25 Olympic Torch Relay Photos That Prove Russians Are Total Badasses

25 Olympic Torch Relay Photos That Prove Russians Are Total BadassesImage Credit: AP

If there are two things all Russians are good at, it's drinking vodka and being badass. Fromshooting tigers with tranquilizer guns to riding horses with no shirt on, President Vladamir Putin has time and again proved that Russia is hands-down more hardcore than any other country.

Now, Russia is at it again, this time using the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic torch relay as a chance to flex its muscles. More than 14,000 people will serve as torch-bearers along the unprecedented 56,000 kilometer route, which winds through the North Pole, underwater in Lake Baikal, and into outer space. Yeah, that's right: freaking space.

So far, they've covered half the total distance, using the most Russian means of transportation available: dog sleds, snowmobiles, skis, zip lines, space shuttles, nuclear-powered icebreakers — oh yeah, and they carried the torch by foot, too.

The torch-bearers have braved the freezing-ass Russian winter with only a handful of incidents. And when the torch's flame happened to extinguish, one guy did what any sensible Russian would do: he whipped out a cigarette lighter from his pocket. Classic.

Here are 25 photos of the most badass moments from the 2014 Olympic torch relay. Make no mistake, these things would happen only in Russia.

1.


This dude snowboarded his way down a mountain — torch in hand — at Sheregesh winter sports resort in Siberia.
2.


These divers, sporting wetsuits and scuba gear, held their Olympic torches underwater in Baikal, Russia's largest lake. Yep, that's right: they brought the Olympic flame underwater.
3.


Meanwhile, this daredevil, otherwise known as Mikahil Chuyev, delivered the torch from a boat to shore using a jet pack. No, I didn't know jet packs really existed, either.
4.


These guys sprinted in foot-deep snow to carry the torch to the icebreaker you see in the background. Oh, and did I mention that the ship, 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of the Victory), is powered by nuclear energy? Because the 2014 Olympics wouldn't be Russian if they didn't involve the word "nuclear".
5.


Good old 50 Let smashed through some ice to ferry the torch to... the North Pole. It was the first time in Olympic history that this ancient Greek tradition made it up to Santa territory.
6.


Speaking of Santa, Dasher and Prancer here pulled a sleigh near the Siberian city of Yakutsk, about 4,830 kilometers (3,000 miles) east of Moscow, Russia. Unlike St. Nick's reindeer, though, they didn't fly.
7.


Now, you're probably thinking, "Hey Russia, how can you top the North Pole?" Well here's your answer, in the form of the Russian Soyuz-FG booster rocket and TMA-11M space capsule. Here, they're en route to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and set to transport the torch to the International Space Station (ISS).
8.




Kazakhstan, we have liftoff.
9.


Two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky, taking the unlit torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics on its first historic space walk. Unfortunately, space has no air to fuel flames — even if you're Russian.
10.Via: sochi2014.com


Back on planet earth, these ice-swimmers took a quick dip in the Amur River in Blagoveshchensk, Russia's Far East. Somehow, despite being submerged practically naked in freezing-cold water, this guy managed to keep the flame dry at all times.
11.


In case you doubted how cold that water was, these swimmers wanted you to know that the white stuff in the foreground is ice. Solid ice.
12.


It's not just the men in Russia who seem to have incredibly good circulation and thick, heat-insulating skin. Here's torch-bearer Natalia Usacheva exiting the Yenisei River in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
13.


Just one more crazy more of transportation to add to the list: zipline.

14.


Russian badassery doesn't fade with age; 101-year-old Alexander Kaptarenko became the oldest torch-bearer in Olympic history this month. What's more, he's a pro ping-pong player who says he plans to compete in the European table tennis veterans championships.
15.


There's no stopping Elena Saprygina, either, who carried the Olympic flame on her wheelchair in a sport center in the Siberian city of Tomsk, Russia.
16.


The Kremlin rarely passes up a chance to show off Russia's military might, which is why the Olympic torch found its way to a photo-op in front of a fighter jet.
17.


Most people associate camels with the desert, but they've got their own special (and pretty badass) place in Russian history, too. During World War II, many military units of the Soviet Red Army took to using camels, which they called "Kuznechik,", to transport ammunition, fuel for tanks and aircraft, food, water for kitchens, fuel, and even wounded Red Army soldiers.
18.


Except for the cars in the background, this scene could have been lifted straight from the Bolshevik Revolution — just look at the guy on the left's furry hat. Victory, comrades.
19.


The torch was carried by foot to the top of the mountain so that this guy could spot his house. Fear of heights? Nonsense.
20.


Meanwhile, check out this massive invasion of rowboats on the Volga River in Tver. The torch is with the dragon boat (yep, the boat is painted to look like a dragon) leading the pack.

21.


One more reason why Russians are so badass; many of them are descendants of the Vikings. Huzzah!


22.


This torch-bearer climbed up a bridge to symbolize... absolutely nothing. She just did it for the hell of it.
23.


These guys went for a quick raft trip with the Olympic torch in Gorno-Altaysk because, well, why not?
24.


Torch-bearer Evgeny Scherbinin in Russia's Sverdlovsk region, riding in his badass motorcycle side-car. (Yes, side-cars are badass. Have you ever seen Wallace and Gromit?)
25.


Last, but not least, President Badass himself, posing with the Olympic torch and a smug grin that says, "See you at the Olympics."

2nd largest aquarium tank in the world

Νέα βομβιστική επίθεση στη Ρωσία! Έκρηξη σε τρόλεϊ, 15 νεκροί!

Νέα βομβιστική επίθεση στη Ρωσία! Έκρηξη σε τρόλεϊ, 15 νεκροί!

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Πριν καλά καλά συνέλθει η Ρωσία από το σοκ της τρομοκρατικής επίθεσης στο σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό του Βόλγογκραντ, μια νέα έκρηξη, αυτή τη φορά σε τρόλεϊ, έρχεται να συγκλονίσει.

Οι πρώτες πληροφορίες μιλούν για 15 νεκρούς και δεκάδες τραυματίες, ανάμεσά τους κι ένα παιδί που έχει τραυματιστεί σοβαρά.
Με εντολή του Βλαντιμίρ Πούτιν πηγαίνει στο Βόλγογκραντ ο επικεφαλής των μυστικών υπηρεσιών, Αλεξάντρ Μποτνίκοφ.



Η έκρηξη σε τρόλεϊ και πάλι στο Βόλγογκραντ έρχεται λιγότερο από ένα 24ωρο μετά από την πολύνεκρη επίθεση της Κυριακής στον κεντρικό σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό της πόλης, με απολογισμό 16 νεκρούς. 

ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ REUTERS

Οι αρχές ήδη μιλούν για νέα τρομοκρατική επίθεση. Και όλα αυτά ενώ η περιοχή του Βόλγκοκραντ έχει τεθεί σε επίπεδο αυξημένου αντιτρομοκρατικού συναγερμού για τις επόμενες 15 ημέρες.

Πλάνα που μετέδωσε η κρατική τηλεόραση δείχνουν ό,τι απέμεινε από το κατεστραμμένο μπλε και λευκό τρόλεϊ με την οροφή του να έχει αποσπαστεί από το υπόλοιπο όχημα και πτώματα και συντρίμμια σκορπισμένα στο δρόμο.

ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ REUTERS

ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ REUTERS

Οι ομοσπονδιακές αρχές ανακοίνωσαν ότι για την έκρηξη, η οποία σημειώθηκε κοντά σε αγορά στη συνοικία Ντζερζίνσκι, διενεργείται έρευνα για "τρομοκρατική ενέργεια και διακίνηση όπλων".

Η περιοχή έχει αποκλειστεί από αστυνομικές δυνάμεις, ενώ στο σημείο της έκρηξης βρίσκονται και μέλη των υπηρεσιών εκτάκτων αναγκών.

ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ RT.COM

Την επίθεση της Κυριακής έκανε η Οκσάνα Ασλάνοβα, το κεφάλι της οποίας βρέθηκε στο χώρο της επίθεσης. Πυροδότησε τα εκρηκτικά λίγο πριν από τα μηχανήματα ανίχνευσης μετάλλων και καθώς είδε έναν αστυνομικό να την πλησιάζει.

Η Ασλάνοβα είχε παντρευτεί δύο φορές με αντάρτες. Οι δύο σύζυγοί της είχαν σκοτωθεί από τις ρωσικές δυνάμεις.

Όλα δείχνουν πως δεν ήταν μόνη αλλά είχε συνεργό ο οποίος προς το παρόν έχει αναγνωριστεί μόνο με το επίθετό του, Παβλόφ.

ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ: RT.COM

Καταζητούμενη από το 2012, η Οκσάν Ασλάνοβα ήταν φίλη μιας άλλης καμικάζι που σκότωσε έξι άτομα στο Βόλγκογκραντ τον Οκτώβριο όταν ανατινάχθηκε μέσα σε λεωφορείο γεμάτο φοιτητές, έγραψε η Lifenews.ru.

Μέχρι στιγμής καμία οργάνωση δεν έχει αναλάβει την ευθύνη για τη σημερινή ή τη χθεσινή επίθεση.

Και οι δύο επιθέσεις εντείνουν την ανησυχία σχετικά με την ασφάλεια των χειμερινών Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, οι οποίοι είναι προγραμματισμένο να ξεκινήσουν στις 7 Φεβρουαρίου στο Σότσι που βρίσκεται σε απόσταση 690 χιλιομέτρων νοτιοδυτικά του Βόλγκογκραντ.


ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΕΠΙΣΗΣ

ΓΙΑΤΙ ΤΟ ΝΟΜΙΣΜΑ ΕΧΕΙ ΠΑΝΤΑ ΔΥΟ ΟΨΕΙΣ

An Ancient City Is Discovered Underwater. What They Found Will Change History Forever

An Ancient City Is Discovered Underwater. What They Found Will Change History Forever

Posted on: December 1, 2013 · By Sunny Skyz

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

The city of Heracleion was engulfed underwater 1500 years ago. This grand city had been mentioned by the Greek writer Herodotus, the 5th-century BC historian. He had told a wonderful tale of Helen of Troy, who traveled to Heracleion, then a port of 'great wealth', with her Trojan lover, Paris.

When French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio stumbled upon some relics, it led them to one of the greatest finds of the 21st century; a city underwater. The discovery took place when Goddio had been in search of Napoleon’s warships from the 1798 Battle of the Nile, when he had been defeated by Nelson in these very waters, but to his surprise, he stumbled upon this magnificent discovery.

Here the team retrieves the statue of the god Hapi

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

More and more statues are brought to surface, still in excellent condition

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

The discoveries include the colossal statues of the Egyptian goddess Isis, the god Hapi, and an unidentified Egyptian pharaoh, all preserved in excellent condition by their muddy burial shroud. Along with these 16ft statues there are hundreds of smaller statues of Egyptian gods, among them the figures that guarded the temple where Cleopatra was inaugurated as Queen of the Nile. Dozens of sarcophagi have also been found, containing the bodies of mummified animals sacrificed to Amun-Gereb, the supreme god of the Egyptians. Many amulets, or religious charms, have been unearthed, too, showing gods such as Isis, Osiris and Horus.

A red granite sculpture of a Ptolemaic queen

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

A gold vessel, which is a shallow dish used throughout the Hellenistic world for drinking

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

A bronze statuette of a Pharoah of the 26th dynasty

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

An ancient lamp is discovered during the search

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

Here an archaelogist measures the feet of a colossal red granite statue

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

The god Hapi was the god of the flooding of the Nile, a symbol of abundance and fertility

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

A 1.9m inscribed pillar, commissioned by Nectanebo I (378-362 BC)

Photos: Christoph Gerigk ©Franck Goddio Hilti Foundation

Evidence shows that Heracleion slipped into its watery grave sometime in the 6th or 7th century AD. The discovery of Heracleion will now add depth and detail to our knowledge of the ancient world, because among the discoveries, there are perfectly preserved inscribed pillars decorated with hieroglyphics.

Source

DREAM

Monster Energy: BJ Baldwin 2013 Baja 1000 Champion!

Get an exclusive look at BJ Baldwin's return to Baja as he battles his way back to the top for his 2nd consecutive Baja 1000 title... Ironman style! 

NASA 2013 Highlights

NASA highlights its accomplishments in air and space for 2013.

Dream Theater - Metropolis pt.1 (Live At Luna Park)

Dream Theater began their mammoth "A Dramatic Tour Of Events" world trek in July 2011 with the final leg in South America taking place in August 2012. It was here at the Luna Park arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina that they decided to film the two nights that go to make up this release. It was Dream Theater's first tour with new drummer Mike Mangini and all the tracks from their first album together "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" are included in either the main show or the bonus performances. Dream Theater are rock's supreme virtuosos with many awards to their name and here in concert they bring all the power and drama of their music to life with breathtaking performances of classic tracks from across their career. Out November 4th 2013

Filmed in high definition.
Features many of their classic tracks including: "Metropolis Pt. 1", "The Silent Man", "Pull Me Under", "The Root Of All Evil", "The Test That Stumped Them All", "The Spirit Carries On" and the recent "On The Backs Of Angels".

James LaBrie (vocals); John Petrucci (guitar); Jordan Rudess (keyboards); John Myung (bass); Mike Mangini (drums)
Like and Share our videos to encourage us to post more.

Islamic Front Attacks And Captures Weapon Depot In Dumayr, Outskirt Of D...

Opposition forces have launched a offensive on the Dumayr's weapon depot and managed to capture the area surrounding it, according to opposition sources the Islamic Front launched this offensive a week ago together with a less known brigade called Liwaa Magawir Al-Sahra(Desert Commando Brigade). Dumayr forms part of the area including Adra that the opposition wants to keep hold of. 

The Syrian army responded heavily after the offensive by carrying out multiple air raids on Dumayr city. Dumayr forms a strategic area as it is the main route from Damascus to Homs and the coast.

It is unknown how many fighters have participated in the battle for this weapon depot but after a week of heavy clashes the opposition fighters managed to capture the weapons depot. 

Opposition sources claimed that many civilians have died during these air raids, Syrian government has not responded to this but claimed in a news broadcast that many fighters were killed during the fighting in Dumayr.

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper - Canada environment is not your's t...

Read it and weep --- According to the 'Conference Board of Canad'

Canada receives a "C" grade on environmental performance and ranks 15th out of 17 peer countries.

Despite a decade or so of innovation agendas and prosperity reports, Canada remains near the bottom of its peer group on innovation, ranking 13th among the 16 peer countries. Despite some improvement, Canadians are still the largest users of energy in the developed world.

This study compares Canada's environmental record to the other industrialized nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 

The study provides accurate, independent information about Canada's track record in protecting the environment. All of the statistical information comes from data verified and published by the OECD.

The results prove that Canada has one of the poorest environmental records of the industrialized countries. The primary finding is that for the twenty-five environmental indicators examined, Canada's overall ranking among OECD nations is a dismal 28th out of 29.

Sibirian Tigers, Tierpark Hellabrunn, Munich - Germany HD Travel Channel

Video: Deadly explosion rocks Beirut near parliament building

A large explosion has shaken the downtown area of the Lebanese capital, killing former finance minister Mohammed Shattah. Lebanese television showed footage of dead bodies lying near the wreckage.

Polizia di Stato - Le norme da rispettare per sciare in sicurezza (27.12...

2013 news review: Typhoon Haiyan, Boston Bombings and Ariel Castro

Terrorism, a number of high profile shootings and a typhoon saw tragedy and devastation fill the year of 2013. However, there were glimmers of positivity as captured women were freed and new babies emerged from a terrible natural disaster.

February saw the world wake up to a shock on Valentine's Day. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius's girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp shot dead at their home. Pistorius was arrested for her premeditated murder. A trial will be held in March next year and the athlete denies murdering the model and says he shot her by mistake thinking she was an intruder.

April saw the first of what later become acts of terrorism. As runners were finishing the Boston marathon, two bombs exploded killing three people and injuring more than 250. Two suspects were identified as Chechen-born brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokar Tsarnaev. The FBI tracked them down and Tamerlan was shot dead in a gun battle. Dzhokar was found hiding in a boat with a bloodied face. He could face the death penalty.

A few months later gunmen linked to the al-Shabaab movement stormed the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya and went on the rampage. At least 72 people were killed, including 61 civilians. A shoot-out with Kenyan forces eventually saw the perpetrators shot dead. The Islamist group said the attack was tribution for Kenyan military being in Somalia

Many families in the Philippines are spending Christmas with their lives still devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. It was powerful tropical cyclone that killed more than 6,000 people.

However, despite all the tragedy that 2013 brought there were moving stories emerging. Amanda Berry, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were rescued from a house in Cleveland, Ohio, after being held captive by Ariel Castro for more than a decade. He pled guilty to rape, kidnapping and aggravated murder but was later found dead in his cell.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Develops New Technology

Blast By Taliban in Kabul Kills 1 American, 2 Slovak Soldiers, Scores Wo...

Forces in Afghanistan are on high alert after officials say a suspected suicide bomber attacks a military convoy outside Kabul. Officials say the attack killed at least three foreign soldiers. It's unknown how many were injured. (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) BAKER AND EYEWITNESS, NIAMATULLAH, SAYING: "After the blast my bakery windows broke. Later on, smoke covered the area then Americans arrived and carried three bodies from the scene." The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which comes as President Hamid Karzai deliberates over an agreement allowing U.S. forces to stay in the country beyond 2014. Many Afghans, including a number of tribal leaders, have urged Karzai to sign the U.S. pact quickly. Some are concerned about security in the country after 2014 when most foreign forces are leaving.

National Dress Festival Fashion Show ft Gulnara Karimova | Style.Uz Art ...

TASHKENT - FashionTV has a front row seat for the National Dress Festival fashion show at Style.Uz Art Week 2013. Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the Uzbekistan President, presents the designers to the audience. Women's and men's looks, many inspired by traditional Uzbek clothing, are showcased on the runway. 

Kyrie Irving's Top 10 Plays of 2013!

Συρία: Οι Χριστιανοί δημιούργησαν Δυνάμεις Αυτοάμυνας

Συρία: Οι Χριστιανοί δημιούργησαν Δυνάμεις Αυτοάμυνας

Η Ορθόδοξη Ένωση της Συρίας, ανακοίνωσε στις 27 Δεκεμβρίου 2013, το σχηματισμό μια ιδιωτικής πολιτοφυλακής- Δυνάμεων Αυτοάμυνας.

Η Ένωση σε ανακοίνωσή της  τονίζει ότι η στρατιωτική οργάνωση θα αγωνίζεται εναντίον κάθε μορφής απειλής για τους Χριστιανούς στο έδαφος της Συρίας.

Η ίδρυση του αστυνομικού σχηματισμού καθώς και οι προθέσεις του ανακοινώθηκαν  από τον εκπρόσωπο της Ένωσης, Μίλαντ Γεωργής στην Al-Sumaria News.

Το πρώτο τμήμα της χριστιανικής αυτοάμυνας αποτελείται, ήδη, από 300 άτομα- άνδρες και γυναίκες και η Ένωση ευελπιστεί ότι θα ενώσει τους εκπροσώπους όλων των χριστιανικών κοινοτήτων στην πολιτοφυλακή. Η ομάδα θα έχει πεδίο δράσης στην περιοχή Τζαζίρα.

Οι Χριστιανοί αποτελούν το 10,8 τοις εκατό του πληθυσμού της Συρίας. Οι περισσότεροι μιλούν αραβικά και ένα μέρος ομιλεί την αρμενική γλώσσα, γράφει το δημοσίευμα.

Stalled rescue for icebound ship in Antarctica

View from icebound Russian ship

Three ships had been headed toward the trapped Russian vessel. Two have now turned back, but a third is expected to reach the vessel late Sunday.

The group of 74 scientists, tourists and crew aboard a Russian ship stuck in ice off Antarctica are still stranded, although blizzard conditions that hit the ship on Thursday now appear to have eased somewhat. A Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon attempted to reach the ship on Saturday (December 28, 2013), and came within six-and-a-half nautical miles of the stranded vessel, but then encountered ice so heavy it could not break through.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating the rescue of the Russian passenger ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy. AMSA spokeswoman Andrea Hayward-Maher told AFP:

The Chinese vessel unfortunately encountered some heavy ice that it’s not capable of breaking through. The rescue… unfortunately has stalled.

The Russian ship has been icebound about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d’Urville since Tuesday, December 24.

Three vessels with icebreaking capability had been attempting to reach the stranded Russian ship. The Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon had been expected to get there first, late Friday, but it had to turn back. The French icebreaker, L’Astrolabe, is now said to have been released by rescue authorities from having to continue with the mission around midday on Saturday.

Now only the Australian Antarctic Division’s Aurora Australis continues to head toward the trapped Russian ship. It’s not expected to reach the area until Sunday evening.

Those aboard the trapped ship are said to have plenty of supplies and remain comfortable at this time.

Read more at Yahoo News.

Map via Yahoo News.

View from the stranded Russian passenger ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, via Australian Maritime Safety Authority Handout/EPA.

THAILAND ELECTIONS HAVE 'FEW SUPPORTERS' - BBC NEWS

The Thai government will seek the army's help to hold elections in February which the opposition is planning to boycott. In a national broadcast, the Deputy Prime Minister said he will ask the army chief to provide security for the polls. On Thursday the government rejected a call by the election commission to postpone the vote, after a policeman was shot dead during political violence in the capital. The BBC's Jonathan Head is in Bangkok - where he says the election has few supporters.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (+playlist)

ΔΕΙΤΕ ΟΛΗ ΤΗ ΛΙΣΤΑ ΜΕ ΤΑ 12 ΒΙΝΤΕΟ  HD ΚΑΙ ΤΑΞΙΔΕΨΤΕ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΝ ΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ

NASA and JAXA Announce Launch Date for Global Precipitation Satellite

Dec. 26, 2013

RELEASE 13-376

NASA and JAXA Announce Launch Date for Global Precipitation Satellite

Artist concept of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite.

Image Credit: 

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Environmental research and weather forecasting are about to get a significant technology boost as NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) prepare to launch a new satellite in February.

NASA and JAXA selected 1:07 p.m. to 3:07 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 27 (3:07 a.m. to 5:07 a.m. JST Friday, Feb. 28) as the launch date and launch window for a Japanese H-IIA rocket carrying the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center.

GPM is an international satellite mission that will provide advanced observations of rain and snowfall worldwide, several times a day to enhance our understanding of the water and energy cycles that drive Earth's climate. The data provided by the Core Observatory will be used to calibrate precipitation measurements made by an international network of partner satellites to quantify when, where, and how much it rains or snows around the world.

"Launching this core observatory and establishing the Global Precipitation Measurement mission is vitally important for environmental research and weather forecasting," said Michael Freilich, director of NASA's Earth Science Division in Washington. "Knowing rain and snow amounts accurately over the whole globe is critical to understanding how weather and climate impact agriculture, fresh water availability, and responses to natural disasters."

With the addition of the new Core Observatory, the satellites in the GPM constellation will include the NASA-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership mission, launched in 2012; the NASA-JAXA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), launched in 1997; and several other satellites managed by JAXA, NOAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the Centre National D'Etudies Spatiales of France and the Indian Space Research Organisation.

"We will use data from the GPM mission not only for Earth science research but to improve weather forecasting and respond to meteorological disasters," said Shizuo Yamamoto, executive director of JAXA. "We would also like to aid other countries in the Asian region suffering from flood disasters by providing data for flood alert systems. Our dual-frequency precipitation radar, developed with unique Japanese technologies, plays a central role in the GPM mission."

The GPM Core Observatory builds on the sensor technology developed for the TRMM mission, with two innovative new instruments. The GPM Microwave Imager, built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corp., Boulder, Colo., will observe rainfall and snowfall at 13 different frequencies. The Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar, developed by JAXA with the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Tokyo, transmits radar frequencies that will detect ice and light rain, as well as heavier rainfall. It also will be able to measure the size and distribution of raindrops, snowflakes and ice particles.

Bull in the Stands

Южный Судан на грани гуманитарной катастрофы

В Южном Судане с середины декабря не прекращаются этнические столкновения. Борьба за власть между президентом страны Сальвой Кииром и бывшим вице-президентом Риком Мачаром в итоге вылилась в этнический конфликт.

CORSA TV: Marc Coma y el Dakar 2014

3MIN NEWS Volcanic eruption in Japan gives birth to new island (+playlist)

Στολισμός του Χριστουγεννιάτικου δένδρου στη Νέα Πύλη

Δημοσιεύθηκε στις 19 Δεκ 2013

Την Πέμπτη το απόγευμα πραγματοποιήθηκε στη Νέα Πύλη της Ιερουσαλήμ εορταστική εκδήλωση με θέμα το άναμμα του Χριστουγεννιάτικου δέντρου. Μετά το άναμμα ακολούθησε εκδήλωση στο ξενοδοχείο Notre- Dame. Την εκδήλωση παρακολούθησε ο Μακαριώτατος Πατριάρχης Θεόφιλος, η συνοδεία των Αγιοταφιτών Πατέρων, οι λοιποί Αργηγοί των Χριστιανικών Εκκλησιών της Ιερουσαλήμ και πλήθος λαού.

GoPro: Santa Schools Naughty Kids In Pond Hockey

Indoor Volcano Gets Laser Treatment

Δημοσιεύθηκε στις 19 Δεκ 2013

It's too dangerous to study volcano emissions up close, so a Smithsonian volcanologist is re-creating volcanic pyroclastic flows in his indoor lab. He uses lasers to help study the flows' behavior in different circumstances.

Yemen civil tensions high - Gun battles

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Civil tensions in Yemen are currently at an all time high as the Iran backed Huthi forces start to clash the Saudi/US Sunni forces. This video depicts a gun battle that took place on December 18th, one of the first in a while. Many people fear things in Yemen could escalate, which is unsettling considering what has taken place in Libya/Egypt/Syria these past few years. Some people also believe this is the height of the tensions and that things will deescalate in time. (video strictly for news reporting/educational purposes). 

Dirt Shark: A Monster Girl Christmas

Insurgents Heavy clashes with syria forces

Δημοσιεύθηκε στις 22 Δεκ 2013

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This footage is to be taken as a documentary on the events of the conflict in Syria and Afghanistan, and should be viewed as educational. This footage is not meant to glorify war or violence. Furthermore we are not infringing on any copyrights by showing this footage, based on our intent to share news and information with the public. This falls under fair use 17 USC § 107.

Day 1: It's Not Just 8 Weeks

Capt. Todd Prestidge, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., addresses new recruits at the service's only enlisted basic training center. 

The average Coast Guard recruit company will lose more than 30 percent of its ranks to reversions, rephasals and washouts over the course the eight-week training program. 

The Coast Guard is the most selective and recruits the most qualified applicants for their rigorous basic training program. Applicants can find official and proven preparation materials here:http://goo.gl/U5joCf.

US builiding worth $1 demolished

Pakistan Army Apparently Executing Taliban suspects.

Pakistan Army Apparently Executing Taliban suspects.

Αναπαραγωγή βίντεο Nick Fielding asked me to save a copy of this horrific video and put it back on-line. To read more about the video, please check out Nick's blog at: http://circlingthelionsden.blogspot.com This… 00:05:42 Προστέθηκε στις 5/10/2010 12.710 προβολές

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Suicide bomber strikes security checkpoint near Benghazi, Libya Posted: 22 Dec 2013 08:30 AM PST A suicide bomber detonated a truck bomb at a checkpoint outside the city of Benghazi earlier today. The number of casualties varies in the early reporting. According to Al Arabiya, at least 13 people were killed. Several of the victims are Libyan soldiers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Reuters, the Libyan Army has blamed Ansar al Sharia, the al Qaeda-linked group that took part in the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the US Mission in Benghazi. The bombing is the latest in a string of attacks on Libyan security personnel. On Dec. 20, Colonel Fethallah al Gaziri, who was recently appointed the head of military intelligence in Benghazi, was assassinated. Al Gaziri was attending the wedding of his niece in Derna, Libya when gunmen opened fire, according to Al Jazeera. Ansar al Sharia has been battling government forces in Derna and Benghazi. The group has a strong presence in both eastern Libyan cities. Ansar al Sharia has repeatedly claimed that is members are not behind the violence. The group has also attempted to portray recent events as part of a Western conspiracy to interfere in Libya's affairs. Statements released by al Qaeda's senior leadership have advanced a similar theme. In a statement released on the group's official Twitter page on Dec. 19, Ansar al Sharia Libya's sharia committee denounced anyone who accuses the organization of engaging in violence. Ansar al Sharia alleged that a series of unspecified recent "incidents" have been "concocted by enemies to divert the attention of Muslims away" from implementing sharia in Libya. The group warned that Libya was "sliding" towards collaboration and "subordination to the West." Ansar al Sharia further claimed that "some people" want "to enable the US-Western project of fighting Islam." Suicide attacks uncommon in post-revolution Tunisia, Libya While gunfights, assassinations, and bombings have become common occurrences in Libya following the fall of Muammar Qaddafi, the country's longtime dictator, jihadists had refrained from suicide bombings. Suicide bombings have not been common in post-revolution Tunisia either. In October, however, a jihadist blew himself up outside of the Riadh Palm hotel in Sousse. No one, other than the bomber himself, was killed. A second suicide bomber was arrested before he could detonate his bomb. Tunisian officials blamed Ansar al Sharia for dispatching the suicide bombers. "The two suicide bombers are radical Islamist jihadists. They are Tunisians, but they had been in a neighboring country," Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Laroui told Reuters, without specifying the country, which may be Libya. In October, Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh told Reuters: "There is a relation between leaders of Ansar al Sharia [Tunisia], al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar al Sharia in Libya. We are coordinating with our neighbors over that." In late August, Tunisian security officials accused Ansar al Sharia of having a "close" relationship with AQIM. At a press conference, according to Tunis Afrique Presse, they "reported the existence of close links between Ansar al Sharia and AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), showing journalists the handwritten Allegiance Act" between Ansar al Sharia's leader, Seifallah Ben Hassine, and AQIM's emir, Abdelmalek Droukdel. In a response to the Tunisian government's accusations, Ansar al Sharia reaffirmed its "loyalty" to al Qaeda while claiming to be organizationally independent. AQIM officials have openly praised and blessed Ansar al Sharia.

Pakistani military, Taliban clash in North Waziristan after suicide attack Posted: 22 Dec 2013 08:44 AM PST The Pakistani military claimed it killed 23 "militants" in the town of Mir Ali in the Taliban controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan, two days after a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint there. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and the Ansar al Aseer denied that their fighters were killed, and claimed the Pakistani military carried out a "massacre" of civilians in reprisal for the suicide attack. The fighting began after a suicide bomber killed five soldiers and wounded 34 more at a checkpoint in the Mir Ali area on Dec. 17. The Pakistani military said the soldiers were praying at a mosque when the suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with explosives into the checkpoint. The Ansar al Aseer Khorasan, or Helpers of the Prisoners, a group that includes members from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Taliban and was founded to free jihadists from Pakistani prisons, claimed credit for the attack in a statement emailed to The Long War Journal "A Fidai [fedayeen] (also term by western media suicide bomber) struck his explosive laden truck with Khajoree check post of Pakistan army, killing almost every one there or injured, and vanishing the post completely, [sic]" the statement said. Two days after the suicide attack, the Pakistani military claimed it killed "23 militants" after an army convoy was ambushed on Dec. 18 while evacuating casualties from the suicide attack. The military, in a statement released on its public affairs website, said it killed "10 more terrorists, reportedly most of them were Uzbek," during a follow-up raid on an IED factory in the Mir Ali area on Dec. 19. Ansar al Aseer denied that fighters were killed, and instead claimed that "the Army camp in Mir Ali started shelling the local innocent population of villages nearby," while "fleet of Gunship helicopters" were "used to shell local villagers, resulting in heavy causalities of men, women and children." Ansar al Aseer also claimed that Pakistani soldiers executed a group of truck drivers in the village of Eppi in the Mir Ali area. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan also sent photos to The Long War Journal purporting to show destruction of the bazaar and other areas in Mir Ali and nearby villages. The claims made by Ansar al Aseer and the validity of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan's photographs cannot be confirmed. Residents in the area have also claimed that the Pakistani military killed civilians, according to Pakistani press reports. The Pakistani military has indiscriminately used force during military operations in the past, and has summarily executed individuals suspected of belonging to the Taliban. Civilians in Swat and Bajaur accused the military of conducting scorched earth tactics during operations, while soldiers in Swat were caught on video killing suspected Taliban fighters. This week's clashes in North Waziristan occurred less than one week after another jihadist group that operates in North Waziristan, the Ansarul Mujahideen, killed four Pakistani soldiers in an IED attack in the village Spinwam. For years, the Pakistani military has promised the West that it would launch an offensive in North Waziristan to clear the tribal agency of the Taliban and al Qaeda, however it has failed to do so. Groups such as the Haqqani Network and Hafiz Gul Bahadar's Taliban faction, operate in North Waziristan, and are considered "good Taliban" by Pakistan's military and intelligence establishment as they do not openly support jihad against the state. But the Haqqanis and Bahadar fight in Afghanistan, and shelter and support al Qaeda, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and a host of terror groups that attack the Pakistani state and promote international jihad.