speak in defense of freedom until the day I die. It’s just that simple. It’s not even a choice. It’s a calling.
Hollywood Reporter cover
Portman is interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter and appears on the cover: On Netanyahu:
I’m very much against Netanyahu. Against. I am very, very upset and disappointed that he was re-elected. I find his racist comments horrific. However, I don’t — what I want to make sure is, I don’t want to use my platform [the wrong way]. I feel like there’s some people who become prominent, and then it’s out in the foreign press. You know, shit on Israel. I do not. I don’t want to do that.
On Ramsey leaving Jane Got a Gun, just days before the shoot:
I’m as mystified as I think everyone was, and it was pretty devastating. I mean, maybe she’ll speak to it one day. I don’t know. I got there one week before we were supposed to start, in Santa Fe, and it seemed like there had been stuff going on that I had sort of been sheltered from. And yeah, it was really, really difficult, and we were lucky that [director] Gavin [O’Connor] came on so quickly. She didn’t come on [set]. I saw her like the week before, but on the first day, no. I can only imagine something very difficult was going on for her, and it was devastating.
On married life:
The disappointments are always in myself, and like, when you’re faced day to day with someone looking at you, it’s like a mirror that you have to yourself, and you can see your own good behavior and bad behavior. And it’s a beautiful challenge to be the best person in the mirror that you can be. I mean, I don’t beat myself up over it, but I’m not always as generous as I feel like I could be.
No FBI, Homeland Security contact since attack
In an interview with Hannity, Geller says she has not been contacted by the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security since the thwarted attacked.
Hannity: This is a serious threat. Basically a Fatwa, a death threat, has now been issued. Your reaction to that? Have you had any contact with the FBI?
Geller: They have not contacted me, but of course we’ve now increased my team. I have a team now, private security, and NYPD counterterror has been in touch with me.
Hannity: Did you reach out to the FBI?
Geller: I did
A place for all faiths
In a statement, developers of the Menorah Islands project say that these islands will be a haven for interfaith collaboration, as well as scientific and technological advancements, and provide jobs and housing for Israel’s economy.
Districts for learning and science… will be an idealized example of what the future on Planet Earth and beyond can look like.
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign has 31,203 supporters, who have to date donated $129,500.
Plans to advance science, technology
The developers of the Menorah Islands say one of the major goals for the Islands is the advancement of science and technology in ways to benefit the entire globe, across all types of science disciplines. Spokesperson:
Districts for learning and science… will be an idealized example of what the future on Planet Earth and beyond can look like.
Congress ‘must stop Iran deal’
Cruz urges Congress to stop Iran nuclear deal. He claims that a bad deal with Iran would jeopardize the life of million of Americans.
Our first priority should be stopping a bad Iran deal that jeopardizes the lives of millions of Americans and millions of our allies. There is nothing more important this body can consider, not trade, not the budget. There is nothing more important. The first responsibility of this body is to protect the national security of this country – to protect the lives and safety of men, women, and children across this country – and the President’s Iran deal deeply jeopardizes the safety of Americans.
Will not be pressured into canceling Tel Aviv concert
Warwick says she will not submit to pressure from Waters, who has called on entertainers to not perform in Israel.
[Ms. Warwick] would never fall victim to the hard pressures of Roger Waters, from Pink Floyd, or other political people who have their views on politics in Israel. Waters’ political views are of no concern to Ms. Warwick, as she holds her own unique views on world matters. Art has no boundaries. Ms. Warwick will always honor her contracts. If Ms. Warwick had an objection to performing in Israel, no offer would have been entertained and no contract would have been signed.
Reveals timeline for Model 3
in an earnings call Musk reveals a tentative schedule for the Model 3, which is expected to cost $35,000 before government subsidies, saying the company plans to unveil the model in March 2016, and a sale date of mid 2017, but probably later.
I mean, we are hoping to show off the Model 3 in approximately March of next year. Again, like, don’t hold me to that month, but that’s, like — that’s our aspiration.
Admits using lip fillers
Jenner admits using temporary lip fillers.
I have temporary lip fillers, it’s just an insecurity of mine and it’s what I wanted to do.