ΔΙΕΘΝΗ. ΤΡΟΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ

Hakeemullah Mehsud orders Taliban to end attacks on Pakistani military in North Waziristan: report
French troops intervene in Mali
Al Qaeda in Sudan launches 'student wing' at University of Khartoum
Shabaab kills, captures French soldiers during failed rescue mission in Somalia
Al Nusrah, jihadist allies overrun Syrian airbase
Stennis in the Arabian Sea
Benghazi suspect's brother is al Qaeda facilitator


Hakeemullah Mehsud orders Taliban to end attacks on Pakistani military in North Waziristan: report

Posted: 12 Jan 2013 01:01 PM PST




Waliur Rehman Mehsud (left) and Hakeemullah Mehsud (right), from their latest propaganda tape. Image from Dawn.


Hakeemullah Mehsud, the emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, has ordered his fighters to end attacks against government forces in North Waziristan,according to a report from Reuters:
The Pakistani Taliban said on Saturday they would not attack the Pakistani army in the Taliban stronghold of North Waziristan but concentrate attacks on Nato forces in Afghanistan instead.

Thousands of Pakistani soldiers are stationed in North Waziristan, along the Afghan border.

There have been infrequent clashes there between the soldiers and Taliban but a leaflet issued by Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud ordered those to stop. A senior commander confirmed the pamphlet's veracity.



The report confirms that the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan continues to operate in North Waziristan, despite claims from Hafiz Gul Bahadar, the top Taliban leader in the tribal agency (who is not part of Hakeemullah's group) that the group has been expelled.

Hakeemullah and Bahadar are part of the Shura-e-Murakeba, an al Qaeda-brokered alliance that also includes the Mullah Nazir Group and the Haqqani Network. The Shura-e-Murakeba was formed at the end of 2011. The members of the Shura-e-Murakeba agreed to cease attacks against Pakistani security forces, refocus efforts against the US, and end kidnappings and other criminal activities in the tribal areas. Despite the agreement, Hakeemullah and Bahadar's forces occasionally attacked Pakistani military units.

It is unclear as to why Hakeemullah issued the pamphlet, or if he is even serious about abiding by it. It is possible that with tensions between the Pakistani and Indian militaries at the Line of Control (two Pakistan and two Indian soldiers have been killed during clashes over the past week), Hakeemullah is easing up the pressure. The last time Pakistan and India nearly came to blows after the Lashkar-e-Taiba launched the assault on Mumbai, India in November 2008, the Taliban vowed to back up the Pakistani military, and a senior Pakistani military commander described Hakeemullah's forces as "patriots."


French troops intervene in Mali

Posted: 12 Jan 2013 12:40 PM PST


Just two days after jihadists from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, and Ansar Dine stormed the central Malian town of Konna and routed government forces, the French government authorized its military to engage in combat against the al Qaeda-linked groups. French aircraft, including Mirage fighters and attack helicopters, have opened fire on jihadist columns that were advancing south on the towns of Mopti and Sevare. One French pilot was killed after his helicopter was "downed" during the fighting.

French troops are said to be arriving in force in Sevare, where a major airport is located. The Malian military claimed hundreds of jihadist fighters were killed in airstrikes and the town of Konna is no longer under enemy control. From The Associated Press:
French intelligence services had detected preparations for an important offensive organized and coordinated by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, known as AQIM, and its jihadist allies, Ansar Dine and MUJAO [Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa], against the towns of Mopti and Diabaly. After a large number of vehicles were spotted heading toward the strategic town on Thursday, France sent in its first unit to Sevare, a town adjacent to Mopti, to support the Malian combat forces, Le Drian said.

On Friday, French President Francois Hollande authorized the use of French air power following an appeal from Mali's president. Soon after, French pilots targeted a column of jihadist fighters who were heading down toward Mopti from Konna. He said that the helicopter raid led to the destruction of several units of fighters and stopped their advance toward the city. It was in the course of this battle, that one helicopter was downed, and a French pilot fatally wounded.

Overnight Saturday, air strikes began in the areas where the fighters operate, Le Drian said, led by French forces in Chad, where France has Mirage 2000 and Mirage F1 fighter jets stationed.

The strikes destroyed vehicles in Konna, and a command post in the region. A contingent of French special forces arrived at the Bamako airport on Saturday afternoon in order to secure the capital, said Le Drian, where Islamists claim they have sleeper cells ready to carry out suicide bombings.



A spokesman for Ansar Dine told Reuters that French citizens will be targeted.

"There are consequences, not only for French hostages, but also for all French citizens, wherever they find themselves in the Muslim world," Boumama said. "The hostages are facing death."

In a sign of the times, the US has offered to send drones to support the operation, but will not otherwise get involved militarily.

The intervention has staved off the very real threat of the jihadist alliance seizing control of the entire country. If the town of Mopti falls, the terror groups would have an open path to the capital of Bamako. The Malian military has shown no capacity to halt the southward advance of the jihadists; Malian forces withered as AQIM, MUJAO, and Ansar Dine forces moved into Kanno.

The United Nations, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and countries such as Algeria have dithered over getting involved in Mali, and weren't considering sending forces to the West African nation until September 2013. AQIM, MUJAO, and Ansar Dine have forced their hand by advancing southward.

Also, the same day that France intervened in Mali, its commandos attempted to free Denis, Allex, a French intelligence operative held for three years by Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia. French officials were concerned that their involvement in Mali would lead to the execution of Allex. Shabaab repelled the raid and killed one French soldier and captured another.


Al Qaeda in Sudan launches 'student wing' at University of Khartoum

Posted: 12 Jan 2013 12:34 PM PST


Al Qaeda in the Land of the Two Niles, an al Qaeda affiliate in Sudan, has been in the press the past several weeks after years of toiling in silence. Last month, a video was released that showed the operatives who assassinated a US diplomat and his driver on New Years Day in 2008, and last week, the US government added two of the al Qaeda operatives behind the assassination to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. And now, the terror group launched a "student wing" at the University of Khartoum. From the Sudan Tribune:
The organization Al-Qaeda in Sudan announced yesterday the birth of its student wing in the University of Khartoum in a new sign of growing extremist influence in the country.

The Main Street in Al-Wasat complex in Khartoum witnessed a public address on Wednesday afternoon by what appeared to be Al-Qaeda sympathizers who spoke on "The preceding Jihad in the Land of Two Niles".

The speakers said they disagree with the ultra-conservative Ansar al-Sunna Salafist group in Sudan but they do not consider them blasphemous. They also expressed readiness to conduct a dialogue with secularists.

They denied that Al-Qaeda group is being pursued by the Sudanese security and rejected their labeling as extremists saying that the US is behind this adding that they adhere to the Quran and Sunna of the Prophet.



Sudan has a long history of supporting al Qaeda. Osama bin Laden, Ayman al Zawahiri, other al Qaeda leaders, and a host of fighters had their base in the country until they were kicked out by the government after US pressure. Sudanese jihadists continue to operate in multiple theaters, including in nearby Somalia.


Shabaab kills, captures French soldiers during failed rescue mission in Somalia

Posted: 12 Jan 2013 08:14 AM PST




Denis Allex, from one of two Shabaab propaganda tapes.


Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, killed one French commando and captured another during a failed French attempt to rescue Denis Allex, an intelligence operative who has been in the terror group's custody since 2009.

Allex and Marc Aubriere, two DGSE agents, were captured in July 2009 at a hotel in Mogadishu. Both men were posing as journalists and trainers for the Somali military. Aubriere escaped under mysterious circumstances and it is rumored the French government paid a ransom for his release.

Today the French Defense Ministry confirmed that one of its soldiers was killed and another was captured, and that 17 Shabaab fighters were killed during the early morning raid, France24 reported. French officials said they now believe that Allex is dead, but would not provide further details of the raid. The raid was carried out by the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), the Defense Ministry's external intelligence and paramilitary force.

Shabaab denied reports that Allex was killed in the raid, in an official statement released on its Twitter site, @HSMPress (Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen Press Office). The statement also provided additional details on the raid and confirmed that Shabaab captured a French soldier.

"At around 0200 hours Saturday morning five French helicopters attacked a location in the town of Bula-Marer, around 30 km South of Marka in the Islamic Administration of Lower Shabeelle, in a botched rescue attempt aimed at releasing the French hostage Dennis Allex," Shabaab said.

Shabaab said the fighting "lasted for about 45 minutes" and that their forces "managed to repel the French forces," killing several and capturing one after he was wounded. Shabaab denied that Allex was at the house where the raid took place, and said the French forces targeted the wrong location in what it described as "a fatal intelligence blunder."

"Several French soldiers were killed in the battle and many more were injured before they fled from the scene of battle, leaving behind some military paraphernalia and even one of their comrades on the ground," the statement continued. "The injured French soldier is now in the custody of the Mujahideen and Allex still remains safe and far from the location of the battle."

Shabaab said it has warned the French in the past not to attempt to rescue Allex, and then issued an ominous statement that indicated the group may execute him.

"As a response to this botched rescue operation by the French forces, Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujahideen assures the French people that it will give its final verdict regarding the fate of Dennis Allex within two days," the statement concluded.

Rescue attempt coincides with French intervention in Mali

France's failed rescue mission in Somalia took place just one day after President François Hollande announced that the military would intervene in Mali as three al Qaeda-linked jihadist groups are advancing southward. French forces launched an airstrike in central Mali yesterday, and European soldiers were seen disembarking from an airplane in Sevare, near the city of Mopti. French citizens have been advised to leave Mali.

The rescue mission in Somalia was attempted as France feared Shabaab would execute Allex due to the French intervention in Mali.


Al Nusrah, jihadist allies overrun Syrian airbase

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 04:29 PM PST




Jihadists tour Taftanaz aair base in Idlib, Syria after overrunning it earlier today.



The Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant, an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group that is fighting Bashir al Assad's regime in Syria, and allied jihadist groups overran a key Syrian air force base in Idlib province after fighting a pitched battle with government forces.

A jihadist alliance made up of the Al Nusrah Front, Ahrar al Sham, and the Islamic Vanguard stormed the key air base in Taftanaz earlier today. At least seven jihadist fighters and one of their commanders were killed during the assault of Taftanaz, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on its Facebook page. An unknown number of Syrian soldiers were also killed during the fighting.

"The fighting at Taftanaz military airport ended at 11:00 am and the base is entirely in rebel hands," Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told The Voice of Russia.

Although the Syrian government claimed to have repelled the assault, videos of the jihadists touring the base and inspecting seized tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters have been posted on YouTube, LiveLeak, and other video sharing websites. Crates of weapons are seen in the background. Additionally, jihadists posted videos of Syrian soldiers who had been either killed during the fighting or executed; their bodies were thrown into a ditch.

Taftanaz, which is located between the cities of Idlib and Aleppo, was used by government forces to launch airstrikes on anti-regime forces. More than 60 helicopters operated from Taftanaz, and were used to attack nearby towns and cities as well as rebel forces.

Al Nusrah leads assaults on major Syrian bases

Taftanaz is the third major military base to have been overrun by the Al Nusrah Front. On Dec. 10, the Al Nusrah Front and allied jihadists took control the Sheikh Suleiman base, or Base 111. Arab and Chechen fighters participated in the assault on Sheikh Suleiman, which is said to be a key research facility linked to the regime's chemical weapons program [see LWJ report, Al Nusrah Front, foreign jihadists seize key Syrian base in Aleppo].

And on Oct. 11, Al Nusrah, the supposedly secular Free Syrian Army, and Chechen fighters overran a Syrian air defense and Scud missile base in Aleppo [see LWJreport, Al Nusrah Front commanded Free Syrian Army unit, 'Chechen emigrants,' in assault on Syrian air defense base].

Al Nusrah is also leading a siege against a strategic base in Wadi Deif, which is also in the province of Idlib, and attempting to seize control of the main airport in Aleppo [see Threat Matrix report, Al Nusrah Front on the offensive in Aleppo].

The terror group has become one of the most powerful and effective units in the Syrian insurgency, and it has begun to absorb elements of the Free Syrian Army. The Al Nusrah Front also conducts joint operations with the Free Syrian Army and other supposedly secular groups, and has numerous foreign fighters in its ranks.

An al Qaeda affiliate

The Al Nusrah Front was designated by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on Dec. 11. The US government said that al Qaeda in Iraq's emir, Abu Du'a, or Abu Bakr al Baghdadi al Husseini al Qurshi, "is in control of both AQI and Al Nusrah."

Additionally, two senior Al Nusrah leaders, Maysar Ali Musa Abdallah al Juburi and Anas Hasan Khattab, both members of al Qaeda in Iraq, were added to the US's the list of global terrorists. The emir of Al Nusrah, Sheikh Abu Muhammad al Julani, was not added to the list of global terrorists, however. [See LWJ report, US adds Al Nusrah Front, 2 leaders to terrorism list, for information on the designation of the AL Nusrah Front and the two leaders.]

Despite Al Nusrah's known affiliation with al Qaeda and its radical ideology, Syrian opposition groups, including the supposedly secular Syrian National Coalition, have rallied to support Al Nusrah. Immediately after the US designated Al Nusrah as a terrorist group, 29 Syrian opposition groups signed a petition that not only condemned the US's designation, but said "we are all Al Nusrah," and urged their supporters to raise Al Nusrah's flag (which of course is al Qaeda's flag) [see LWJreport, Syrian National Coalition urges US to drop Al Nusrah terrorism designation].


Stennis in the Arabian Sea

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 03:50 PM PST



[click on photo for larger version]

The aircraft carrier the USS John C. Stennis operates during sunset in the Arabian Sea in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Jan. 5, 2013. The Stennis is conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. US Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class James Stahl.


Benghazi suspect's brother is al Qaeda facilitator

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 01:48 PM PST


Writing for The Daily Beast, Eli Lake has an important update on the investigation into the Sept. 11, 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya. Lake reports that the investigation is being treated as a criminal matter, with the FBI taking the lead and the CIA and Defense Department taking a back seat.

Lake also provides an update on the investigation into Ali Ani al Harzi. I wrote about Harzi being set free here and Ansar al Sharia Tunisia posting pictures of the three FBI agents who interviewed him here. As Lake initially reported, Harzi posted real-time updates about the Benghazi attack online.

I previously noted that one of Harzi's brothers made his way to Iraq to wage jihad, and noted also this raises the possibility that the family is tied to al Qaeda in Iraq. Well, indeed they are. Lake reports:
According to [US intelligence] officials, Harzi's brother is believed to be Tariq Abu Ammar, a midlevel planner for al Qaeda's franchise in Iraq. Today Ammar's main job is arranging the travel of fighters from North Africa to Syria's al Qaeda-linked opposition, known as the al-Nusra Front.

Harzi was arrested in October in Turkey. He was reportedly en route to Syria to fight, undoubtedly under the al Nusrah Front's banner. The Tunisian government had previously arrested Harzi in 2005 or 2006 (the exact year isn't clear) for trying to make his way to Iraq to fight -- presumably for al Qaeda in Iraq.

This is entirely consistent with a report by CNN in October ("US intel believes some Benghazi attackers tied to al Qaeda in Iraq"). CNN reported:
U.S. intelligence believes that assailants connected to al Qaeda in Iraq were among the core group that attacked the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, a U.S. government official told CNN.

...The latest intelligence suggests the core group of suspects from the first wave of the attack on the Benghazi mission numbered between 35 to 40. Around a dozen of the attackers are believed to be connected to either al Qaeda in Iraq or al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the government official said.



Terrorists with ties to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), an Egyptian network of jihadists run by Muhammad Jamal al Kashef (alongtime subordinate to Ayman al Zawahiri), and Ansar al Sharia all took part in the assault.

Etapa 5/6 - Camion/Quad - Resumen de la Etapa (Arica Calama)

Obama: US forces in Afghan support role by spring

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• Islamist militants suspected in attack on Egyptian police in Sinai
• Mullah Omar warns against attending conference on suicide attacks
• ISAF kills IMU facilitator in Afghan north
• How many US troops will remain in Afghanistan after 2014?

Islamist militants suspected in attack on Egyptian police in Sinai Posted: 11 Jan 2013 12:15 PM PST Suspected Islamist militants attacked an Egyptian police patrol near the israeli border today. Egyptian security officials told the Associated Press that four police vehicles came under fire near a pipeline that has been attacked numerous times since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Seven policemen were reportedly wounded during the attack, "including a high ranking officer." Meanwhile, in what appears to be a separate incident, an Egyptian army officer was killed by a sniper "seemingly affiliated to extremist groups" in el Arish in the Northern Sinai on Friday. Since the beginning of the so-called Arab Spring, a number of Salafi jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda have sprouted up in the Egyptian Sinai. The terror groups have conducted attacks against the Egyptian military and policemen, Israel, UN peacekeepers in the Sinai, and a pipeline transporting natural gas to Israel and Jordan. Israeli intelligence believes that most of the attacks originating in the Sinai have been carried out by Ansar Jerusalem, also known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. According to a recent report, Western officials estimate that there are at least several hundred jihadists, some of whom are from Yemen and Somalia, now operating in the Sinai. In recent weeks, Egyptian authorities have seized a number of weapons in the Sinai believed to be destined for the Gaza Strip, including short-range rockets andantiaircraft and antitank missiles. On Jan. 7, Egyptian authorities foiled a car bomb plot in the city of Rafah, near Gaza; the intended target is still unclear. Following the Rafah incident, Egyptian authorities issued a security alert for the Sinai as intelligence services received information about potential attacks by extremist groups in the Sinai. Today the Israel Defense Forces announced an order "prohibiting civilians from traveling in the area of Israel's Highway 10 near the Israeli-Egyptian border, except with special permission, for the next year." The directive was issued following "a thorough security assessment conducted by the IDF." Israel recently completed most of its border fence with Egypt. The barrier is intended to help prevent the influx illegal migrants as well as stop jihadists operating in the Sinai from carrying out attacks in Israel.

Mullah Omar warns against attending conference on suicide attacks Posted: 11 Jan 2013 12:21 PM PST A couple of weeks ago, we noted that the Taliban had issued a policy statement condemning a forthcoming Islamic conference on suicide bombings as a "fraudulent gathering" and "clear American intrigue." The statement urged scholars from across the Islamic world to boycott the conference, in support of the mujahideen, their "spiritual offspring." [See Threat Matrix report, Taliban spurn Islamic scholars' conference on suicide bombings.] Now Mullah Omar, the emir of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has come out squarely against the conference, which is sponsored by the Afghan High Peace Council and is supposed to take place in Kabul later this month. In a statement to the media on Jan. 9, Mullah Omar warned that clerics who participate in the conference will be "answerable to God" and will be discredited by the believers, TOLOnews reports. The conference, which was agreed upon in December by representatives of the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, plans to consider the morality of suicide attacks as well as discuss the progress of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban and allied insurgent groups. As a regional Ulema gathering attended by Islamic scholars from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, it will have the authority to issue a fatwa condemning suicide attacks as haram (forbidden). According to The News, the four-page statement released by Mullah Omar on Jan. 9 urged clerics associated with Darul Aloom Deoband and Jamia Al Azhar to shun the conference, condemned the conference as a desperate ploy by the United States, and reiterated the Taliban's insistence that "they will not lay down weapons until achievement of their goals and establishment of a real Islamic state." There are some suggestions that the conference may not take place as scheduled at the end of January. The Nation reports that Kabul and Islamabad are asking Saudi Arabia to "send a high profile Ulema delegation to participate in the conference," and that such efforts, even if delayed, are necessary to achieving reconciliation in Afghanistan. This latest Taliban statement makes abundantly clear that the Taliban intend not only to keep the upper hand in religious matters (i.e., to retain the ability to conduct suicide attacks), but also to undermine any attempts at reconciliation in Afghanistan. Additionally, Mullah Omar's statement is a strong indication that the Taliban have no intention of abandoning suicide bombings, a tactic that is linked to the Taliban's close ally, al Qaeda.

ISAF kills IMU facilitator in Afghan north Posted: 11 Jan 2013 11:56 AM PST Afghan and Coalition troops killed a facilitator for the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) during a raid in Afghanistan's northern province of Takhar yesterday. In a separate raid today, Afghan and Coalition troops detained another IMU leader who also serves as a leader for the Taliban during an operation in Burkah district, Baghlan province. The International Security Assistance Force identified the slain IMU facilitator as Mazlum Yar. ISAF revealed to The Long War Journal that Mazlum, also known as Qari Asrar or Tufan, was an Afghan national. He "planned and executed improvised explosive device attacks targeting Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials, as well as Afghan and coalition forces," according to the ISAF report. He is also known to have facilitated suicide bombers in Takhar and neighboring Baghlan province, and he was "organizing IED emplacement for an impending attack" prior to his death. Three suspected insurgents were also detained during the operation. Today, ISAF reported that an unnamed Taliban and IMU leader who "planned and executed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces" was arrested by a joint Afghan-Coalition force operating in Baghlan province in Afghanistan's northern region. While it is not uncommon for an insurgent leader to serve as a leader for two groups simultaneously, the detained leader serves a unique responsibility of rooting out disloyal members of the two groups, according to the ISAF press release. Today's raid also marks the first reported ISAF operation targeting an IMU operative in Baghlan province since April 21 last year, which was the only known operation in Baghlan targeting the IMU in 2012. The northern Afghan provinces of Baghlan, Faryab, Kunduz, Sar-i-Pul, and Takhar are known strongholds of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. In early 2011, ISAF noted the location of IMU-linked suicide camps in both Sar-i-Pul and Samangan. Yesterday's operation that killed Mazlum, is the first al Qaeda-linked operative known to have been targeted inside Afghanistan this year and the first IMU operative targeted since Dec. 4. However, ISAF does not issue press releases for all of its raids against al Qaeda and allied groups. During a raid on Dec. 4, Afghan and Coalition forces detained a facilitator who directed the emplacement of IEDs in neighboring Kunduz province. Last year, 38 raids were conducted against the IMU, according to an investigation by The Long War Journal of ISAF operations that targeted al Qaeda-affiliated groups. The vast majority of those raids took place in Afghanistan's northern provinces, targeting IMU leaders and facilitators who often work, and sometimes lead, Taliban fighters. Mazlum's role as an IMU facilitator fits a common pattern of al Qaeda-affiliated militants serving as advisers and experts in IED use. Background on the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is a key ally of al Qaeda and the Taliban, and supports operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as plots attacks in Europe. The IMU is known to fight alongside the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has integrated into the Taliban's shadow government in northern Afghanistan. [For more information on the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, see LWJ report, IMU cleric urges Pakistanis to continue sheltering jihadis in Waziristan.] Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan fighters often serve as bodyguards for top Pakistani Taliban and al Qaeda leaders. Apart from its operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the IMU has stepped up attacks in Central Asian countries as well. In September 2010, the IMU took credit for the Sept. 19 ambush that killed 25 Tajik troops, and also threatened to carry out further attacks in the Central Asian country. The IMU has claimed credit for numerous suicide assaults in Afghanistan, including the May 19, 2010 attack on the US military airbase in Bagram, the Oct. 15, 2011 assault on the Provincial Reconstruction Team base in Panjshir, and the Oct. 29, 2011 suicide attack that targeted an armored bus in Kabul. The IMU has been a prime target of special operations forces in Afghanistan. Last year, special operations forces conducted at least 38 raids against the IMU; in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Faryab, Logar, Helmand, Kunduz, Takhar, and Wardak, or eight of Afghanistan's 34 provinces; according to ISAF press releases compiled byThe Long War Journal. In October 2012, the US Treasury Department added Qari Ayyub Bashir, the "head of finance" for the IMU, to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Bashir also serves as a member of the group's shura, or executive council. Identified as an Uzbek national, Bashir is based out of Mir Ali, in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. As the IMU's lead financier, he provides financial and "logistical" support for IMU operations in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and fundraises from outside the region. Last spring, ISAF killed the two previous IMU leaders for Afghanistan, in raids just a few weeks apart in Faryab province. [See LWJ report, Special operations forces kill newly appointed IMU leader for Afghanistan, for more information.] Additionally, the US has targeted the IMU's leaders and network in Pakistan's tribal areas. US drones have killed the last two emirs of the IMU. On Aug. 4, 2012, the IMU announced that its emir, Abu Usman Adil, was killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan, and named Usman Ghazi as the new leader of the al Qaeda-linked terror group. Adil had succeeded Tahir Yuldashev, the co-founder of the IMU, who was killed in a drone strike in September 2009. Adil is credited with increasing the IMU's profile in Pakistan and Afghanistan after the death of Yuldashev, US intelligence officials have told The Long War Journal. Whereas Yuldashev had been content with confining the group's operations largely to Pakistan's tribal areas, Adil pushed to expand operations in northern and eastern Afghanistan, as well is in the Central Asian republics.

How many US troops will remain in Afghanistan after 2014? Posted: 11 Jan 2013 08:58 AM PST Since the end of the surge of US forces in Afghanistan in 2011, the US has been cutting its troop levels in the country. So far, the number of US troops has been reduced from a high of 100,000 in 2011 to 66,000 today. Under an agreement between NATO and the Afghan government, the NATO combat mission in Afghanistan will conclude by the end of 2014, when the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) will have assumed full responsibility for the country's security. Discussions are now being conducted on how many US troops should remain in Afghanistan after 2014. General John Allen's recommendations According to the New York Times, General John Allen, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, has put forward his recommendations. The general's recommendations include three options which depend on the capabilities that are to be retained: 6,000 troops; 10,000 troops; and 20,000 troops. Option#1: "With 6,000 troops, defense officials said, the American mission would largely be a counterterrorism fight of Special Operations commandos who would hunt down insurgents. There would be limited logistical support and training for Afghan security forces." US forces would be concentrated in one base only, Bagram. This is the 'ANSF is on its own' option. Option#2: "With 10,000 troops, the United States would expand training of Afghan security forces. " On top of the troops from option #1, this would provide an additional 4,000 US troops to support training and mentoring in the ANSF. These troops would essentially continue the deployment of training teams currently in place. Some troops would be assigned to ANSF training bases and others would be partnered with ANSF units in the field. In addition to training and mentoring, this option would confer some ability for ANSF units to call in NATO airstrikes. This number of troops is similar to US troop levels in 2003-2004. Option#3: "With 20,000 troops, the Obama administration would add some conventional Army forces to patrol in limited areas." On top of the troops from option #2, this option adds 10,000 troops (about one or two brigades) of conventional army forces. It is unlikely that they would be used for patrolling, since the number of troops would be insufficient for that purpose. A more useful function would be a Quick Reaction Force to bail out ANSF units if they got into trouble during specific operations. There would be either one or two major US bases: Regional Command-East in Bagram, and a possible second base at Regional Command-South at Kandahar. This number of troops is similar to US troop levels in 2005-2007. President Obama's preference It is now President Obama's responsibility to make the final decision. While the decision has not been made, his preference has been reported in a number of articles. All reports suggest he prefers a smaller number, fewer than 10,000 troops. Fox News reports that the president's preferred option calls for fewer than 10,000 troops: The White House is not considering any option that would leave more than 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014. The Los Angeles Times says the preference is for 6,000-9,000 troops: The Obama administration plans on keeping 6,000 to 9,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan after 2014, fewer than previously reported, and will confine most of them to fortified garrisons near the capital, leaving Afghan troops largely without American advisors in the field to fight a still-powerful insurgency. The Washington Post reports that a level as low as 2,500 troops is being considered: Some in the administration are pressing for a force that could be as small as 2,500, arguing that a light touch would be the most constructive way to cap the costly, unpopular war. Al Jazeera and Reuters report that the option of withdrawing all troops, or the "zero option," is also being considered: Asked about consideration of a so-called zero-option once the NATO combat mission ends at the end of 2014, [U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser] Rhodes said: "That would be an option that we would consider." A final decision is not expected for several months.

TORNADO THE SIZE THE EARTH With 300,000 MPH Winds Spotted On.flv

A tremendous tornado whirling across the surface of the sun was captured by a NASA satellite recently -- an amazing wonder of the solar system that may be as big as the Earth itself.

The video was recorded by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), a sun-watching satellite that has transmitted a series of stunning photos of solar flares in recent months. The new video shows darker, cooler plasma shifting back and forth above the sun's surface over the span of nearly 30 hours stretching from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8. And the giant tornado may be as large as the Earth itself, with gusts of up to 300,000 mph, explained Terry Kucera, deputy SOHO project scientist and a solar physicist with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "It's about 15,000 degrees Fahrenheit -- relatively cool," Kucera told FoxNews.com. After all, the sun's corona is a whopping 2 million degrees, she explained.

Such tornadoes (Kucera classed it a "solar prominence") have been known of for decades; the European Space Agency's SOHO spacecraft captured evidence of them as early as 1996, mainly near the Sun's north and south poles at the time. And though they resemble their cousins here on Earth, they're created entirely differently, Kucera said -- through magnetism, not pressure and temperature fluctuations. "Those motions you see, it's all just moving along the magnetic field somehow -- but we're still looking to understand what's happening with these things," Kucera said.

The storm was created by competing magnetic forces, which pull the charged magnetic particles on the sun back and forth, creating a spinning mass of plasma that tracks along strands of magnetic field lines, NASA explained. The spinning top of the tornado is mesmerizing, but Kucera noted the span of the prominence as well. The long, ribbon shapes could span hundreds of thousands of miles, she said. "In total length, this could be dozens of Earths -- quite large," she said. Such detailed, high-resolution recordings of the immense tornadoes was not possible until the launch of SDO. The satellite has several cameras on board that capture solar activity in different wavelengths and frequencies, all in the name of science. "Each wavelength of light tells us something different," she said.

Australian wildfire devastation - Rough Cuts

Australian fire crews continue to battle hundreds of wildfires throughout the south-east of Australia on Wednesday for the sixth continuous day. Authorities are bracing themselves for another heat wave this weekend. (January 9. 2013)

κερια

Red Bull Signature Series - Romaniacs 2012 FULL TV EPISODE 17

Check out Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro Rallye 2012, one of the most extreme enduro off-road motocross races in the world. Taking place in the mountains of Romania, see if reigning champ Graham Jarvis has what it takes to make it to the top of the podium yet again.

ΣΥΓΚΛΟΝΙΣΤΙΚΟ: ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΣ

ΣΥΓΚΛΟΝΙΣΤΙΚΟ: ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΘΗΝΑΣ

Τρίτη, 08 Ιανουάριος 2013 08:00 Lefteria-news lifo.grτραγωδίας στο Huffington Post.

ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΟΥΝ ΣΚΛΗΡΕΣ ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ ΣΧΟΛΙΑ...

Το ρεπορτάζ αυτό έγινε από την Φραγκίσκα Μεγαλούδη σε συνεργασία με τον φωτορεπόρτερ Δημήτρη Μπούρα και είναι προϊόν διεξοδικής δουλειάς στους δρόμους της Αθήνας, κατά τη διάρκεια των τελευταίων δύο ετών. 

Είναι ένα κρύο απόγευμα του χειμώνα και η Μαρία διορθώνει το μακιγιάζ της μπροστά από μια λαμπερή βιτρίνα, στο κέντρο της Αθήνας. Η Μαρία, μια περιστασιακή εργάτρια του σεξ, είναι 27 ετών, αλλά η χρήση ναρκωτικών και η ζωή στους δρόμους την έχουν κάνει να φαίνεται μεγαλύτερη.

Τα δύο μπροστινά δόντια της λείπουν και το δέρμα της έχει πάθει σοβαρές ζημιές από το «Sisa», ένα επικίνδυνο μείγμα που έχει εισβάλει στην ελληνική αγορά ναρκωτικών κατά τη διάρκεια των τελευταίων δύο ετών. Κοστίζει μόλις δύο έως τρία ευρώ η δόση και  έχει αποδειχθεί μια δημοφιλής εναλλακτική λύση στην ηρωίνη.

Η δεινή οικονομική κατάσταση έχει σπρώξει τους περισσότερους χρήστες ναρκωτικών στην πορνεία και οι τοξικομανείς είναι πιο πρόθυμοι να αναλάβουν κινδύνους με τους άνδρες οι οποίοι πληρώνουν περισσότερα για σεξ χωρίς προφυλάξεις.

Οι πελάτες της Μαρίας είναι  Έλληνες μεσήλικες  και παντρεμένοι, οι οποίοι αγοράζουν σεξ από τους χρήστες ναρκωτικών για 10 με 15 ευρώ. «Αγοράζουν συνήθως σεξ το πρωί και δεν χρησιμοποιούν προφυλακτικά», λέει η Μαρία, που πρόσφατα ανακάλυψε ότι είναι θετική στον ιό HIV. "Αρνούμαι σεξουαλική επαφή χωρίς προφύλαξη, αλλά οι άνδρες γίνονται πιεστικοί και είναι δύσκολο να πω όχι», προσθέτει. Καθώς η Ελλάδα μπαίνει τρίτο έτος της οικονομικής κρίσης, η οικονομική δυσπραγία και η απελπισία έχουν διαλύσει τον κοινωνικό ιστό της χώρας. Σε μια χώρα 11 εκατομμυρίων, σχεδόν τέσσερα εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι είναι άνεργοι, ενώ όσοι εξακολουθούν να εργάζονται έχουν δει τους μισθούς τους να μειώνονται περισσότερο από 30%, από το 2009...

 

Στο πλαίσιο των αυστηρών μέτρων λιτότητας που καθορίζονται από τους ξένους πιστωτές, η Ελλάδα αναγκάζεται να κρατήσει τις δημόσιες δαπάνες για την υγεία κάτω από το 6% του ΑΕΠ της, το οποίο ήταν αξίας 298,73 δισεκατομμύρια δολαρίων το 2011. Ωστόσο, ο μέσος όρος για τις χώρες του Οργανισμού Οικονομικής Συνεργασίας και Ανάπτυξης (ΟΟΣΑ) είναι 9%. 

Ενώ η ελληνική κυβέρνηση είναι απρόθυμη να περάσει μεταρρυθμίσεις που θα έπληταν τις οικογένειές των ολιγαρχών της χώρας, οι οποίοι ελέγχουν τον χρηματοπιστωτικό τομέα, ταυτόχρονα ήταν γρήγορη στο να μειώσει τα κοινωνικά προγράμματα και την Πρόνοια κατά 40%, να εισάγει εισιτηριο στους ασθενείς για όλες τις επισκέψεις στα εξωτερικά ιατρεία και να μειώσει τους μισθούς του νοσοκομειακου προσωπικού.

Ως αποτέλεσμα, η χώρα γνώρισε μια ανησυχητική αύξηση στην ενδοφλέβια χρήση ναρκωτικών, στην πορνεία και στις μολύνσεις από τον HIV. . "Η οικονομική κρίση έχει επηρεάσει δραματικά τις ζωές όλων των Ελλήνων, αλλά οι άνθρωποι που κάνουν χρήση ναρκωτικών είναι αυτοί που πλήττονται περισσότερο», λέει ο Χαράλαμπος Πουλόπουλος, διευθυντής του Κέντρου Θεραπείας Εξαρτημένων Ατόμων (ΚΕΘΕΑ). . «Να θεραπεύσεις την εξάρτηση και να κρατήσεις τους ανθρώπους σε μια θεραπευτική κοινότητα κοστίζει έξι φορές λιγότερο από το κόστος εγκλεισμού.

Ωστόσο, η κυβέρνηση έχει περικόψει τις κοινωνικές δαπάνες, χωρίς να λάβει υπόψη το ανθρωπιστικό και κοινωνικό κόστος. Αυτό δημιουργεί μια πολύ επικίνδυνη κατάσταση", προσθέτει. Το ΚΕΘΕΑ μόνο, έχει δει τον προϋπολογισμό του περικόπτεται κατά σχεδόν 8 εκατομμύρια – 24 εκατ.ευρώ το 2009, σε  16 εκατ. ευρώ  και το προσωπικό του μειώθηκε κατά 15%. «Υπάρχει μια αίσθηση απόγνωσης στους χρήστες ναρκωτικών. Καθώς όλα τα δίχτυα ασφαλείας διαλύονται, οι χρήστες έχουν χάσει το κίνητρό να αλλάξουν τη ζωή τους. Και αυτό συμβάλλει επίσης στην αύξηση των μολύνσεων από τον HIV», εξήγησε ο Πουλόπουλος.

Σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία από το Κέντρο Ελέγχου και Πρόληψης Νοσημάτων (ΚΕΕΛΠΝΟ), υπάρχουν κατ 'εκτίμηση 25.000 ναρκομανείς στην Ελλάδα με πάνω από 10.000 ΧΕΝ (Χρήστες Ενδοφλέβιων Ουσιών) κυρίως στην Αθήνα. Ωστόσο, πολλοί εξακολουθούν να πιστεύουν ότι είναι μόνο η κορυφή του παγόβουνου. . .

 

Ανοιχτά γίνεται χρήση ναρκωτικών στην Αθήνα 

Σε έναν από τους πιο πολυσύχναστους δρόμους της ελληνικής πρωτεύουσας, ο Νίκος, 35 ετών, κάθεται επάνω σε μια βρώμικη κουβέρτα. Δίπλα του, ο 40αρης Γιάννης ετοιμάζει ένα μείγμα φθηνής ηρωίνης και ηρεμιστικών, γνωστό στους δρόμους ως «ταϊλανδέζικο» το οποία κοστίζει μεταξύ πέντε και επτά ευρώ ανα δόση.

Με τρεμάμενα χέρια ο Γιάννης ‘χτυπάει’ το «ταϊλανδέζικο» στο εσωτερικό του αντιβραχίου. Οικογένειες με παιδιά, νεαρά ζευγάρια και μετανάστες περνούν, αλλά κανείς δεν νοιάζεται για το τι βλέπουν. «Εγώ πρέπει είτε να αγοράσετω βελόνες απ τους δρόμους ή να μοιραστώ μια και μετά να την ξεπλύνω με νερό», λέει ο Νίκος. "Τα φαρμακεία συνήθιζαν να μας παρέχουν βελόνες, για μια μικρή αμοιβή ή δωρεάν, αλλά αυτό έχει αλλάξει τα τελευταία 2-3 χρόνια." "Πέντε έως τέσσερα χρόνια πριν, ήταν πιο εύκολο να πάρεις βελόνες. Τώρα έχει δυσκολέψει», λέει ο Δημήτρης , 50 ετών, εξαρτημένος από την ηρωίνη. "Έχω κερδίσει την δόση μου καθώς πουλάω σύριγγες για ένα ευρώ. Μερικές φορές τις πουλάω για 30 - 40 λεπτά, μερικές φορές για 10." . Βελόνες και σύριγγες διανέμονται στην Αθήνα, κυρίως μέσω εργαζομένων εκτός δομών, που παρέχουν ένα «κιτ», που περιέχει βελόνες σύριγγες και άλλο εξοπλισμό προετοιμασίας ναρκωτικών, μαζί με προφυλακτικά για τους χρήστες, δωρεάν.

Το 2011, υπήρχαν περίπου 120.000 σύριγγες που διανέμήθηκαν, σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία του ECDC. 

Αυτό είναι περίπου 15 σύριγγες ανά χρήστη ανά έτος και εξακολουθεί να είναι πολύ χαμηλότερο από τον  μέσο όρο, που είναι 200 σύριγγες ανά χρήστη, όπως συνιστάται από τον Παγκόσμιο Οργανισμό Υγείας ως ένα μέτρο για να περιοριστεί η επιδημία του HIV. "Η κατάσταση είναι ανησυχητική, δεδομένου ότι έχουμε περάσει από τις 4 έως 5 μολύνσεις από τον HIV μεταξύ των ΧΕΝ ανά έτος, σε περισσότερες από 500 ανα έτος, σε λιγότερο από δύο χρόνια", προειδοποιεί η Μαριανέλα Κλόκα, διευθυντρια της ΜΚΟ  Positive Voice, με έδρα την Αθήνα, που εργάζεται κατά της εξάπλωσης του HIV, προσθέτοντας ότι η Ελλάδα δεν είχε αφαρμόσει ποτέ πολιτικές περιορισμού του προβλήματος. "Οι περικοπές του προϋπολογισμού έχουν επιδεινώσει ενα ήδη υπάρχον πρόβλημα.

Τα προγράμματα ανταλλαγής βελόνων ποτέ δεν ήταν επαρκή και υπήρχε παντελής έλλειψη συντονισμού μεταξύ των διαφόρων οργανισμών που ασχολούνται με την μείωση του φαινομένου. Τώρα που η οικονομική κρίση έχει αλλάξει το πρότυπο της χρήσης ναρκωτικών και οι ΧΕΝ κάνουν ενέσεις με φθηνότερα ναρκωτικά, αρκετές φορές την ημέρα, η ανάγκη για μεγαλύτερη κάλυψη από βελόνες είναι επείγουσα», προσθέτει...

 

Εμπόριο ναρκωτικών με ατιμωρησία 

Η οικονομική κρίση έχει αλλάξει το είδος των ναρκωτικών που κυκλοφορούν στην ελληνική αγορά η οποία έχει προσαρμοστεί γρήγορα στη μεταβαλλόμενη οικονομική πραγματικότητα.

Το «Ταϊλανδέζικο» και η κοκαΐνη έγιναν τα κύρια ναρκωτικά και αποτελούν αντικείμενο διακίνησης, ενώ η «Sisa» που παράγεται τοπικά, διακινείται σε συγκεκριμένες περιοχές του κέντρου της πόλης. Μια δόση πωλείται σε σχήμα μικρής μπάλας και ζυγίζει όχι περισσότερο από 0,01 του γραμμαρίου αναγκάζοντας τους χρήστες να αγοράσουν 8-10 φορές την ημέρα για να κρατηθούν απο τον εθισμό τους. 

Ως αποτέλεσμα, το κέρδος για τους εμπόρους παραμένει σε υψηλά επίπεδα, παρά την χαμηλή τιμή της δόσης, καθώς κάθε μια κοστίζει επτά με πέντε ευρώ, ανάλογα με το είδος του ναρκωτικού.

Το εμπόριο ναρκωτικών στο κέντρο της Αθήνας είναι καλά δομημένο και λαμβάνει χώρα γύρω από το ιστορικό κέντρο της πόλης και τις γύρω γειτονιές. 

Οι τομείς χωρίζονται σε «ζώνες ναρκωτικών» που ανήκουν σε διαφορετικές εγκληματικές ομάδες, η κάθεμια με συγκεκριμένο είδος εμπορίας ναρκωτικών. Οι παράνομοι μετανάστες, κυρίως από την υποσαχάρια και την βόρεια Αφρική«προσλαμβάνονται» από την τοπική μαφία και ωθούνται στην παράνομη αγορά ναρκωτικών, συχνά ως έναν τρόπο για να εξοφλήσουν την αμοιβή της διακίνησης τους.

 

 

Τέτοια είναι η περίπτωση του Raymon , 35 ετών, από τη Σομαλία, που εισήλθε παράνομα στην Ελλάδα μετά από 40 ημέρες επικίνδυνο ταξίδι για να φτάσει σε μια χώρα της ΕΕ . Μετά την άφιξή του κατά μήκος των τουρκικών ακτών, του ζητήθηκε να πηδήξει απο μια πλαστική βάρκα, μαζί με άλλους δέκα άνδρες. "Φτάσαμε σε μια βραχώδη ακτή και ο οδηγός (της λέμβου) μας άφησε εκεί Ρωτήσαμε έναν άνθρωπο που ήμασταν« Αυτή είναι η Ελλάδα "Ήμασταν ευχαριστημένοι... Ήμασταν στην Ευρώπη". Αφού  πέρασε δύο ημέρες στο νησί της Λέσβου, ο Raymon πήγε στο λιμάνι του Πειραιά. Είχε προσελήφθει αμέσως να πουλάει ηρωίνη στην πλατεία Βικτωρίας, ένα κεντρικό σημείο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας, ως ένας τρόπος για να εξοφλήσει την αμοιβή του λαθρεμπορίου.

Ο Raymon σήμερα είναι άστεγος και εξαρτημένος ο ίδιος από την ηρωίνη. Αυτός δεν δουλεύει πλέον για το κύκλωμα και ζητιανεύει στους δρόμους για να επιβιώσει. Ισχυρίζεται ότι το παράνομο εμπόριο ναρκωτικών προστατεύεται από διεφθαρμένους αξιωματούχους της αστυνομίας, οι οποίοι πληροφορούν την τοπική μαφία για τις επιδρομές της αστυνομίας και βεβαιώνονται ότι οι συλληφθέντες θα απελευθερωθούν.

"Το εμπόριο ναρκωτικών χωρίζεται σε διαφορετικές ζώνες με κάθε ένα να έχει την δική του αστυνομική προστασία. Στην περιοχή μου, ένας υπαστυνόμος γνωστός ως « Πατέρας », ήταν το σημείο επαφής μας. Αυτός μας διασφάλιζε ότι η αστυνομία δεν θα μας ενοχλήσει» Ο Raymon ισχυρίζεται ότι ο «Πατέρας», του έδωσε τον προσωπικό αριθμό ενός αστυνομικού στο τοπικό αστυνομικό τμήμα στο κέντρο της Αθήνας, τον οποίο θα μπορούσε να καλέσει σε περίπτωση σύλληψης. "Σε λιγότερο από 20 λεπτά ήμουν πάλι στους δρόμους», λέει. Όταν ζητήσαμε από την Ελληνική Αστυνομία, να σχολιάσει τους ισχυρισμούς ότι αστυνομικοί εμπλέκονται σε εγκλήματα που σχετίζονται με ναρκωτικά, αρνήθηκε να απαντήσει...

 

Οι περιπτώσεις διαφθοράς δεν είναι σπάνιες στις ελληνικές αστυνομικές δυνάμεις. Τον Νοέμβριο, ένα εγκληματικό δίκτυο από 67 άτομα που εμπλέκονταν σε διακίνηση ναρκωτικών και όπλων στο νησί της Κρήτης εξαρθρώθηκε από τις ελληνικές αρχές. 

Ανάμεσα στους συλληφθέντες ήταν τρεις αστυνομικοί, δύο από αυτούς ήταν υπαστυνόμοι που ενεργούσαν ως πληροφοριοδότες για το κύκλωμα. Στις αρχές Δεκεμβρίου, οι ελληνικές αρχές συνέλαβαν επτά αστυνομικούς που φέρονται ως μέρος ενός εγκληματικού κυκλώματος εμπορίου ναρκωτικών στην ηπειρωτική Ελλάδα. Υπάρχει μια αίσθηση εγκατάλειψης, όταν περπατάς στο κέντρο της Αθήνας σήμερα.

Ανοιχτή χρήση ναρκωτικών, με θεα το κοινοβούλιο της χώρας, μια ανησυχητική αύξηση των μολύνσεων από τον HIV και η συνολική κατάρρευση του συστήματος υγείας και όλων των διχτύων ασφαλείας, είναι σημάδια μιας κοινωνίας που οι προτεραιότητές της δεν βρίσκονται σε ισορροπία. Εν τω μεταξύ, κάτω στους δρόμους, υπάρχει η αίσθηση ότι η Ελλάδα καταρρέει, ως σύγχρονο κράτος.. 

Dakar 2013 - tercera etapa - Pisco Nazca

ETAPA
motos 7 Francisco LOPEZ (CHL)
cuadriciclo 250 Marcos PATRONELLI (ARG)
coche 300 Nasser AL-ATTIYAH (QAT)
camión 500 Gerard DE ROOY (NLD)

GENERAL
motos 1 Cyril DESPRES (FRA)
cuadriciclo 250 Marcos PATRONELLI (ARG)
coche 302 Stéphane PETERHANSEL (FRA)
camión 500 Gerard DE ROOY (NLD)

Dakar Rally 2013

Dakar Rally 2013 – Toyota Hilux on Track to win the Dakar 2013

CONFIDENT START TO DAKAR RALLY BY TEAM TOYOTA’S GINIEL DE VILLIERS AND DUNCAN VOS

Toyota Motorsport’s Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (Imperial Toyota Hilux #301) and Duncan Vos and Rob Howie (Imperial Toyota Hilux #312) successfully negotiated the first day of the 15-day 2013 Dakar Rally in South America on Saturday, finishing ninth and 13^th overall respectively in the car category.

The 34^th running of the world’s longest and toughest motor race started in Lima on the Pacific west coast of Peru and took the 449-strong entry of cars, trucks, motorcycles and quads south on a 250-kilometre liaison section to Pisco.  The day ended with a 13-kilometre special stage in the sand dunes on the outskirts of the coastal town of Pisco.

2009 Dakar winners De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz completed the special stage in a time of 8 min 15 sec, 35 seconds behind the winners, 2010 Dakar winner Carlos Sainz of Spain and Timo Gottschalk of Germany in a buggy.  Current South African off road champions Vos and Howie finished 44 seconds in arrears.

“It was quite an easy stage today and not much more than a warm-up for the more serious challenges that lie ahead,” said De Villiers, who is competing in his 10^th Dakar and his second in the South African-built Toyota Hilux.  The modest 40-year-old from Stellenbosch is referred to as “the quiet South African” and is rated by race favourite and 2012 winner Stephane Peterhansel of France as “the driver to beat”.

Peterhansel, driving a Mini with compatriot Jean Paul Cottret, was eighth on Saturday’s opening stage, one second ahead of De Villiers.

Vos, competing in his second Dakar after he and Howie finished 10^th last year in an Imperial Toyota Hilux, was relieved the race was finally underway.  “It’s been a long build-up with a lot of preparation and hard work by the whole team.  It’s great to be back and we’re looking forward to the serious business of taking on the Dakar and reaching the finish in Santiago in Chile on January 20.”

Sunday’s 242-kilometre special stage two follows an 85-kilometre liaison section and will see competitors immediately thrown a stiff challenge of sand dunes and hot temperatures.  They will return to Pisco for a second night.

Toyota Motorsport Acknowledges Its Dakar Sponsors, Specialist Official Suppliers and Technical Partners

Toyota, Imperial Toyota, Duxbury Netgear, SAA, SAA Cargo, Innovation Group, Toyota Financial Services, Blue Sky, Bosch, Castrol, DeWalt, Donaldson, Edgecam, 4×4 Mega World, Hallspeed, Mastercraft, Michelin, Mistral, NGK, Oakley, SKF, Spanjaard and TFM.

Ινδικά στρατεύματα εισέβαλαν σε έδαφος του Πακιστάν

Ινδικά στρατεύματα εισέβαλαν σε έδαφος του Πακιστάν

Οι ένοπλες δυνάμεις της Ινδίας πραγματοποίησαν επιδρομή σε μεθοριακή περιοχή, δήλωσε εκπρόσωπος της στρατιωτική διοίκησης του Πακιστάν.

Σύμφωνα με το Ισλαμαμπάντ, τμήματα του ινδικού στρατού επιτέθηκαν σε στρατιωτικό φυλάκιο στο έδαφος του Κασμίρ, το οποίο βρίσκεται υπό τον έλεγχο του Πακιστάν. Ως αποτέλεσμα της επίθεσης, ένας πακιστανός στρατιώτης σκοτώθηκε και ένας τραυματίστηκε.

«Αυτό το περιστατικό μπορεί να αυξήσει την ένταση στις σχέσεις των δύο πυρηνικών δυνάμεων», - αναφέρεται σε δήλωση της στρατιωτική διοίκησης του Πακιστάν.

Η πλευρά της Ινδίας προς το παρόν δεν έχει σχολιάσει το περιστατικό.

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Ener-G-Force - η off-roader για το αύριο και πέρα




Το ερώτημα αν τα γονίδια της Mercedes-Benz G-Class που χρονολογείται από το 1979 θα εξακολουθούν να τους προβάλει στο μακρινό μέλλον που επιδεικνύεται από τη Mercedes-Benz στο Λος Άντζελες με το πρόσχημα του ένα δροσερό μελέτη σχεδιασμού: η Ener-G- Δύναμη. Σύμφωνα με Gorden Wagener, επικεφαλής του τμήματος σχεδιασμού της Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Η Ener-G-Force είναι το όραμα μιας off-roader που, λαμβάνοντας παράλληλα υπόψη τις περιπέτειες του αύριο, επικαλείται επίσης τα γονίδια της Mercedes-Benz off-road εικονίδιο, το μοντέλο G. Μοντέρνο και δροσερό, θα μπορούσε επίσης να είναι μια ένδειξη για μια νέα αρχή για το ιδίωμα του σχεδιασμού off-road της Mercedes-Benz ".
Χτισμένο ως μοντέλο 1:1-κλίμακα, η μελέτη του σχεδιασμού είναι σαφώς εμπνευσμένη από την G-Class, αλλά παρουσιάζει μια ριζοσπαστική επανερμηνεία του αυτό το κλασικό που μοιάζει πολύ στο μέλλον.Σημαντικές γονίδια όπως αναλογίες και σχεδιαστικά στοιχεία εκδόθηκαν εννοιολογικά και πλήρως ανασχεδιασμένο και ενημερώνεται σε μια καθαρή αντίληψη για το αύριο και πέρα. Ενώ η σαφής ιδίωμα σχεδιασμός του G-Class παρέμεινε, όλες οι επιφάνειες σχεδιάσθηκαν για να εκφράζουν την ένταση και την ένταση. Τα σχολαστικά εκτελούνται λεπτομέρειες είναι επίσης μια σαφή ένδειξη ότι η Ener-G-Force είναι το προϊόν της σύγχρονης εποχής. Όπως και το G-Class, οι Ener-G-Force αθλητισμό ένα μέτωπο με μια εκφραστική μάσκα που ενσωματώνει τους προβολείς. Λυχνίες LED στα φωτιστικά σώματα προβολείς μορφή στο σχήμα Γ. Αυτό δίνει στο Ener-G-Force μια ισχυρή, εικονική εμφάνιση και αποδεικνύει την κυριαρχία. Τα μπροστινά φώτα και δείκτες θέση τοποθετείται στην κορυφή των φτερών ως ένα σημαντικό στοιχείο της G-Class.
Χάρη σε εναλλακτικά συστήματα κίνησης, η Ener-G-Force θα πρέπει επίσης να είναι εξαιρετικά φιλικά προς το περιβάλλον και είναι σε θέση να αποδείξει ενισχυμένη πράσινο αυτοκίνητο-χαρακτηριστικά. Τέσσερις στις πλήμνες των τροχών, των οποίων η παραγωγή για κάθε τροχό ξεχωριστά είναι προσαρμοσμένη ακριβώς με το αντίστοιχο έδαφος με υψηλής απόδοσης ηλεκτρονικά, έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να παρέχουν την ελκτική δύναμη. Η εντυπωσιακή πλευρά φούστες επίσης το σπίτι γρήγορη αλλαγή μπαταριών. Αλλαγές στο χρώμα του φωτισμού των πλευρικών κρασπέδων δείχνουν την λειτουργία και την κατάσταση φόρτισης των πακέτων ενέργειας. Μια σχάρα οροφής και πρόσθετες λάμπες είναι ενσωματωμένες στην οροφή.



Η σχεδιαστική μελέτη δείχνει ότι η off-road κλασικό από τη Mercedes-Benz, των οποίων η συνεχής ιστορία πηγαίνει όλος ο τρόπος πίσω στη δεκαετία του 1970, θα μπορούσε στην πραγματικότητα αντιμετωπίσει το μέλλον σε μια στυλιστικά και τεχνολογικά προηγμένη έκδοση.
ένα καθαρό, καθίσταται επιστημονικής φαντασίας? εδώ Η Mercedes-Benz είναι φιλικές προς το περιβάλλον, μοντέρνα και δροσερή SUV, το «Ener-G-Force», η οποία έχει περιγραφεί να είναι το όραμα μιας off-roader που, λαμβάνοντας παράλληλα υπόψη τις περιπέτειες του αύριο, επικαλείται επίσης τα γονίδια της γερμανικής αυτοκινητοβιομηχανίας 1979 off-road εικονίδιο, η G-Class. Κατά κύριο λόγο βασίζεται στην ιδέα ενός μελλοντικού οχήματος της αστυνομίας, αυτό το υπερ-επιθετικό SUV έχει αναπτυχθεί αποκλειστικά για το Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012, που ατενίζει το μέλλον με μια αναζήτηση για την «Όχημα Highway Patrol 2025».
Ωστόσο, αυτή η πτήση της φαντασίας παρουσίασε στο Σαλόνι Αυτοκινήτου του Λος Άντζελες δεν είναι σίγουρα ένα teaser του κάτι στα σκαριά, μάλλον, είναι μια σχεδιαστική μελέτη με ενισχυμένη πράσινο αυτοκίνητο δυνατότητες και off-road ικανότητα, ικανό να στηρίξει το μέλλον της αστυνομίας και των υπηρεσιών εκτάκτου ανάγκης σε όλο τον κόσμο.
Περιγράφεται επίσης να είναι μια ένδειξη της μελλοντικής του σχεδιασμού της Mercedes-Benz off-road, το Ener-G-Force μπορεί να υπερηφανεύεται για μικρά γυάλινα παράθυρα κάνοντας αυτό το φουτουριστικό αυτοκίνητο της αστυνομίας ένα ασφαλές κουκούλι για τους υπαλλήλους επιβολής του νόμου, την καταπολέμηση της σε όλες τις πιθανότητες.
Επιπλέον, τα ειδικά φώτα έκτακτης ανάγκης έχουν επίσης ενσωματωθεί η στέγη, ενώ το εντυπωσιακό εμπρός αφήνει επιβλητική παρουσία των αξιωματικών επιβολής του νόμου, καθώς και τα γιγαντιαία τροχοί εγγυώνται το δικαίωμα-του-τρόπο, ακόμη και στη χειρότερη εδάφη.





Είναι τροφοδοτείται με κινητήρα κυψελών καυσίμου για το οποίο συγκεντρώνει το νερό στις δεξαμενές οροφή η οποία στη συνέχεια «υδρο-μετατρέπονται σε καύσιμο υδρογόνο επί του σκάφους.
Αυτό βόλτες έννοια που χρησιμοποιεί 4-τροχών κινητήρες κόμβο και έχει λιθίου-ιόντων μπαταρία αποθήκευσης φέρεται να τρέξει περίπου 500 μίλια.
Συγκεκριμένα, χρησιμοποιεί επίσης high-end ραντάρ «terra-scan» στην οροφή του, η οποία βοηθά στον εντοπισμό του εδάφους και την προσαρμογή του πλαισίου ώστε να ταιριάζει.

2014 Mazda6 Impresses With Low Price, High Fuel Economy

2014 Mazda6 Impresses With Low Price, High Fuel Economy

January 4th, 2013 by Armaan Almeida

The redesigned Mazda6 is officially on sale now, priced from just $20,880 plus destination, making it among the least expensive midsize family sedans on the market as well as among the most fuel efficient.

The sub-$21k figure represents an increase of just $155 over the outgoing 2013 model. All Mazda6 sedans, at least at launch, come with a 184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft. torque 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine. Fuel efficiency numbers are in, and we’re quite impressed: 25 city/37 highway/29 combined mpg with the 6-speed conventional manual transmission, or 26 city/38/highway/30 combined mpg for the 6-speed automatic.

Those EPA figures place the Mazda6 right near the top of the food chain among non-hybrid family sedans. Only the CVT-equippedNissan Altima, at 27 city/38 highway/31 combined mpg, is more efficient.

Here’s the highlights of what Mazda is offering at each price point:

2014 Mazda6 i Sport – $20,880 plus destination ($795) – includes push-button start, power windows, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with cruise control and audio controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, and auxiliary audio and USB/iPod inputs. Adding the 6-speed automatic brings with it Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a 5.8-inch color touchscreen, a backup camera, HD radio, Pandora, automatic emergency response and voice commands.

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – $24,495 plus destination – adds to the mix 19-inch alloy wheels and, when adding the automatic transmission, leatherette seating surfaces, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable drivers seat and more controls for the touchscreen interface. More-advanced features are offered as part of option packages.

2014 Mazda6 i Grand Touring – $29,495 plus destination – makes standard most of the optional features from the Touring, including TomTom navigation, a Bose premium audio system, keyless entry, automatic headlamps, HomeLink, auto-dimming rear-view and driver’s side mirrors, heated outside mirrors and Smart City Brake Support. You’ll also find exclusive 19-inch silver-finish alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a rear spoiler, leather seating and trim with heated front seats, bi-xenon HID headlamps, SiriusXM satellite radio and more.

Mazda has not announced plans for a V6 engine choice, but a Skyactiv-D diesel model is coming in the second half of 2013. All in all Mazda is offering a ton of feature content for your money, and it looks like finding the right vehicle in the midsize class just got even harder with so many fine options on the market.