Messi: Ajax pair De Ligt and De Jong could handle Barcelonaby Carlos Volcano10 months agoSend to a friendShare the loveBarcelona ace Leo Messi is backing their move for Ajax pair Mattihjs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong.Messi, who spoke to Marca, highlighted the level of both. “They come from a school very similar to our own. There they work in practically the same way. They play like us, having the ball, possession, good feet, they are young players with a lot of precision. Two very good players,” said Messi.The Barca forward also said the club should keep betting on their youth academy, La Masia. “It’s important to go back to betting on the boys from the youth academy, giving them a chance. They need to see it’s not impossible to climb and reach the first team. I think that in the future Barca can play with 11 homegrown players because we have a great youth academy, but it will take its time.” TagsTransfersAbout the authorCarlos VolcanoShare the loveHave your say
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Keep your kicks fresh with the Sneaker Cleaning Kit
Learn Guitar (and Don’t Give Up) With the Fender Play App How to Transition Your Wardrobe to Fall At The Manual, we love a good pair of sneakers, and many of us collect them. We can’t tell you just how good it feels when we’re walking down the street in a fresh pair of kicks. They can do one of two things, they can either complete the outfit, or they make the outfit. But with the grimy sidewalks and strange situations we find ourselves in (yes we’ve gone to music festivals where we’ve had to waddle through muddy fields), keeping our sneakers looking like they just came out of the box can be a challenge. And when you own Stan Smiths, Air Jordans, Yeezys and Vans, you want your sneakers to look just as fresh as they did when they were purchased. Sure, a toothbrush and soap did the trick before, but being that technology has come way past that, there surely must be a new method to keep sneakers clean, we’ve been thinking. We were walking around Paris a few weeks ago when we found it! The aptly labeled Sneaker Cleaning Kit by Men’s Society comes with everything you need to keep your kicks looking pristine packaged in one case. There’s two bottles of the magical Sneaker Cleaning Fluid, a suede and canvas cleaning brush, and instructions just so you know exactly how to make it happen. The Sneaker Cleaning Fluid is made with all the ingredients your sneakers need to stay nice: Aqua, jojoba oil, coconut oil, polysorbate and Vitamin E.The Sneaker Cleaning Kit works on all kinds of shoes, so it doesn’t matter whether they’re made from suede, leather, or canvas. Simply pour some of that Sneaker Cleaning Fluid on your shoes, then use the cleaning brush to wipe all that disgusting, unsightly dirt off your shoes. Add a little love and care, and voila — there you have it, a fresh pair of kicks so you can go out and battle the world, or your office. So look no further, the Sneaker Cleaning Kit.For more information, visit menssociety.com. Sprint Through Airport Security With These TSA-Approved Men’s Grooming Kits Editors’ Recommendations Get Acquainted With the Military-Approved Skincare Brand Bravo Sierra Why Your Desk Chair Matters and the 9 Best Ones to Boost Your Productivity
Traffic Advisory Hants County
-30- Local Area Office: 902-798-2369 Fax: 902-798-2927 HANTS COUNTY: Highway 101 Highway 101 between exits 4 and 5 will be closed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. today, Nov. 23, to get a transfer truck back on the road. The truck went off the highway last night, Nov. 22. A detour is available at Exit 4 for traffic coming from Halifax, and Exit 5 for traffic coming from the Annapolis Valley. 
Federal government apologizes for historic sled dog killings in the North
IQALUIT, Nunavut — The Canadian government has apologized for the killings of thousands of sled dogs decades ago.Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett delivered the apology in Iqaluit.She says the government made a mistake by assuming it knew what was best for Inuit people.Between 1950 and 1975, Inuit in Nunuvut’s Baffin region were moved from mobile camps to permanent communities.Sled dogs proved a hazard in the communities and the government required owners to muzzle and chain the animals.An inquiry report in 2010 found that it became easier for authorities to shoot the dogs instead of enforcing the ordinances.“We have and will learn from these great errors,” Bennett said Wednesday.“We are committed to ensuring our future is different from our past. We apologize to Qikiqtani Inuit for the deep and lasting effects this has had in their lives and in their communities.”The Canadian Press
Americans borrowed more in November amid solid holiday sales
WASHINGTON – U.S. consumer borrowing jumped 8.8 per cent in November, the most in more than two years, a sign of growing confidence in the economy.The Federal Reserve said Monday that Americans added nearly $28 billion in credit card, student, auto and other debt in November. That brought outstanding consumer debt to a total of $3.83 trillion.And a category of debt made up mostly of credit cards jumped $11.2 billion, the most in a year, to $1.02 trillion. That is the highest level on record, without adjusting for inflation.Americans are increasingly confident in the economy and are willing to borrow more to fund their consumption. Surveys show that consumer confidence reached a 17-year high in November, though it declined a bit last month. And retailers say early reports from holiday shopping have been mostly positive.That represents a turnaround from the first few years after the Great Recession, when Americans paid down — or defaulted — on debts that were run up during the housing bubble that preceded the downturn. But in the past two years, Americans have increasingly been willing to borrow more, particularly in the form of student loans. Auto loans have also ramped up.A new record high for total credit card debt is also a sign of confident consumers. But some analysts worry that consumers are over-extending themselves. With the Federal Reserve likely to raise interest rates further next year, that will likely raise the cost of credit card debt.The Fed’s monthly consumer credit report does not cover home mortgages or any other loans secured by real estate such as home equity loans.A measure of mostly student and auto loans increased $16.8 billion, the most in roughly one year, to $2.8 trillion.Economists track consumer spending closely because it makes up 70 per cent of the economy. Growth topped 3 per cent at an annual rate in the spring and summer, the best six-month pace since 2014.
Paris Court Orders Release of Tariq Ramadan on Bail
Rabat – In a tweet, lawyer Francis Szpiner wrote: “The investigating chamber has just ordered the release of Tariq Ramadan subject to the submission of a fine of 300,000 euros including 200,000 to guarantee the payment of fines and damages.”After a year of denial, the 55-year-old scholar admitted in October to playing “sex games” with two women in France who accused him of sexual assault.Read Also: Tariq Ramadan Admits to ‘Sex Games’ with 2 Rape ComplainantsA member of the scholar’s defense team, Emmanuel Marsigny, told the press that Ramadan had “relations akin to sex games of the submissive-dominant kind, but always in a consensual and knowing way.” He added that Ramadan is “relieved” and can “finally speak freely.” La chambre de l’instruction vient d’ordonner la mise en liberté de Tariq Ramadan sous reserve de la remise d’une caution de 300 000 euros dont 200 000 pour garantir le paiement des amendes et dommages-intérêts 1/— Francis Szpiner (@fszpiner) November 15, 2018Ramadan was arrested in February after several women filed complaints against him, accusing him of sexual assault and rape.In October 2017, Henda Ayari went public with a rape complaint against Ramadan, who is also a professor.In June of this year, another woman filed a complaint against the Islamic scholar with a similar story.In September 2018, Ramadan confronted another accuser named “Christelle,” who said that he raped her in 2009 in a hotel room in Lyon, southeastern France. The court meeting lasted 10 hours.Throughout Ramadan’s hearings, the court has been denying his medical release request.
Several people evacuated as heavy rain brings floods
Schools in the Sabaragamuwa Province were closed today as a result of the floods. Several people were evacuated at multiple locations today as heavy rain resulted in floods and landslide threats.The military was deployed to evacuate people from the worst hit areas. The Sri Lanka Air Force said that helicopters were deployed to assist in the operations. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces.Heavy falls (more than 150 mm) can be expected at some places.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere in the afternoon (especially in the Eastern and Uva provinces). (Colombo Gazette) The Department of Meteorology said that heavy showers were reported from the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces overnight with Ratnapura receiving 196.7 mm of rain.The south-west monsoon conditions are establishing over the country and the showery and windy condition are expected to continue over the south-western part of the country. Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Ratnapura were among the worst affected areas from the floods.
Annan stresses vital importance of UN reforms in wake of OilforFood report
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today underscored the “vital importance” of enacting management reforms in the United Nations after the Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC) into the Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme delivered its final report to the Security Council, finding both misadministration and evidence of corruption.Mr. Annan accepted responsibility both for criticism of him personally and in his role as chief UN administrative officer.“There are hard lessons for all of us to learn,” he told the Council, after IIC head, former United States Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, presented the 15-member body with the report of the year-long investigation of the $64-billion programme under which the sanctions-bound regime of Saddam Hussein was allowed to sell oil to buy food, medicines and other essential supplies.“They are lessons about the importance of accountability, and particularly of having clear lines of responsibility and reporting, so that all officials, and all parts of the Secretariat, know exactly where their responsibilities lie,” Mr. Annan added.“They are lessons about oversight, and particularly about the need for mechanisms to ensure that, when oversight reveals deficiencies, someone takes prompt action to repair those deficiencies. And above all, they are lessons about the need for the United Nations to maintain the highest possible standards of integrity, and of effective performance.”Mr. Annan stressed that the report found that despite the shortcomings, the very large and very complex programme accomplished many vital goals in Iraq, reversing a serious and deteriorating food crisis, preventing widespread hunger and probably reducing deaths due to malnutrition, while also helping to maintain the international effort to prevent Saddam Hussein from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.It also found that “the wholesale corruption within the Programme took place among private companies manipulated” by Saddam Hussein’s government.He noted that the IIC reaffirmed that there was no evidence that he improperly influenced the procurement process in favour of Cotecna Inspection Services, which had employed his son, Kojo. Among the findings of mismanagement or corruption, the IIC concluded that the former Executive Director of the UN Office of the Iraq Programme, Benon Sevan, “corruptly benefited” from his role in the programme and accused former procurement officer Alexander Yakovlev of soliciting kickbacks.But Mr. Annan accepted personal criticism, also expressed in preliminary IIC reports, of his reaction when he was first informed of the reports about Kojo Annan. “I accepted then, and still accept, the conclusion that I was not diligent or effective enough in pursuing an investigation after the fact, when I learned that the company which employed my son had won the humanitarian inspection contract,” he said. “I deeply regret that.”But, he added, the findings about the general management of the Programme, characterized by weak administrative practices, and inadequate control and auditing, reflect on the system of decision-making, accountability and management throughout the Organization.“Here too, as chief administrative officer, I have to take responsibility for the failings revealed, both in the implementation of the Programme and, more generally, in the functioning of the Secretariat,” he said.The report finds that many of these problems were rooted in an unclear demarcation of roles and responsibilities between the Council, the 661 Committee (overseeing the programme) and the Secretariat – in particular by this Council’s decision to retain substantial elements of operational control within the 661 committee, composed of national diplomats working under highly politicized instructions from their home governments, yet willing to take decisions only when there was unanimous consent among all the 15 members.“But one thing should be clear right now,” he went on. “The Inquiry’s findings underscore the vital importance of proposed management reforms, many of which are at this very minute being negotiated by Members in the General Assembly, with a view to their adoption, as part of a broader agenda of political and institutional change, by next week’s summit,” he added, referring to the 2005 World Summit at UN Headquarters in New York.“As you know, I have already embarked on new reforms in areas where I have discretion – reforms designed to improve the performance of senior management, to strengthen oversight and accountability, to increase transparency, and to ensure the highest standards of ethics, notably by creating a new Ethics Office. But there are many key decisions that only the General Assembly can make.”Not only must a stronger and better-resourced oversight structure be fully independent of the Secretariat and from political interference by Member States, but “the Secretary-General himself should be allowed to carry out his functions effectively, taking day-to-day decisions on deployment of staff and resources without having to wait for prior approval from the General Assembly, or this Council, or their various committees,” he declared.
Ohio State mens basketball stumbles in overtime falls to Michigan 7674
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Ohio State men’s basketball was evenly matched with Michigan, until it wasn’t.The Buckeyes (17-5, 7-3 Big Ten) fell to the Wolverines (21-2, 8-2 Big Ten) in overtime, 76-74, Tuesday night in Ann Arbor, Mich.Down two in overtime, junior guard Aaron Craft’s drive to the basket was met with contact, but no whistle and the Wolverines escaped with the victory.“I just watched it (the last shot),” said OSU coach Thad Matta following the game.“It is what it is.”The game’s second half ended with four separate ties, but 40 minutes wasn’t enough for the Big Ten foes as they entered overtime knotted at 72. But the extra period brought stumbles and missed shots.In line with his role as OSU’s most-potent scorer, junior forward Deshaun Thomas started off the contest with a seemingly effortless two points.The Wolverines responded though, attacking from inside and out. When Michigan sophomore guard Trey Burke’s layup went through the net with 12:29 remaining in the half, Michigan held an 18-8 advantage.But the Buckeyes did not wilt despite a hostile Crisler Center. Contributions from sophomore forwards LaQuinton Ross and Sam Thompson fueled OSU back into contention.Ross’ layup with 1:05 remaining in the first half gave OSU a 31-30 lead- its first in nearly 15 minutes.OSU ended the half shooting 50 percent from the floor compared to Michigan, which shot 44 percent.Matta lauded his team’s offensive outing and attributed much of it to basic fundamentals.“I thought we had movement, we were screening … we were extra passing it,” he said. “It seemed like we had more purpose to it, which was what one of the keys to the game was, we needed a great purpose to what we were doing.”OSU opened the second half on a 10-7 run in the first five minutes to extend its lead. Michigan, behind junior guard Tim Hardaway Jr. caught fire. Hardaway hit five 3-pointers in the second half, including 12 straight points for the Wolverines to give them a narrow 55-54 advantage with under nine minutes remaining.It was something Matta was well aware of.“(Hardaway) caught fire,” he said. “And really the whole team.”Down the stretch, the teams volleyed for the lead and though the Buckeyes trailed by two with under a minute remaining, a jumper from junior guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. evened the score at 72.Burke had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his step-back shot from beyond the arc clanked off the rim, sending the contest into overtime.The extra period proved to be an offensively anemic one, with neither team able to find its offensive footing.Craft managed a layup with just under a minute remaining in the period, but that was the only bucket OSU would muster. Craft missed two shots in the final 10 seconds as Michigan’s four points in overtime were enough to earn the Wolverines a victory.“You got to give Michigan credit,” Matta said. “They took a heck of an effort on their part, the plays that they made were tremendous plays.”Scoring was distributed more evenly than usual across OSU’s squad Tuesday night.Thomas totaled 17 points in the game, and not far behind were Ross’ 16. Craft added 11 and Smith Jr. scored 10.Their contributions were part of what seemed to be one of the Buckeyes’ most complete performances-even in defeat.“I saw some things from this team that I hadn’t seen and I was obviously down with the loss but hopefully we have the ability to build off of that,” Matta said. “There was some big plays made by guys, some extra effort plays.”Michigan came into the game off of a loss, 81-73, to No. 1 Indiana on Saturday in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan’s first loss of the season was against OSU on Jan. 13 in Columbus, 56-53.OSU is next set to take on Indiana (20-2, 8-1 Big Ten) on Sunday at the Schottenstein Center at 1 p.m.
Trio tied atop Memorial leaderboard after first round
On a day in which play was suspended twice due to inclement weather, three players found the conditions to be quite nice at the Memorial Tournament’s first round, each posting rounds of 65 (-7), good enough for first place.While Justin Rose sat alone atop the leader board for most of the afternoon, both Geoff Ogilvy and youngster Rickie Fowler were able to match Rose’s 65 to create a three-way tie for the lead.“You always hear guys saying the course fits my eye. It certainly does,” said Rose, the 2008 Memorial runner-up. “I like all the tee shots, and the greens are so pure here that, if you do get a putting stroke going, you’re going to make some putts.”Despite each player posting the same score, Fowler’s performance was especially impressive having played the course for the first time ever just two days ago.“It’s the first time I’ve been inside the gates. Tuesday morning I played 18. Played nine on Wednesday morning,” said the PGA rookie. “So I’m pretty stoked to go out the first tournament round and put up that number.Following the leading threesome are five different players tied for second including World No. 2 Phil Mickelson who has a chance to claim the No.1 spot with a win this weekend.Absorbing much rain over the past few days, the greens at Muirfield have become much softer, giving players the opportunity to challenge the pin locations.And that’s exactly what they did on the sixth toughest course on tour from a year ago.“I felt like the course was in great shape and without much wind and soft conditions,” Mickelson said. “There were a lot of birdies out there. But it was a good start.”While Mickelson is sitting pretty at 5-under, current No. 1 Tiger Woods struggled to get much of anything going, shooting even par, seven shots off the lead, on a course he has dominated over the years.“Wish I could have been lower,” Woods said. “I played the par 5s terrible today. I played them even par. You can’t play these par 5s even par. You’ve got to take care of the par 5s.”However, in the 30-plus year history of this tournament a first round leader has only gone on to win once. So with three rounds remaining and low scores to be had, it still seems to be anyone’s tournament to win.
Cyclist 30 in critical condition after being kicked off bike by fellow
Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings. A cyclist is in a critical condition after being kicked off his bike into a parked car by another rider in an incident captured on CCTV.The 30-year-old victim was riding his bike in Wallis Road, Hackney, east London, on Sunday March 10 at around 12.45pm when another cyclist caught him up and began to cycle alongside him.Scotland Yard said his attacker then kicked the victim off his bike before riding away in the direction of Berkshire Road.The victim was taken by ambulance to an east London hospital, where his condition is critical.The motive for the attack is not known, according to police, who have released footage of the incident.The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s or 30s and police also want to hear from anyone who may have been threatened or assaulted by him in and around Hackney.
Oscar Pistorius was NOT suffering from a mental illness when he killed
A PANEL OF mental health experts has concluded that Oscar Pistorius was not suffering from a mental illness when he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home last year.Pistorius’ trial resumed after a break of one month during which a psychologist and three psychiatrists also assessed whether the double-amputee runner was capable of understanding the wrongfulness of his act when he shot Steenkamp through a closed toilet door.The panel’s reports were submitted to Judge Thokozile Masipa, and chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel referred to key parts of the conclusions, noting that the experts believed Pistorius was “capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act” when he killed Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model.The evaluation came after a psychiatrist, Dr. Merryll Vorster, testified for the defence that Pistorius, who has said he feels vulnerable because of his disability and long-held worry about crime, had an anxiety disorder that could have contributed to the killing in the early hours of 14 February 2013.He testified that he opened fire after mistakenly thinking there was a dangerous intruder in the toilet. Oscar Pistorius leaves the high court in Pretoria. Source: APProsecutor Gerrie Nel has alleged that Pistorius, 27, killed Steenkamp after a Valentine’s Day argument, and has portrayed the Olympic athlete as a hothead with a love of guns and an inflated sense of entitlement.But he requested an independent inquiry into Pistorius’ state of mind, based on concern the defence would argue Pistorius was not guilty because of mental illness. Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, and could also face years in prison if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing.He is free on bail. Pistorius was evaluated as an outpatient at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, the South African capital. He has been staying at the upscale home of his uncle.Read: Oscar Pistorius to undergo tests to establish if he has an anxiety disorder >Read: Prosecutor wants to have Oscar Pistorius committed >
Minister Kostas Zouraris submits resignation
Deputy Education Minister Kostas Zouraris Minister has reportedly submitted his resignation on Sunday (local time) following accusations of making offensive comments on a radio program against two Greek prominent football clubs.“10,000 [Olympiakos fans] sit on the lowest part of my …” and “Who gives a f*** about Aris,” he said whilst giving an interview on Thessaloniki’s Metropolis 95.5 FM Radio on Saturday.The controversial AN. EL (right wing Independent Greeks Party) politician’s portfolio is mainly focused on education issues for expatriate Greeks.Belittling comments are not a new thing for Zouraris, however, his most recent tantrum triggered major backlash from Greek soccer fans, sports clubs and political parties alike. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Butler Turner sworn in by GG Minnis still FNM Leader speaks out
#MagneticMediaNews Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsApp Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsAppNassau, Bahamas, December 11, 2016 – “Today, the Bahamian people will witness the abuse of our democratic process by the blind, greedy and selfish ambition of a few Members of Parliament. As the duly elected leader of the Free National Movement, I wish to assure our faithful, dedicated, hardworking and committed members that I am not moved by these tactics. I remain steadfast in my duty to you, our supporters and the Bahamian people, to return good governance to this country and to rid the Bahamas of this inept, arrogant PLP administration. That is and will always be our primary focus. What has occurred over the last few days in the FNM is the result of individuals who have failed to respect the democratic process of their own party. They have put their self-centered ambitions for leadership, and personal feelings toward me, ahead of the will of the people and the best interest of the country. The Free National Movement is not distracted. Our party remains the best opportunity for real, systemic change in this country. To our supporters in these seven constituencies, many of whom have contacted the party over the last few days expressing a sense of deep betrayal and disappointment in these representatives; please be assured that your party has not abandoned you. Indeed, we are energized and committed more than ever to ensure that you and our beloved Bahamians, receive what you truly deserve: the highest quality representation, with impeccable integrity. To FNMs throughout The Bahamas, rest assured that your Free National Movement Party is ready, energized, and committed more than ever to fight, for and on your behalf. As Oscar Wilde once wrote, sometimes, “what seems to us as bitter trials, are often blessings in disguise.” May God continue to bless our beloved Bahamas.”
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Working in Clark County Interior Designer Victoria Bradford
Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.Victoria Bradford worked in the banking business but had a passion for design. She went back to school to study interior design. She started her new career by remodeling private yachts. These days, she works on custom home projects, commercial design and color consultation. She believes she should always leave things better than what she found them. “Design is about the client, not me,” Bradford says. “I love making my clients happy.”Name: Victoria Bradford, interior designer.Job/employer: Owner of Comfort Interiors Inc., 901 Main St.Age: 54.Professional background: I worked in the banking business at Key Bank for a few years. After my husband died when I was 34, I went back to school. I had always had a passion for design, so I studied interior design at Marylhurst University. After graduation, I started my career in remodeling private yachts. In 2000, the opportunity came to buy Comfort Interiors.Dean Irvin, who owned Comfort Interiors, donated it to SWIFT (Southwest Washington Independent Forward Thrust), a nonprofit group. To get the maximum exposure for the sale, SWIFT decided to sell the business on eBay and use the auction proceeds to create an endowment to benefit downtown Vancouver. Bradford needed more room and found a good building in a good location downtown.What she does: I do custom home projects, commercial design and color consultation. Because of the wide array of products available, it is a good time to be in the business. Everyone can afford good design, you just need to know how to put it together. Design is about the client, not me. I ask a lot of questions and try to find something that reflects their personality.
DOT Repaving On Kenai Spur Highway This Week
Facebook0TwitterEmailPrintFriendly分享The Department of Transportation is advising drivers of a repaving project taking place on Wednesday and Thursday that could affect traffic. Brian Gabriel with DOT: “We are doing some paving on the Kenai Spur Highway from MP 4.1 to 6. We will start at 9 a.m., and it could go pretty late.” According to Gabriel DOT will be on site directing traffic flow through the area, but is advising drivers that an alternative route would be best during those days. The repaving project starts on Wednesday May 9 and ends on Thursday May 10. Another repaving project is set for May 11, on Big Eddy Road. That project is also slated to start at 9 a.m., and at this time does not have an end time.
In New Ad Begich Pledges to Work on Fixing Health Care Law
For those who want to unseat U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, one strategy has prevailed from the start: Bind him to President Obama and the Affordable Care Act. A new ad from Republican challenger Dan Sullivan is typical of that approach.Download Audio:“….Mark Begich votes with Obama 97 percent of the time. For ObamaCare….”But Begich, in a new radio ad running statewide, is taking the politically risky tactic of embracing the unpopular law.“Before the healthcare law was passed one third of Alaskans who tried to get individual policies were denied for preexisting conditions and other reasons.”The ad says Begich is working to fix the law and make coverage more affordable. Obama is especially unpopular in Alaska. A national polling firm last month found 56 percent of Alaskans disapprove of the job the president’s doing, while a Dittman poll put the figure at 65 percent. The minute-long Begich ad never uses the words “Obama,” “ObamaCare” or the “Affordable Care Act.”
Fake journalists hatching plot to kill me says JK top cop Imtiyaz
Protests staged after the murder of journalist Shujaat Bukhari.IANSIn a startling revelation, a top official serving in J&K Police, Imtiyaz Hussain, took to Twitter to claim that some criminals posing as journalists are trying to kill him. In a series of tweets, Imtiyaz said that there is a well-hatched conspiracy being propounded by some who are active on social media to eliminate him.J&K Police top officer, Imtiyan Hussain said that some people posing as journalists on social media are planning to kill himTwitterThe senior police official said that the same people across the border who killed senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari are also planning to murder him.Imtiyaz, who was recently posted as Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, has been now transferred to the security wing of J&K Police. He said that his choice of expressing views on social media has made “some people and their bosses unhappy” and they have hatched a slander/ smear campaign against him.The tweets sent shockwaves across journalist and security officials’ fraternity on social media.There are some well-known people hyperactive on Facebook and Twitter who are building an environment to get me killed. These people claiming to be journalists aren’t apparently working with any media house. 1/n— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) March 21, 2019The senior cop said that he is not scared to die in the line of duty and would consider it as a great honour.Having been never afraid of death and it would be honour to get sacrificed in the line of duty but the perception being created against me is slanderous. I am one among very few police officers active on social media and being forthright and calling a spade a spade. 2/n — Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) March 21, 2019Imtiyaz also alleged that senior journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari, who was killed last year, had confided in him that several people working in media houses were creating an environment for his murder.Shujat had confided with me how some media guys had been spreading canards against him and creating a conducive atmosphere for his murder.We being a liberal democracy and such elements take full advantage of our liberal laws,knowing it very well that law can’t touch them.— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) March 21, 2019 Thanks sir. Not afraid but worrying is smear,maligning & slander campaign against @JmuKmrPolice & it’s officers who’re bravely fighting proxy war/terrorism for last 30 years with impeccable record & huge sacrifices. We aren’t here for any other project except to establish peace https://t.co/J23BN6hibX — Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) March 21, 2019 This is becoming intolerable to them and their bosses across have employed them to target me. They want to silence me on social media.They are the same people who have built a case for Shujat Bukhari’s killing.3/n — Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) March 21, 2019Meanwhile, former J&K police chief Sheesh Paul Vaid has praised Imtiyaz for fearlessly voicing the opinions of the department on social media.Imtiaz, you are a fine and bold officer who has been putting across the views of the department fearlessly on social media and an officer with the high integrity. Have faith in Allah, no harm will come to you. The entire police force has always been behind you. https://t.co/GFfe6qjwgj— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) March 21, 2019
Postpolls violence injures 2 BNP activists
At least two Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists, including a woman, were injured in a clash with the ruling Awami League men after the elections at Monohorpur union of Jibannagar upazila in Chuadanga district on Friday night.Locals said supporters of newly elected pro-Awami League chairman Sohrab Uddin attacked the houses and business establishments of the rival BNP activists at Dhopakhali village around 7:00pm.The attackers vandalised houses and business establishments of the BNP supporters, reports UNB.Two BNP supporters-Shahida Khatun, 33, wife of a BNP activist Mizanur Rahman and Badsa Miah, 30-were injured in the attack.The by-polls of six municipalities and 37 Union Parishads of different districts across the country were held on 28 December.
Israeli missile attack targets Damascus airport
A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on 15 September reportedly shows Syrian air defence batteries responding to what the Syrian state media said were Israeli missiles targeting Damascus international airport. Photo: AFPAn Israeli missile attack targeted the Syrian capital’s airport late Saturday, activating air defences which shot down a number of the projectiles, state news agency SANA reported.“Our air defences responded to an Israeli missile attack on Damascus international airport and shot down a number of hostile missiles,” a military source said, quoted by SANA.The agency, without giving any information on casualties or damage, posted footage and images of the air defences being activated.In a shaky video, a small, bright explosion is seen in the night sky, with city lights in the distance.AFP’s correspondent in Damascus heard a loud blast late Saturday, followed by several smaller explosions.The Israeli military declined to comment on the incident.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said Saturday’s strikes hit a weapons depot outside the airport.“The missiles, suspected to be Israeli, destroyed an arms warehouse near the Damascus international airport,” Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.He had no immediate information on casualties.Israel has vowed to prevent its arch-foe Iran, which is a main backer of Syria’s government, from gaining a foothold in neighbouring war-torn Syria.Earlier this month, Israel acknowledged having carried out more than 200 strikes in Syria over the past 18 months, mainly against Iranian targets.It has also admitted to striking Syria to prevent what it says are deliveries of advanced weaponry to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, an armed movement backed by Iran and which fights alongside Syrian troops.The last reported Israeli strikes on Syria took place on September 4, when Syrian state media said the military’s air defences downed several missiles in the coastal province of Tartus and in central Hama.The Observatory also reported those raids and said they killed three Syrian soldiers.Syria’s conflict erupted in 2011 and has since killed more than 360,000 people, with millions more displaced internally and to neighbouring countries.After losing swathes of territory to rebel groups, president Bashar al-Assad’s troops have regained the upper hand and are now in control of around two-thirds of the ravaged country.They were bolstered by nearly three years of air strikes by their key ally Russia and Iranian, Iraqi, Lebanese, and other foreign fighters on the ground.Soldiers and other loyalist fighters had been amassing around Idlib, the largest rebel-held zone left in Syria, for several weeks.But Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov denied that Syrian troops were planning a major offensive for the area.