Thursday 24 January 2013

North Korea Vows More Nuclear Tests Targeting U.S.

In a bellicose statement singling out the United States as the "sworn enemy" of the Korean people, North Korea today announced plans for a third nuclear test and continued rocket launches. The move is seen as a disappointment to those who hoped the country's new leader, Kim Jong-Un, might take a less aggressive path than his predecessor and father, Kim Jong-il. It is also seen as a direct challenge to President Obama and South Korea's newly elected president, Park Geun-hye, who takes office next month. The statement from North Korea's National Defense Commission read: "Settling accounts with the U.S. needs to be done with force, not with words as it regards jungle law as the rule of its survival."

Vicco, Smallest Town In Kentucky, Passes LGBT Non-Discrimination Law

Follow: LGBT, Civil Rights, LGBT, Gay Rights, Kentucky Gay Community, Vicco Kentucky, Anti-Gay Discrimination, Anti-Gay Discrimination Law, Gay Discrimination, Gay Discrimination Law, Kentucky, Kentucky LGBT Rights, Kentucky Gay Rights, Vicco, Gay Voices News On the heels of a statewide push for Kentucky to its protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens, one of the smallest towns in the commonwealth has just approved a new nondiscrimination law which does exactly that. A week ago, the Fairness Coalition joined Vicco, Ky. -- home to some 334 residents in total -- as they passed the commonwealth’s first LGBT fair treatment ordinance in a decade, reports Lex 18. Vicco is now being touted by a number of media outlets as the smallest town in America to adopt an anti-discrimination law based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Apple (AAPL) Shares Close Down 12 Percent on Slowdown Worries

Apple stock (Nasdaq: AAPL) took a hit the day after its first-quarter earnings were released, closing down more than 12 percent on Thursday. Investors were worried that growth is slowing at Apple, the world's most valuable company. Shares of Apple dropped $63.51, or 12.35 percent, to $450.40 at the close of New York trading Thursday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index, on which Apple trades, also closed down 0.74 percent to 3,130. On Wednesday after the market closed, the company reported that it sold 47.8 million iPhones in the quarter, compared with 37 million in the same quarter a year ago. Many investors had hoped that the company would sell 50 million iPhones, which drives Apple's earnings. "No technology company has ever reported these kinds of results," Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said on the earnings call on Wednesday. Investors eagerly awaited Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, Calif., to report its earnings, seeking clarity after a number of rumors about iPhone parts and sales. Earlier this week there were reports about the next iPhone being released in June.

Hillary Clinton’s clarity on threats in North Africa


Giovanna Plowman, 'Tampon Girl', Apparently Puts Bloody Hygiene Product In Mouth (GRAPHIC VIDEO)

So, bloody tampon sucking is a thing now, it seems. The person to thank for this happening is the lovely and talented Giovanna Plowman who posted a GRAPHIC video (shown below) to her now deleted Facebook page in which she appears to put a bloody tampon in her mouth and suck on it, several times. There is, as KnowYourMeme.com points out, lots of speculation amongst commenters as to the video's authenticity. Some suspect the tampon was dipped in tomato sauce or some other red liquid. But even with the prospect of the video's fraudulence in mind, it's hard not to cringe when you see Plowman swallow the feminine hygiene product. The Buffalo, N.Y. teen has received a lot of blowback for posting the video from Twitter users and commenters who accuse her of doing anything for 15 minutes of fame, according to the International Digital Times.

Uni Watch evaluates New Orleans Pelicans

When we invited Uni Watch readers to rename and redesign the New Orleans Hornets last spring, one of the five finalists was this New Orleans Pelicans design by reader Chris Giorgio. That design was by far the most popular option among those who voted in an ESPN SportsNation poll. [+] Enlarge New Orleans PelicansNew Orleans PelicansThe New Orleans Hornets will officially become the New Orleans Pelicans next season. Maybe the NBA or team owner Tom Benson were listening, because the Hornets will become the Pelicans next season. Info on the new uniforms, according to the team's news release, "will be relayed in the coming months," but you can see the team's five new logos here. Some preliminary thoughts: • The new name makes a lot more sense for a New Orleans team than "Hornets" ever did, and it's also way better than some of the other names that had been floated. Well done.

You decide: Is Tony Gonzalez a Hall of Famer?

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez might have played in his final game Sunday. His team lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL championship game, and many are expecting him to call it a career. "It's probably the last time I'm going to wear that uniform," Gonzalez said after the Falcons' 28-24 loss. "I didn't want to take it off, to tell you the truth. All good things come to an end, and like I said all season long, this is probably my last one. What an unbelievable ride." Gonzalez said throughout the season that he was 95% sure this would be it for him. He said he will discuss his plans with his family before making his final decision on retirement. "I'm not going to cry about it," Gonzalez said after the conclusion of his 16th season. "I walk away with the satisfaction I left everything, absolutely everything, every time I was on the field. I wish it would have culminated with the Super Bowl, but it didn't."

Kate Upton's sexy car commercial ruffles some feathers [Video]

It's been a while since we had any clearly gratuitous beefcake or cheesecake here at the Ministry of Gossip, but thanks to Kate Upton and Mercedes-Benz, it's time for a little taste. The lovely and talented Ms. Upton stars in a new commercial for the car company, tantalizingly and rather obviously titled, "Kate Upton Washes the All-New Mercedes-Benz CLA in Slow Motion." What's not to love about that, right?