Family tells Sharpton to stay away
A source close the Scott family says they do not want the same kind of media attention that surrounded the death of Michael Brown:
We don’t want another Ferguson type of circus here.
Scott family attorney says said they appreciate Sharpton’s support but “the funeral is only going to be close family members.”
The Reverend Al has called and expressed his support and condolences. The family is very appreciative.
Sharpton says he has been in touch with the Scott family and their lawyers but insists he has no plans to go down.
They are in mourning and we would never come unless they asked. We’re willing to be helpful to the family but only when needed.
Thanks supporters
Santana thanks his supporters on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/973312652681155/photos/a.973328946012859.1073741828.973312652681155/973381949340892/
First head transplant patient
Spiridonov, who suffers from Werdnig-Hoffman muscle wasting disease, announces that he will be Canavero’s first head transplant patient, possibly in 2016. He says he has talked with Canavero through Skype. The cost of the 36-hour operation, which can only be performed in the one of the world’s most advanced operating theaters, has been estimated at $10 million. He says he wants the chance of a new body before he dies.
My decision is final and I do not plan to change my mind…Am I afraid? Yes, of course I am. But it is not just very scary, but also very interesting. But you have to understand that I don’t really have many choices. If I don’t try this chance my fate will be very sad. With every year my state is getting worse. I can hardly control my body now. I need help every day, every minute. I am now 30 years old, although people rarely live to more than 20 with this disease. My muscles stopped any development in childhood. Because of this, they do not grow and the skeleton gets deformed. The back muscles cannot support the skeleton. I do understand the risks of such surgery. They are multiple. We can’t even imagine what exactly can go wrong. I’m afraid that I wouldn’t live long enough to see it happen to someone else.
Welcomes Paul to 2016 Race
Cruz welcomes fellow Republican Paul to 2016 presidential race.
I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary. Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side by side on many issues. I respect his talent, his passion, and the work he has done for Kentuckians and Americans in the U.S. Senate. His entry into the race will no doubt raise the bar of competition, help make us all stronger, and ultimately ensure that the GOP nominee is equipped to beat Hillary Clinton and to take back the White House for Republicans in 2016.
Criticizes Tidal
Allen criticizes the streaming music site on Twitter:
i LOVE Jay z so much, but TIDAL is soon expensive compared to other perfectly good streaming services, he’s taken the biggest Artists, made them exclusive to TIDAL (am i right in thinking this ?). People are going to swarm back to pirate sites in droves, sending traffic to torrent sites. Up and coming (not yet millionaires) artists are going to suffer as a result… my concern is that Tidal may set emerging artists back. WE COULD JUST STRIKE TILL THE LABELS GIVE US OUR FAIR SHARE OF STREAMING REVENUE, NOT TAKE ADVANCES, NOT DELIVER MUSIC, FOR THE FUTURE ARTIST…A REAL REVOLUTION YEAH…….. GUYS………. GUYS……….. USHER?…….. MADGE……. DAFT PUNKS?? GUYS???????? *WAVES AT YACHT*.
Clarifying later:
Just to clarify… i really don’t give a f-ck about the music industry, well, I care about a few good eggs that work within it and am grateful to the people who have helped me develop as an artist. My concern is that Tidal may set emerging artists back. Hosting exclusive consent from the biggest stars on the planet on a paying platform, while i agree with its intention, i fear it will send people back to pirate/torrent sites.” It’s an interesting point, but surely those that can’t (or won’t) pay for TIDAL will just continue using Spotify instead of turning to piracy?
Family: All we want is the truth
Scott’s family gather Sunday in the lot where the shooting took place, with community activists for a press conference calling for community calm and law enforcement transparency during the investigative process. Pastor Thomas Ravenell places a candle where Walter Scott was shot and killed by Slager (whose name has not been released at this point). Anthony Scott, the victim’s brother:
We just would like for justice to be taken, for justice to be served, and we would like for the truth to come out so my brother can rest in peace. Whatever happened yesterday, that’s all we want is the truth, and we will go to any length to get it.
The president of the local chapter of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, says:
We know that Mr. Scott was unarmed, that worries me and everyone in this community, that another unarmed black man has died — that is very troubling. I want the family and community to know that National Action Network will not stop until we get these answers.
Initial police report
A report of the incident appears in the Post & Courier:
Police in a matter of hours declared the occurrence at the corner of Remount and Craig roads a traffic stop gone wrong, alleging the dead man fought with an officer over his Taser before deadly force was employed.
A statement released by North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said a man ran on foot from the traffic stop and an officer deployed his department-issued Taser in an attempt to stop him. That did not work, police said, and an altercation ensued as the men struggled over the device. Police allege that during the struggle the man gained control of the Taser and attempted to use it against the officer. The officer then resorted to his service weapon and shot him, police alleged.
Vows to abide by deal
Rouhani vows to abide by the nuclear framework agreement it signed with six world powers, so long as they follow their side of commitments.
If the other side acts on its promises, Iran will abide by its promises. If, however, they one day decide to follow a different path, our nation too will be always free to make [another] choice
Letter to Microsoft employees
Gates writes a letter to employees of Microsoft on company’s 40th anniversary.
Early on, Paul Allen and I set the goal of a computer on every desk and in every home. It was a bold idea and a lot of people thought we were out of our minds to imagine it was possible. It is amazing to think about how far computing has come since then, and we can all be proud of the role Microsoft played in that revolution.
Today though, I am thinking much more about Microsoft’s future than its past. I believe computing will evolve faster in the next 10 years than it ever has before. We already live in a multi-platform world, and computing will become even more pervasive. We are nearing the point where computers and robots will be able to see, move, and interact naturally, unlocking many new applications and empowering people even more.
Under Satya’s leadership, Microsoft is better positioned than ever to lead these advances. We have the resources to drive and solve tough problems. We are engaged in every facet of modern computing and have the deepest commitment to research in the industry. In my role as technical advisor to Satya, I get to join product reviews and am impressed by the vision and talent I see. The result is evident in products like Cortana, Skype Translator, and HoloLens — and those are just a few of the many innovations that are on the way.
In the coming years, Microsoft has the opportunity to reach even more people and organizations around the world. Technology is still out of reach for many people, because it is complex or expensive, or they simply do not have access. So I hope you will think about what you can do to make the power of technology accessible to everyone, to connect people to each other, and make personal computing available everywhere even as the very notion of what a PC delivers makes its way into all devices.
We have accomplished a lot together during our first 40 years and empowered countless businesses and people to realize their full potential. But what matters most now is what we do next. Thank you for helping make Microsoft a fantastic company now and for decades to come.
Deal threatens Israel
Netanyahu tells Obama that Israel opposes the nuclear framework agreement with Iran.
A deal that is based on this framework will threaten Israel’s existence… The alternative is to stand firmly and increase pressure on Iran until a better deal is reached.
‘It is a good deal’
Obama claims that the framework agreement with Iran over nuclear issue is a ‘good deal’ and would prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
I am convinced that if this framework leads to a final deal, it will make our country and the world safer. [The deal would] cut off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon.
Deal framework announced
Iran and six major world powers clinch an historic nuclear framework agreement and announce key parameters for resolving a long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. European Union Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini:
Today we have taken a decisive step. We have reached solutions on key parameters for a comprehensive future nuclear deal.
Arson threat coach suspended
Jess Dooley, a Concord High School assistant softball coach, who works with special education students, is suspended for a threat to burn down the store on Twitter:
Who’s going to Walkerton, IN to burn down #memoriespizza w me? Agree with #FreedomofReligion bill? “That’s a lifestyle they CHOOSE” Ignorant
The Walkerton Police Department are proceeding with the county prosecutor:
The Walkerton Police Department is committed to extending professional police services to all in need, regardless of said person’s sexual, religious, or political views. We encourage all to follow Indiana Laws and Statutes. We ask that all frustrations and rebuttals with Memories Pizza’s recent media statements remain within the law.
Won’t cater pizza to gay weddings
Memories Pizza, in Walkerton, Indiana, says it will not cater gay weddings. The store, run by the O’Connor family for nine years, says they would not discriminate against a gay couple or a couple belonging to another religion who came to the restaurant to eat, but that they don’t agree with gay marriages and wouldn’t cater them if asked to. Crystal O’Connor:
If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no. We are a Christian establishment. We’re not discriminating against anyone, that’s just our belief and anyone has the right to believe in anything.
On the bill:
We definitely agree with the bill. I do not think it’s targeting gays. I don’t think it’s discrimination. It’s supposed to help people that have a religious belief.
Kevin O’Connor:
That lifestyle is something they choose. I choose to be heterosexual. They choose to be homosexual. Why should I be beat over the head to go along with something they choose?
https://youtu.be/94exLI-Y0z8
Tracks non-users
A report by the Belgian Privacy Commission says that Facebook is tracking non-users by placing cookies — a common way to track people’s browsing habits on the Web — on “some” people’s browsers, even if they had never visited Facebook.com. The researchers hold that Facebook is collecting data from users who have logged out of their accounts or opted out of tracking altogether, monitoring them through the social buttons (social plug-ins) used to share third-party content, and placing cookies on users and non-users who visit websites that are owned by the facebook.com domain.
It is important to note that tracking of non-users initiates even if one does not visit the Facebook homepage. In principle, any page belonging to the facebook.com domain will result in the placement of a long-term, identifying cookie (e.g., an event page, a shop page, fan page …)
Facebook responds:
Virtually all websites, including Facebook, legally use cookies to offer their services. Cookies have been an industry standard for more than 15 years. If people want to opt out of seeing advertising based on the websites they visit and apps they use, they opt out through the EDAA, whose principles and opt out we and more than 100 other companies comply with. Facebook takes this commitment one step further: when you use the EDAA opt out, we opt you out on all devices you use and you won’t see ads based on the websites and apps you use…We’re disappointed that the authors of this opinion and the Belgian DPA, who we understand commissioned it, have declined to meet with us or clarify the inaccurate information about this and other topics. We remain willing to engage with them and hope they will be prepared to correct their work in due course.
New Girl renewed
New Girl renewed for fifth season. Fox Entertainment President David Madden:
Four seasons in, New Girl continues to be one of the smartest and most relatable comedies on television. The writing is razor-sharp, the ensemble is consistently hilarious, and we couldn’t be more proud of Liz [Meriwether], Brett [Baer], Dave [Finkel] and the entire New Girl team. We absolutely love this show and we’re so excited to bring it back for Season Five.
Informed flight school of depression
Lufthansa says Lubitz had informed the flight school about his previous mental health issues in 2009. Lufthansa:
In his correspondence, he informed the Flight Training Pilot School in 2009… about a previous episode of severe depression.
Threatens Israel
Anonymous releases a video threatening Israel with an “electronic holocaust” for their alleged crimes against Palestinians.
We’ll erase you from cyberspace as we have every year, 7 April 2015, will be an electronic holocaust. As promised in previous attacks, we will continue to electronically attack until the people of Palestine are free. As shown in previous attacks, we will continue to invade and attack your devices, websites and personal data…To the government of Israel, you have not stopped your endless human right violations. You have not stopped illegal settlements. You killed thousand people as in the last war against Gaza in 2014 . You have shown that you do not respect international law.
https://youtu.be/5wxzJsBmdd8
Indiana act ‘gay discrimination’
King comments on the act:
Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration act is gay discrimination, pure and simple. You can frost a dog turd, but it's still a dog turd.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 31, 2015
Quits Instagram
Fry posts a blank picture on Instagram and declares that he is quitting the social media platform.
Newspapers, as ever, suck all the joy out of everything. Closing down. It was, briefly, fun. Bye.
https://instagram.com/p/02fpjVMycC/