Category Archives: Uncategorized

White House Asks Allies to Step up in IS Campaign

Posted on by

The White House urged allies on Monday to do more in the campaign against the Islamic State, while President Barack Obama faced pressure in return to show the U.S.-led coalition will intensify efforts in response to the Paris attacks, even without a major shift in strategy.

Requests for more counterintelligence, military and humanitarian assistance came a day before French President Francois Hollande was to arrive at the White House to discuss the fight against the extremists believed to be behind the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 people. Hollande, who next visits Russian President Vladimir Putin, is expected to seek more coordinated military operations that would include both the U.S. and Moscow.

Obama has shown no inclination to rethink the U.S. strategy or significantly expand America’s commitment, despite pressure from Hollande, Republican critics and some members of his own Democratic Party. However, Secretary of State John Kerry said in Abu Dhabi that both he and the president would like to see progress against the Islamic State “go faster.”

At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. may step up efforts supporting strategies believed to be working — airstrikes and train-and-assist missions in Syria and Iraq — but he played down the possibility of any surge of new American resources into the fight.

The U.S. is “pulling more than our weight” in the coalition, Earnest said. “And we believe that there is more that can be done if countries are willing to contribute additional resources.”

Source: White House Asks Allies to Step up in IS Campaign – ABC News

Daniel Sedin named NHL’s 2nd Star of the week

Posted on by

Capture43e

Vancouver Canucks' Daniel Sedin, left, of Sweden, scores the winning goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during overtime NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 30, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Canucks’ Daniel Sedin, left, of Sweden, scores the winning goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during overtime NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 30, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, BC –Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin has been named the NHL’s second star for the week ending November 22.

Sedin led the NHL with five goals and ranked second with seven points (5-2-7) in four games. He scored in each of the team’s first two games: a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 16 and a 4-1 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 18. Sedin then registered four points (3-1-4) including his 900th NHL point, sixth career hat trick and 74th career game-winning goal, in a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 21. In registering his 900th career point, Sedin (337-567-904) became the second player in Canucks history to reach the 900-point milestone, following his brother Henrik (218-718—936). He finished the week with one assist in a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 22.

The 35-year-old Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, native currently ranks in the top 10 in the League and leads the team in both goals (10) and points (23); he also ranks second on the club in assists (13). Sedin has registered 14 points (7-7-14) in the last 10 games and currently sits on a five-game consecutive point streak, collecting eight points (5-3-8) during that span.

Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks and Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues were also named the NHL’s first and third stars, respectively.

Source: Daniel Sedin named NHL’s 2nd Star of the week

Special operations over in Brussels, arrests and massive troops presence reported — RT News

Posted on by

Belgian security forces launched a massive-scale operation in Brussels on Sunday evening. Authorities asked the public not to report on their movements after a number of images showing heavy police presence were posted on social media.

The police crisis center announced that operations were over in Brussels sometime after 11 pm (10 pm GMT) local time.

Unconfirmed reports by DH.de suggest that six suspects were arrested during the operation, with one wounded. Those arrested reportedly did not include Salah Abdeslam, the Paris attack terror suspect.

Belgian news agency RTBF reported that several arrests were made elsewhere, including the detention of one man in the region of Charleroi.

Authorities said they will hold a press conference at 00:30 local time (23:30 Sunday GMT).

Earlier, Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput asked the public on Twitter “not to report their movements on social media” using the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown,

“For safety, please observe radio silence on social media about ongoing police operations,” police press-service posted on Twitter.

Residents in central Brussels were told to stay away from windows, and hotel guests were asked to stay inside.

Several central streets in Brussels were cordoned off, while another “large” police deployment was reported in the Etterbeek municipality near the capital.

“Many people, police asked everyone to leave further apart, no explanation as to why,” a Belgian VRT reporter said on Twitter, posting an image of armed law enforcement in the street.

Helicopters have been seen flying over some areas around Brussels, RTL reported, citing witnesses. Police presence has also been reported in Etterbeek, the media said, adding that the Interior Ministry has asked journalists not to give the precise locations of the areas where special forces are deployed.

Authorities said they will hold a press conference when the operations are finished.

The highest level of alert will remain in effect for Brussels on Monday, Belgium’s prime minister announced on Sunday, saying that there is a threat of coordinated, multiple, Paris-like attacks. Brussels has been at the center of an investigation into the Paris attacks, as several of the assailants came from Belgium, and one of the suspected attackers is believed to have returned.

 

Source: Special operations over in Brussels, arrests and massive troops presence reported — RT News