Iran intercepts U.S. ship
The U.S.navy says the U.S.-flagged Maersk Kensington was intercepted in the Strait of Hormuz, on Friday, 24 April, by four ships of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval patrol.
The Iranians encircled the Kensington and followed the ship on its course for a period of time before withdrawing and breaking away.
The U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet has issued a notice to mariners about the incident.
Executes over 200 per month
SOHR says that since June last year ISIS has executed over 2,150 people in Syria alone. This number includes over 1,300 civilians and nearly 530 Syrian government troops.
We believe that the real number of people that have been killed by IS is higher than the number documented by SOHR because there are hundreds of missing and detainees inside IS jails, and because there are dozens of Kurds who are still been missing since the beginning of IS attack on the countryside of Kobani in September 16.
Charges have ranged from insulting God (blasphemy), spying for the benefit of the Nusayri [Alawite] regime, sodomy and dealing and supporting YPG [Kurdish forces].
Planned U.S. Embassy attack
Saudi Arabia says it has arrested a total of 93 people with ties to the ISIS in recent months, foiling their plans to carry out multiple terrorist attacks which included a strike on the U.S. embassy. An Interior Ministry spokesman says the arrests include a cell of 65 people arrested in March who were involved in a plan that included targeting residential compounds, prisons and security forces. He says authorities also disrupted a plot for a suicide car bomber to attack the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh after receiving information about the plan in mid-March. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has no immediate comment on the disclosure.
Condemns violence
Obama condemns the violence in Baltimore and expressed condolences to the family of Gray.
There is no excuse for the kind of violence we saw yesterday. It is counter-productive…People are stealing and damaging their own communities and that is no statement on police brutality or any other kind of issue.
Criticizes Obama on riots
Trump criticizes Obama for not being able to control the situation in Baltimore.
Our great African American President hasn't exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2015
President Obama, you have a big job to do. Go to Baltimore and bring both sides together. With proper leadership, it can be done! Do it.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2015
Reacts to Baltimore riots
Cedric reacts to the worsening situation in Baltimore due to riots.
Hate to see Baltimore going thru what my hometown of Ferguson went thru. Change is necessary, but violence and destruction is not the answer
— CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) April 27, 2015
Curfew imposed
Mayor Blake declares a week long curfew from 10 p.m to 5 a.m in the city due to riots.
What we see tonight that is going on in our city is very disturbing. Too many people have spend generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs who, in a very senseless way, are trying to tear down what so many have fought for.
Family disassociates from documentary
Winehouse’s family disassociates from Amy, an upcoming documentary based on her life.
The Winehouse family would like to disassociate themselves from the forthcoming film about their much missed and beloved Amy…They feel that the film is a missed opportunity to celebrate her life and talent and that it is both misleading and contains some basic untruths. There are specific allegations made against family and management that are unfounded and unbalanced.
The Osbournes reboot canceled
VH1 cancels the plan for revival of The Osbournes. VH1 executive vice president:
We are no longer talking to the Osbournes about a series. That’s not going to happen. We wish we could have worked it out, but it just didn’t come together for us… The family has been absolutely lovely and we wish them the best. We’d love to figure out a way to work with them at some point in the future.
Rejects anti-semitism resolution
Amnesty International rejects a resolution to combat the record high level of anti-semitism in UK. The motion fails by a vote of 468-461. Official statement:
Our membership decided not to pass this resolution calling for a campaign with a single focus.
GMO free menu
Chiptole removes GMO ingredients from its menu.
Just because food is served fast doesn’t mean it has to be made with cheap raw ingredients, highly processed with preservatives and fillers and stabilizers and artificial colors and flavors.
Defends Tidal
Jay-Z defends Tidal in a series of Tweets.
Tidal is doing just fine. We have over 770,000 subs. We have been in business less than one month…The iTunes Store wasn’t built in a day. It took Spotify 9 years to be successful…We are here for the long haul. Please give us a chance to grow & get better…There are many big companies that are spending millions on a smear campaign. We are not anti-anyone, we are pro-artist & fan…We made Tidal for fans. We have more than just music. We have video, exclusive concerts, tickets for events early, live sports!..Tidal is where artists can give their fans more without the middlemen…Indie artists who want to work directly w/ us keep 100% of their music. “If you don’t want the CEOs all in the videos” haa
Pally admits mistakes
In response to charges of conflict of interest in Schweizer’s forthcoming book Clinton Cash, the Clinton Foundation admits that it made “mistakes” as the philanthropy grew but maintains that it did not intentionally do anything wrong.
Yes, we made mistakes, as many organizations of our size do, but we are acting quickly to remedy them, and have taken steps to ensure they don’t happen in the future.
Schweizer says that he did not have “direct evidence” of ethical misconduct, but says the pattern he uncovered should raise eyebrows and trigger an investigation.
Explains face injury
Pitt explains how he injured his face.
This is what happens when you try to run up steps in the dark, with your arms full, wearing flip flops. Turns out if you then try to stop your forward momentum with your face, the result is road rash.
Cites donor transparency
The Clinton Foundation says its disclosure of foreign donations is “stronger than ever.” Acting CEO Pally says the foundation will only accept donations from “a handful of governments.”
When Hillary Clinton was appointed Secretary of State, we took unprecedented steps to avoid potential conflicts of interest by going above and beyond what is required of any philanthropy and instituted voluntary annual disclosure of all donors on our website.
Pally also pushes back at specific criticism of donations linked to Giustra and a charity he established. Pally stresses that the charity is independent, and that Giustra established it in Canada so that Canadians could receive a tax credit for their donations to support the Clinton Foundation.
But as it is a distinct Canadian organization, separate from the Clinton Foundation, its individual donors are not listed on the site. This is hardly an effort on our part to avoid transparency — unlike in the U.S., under Canadian law, all charities are prohibited from disclosing individual donors without prior permission from each donor.
Deal with SNP ruled out
The Labour Party rules out ‘confidence and supply’ deal with SNP post elections if it fails to win majority. Miliband:
I’m not interested in deals…I want to be clear about this. No coalition, no tie-ins. I’m not doing deals with the Scottish National Party.
Calls Bruce her ‘Hero’
Kris Jenner comes out in support of her ex-husband after he announces his transition from male to female.
Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children, I am now able to call him my hero.
— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) April 25, 2015
Congratulates Jenner
Cox congratulates Jenner for coming out publicly as a transgender.
Sending lots of love and support to #BruceJenner and their family tonight. It is always brave to stand in one's truth. Congrats darling.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) April 25, 2015
Apologizes, reinstated
McHendry apologizes for her tirade against a tow truck employee, and ESPN agrees to reinstate her.
My remarks were completely out of line. Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to speak to another human being in the manner in which I chose that night. That’s not who I am as a person and hope those who only know me from this incident will give me a second chance to prove to you how much I value integrity, character and treating people with respect.
The Joker first look
Ayer reveals the first look of Leto as The Joker in Suicide Squad.
The Suicide Squad wishes you a Happy Anniversary Mr. J! #Joker75 #SuicideSquad @WarnerBrosEnt @DCComics pic.twitter.com/LZXz0x947Q
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) April 25, 2015