The world's toughest sailing race is back!
The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 route will take in 11 cities in 11 countries and will require the teams to cover almost 40,000 nautical miles over nine months of racing.
Alicante - Cape Town - Abu Dhabi - Sanya - Auckland - Itajai - Newport - Lisbon - Lorient - The Hague (Pit stop) - Gothenburg
Expect more like this to be uploaded to the Official Volvo Ocean Race YouTube Channel in the future. Get all the latest updates on www.VolvoOceanRace.com
BIG BANG NEWS
RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, DIACHRONIC NEWS, COMMENTS, ,SPORTS,MUSIC,SKY AND STARS,AND MUSH MORE.
Αναζήτηση αυτού του ιστολογίου
Τετάρτη 29 Ιανουαρίου 2014
Δηλώσεις του Πρωθυπουργού κ. Αντώνη Σαμαρά και του Προέδρου της Ρωσικής Ομοσπονδίας κ. Vladimir Putin
Ο Πρωθυπουργός κ. Αντώνης Σαμαράς συναντήθηκε σήμερα, στις Βρυξέλλες, με τον Πρόεδρο της Ρωσικής Ομοσπονδίας κ. Vladimir Putin. Ακολουθεί ο διάλογος των δυο ηγετών κατά την έναρξη της συνάντησής του:
«Α. Σαμαράς: Ήθελα να πω ότι συναντιόμαστε σήμερα με τον Πρόεδρο τον κ. Putin ως φίλοι. Ο Ελληνικός λαός και ο Ρωσικός λαός έχουν Ιστορία, θρησκεία και παράδοση που τους ενώνει. Και πάνω σε αυτό χτίζουν αυτή τη φιλία. Γνωρίζουμε ότι δεν υπάρχει σταθερότητα στον κόσμο χωρίς αναπτυσσόμενη σχέση συνεχή μεταξύ Ρωσίας και Ευρώπης. Γι’ αυτό άλλωστε έγινε και η συνάντηση προηγουμένως του Προέδρου Putin με τον κ. Rompuy, και τον κ. Barroso.
Ως Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος θα ήθελα να υπογραμμίσω ότι η Χώρα μου αυτή τη στιγμή ξεπερνά μια βαθύτατη, επώδυνη ύφεση έξι ετών και οι χαμηλές τιμές ενέργειας από τη Ρωσία είναι ιδιαίτερα καθοριστικές για τη δική μας ανάκαμψη.
Το ρωσικό ενδιαφέρον για τις ιδιωτικοποιήσεις που κάνουμε στην Ελλάδα είναι, επίσης, πολύ σημαντικά ιδιαίτερα για τους σιδηροδρόμους και για τα λιμάνια μας, ιδιαίτερα εκείνο της Θεσσαλονίκης.
Στο χώρο του τουρισμού έχουμε ήδη να επιδείξουμε πολύ εντυπωσιακά αποτελέσματα με τη Ρωσία ενώ ο καθένας καταλαβαίνει το πόσο σημαντικό θα ήταν να υπάρξει ένα σύγχρονο σιδηροδρομικό δίκτυο που θα μπορούσε να αξιοποιήσει τη ζήτηση που προέρχεται από την Ευρωπαϊκή ενδοχώρα για τα Ελληνικά αγροτικά προϊόντα.
Εύχομαι κάθε επιτυχία στους Χειμερινούς Ολυμπιακούς αγώνες του Σότσι. Την Χώρα μας στην τελετή έναρξης θα εκπροσωπήσει ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας κ. Παπούλιας. Σας ευχαριστώ άλλη μια φορά για αυτή την ευκαιρία που είχαμε.
V. Putin: Αξιότιμε κ. Πρωθυπουργέ, για μένα είναι μεγάλη χαρά και ευχαρίστηση να συναντηθούμε σήμερα. Είχαμε την ευκαιρία να γνωριστούμε νωρίτερα, είχαμε μιλήσει και τηλεφωνικώς. Συμμερίζομαι την εκτίμηση σας σχετικά με το κοινό μας θεμέλιο -υπόβαθρο πολύ βαθύ ιστορικό και παραδοσιακό- των φιλικών μας σχέσεων. Φυσικά ξέρουμε τις δυσκολίες που περνά τώρα η Ελλάδα.
Θέλω να σημειώσω ότι κατά την περσινή χρονιά οι συναλλαγές οι εμπορικές μεταξύ μας αυξήθηκαν κατά 16%. Πραγματικά είναι εντυπωσιακά τα αποτελέσματα στον τομέα του τουρισμού, 1.200.000 Ρώσοι επισκέφθηκαν τη Χώρα σας πέρσι. Υπάρχουν και επενδυτικά σχέδια. Με μεγάλη μου χαρά, με μεγάλη ευχαρίστηση θα συζητήσω μαζί σας οποιοδήποτε θέμα θέσατε στην ημερήσια διάταξη. Και φυσικά ευχαριστώ πολύ για αυτή τη δυνατότητα να συναντηθούμε και να τα πούμε σήμερα».
1500-year-old βασιλική εκκλησια ανακαλύφθηκε κάτω από τη λίμνη Ιζνίκ
1500-year-old basilica discovered under Lake Iznik
admin Jan 27th, 2014 // Comments are off for this post
A 1500-year-old basilica was unearthed during excavations conducted on the bed of Lake Iznik.
A church which dates back to the year 500 CE was unearthed during excavations conducted under in the depths of Lake Iznik in Turkey’s western province of Bursa.
Professor Mustafa Sahin from Bursa Uludag University’s Archaeology department said that the first traces of the church was first seen 20 meters from the beach and that they have been conducting excavations to get more clues about the church.
Byzantine experts are still carrying out research to to find out who the church belonged to. They have predicted the ruins to remnants of St. Peters Church, which was mentioned in some Christian books, said Sahin.
It is not exactly known when the church was built, but archaeologists predicted that it must have been built in 500 CE.
The details of the church will be released along with the excavations.
Source: World Bulletin / News Desk
Δευτέρα 27 Ιανουαρίου 2014
Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2014 Full Show | Paris Haute Couture Fashion ...
PARIS - FashionTV checks out the Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2014 show at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Everyone here at FashionTV is still talking about the fabulous wedding gown Anna Martynova wore at the end of the fashion show. It was made up of 25,000 floral appliques. The rest of the collection was just as impressive and contained a multitude of delicate flowers: camellias, roses, peonies, and more that shimmered and shined gowns, jumpsuits and cocktail dresses.
Appearances: Devon Windsor, Anna Martynova, Josephine Le Tutour, Katya Riabinkina, Maud Welzen
Appearances: Devon Windsor, Anna Martynova, Josephine Le Tutour, Katya Riabinkina, Maud Welzen
Epic Whale Rescue In New Zealand
An epic whale rescue by dedicated volunteers in New Zealand has saved over 40 whales stranded on a beach.
Full story:
Dozens of pilot whales that have been stranded at Puponga Beach in New Zealand are being refloated.
Volunteers are pouring water over the whales, and clearing their airways so they can breathe.
[Haley Baxter, Project Noah]:
"I'm just draining, digging a channel, so we can drain all the water away from his face, so that it's not around his blow hole, so that he can breathe. Otherwise he will drown."
The volunteers say it is difficult to push the mammals back to sea.
But the tail-end of a cyclone is forecast to pass through Golden Bay, and this could be the last opportunity to refloat them.
[Project Noah Volunteer]:
"At the moment, they want to go back to the beach. They are pretty determined to go there. So, it's a bit of a handful trying to keep them going the right way out to sea, really."
Dozens of whales have already died and some had been euthanized from the 70 that were initially stranded.
But local media says 46 whales have been saved and are now swimming in deeper water.
The area of Farewell Spit is a classic whale trap, due to a large tidal flat, and hundreds of whales have died getting stranded in the past decade.
Syria's Christians In Deadly Battle With Islamist Persecution
Christian's Fight Back: Christians make up 10% of Syrians. They've been caught in the crossfire of the civil war, but now they're fighting back. This is an extract of a longer film - watch the full film free on Journeyman: http://www.journeyman.tv/?lid=66646&a...
As Syria's civil war rages, Christians, who make up one-tenth of the population, are being driven out. But in the Northeast, hand-in-hand with the Kurds, one group are beating back the Islamists' advance.
"They said they'd chop our heads off if we stayed. They said we were supporting the regime and they burnt one of my cousins." Mohammed Jelloud, a local Arab man, says of the oppression of rebel groups with ties to Al Qaeda. But now the Kurds have taken this region, which is split between Christians, Muslims and Kurds. For the Christians, the most vulnerable group, it is a godsend. Elsewhere in the country an estimated 450,000 have been displaced. "The extremists said the Christians and the Kurds were infidels and had to be killed!" Mahjoub, an elderly Christian, explains as he reveals the devastation wrought on an Orthodox church. This fanaticism is why so many Christians oppose the revolution, fearing it is controlled by radical and foreign interests. Now under Kurdish leadership, a fragile but tolerant haven has opened up here. Fadi, a young Christian, has thrown his lot in with the Kurdish police, because they offer a freedom that no one else can. "I have come to work with them because they are working to secure my lifestyle. I just want to have freedom."
As Syria's civil war rages, Christians, who make up one-tenth of the population, are being driven out. But in the Northeast, hand-in-hand with the Kurds, one group are beating back the Islamists' advance.
"They said they'd chop our heads off if we stayed. They said we were supporting the regime and they burnt one of my cousins." Mohammed Jelloud, a local Arab man, says of the oppression of rebel groups with ties to Al Qaeda. But now the Kurds have taken this region, which is split between Christians, Muslims and Kurds. For the Christians, the most vulnerable group, it is a godsend. Elsewhere in the country an estimated 450,000 have been displaced. "The extremists said the Christians and the Kurds were infidels and had to be killed!" Mahjoub, an elderly Christian, explains as he reveals the devastation wrought on an Orthodox church. This fanaticism is why so many Christians oppose the revolution, fearing it is controlled by radical and foreign interests. Now under Kurdish leadership, a fragile but tolerant haven has opened up here. Fadi, a young Christian, has thrown his lot in with the Kurdish police, because they offer a freedom that no one else can. "I have come to work with them because they are working to secure my lifestyle. I just want to have freedom."
Pope's peace doves attacked by crow and seagull
Two children joined Pope Francis for his weekly prayer from the papal apartments. The pontiff used the service to call for peace and reconciliation in Ukraine and to symbolise this the children released two white doves into the air. As they took off one was attacked by a passing seagull, while the other was repeatedly pecked by a crow. It is not known what happened to the doves after the incident. Report by Sarah Johnston.
A Year of Weather 2013
The visualisation, comprised of imagery from the geostationary satellites of EUMETSAT, NOAA and the JMA, shows an entire year of weather across the globe during 2013, with commentary from Mark Higgins, Training Officer at EUMETSAT.
The satellite data layer is superimposed over NASA's 'Blue Marble Next Generation' ground maps, which change with the seasons.
Κυριακή 26 Ιανουαρίου 2014
ΙΣΧΥΡΟΣ ΣΕΙΣΜΟΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΕΦΑΛΟΝΙΑ
Ισχυρός σεισμός στο νησί στη δυτική Ελλάδα
27η Ιανουαρίου σεισμό στη Δυτική Ελλάδα. Χάρτης μέσω του USGS.
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Ένας ισχυρός σεισμός έπληξε κοντά στην πόλη Ληξούρι, ή Ληξούρι - πληθυσμό 9.800 - στο νησί της Κεφαλονιάς, στη δυτική Ελλάδα.Εκθέσεις του μεγέθους του σεισμού ποικίλλουν, αλλά, αυτή τη στιγμή, ηΓεωλογική Υπηρεσία των ΗΠΑ (USGS) εξακολουθεί να αναφέρει το σεισμό ως μεγέθους 6,0. Η τοπική ώρα ήταν αργά το απόγευμα της Κυριακής, 26 Ιανουαρίου, 2014. Προφανώς η δόνηση έγινε επίσης αισθητή και σε άλλες χώρες, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της Αλβανίας, του Μαυροβουνίου, της Βουλγαρίας και της νότιας Ιταλίας. Οι σεισμολόγοι και οι τοπικοί αξιωματούχοι αναφέρουν βλάβες και πιθανούς τραυματισμούς, σύμφωνα με τουλάχιστον μία έκθεση . Λίγες λεπτομέρειες είναι διαθέσιμες αυτή τη στιγμή. Σύμφωνα με GreekReporter.com :
Οι κάτοικοι της Κεφαλονιάς φοβούνται. Το γεγονός αυτό τους υπενθύμισε σχετικά με το μεγάλο σεισμό του 1953 (Μ 7.2), όπου εκατοντάδες άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους.
Λεπτομέρειες σχετικά με το σεισμό,από USGS , ακολουθήστε
Ώρα Γεγονός
01/26/2014 13:55:43 UTC
26.01.2014 15:55:43 UTC +02:00 στο επίκεντρο
26.01.2014 15:55:43 UTC +02:00 στο επίκεντρο
Τοποθεσία
38.208 ° N 20.425 ° E = βάθος 18,8 χιλιομέτρων (11.7mi)
38.208 ° N 20.425 ° E = βάθος 18,8 χιλιομέτρων (11.7mi)
Κοντινές πόλεις
μηδέν χιλιόμετρα (0mi) ΒΔ της Ληξούρι, Ελλάδα
61 χιλιόμετρα (38mi) ΒΔ της Ζακύνθου, Ελλάδα
87 χιλιομέτρων (54mi) ΝΝΔ της Πρέβεζας, Ελλάδα
89 χιλιομέτρων (55mi) ΝΔ της Μεσολόγγι, Ελλάδα
289 χιλιόμετρα (180mi) W Αθήνα, Ελλάδα
μηδέν χιλιόμετρα (0mi) ΒΔ της Ληξούρι, Ελλάδα
61 χιλιόμετρα (38mi) ΒΔ της Ζακύνθου, Ελλάδα
87 χιλιομέτρων (54mi) ΝΝΔ της Πρέβεζας, Ελλάδα
89 χιλιομέτρων (55mi) ΝΔ της Μεσολόγγι, Ελλάδα
289 χιλιόμετρα (180mi) W Αθήνα, Ελλάδα
Η κατώτατη γραμμή: Το USGS αναφέρει ένα ισχυρό σεισμό στη Δυτική Ελλάδα, στο νησί της Κεφαλονιάς, με το επίκεντρο στην πόλη Ληξούρι στις 26 Ιανουαρίου 2014.
Σεισμοτεκτονική περιοχή της Μεσογείου και Περιχώρων
Η περιοχή της Μεσογείου είναι σεισμικά ενεργή λόγω του βορρά σύγκλισης (4-10 mm / yr) της αφρικανικής πλάκας σε σχέση με την Ευρασιατική πλάκα κατά μήκος μιας σύνθετης όριο της πλάκας.Η σύγκλιση αυτή άρχισε περίπου 50 Ma και συνδέθηκε με το κλείσιμο της Τηθύος Θάλασσας. Η σύγχρονη απομεινάρι της Τηθύος Θάλασσας είναι η Μεσόγειος Θάλασσα. Τα υψηλότερα ποσοστά σεισμικότητας στην περιοχή της Μεσογείου βρίσκονται κατά μήκος του Ελληνικού ζώνη καταβύθισης της νότιας Ελλάδα, κατά μήκος της Βόρειας Ανατολίας ρήγματος της δυτικής Τουρκίας και της Καλαβρίας ζώνη καταβύθισης της νότιας Ιταλίας. Οι τοπικές υψηλά ποσοστά σύγκλισης στο Ελληνικό ζώνη καταβύθισης (35mm/yr) που συνδέονται με back-arc εξαπλώνεται σε όλη την Ελλάδα και την δυτική Τουρκία πάνω από την βυθιζόμενη Μεσογείου ωκεάνιου φλοιού. Φλοιού κανονική διαρρήξεις σε όλη την περιοχή είναι μια εκδήλωση της εκτατικής τεκτονική που σχετίζονται με το back-arc εξαπλώνεται. Η περιοχή της θάλασσας του Μαρμαρά είναι μια μεταβατική ζώνη μεταξύ της παρούσας εκτατικό καθεστώς, στα δυτικά, και το καθεστώς απεργία-ολίσθησης του ρήγματος της Βόρειας Ανατολίας Ζώνη, στα ανατολικά. Το ρήγμα της Βόρειας Ανατολίας φιλοξενεί το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της δεξιά πλευρική οριζόντια κίνηση (23-24 mm / yr) μεταξύ της Ανατολίας μικρο-πλάκας και Ευρασιατική ως την Ανατολία μικρο-πλάκα ωθείται προς τα δυτικά για να φιλοξενήσει το περαιτέρω κλείσιμο της λεκάνης της Μεσογείου που προκαλείται από η σύγκρουση των αφρικανικών και αραβικά πιάτα στη νοτιοανατολική Τουρκία. Καταβύθισης του δαπέδου Μεσογείου κάτω από την Τυρρηνική Θάλασσα στο Καλαβρίας ζώνη καταβύθισης προκαλεί σημαντική ζώνη σεισμικότητας γύρω από τη Σικελία και τη νότια Ιταλία. Τα ενεργά ηφαίστεια που βρίσκονται πάνω από ενδιάμεσους σεισμούς βάθους στις Κυκλάδες στο Αιγαίο Πέλαγος και στη νότια Ιταλία.
Στην περιοχή της Μεσογείου υπάρχει ένα γραπτό αρχείο, μήκους αρκετών αιώνων, τεκμηριώνοντας προ-instrumental σεισμικότητα (προ-20ος αιώνας). Οι σεισμοί έχουν ιστορικά προκάλεσαν εκτεταμένες ζημίες σε όλη την κεντρική και νότια Ελλάδα, Κύπρος, Σικελία, Κρήτη, στο Δέλτα του Νείλου, Βόρεια Λιβύη, στα όρη του Άτλαντα της Βόρειας Αφρικής και της Ιβηρικής Χερσονήσου. Το 1903 M8.2 σεισμός των Κυθήρων και τα 1926 M7.8 Ρόδου σεισμοί είναι τα μεγαλύτερα της Μεσογείου instrumentally καταγράφονται σεισμοί, οι οποίες σχετίζονται με την τεκτονική ζώνη καταβύθισης. Μεταξύ 1939 και 1999 μια σειρά καταστροφικών σεισμών M7 + απεργία-ολίσθησης διαδίδεται προς δυσμάς κατά μήκος ρήγματος της Βόρειας Ανατολίας Zone, αρχίζοντας με το 1939 M7.8 Erzincan σεισμό στο ανατολικό άκρο του συστήματος ρήγμα της Βόρειας Ανατολίας. Το 1999 Μ7.6 Izmit σεισμό, που βρίσκεται στο άκρο δυτικά του ρήγματος, χτύπησε μια από τις πιο πυκνοκατοικημένες και βιομηχανικές αστικές περιοχές της Τουρκίας σκοτώνοντας, περισσότερα από 17.000 άτομα. Παρά το γεγονός ότι τα ποσοστά σεισμικότητας είναι συγκριτικά χαμηλή κατά μήκος της βόρειας περιθώριο της αφρικανικής ηπείρου, έχουν μεγάλη καταστρεπτικοί σεισμοί έχουν καταγραφεί και αναφερθεί από το Μαρόκο στη δυτική Μεσόγειο, στη Νεκρά Θάλασσα, στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο. Το 1980 M7.3 El Asnam σεισμός ήταν ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα και πιο καταστρεπτικούς σεισμούς της Αφρικής μέσα του 20ου αιώνα.
Μεγάλες σεισμοί σε όλη την περιοχή της Μεσογείου έχουν επίσης γνωστό ότι παράγουν σημαντικές και επιζήμιες τσουνάμι. Ένα από τα πιο εξέχοντα ιστορικά σεισμοί στην περιοχή είναι ο σεισμός της Λισσαβώνας Από την 1η Νοεμβρίου 1755, το μέγεθος των οποίων έχει εκτιμηθεί από μη instrumental δεδομένα να είναι περίπου 8,0. Το 1755 σεισμός της Λισσαβώνας θεωρείται ότι έχει πραγματοποιηθεί εντός ή κοντά στις Αζόρες-Γιβραλτάρ μετατρέψει σφάλμα, το οποίο καθορίζει το όριο μεταξύ της Αφρικής και της Ευρασίας πλάκες ανοικτά της δυτικής ακτής του Μαρόκου και της Πορτογαλίας. Ο σεισμός είναι σημαντική τόσο για ένα μεγάλο αριθμό των νεκρών από περίπου 60.000 ανθρώπους και για τη δημιουργία ενός τσουνάμι που σάρωσε τις πορτογαλικές ακτές πλημμυρίζοντας παράκτια χωριά και τη Λισαβόνα. Ένας σεισμός περίπου M8.0 κοντά στον προορισμό Σικελία το 1693 δημιούργησε ένα μεγάλο κύμα τσουνάμι που κατέστρεψε πολλές πόλεις κατά μήκος της ανατολικής ακτής της Σικελίας. Η M7.2 28η, Δεκεμβρίου, 1908 Messina σεισμός είναι η πιο θανατηφόρα τεκμηριωμένη ευρωπαϊκή σεισμό. Ο συνδυασμός της σοβαρής έδαφος τίναγμα και ένα τοπικό τσουνάμι που προκλήθηκε κατ 'εκτίμηση 60.000 έως 120.000 θανάτους.
ΤΟ ΑΠΟΛΥΤΟ ΟΧΗΜΑ!
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen (as it was called from 1979 to 1994), short for Geländewagen (or cross-country vehicle), is a four-wheel drive vehicle / sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by Steyr-Puch (now Magna Steyr) in Austria for German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes G-wagen is characterized by its boxy styling and body-on-frame construction. It uses three fully-locking differentials, one of the few vehicles to have such a feature. Despite the introduction of an intended replacement, the unibody crossover SUV Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in 2006, the Mercedes G-Class is still in production and is the longest produced Mercedes-Benz in Daimler's history, with a span of 32 years.[1]
The Mercedes G-class was developed as a military vehicle from a suggestion by the Shah of Iran (at the time a great shareholder) to Mercedes[2] and offered as a civilian version in 1979. The Mercedes G-class replaced the cheaper Volkswagen Iltis in 1990. In this role it is sometimes referred to as the "Wolf" and LAPV Enok. The Mercedes G-Class has been sold under the Puch name in certain markets, and the Peugeot P4 is a variant made under license, with a Peugeot engine and different parts.
In June 2012, the Mercedes G-Class received some minor modifications to the specification and Mercedes engine range. The significant changes outside are that the updated Mercedes G-Class gets LED running lights; second, there are turn indicators in its side mirrors; and third, the Mercedes AMG gets a new bumper and grille. The majority of the Mercedes G-Class's upgrades reside under its hood and behind its doors: a new interior, more modern amenities. Mercedes Interior changes include a re-sculpted dashboard and centre console, with relocated Mercedes COMAND screen, and a new colour multifunction screen to the gauge cluster.
The previous Mercedes G55's supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 is replaced by a Mercedes twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8. Power is up by 44 hp to 544, and torque is an equal 44 units, to 560 lb-ft. Like other AMG Mercedes-Benz models with the new downsized Mercedes V-8, the Mercedes G63's "63" nomenclature bears no connection to its actual engine displacement. The Mercedes G63 also gets a new "Eco" engine stop-start system. Mercedes also fitted a seven-speed automatic transmission in place of the Mercedes G55's five-speed. For many export markets, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new Mercedes G65 AMG powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12. The engine puts out 604 hp and gives a huge 738 lb-ft of torque.
Previous models Mercedes 200 GE — M102E20 1,997 cc I4, 109 PS (80 kW) (only sold in Italy) - later rebadged G 200 Mercedes 230 GE — M102E23 2,299 cc I4, 125 PS (92 kW), 140 lb·ft (192 N·m/4000 rpm)- later rebadged G 230 Mercedes 300 GE — M103 3.0 L I6 - later rebadged G 300, 168 hp (125 kW) at 5,000 rpm, 173 lb·ft (235 N·m/4500 rpm) Mercedes 250 GD — OM602 2.5 L Diesel I5, 94 hp (69 kW), 116 lb·ft (158 N·m/2600 rpm) Mercedes 300 GD — OM603 3.0 L Diesel I6 - later rebadged G 300 Diesel, 111 hp (83 kW/4600 rpm), 141 lb·ft (191 N·m/2700--2900 rpm) Mercedes 350 GD Turbodiesel — OM603D35A 3.5 L Diesel I6 (turbocharged), 136 hp (100 kW), 244 lb·ft (330 N·m)- later rebadged G 350 Turbodiesel Mercedes 500 GE — M117 5.0 L V8, 236 hp (174 kW) Mercedes 500 GE 6.0 AMG — M117E60 6.0 L V8, 331 hp (243 kW) Mercedes G 320 — M104 3.2 L I6, 217 hp (161 kW), 229 lb·ft (310 N·m) Mercedes G 36 AMG — M104E36 3.6 L I6, 272 hp (200 kW) Mercedes G 500 — M113E50 5.0 L V8, 296 hp (218 kW), 336 lb·ft (456 Nm) Mercedes G 55 AMG (1998--2004) — 32V 5.5 L V8, 382 hp (285 kW) Mercedes G 55 AMG (2005--2012) — M113E55 5.4 L 5439 cc V8 supercharged, 507 hp (373 kW), 514 lb·ft (700 N·m) Mercedes G 63 AMG — V12 N/A, 444 hp (326 kW), (620 N·m/4400 rpm) (only 12 ever built)
Current models Mercedes G 300 Professional (2009--present) — 3.0 L 2987 cc V6 diesel, (135 kW), (400 N·m) Mercedes G 350 Bluetec (2009--present) — 3.0 L 2987 cc V6 diesel, 211 hp (155 kW), (540 N·m) Mercedes G 500 or G 550 (2009--present) — M273E55 5.5 L 5461 ccV8, 382 hp (284 kW), 391 lb·ft (530 N·m) Mercedes G 63 AMG (2012--present) — M157 5.5 L 5461 cc V8 twin-turbo, 544 hp (400 kW), (760 N·m) Mercedes G 65 AMG (2012--present) — M275 6.0 L 5980 cc V12 twin-turbo, 603 hp (450 kW), (1000 N·m)
The Mercedes G-class was developed as a military vehicle from a suggestion by the Shah of Iran (at the time a great shareholder) to Mercedes[2] and offered as a civilian version in 1979. The Mercedes G-class replaced the cheaper Volkswagen Iltis in 1990. In this role it is sometimes referred to as the "Wolf" and LAPV Enok. The Mercedes G-Class has been sold under the Puch name in certain markets, and the Peugeot P4 is a variant made under license, with a Peugeot engine and different parts.
In June 2012, the Mercedes G-Class received some minor modifications to the specification and Mercedes engine range. The significant changes outside are that the updated Mercedes G-Class gets LED running lights; second, there are turn indicators in its side mirrors; and third, the Mercedes AMG gets a new bumper and grille. The majority of the Mercedes G-Class's upgrades reside under its hood and behind its doors: a new interior, more modern amenities. Mercedes Interior changes include a re-sculpted dashboard and centre console, with relocated Mercedes COMAND screen, and a new colour multifunction screen to the gauge cluster.
The previous Mercedes G55's supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 is replaced by a Mercedes twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8. Power is up by 44 hp to 544, and torque is an equal 44 units, to 560 lb-ft. Like other AMG Mercedes-Benz models with the new downsized Mercedes V-8, the Mercedes G63's "63" nomenclature bears no connection to its actual engine displacement. The Mercedes G63 also gets a new "Eco" engine stop-start system. Mercedes also fitted a seven-speed automatic transmission in place of the Mercedes G55's five-speed. For many export markets, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new Mercedes G65 AMG powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12. The engine puts out 604 hp and gives a huge 738 lb-ft of torque.
Previous models Mercedes 200 GE — M102E20 1,997 cc I4, 109 PS (80 kW) (only sold in Italy) - later rebadged G 200 Mercedes 230 GE — M102E23 2,299 cc I4, 125 PS (92 kW), 140 lb·ft (192 N·m/4000 rpm)- later rebadged G 230 Mercedes 300 GE — M103 3.0 L I6 - later rebadged G 300, 168 hp (125 kW) at 5,000 rpm, 173 lb·ft (235 N·m/4500 rpm) Mercedes 250 GD — OM602 2.5 L Diesel I5, 94 hp (69 kW), 116 lb·ft (158 N·m/2600 rpm) Mercedes 300 GD — OM603 3.0 L Diesel I6 - later rebadged G 300 Diesel, 111 hp (83 kW/4600 rpm), 141 lb·ft (191 N·m/2700--2900 rpm) Mercedes 350 GD Turbodiesel — OM603D35A 3.5 L Diesel I6 (turbocharged), 136 hp (100 kW), 244 lb·ft (330 N·m)- later rebadged G 350 Turbodiesel Mercedes 500 GE — M117 5.0 L V8, 236 hp (174 kW) Mercedes 500 GE 6.0 AMG — M117E60 6.0 L V8, 331 hp (243 kW) Mercedes G 320 — M104 3.2 L I6, 217 hp (161 kW), 229 lb·ft (310 N·m) Mercedes G 36 AMG — M104E36 3.6 L I6, 272 hp (200 kW) Mercedes G 500 — M113E50 5.0 L V8, 296 hp (218 kW), 336 lb·ft (456 Nm) Mercedes G 55 AMG (1998--2004) — 32V 5.5 L V8, 382 hp (285 kW) Mercedes G 55 AMG (2005--2012) — M113E55 5.4 L 5439 cc V8 supercharged, 507 hp (373 kW), 514 lb·ft (700 N·m) Mercedes G 63 AMG — V12 N/A, 444 hp (326 kW), (620 N·m/4400 rpm) (only 12 ever built)
Current models Mercedes G 300 Professional (2009--present) — 3.0 L 2987 cc V6 diesel, (135 kW), (400 N·m) Mercedes G 350 Bluetec (2009--present) — 3.0 L 2987 cc V6 diesel, 211 hp (155 kW), (540 N·m) Mercedes G 500 or G 550 (2009--present) — M273E55 5.5 L 5461 ccV8, 382 hp (284 kW), 391 lb·ft (530 N·m) Mercedes G 63 AMG (2012--present) — M157 5.5 L 5461 cc V8 twin-turbo, 544 hp (400 kW), (760 N·m) Mercedes G 65 AMG (2012--present) — M275 6.0 L 5980 cc V12 twin-turbo, 603 hp (450 kW), (1000 N·m)
Σάββατο 25 Ιανουαρίου 2014
Top 10 Travel Activities for Your Bucket List
Top 10 Travel Activities for Your Bucket List
We all enjoy traveling, visiting and exploring new places. Depending on location, the specific place can offer a lot of things and activities to enjoy with. There are a lot of places that are made ju
st for everyone’s pleasure, and yet there are ton of places that offers once in a lifetime adventure such as exotic and dangerous cruises, or going to safari on your foots and so on… Even if you do not enjoy in any of them, there are a lot more travel activities you will surely enjoy and remember for the rest of your lives. For this reason we created the top 10 travel activities list that will made of everybody’s bucket list! Let’s start:
Spend a Week In Over-water Bora Bora Bungalows
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Australia
View the magical Northern Lights in Norway
Watch the sunrise from the Mount Kilimanjaro
Explore Grand Canyon from a helicopter
Meet the Moai of Easter Island
Cruise down the Nile & see the Pyramids of Giza
Start the Trans-Siberian Railway and ride from Beijing to Moscow
Start a journey through the ruins of Machu Picchu
View the beauty of Kenya on safari
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Blasphemy case: Briton in Pakistan sentenced to death
A court in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi has sentenced a 70-year-old British man to death after convicting him of blasphemy.
Muhammad Asghar was arrested in 2010 after writing letters to various people claiming to be a prophet, reports say.
His lawyers argued for leniency, saying he has a history of mental illness, but this was rejected by a medical panel.
Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws carry a potential death sentence for anyone deemed to have insulted Islam.
Several recent cases have prompted international concern about the application of these laws.
Asghar, who is from Edinburgh, Scotland, was accused of writing letters to police officers claiming to be a prophet. He is thought to have lived in Pakistan for several years.
"Asghar claimed to be a prophet even inside the court. He confessed it in front of the judge," Javed Gul, a government prosecutor, told AFP news agency.
Sensitive issue
But his lawyer told the BBC's Saba Eitizaz that she was forcibly removed from the case by the judge and that proceedings were carried out behind closed doors.
His lawyer says she will launch an appeal against the verdict, which was delivered late on Thursday. Higher courts in Pakistan have been known to overturn blasphemy verdicts handed down in lower courts because of insufficient evidence.
Asgharn has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and had treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Edinburgh, but the court did not accept his medical reports from the UK, reports say.
He has been in jail since his arrest in 2010 and his lawyer says he has also tried to take his own life in jail on one occasion.
Correspondents say Asghar is unlikely to be executed as Pakistan has had a de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 2008. He was also ordered to pay a substantial fine by the court.
A Scottish government spokesman said they were "concerned" about the case.
"As a minimum we would urge the Pakistani authorities to abide by the moratorium they have on the death penalty. Our thoughts are with Mr Asghar's family at this difficult time," the spokesman said.
Senior UK Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said British officials were providing consular support to Mr Asghar.
"We will be raising our concerns in the strongest possible terms with the Pakistani government," she added.
The legal charity Reprieve has urged the UK government to take immediate steps to protect Asghar, adding that he has has "a long and documented history of psychological ill-health" and needs constant care.
Critics argue that Pakistan's blasphemy laws are frequently misused to settle personal scores and that members of minority groups are also unfairly targeted.
In 2012 the arrest of a young Christian girl, Rimsha Masih, on blasphemy charges provoked international outrage. After being detained in a high security prison for several weeks she was eventually released and her family subsequently fled to Canada.
Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97% of the population are Muslim.
Muslims constitute a majority of those prosecuted, followed by the minority Ahmadi community.
Earlier this year, another 72-year-old British Pakistani from the Ahmadi community, Masood Ahmed, was jailed on blasphemy charges.
The Best of Hard Enduro 2013
Grimace again at the best Hard Enduro moments of 2013. We take a moment to look back on the highs and lows of the last season and take a look forward to 2014.
From The Tough One to Romaniacs, via Hell's Gate and the Hare Scramble, it has been another remarkable season in the sport's history.
There were top honors for Graham 'The Silent Assassin' Jarvis but a late charge from fellow Brit Jonny Walker prevented a clean sweep of events. See how the battle played out in this no-holds-barred Hard Enduro clip.
From The Tough One to Romaniacs, via Hell's Gate and the Hare Scramble, it has been another remarkable season in the sport's history.
There were top honors for Graham 'The Silent Assassin' Jarvis but a late charge from fellow Brit Jonny Walker prevented a clean sweep of events. See how the battle played out in this no-holds-barred Hard Enduro clip.
Bombings in Cairo kill at least 6, injure dozens more
Posted: 24 Jan 2014 07:44 AM PST
A series of attacks today, starting with a suicide car bombing that targeted the Cairo Security Directorate, killed at least six people and injured many more. According to Egyptian authorities, the suicide attack at the security directorate left at least four people dead and dozens more injured. The bombing came only a few hours after the Sinai-based jihadist group Ansar Jerusalem (Ansar Bayt al Maqdis) had issued an audio warning.
In the message, an Ansar Jerusalem official identified as Abu Osama al Masri urged Egyptian security personnel to repent and save themselves. "If you can escape with your weapon then do that. Otherwise, you know that soldiers are dealt with as one bloc. We will target you as we target your leaders," al Masri said.
Witnesses told Reuters that gunfire was heard following the explosion. Some Egyptian media reports, however, suggested that the gunfire occurred prior as security forces attempted to stop the car from reaching the security directorate. According to McClatchy, "the attackers struck at 6:40 a.m. when officers were changing shifts, creating a security gap."
After the bombing, which also damaged the nearby Islamic Museum, security forces shut down all roads surrounding the Interior Ministry in Cairo, state-run MENA reported.
The bombing at the security directorate was followed by three other attacks today. A couple of hours after the suicide attack, a "crude explosive device" was thrown at security vehicles in nearby Giza, Reuters stated; at least one person was killed and nine others injured. A third explosion was later reported, near a police station in the Haram area of Giza, according to the New York Times. And in the afternoon, a fourth explosion that reportedly killed at least one person took place near a movie theater in the capital.
Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim said the bomber of the Cairo Security Directorate belonged to a jihadist organization and that the bombing would increase the resolve of authorities to continue their efforts to eliminate terrorism, al Masry al Youm reported. Meanwhile, Egyptians who gathered at the site of the main explosion chanted anti-Muslim Brotherhood slogans, including "The people want the execution of the Brotherhood."
Yesterday, unidentified gunmen killed five Egyptian policemen and wounded two others in a shooting attack in Beni Suef. That attack, as well as today's bombing in Cairo, has thus far gone unclaimed.
Today's attack in Cairo comes exactly one month after an Ansar Jerusalem suicide car bombing attack outside the Daqahliya security directorate in Mansoura killed over a dozen people and injured over 130 more. The Mansoura attack came roughly a day after Ansar Jerusalem called on members of the security forces to repent and leave their positions. Ansar Jerusalem concluded its message by warning that those in the security forces who did not leave would have no one to blame but themselves. "[W]e are the most resolute and determined to carry out the command of Allah and His Messenger to do jihad against you and fight you until all the religion is for Allah," the group declared.
In its claim of responsibility for the Mansoura attack, Ansar Jerusalem said it would continue to fight and reiterated its warning for Egyptian Muslims to stay away from buildings associated with the security forces. The group, which has issued such warnings since at least September, stated in an Oct. 21 communique that police and military headquarters "are legitimate targets for the mujahideen."
Since July 3, there have been more than 275 reported attacks in the Sinai Peninsula, most of which were carried out against Egyptian security forces and assets, according to data maintained by The Long War Journal. A good number of these attacks, including the Nov. 20 car bombing that killed 11 Egyptian security personnel, have been claimed by Ansar Jerusalem.
Attacks by Sinai-based jihadists, Ansar Jerusalem specifically, have also taken place in the Egyptian mainland. On Sept. 5, the jihadist group used a suicide car bomber in an assassination attempt in Nasr City on Egypt's interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim. A month later, an Ansar Jerusalem suicide bomber unleashed a blast at the South Sinai Security Directorate in el Tor, which killed three security personnel and injured more than 45. On Oct. 19, the Sinai-based jihadist group targeted a military intelligence building in the city of Ismailia in another car bombing. And on Nov. 19, the group claimed responsibility for the shooting attack on Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Mabrouk, a senior national security officer, in Cairo.
The al Furqan Brigades, which are not believed to be based in the Sinai, have also claimed responsibility for a number of shootingsand rocket attacks in the Egyptian mainland since Morsi's overthrow. In contrast to Ansar Jerusalem, the group has yet to claim responsibility for any large car or suicide bombings.
Ansar Jerusalem, which was founded by Egyptians, is the dominant jihadist group operating in the Sinai Peninsula today. The group, whose fighters are often seen with the al Qaeda flag, has claimed credit for a number of attacks against Israel and Egypt over the past two years.
In September 2013, Ansar Jerusalem, which releases material through the jihadist forums of Al Fajr Media Center, al Qaeda's exclusive media distribution outlet, declared that "it is obligatory to repulse them [the Egyptian army] and fight them until the command of Allah is fulfilled." Recent reports in the Egyptian media have suggested that Ansar Jerusalem may have links to Muhammad Jamal and the Muhammad Jamal Network [MJN], which were added to the US government's list of designated terrorists and the UN's sanctions listin October 2013.
Jamal, whose fighters have been linked to the Sept. 11, 2012 Benghazi terror attack, is said to have established "several terrorist training camps in Egypt and Libya" with funding from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
In late November, in response to a Long War Journal query on whether the State Department believes there is a connection between the Muhammad Jamal Network (MJN) and Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, a State Department spokesman said: "We have no comment on the inter-relationships between MJN and the other Sinai groups."
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Posted: 24 Jan 2014 11:05 AM PST
Yesterday, State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf made two ridiculous claims about al Qaeda during a briefing with reporters. First, she claimed that there are no "operational" links between al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri and jihadist groups in Syria. And second, she said that Zawahiri is the only remaining member of "core" al Qaeda. From the briefing [emphasis ours]:
QUESTION: Okay. And then, secondly, there were some reports that Ayman Zawahiri has recorded another message - it's on militant websites - telling militants to unite in Syria. Are you aware of these and do you have any response?
First, Harf claims that there is no "operational link between Zawahiri and folks in Syria." There is plenty of evidence demonstrating that this isn't true.
Zawahiri stepped into the leadership dispute between the Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) last year. He demanded that the leaders of both organizations file a report with him. They each complied. He then issued a ruling in late May that ISIS and its emir, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, disagreed with and openly defied. The dispute with ISIS is more nuanced than most analysts let on, but it is obviously a very serious disagreement. (We have covered this in-depth, and will have more on this in the near future.)
But even if we were to assume that all of ISIS has now gone rogue (and there are good reasons to think this isn't true), Zawahiri retains the loyalty of the Al Nusrah Front and al Qaeda operatives embedded within other extremist groups.
There is simply no reason to believe that the Al Nusrah Front is anything other than a loyal branch of al Qaeda. When the leadership dispute with ISIS went public last year, Al Nusrah's emir, Abu Muhammad al Julani, reaffirmed his allegiance to Zawahiri. Other parts of the State Department know this. When Julani was designated a global terrorist in May 2013, Foggy Bottom noted: "Although al Nusrah Front was formed by AQI [al Qaeda in Iraq, the predecessor to ISIS] in late 2011 as a front for AQI's activities in Syria, recently al Julani publicly pledged allegiance to Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaeda's leader."
In December, Julani granted an interview with Al Jazeera. He explained that as far he was concerned, Zawahiri's word on the leadership dispute was final. Julani said:
Very briefly, a difference occurred and this happens between brothers in the same house. The outcome of this difference was what you heard in the media. This difference was conveyed to our and their emir Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri, may God protect him. He resolved the difference as you have heard. There is no longer anything that is hidden from the public. The issue was much exaggerated; it is much simpler and easier but took a much larger size and it began to be circulated on the Internet and other media. The issue is much smaller. We are proceeding along the road on the basis of our plan. The difference reached the conclusion that was heard by all. It was resolved by Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri and things stopped there.
Of course, from the perspective of some leaders within ISIS, including its emir, the dispute was not resolved. But Julani's words show just how much he defers to Zawahiri. According to Julani, Zawahiri has the final say on leadership issues. Is this not an "operational" link?
Julani went on in his interview with Al Jazeera, explaining that Zawahiri "has given us a large margin to decide on our own" how to operate. This does not mean that Zawahiri has given up control of the group. It means that Zawahiri is following the old al Qaeda saying, "centralize the decision, decentralize the action," which has long been the group's modus operandi. Zawahiri doesn't need to micromanage every single decision Julani makes. Basic modern organizational theory (and common sense) should tell us that it is inefficient for him to do so. But it is still within Zawahiri's purview, according to Julani himself, to decide how much latitude Julani and his subordinates have.
Moreover, Julani said, Zawahiri has been giving direction for their efforts. "Dr. Ayman, may God protect him, always tells us to meet with the other factions," Julani said. "We are committed to this and this is a basic part of the principles of jihadist work in general, including work by al Qaeda."
If Al Nusrah's story isn't enough, how about the story of Abu Khalid al Suri (Mohamed Bahaiah), a senior leader in Ahrar al Sham and longtime al Qaeda operative who was named by Zawahiri as al Qaeda's mediator in the dispute between the ISIS and the Al Nusrah Front? Zawahiri has issued guidelines to the jihadist groups in Syria to settle their dispute, which both al Suri and Julani have echoed. And, in December, the US Treasury Department identified al Suri as "al Qaeda's representative in Syria" and said that he was funneling cash from Gulf donors through Syria "to al Qaeda." This sounds operational to us.
Second, Harf claims that Zawahiri is the only member of "core al Qaeda" remaining. This is not true even with respect to Afghanistan and Pakistan. We can easily identify additional "core" al Qaeda members in South Asia. (For instance, Zawahiri discussed the leadership dispute between ISIS and the Al Nusrah Front with his shura council. This was revealed in Zawahiri's letter. Harf is assuming that no such council exists.)
Beyond AfPak, however, Harf's statement demonstrates that she has zero understanding of al Qaeda and its network. For The Long War Journal's view of al Qaeda's international network, as well as the issue of a "core" al Qaeda, see Tom Joscelyn's testimony before Congress in July 2013:
In my view, al Qaeda is best defined as a global international terrorist network, with a general command in Afghanistan and Pakistan and affiliates in several countries. Together, they form a robust network that, despite setbacks, contests for territory abroad and still poses a threat to U.S. interests both overseas and at home.
For the sake of argument, let's take Harf's statements seriously and accept that al Qaeda has a "core" that is distinct from its far-flung, loosely organized affiliates. If this is correct, then how does she view Nasir al Wuhayshi, al Qaeda's general manager, who isn't even based in the Afghan-Pakistan region (he is in Yemen)? He also leads al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Does Harf consider Wuhayshi "Core al Qaeda"? If not, why?
There are plenty of other old-school "core" al Qaeda leaders who are still in the business. We won't list them all, but will give you two other examples. Take Saif al Adel, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. If al Adel were in Iran, would Harf consider him to be "Core al Qaeda," or must he be in Pakistan to qualify? And wouldn't that mean that there are two core al Qaeda leaders left? The Obama administration has previously identified al Qaeda's network inside Iran as being a "core pipeline" for al Qaeda's leadership in Pakistan. Known, longtime al Qaeda operatives run the operation inside Iran.
How about Abu Anas al Libi, the "core" al Qaeda leader who, according to a report written by the Defense Department's Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office and published by the Library of Congress, helped establish al Qaeda's network in post-revolution Libya prior to being captured by US forces in Tripoli in early October 2013? Or is he not core al Qaeda because he isn't based along the Afghan-Pakistan border?
While the US drone program certainly has killed plenty of top al Qaeda leaders as well as many jihadists the Obama administration would not define as core al Qaeda (think about that for a minute - why are they a threat worthy of a drone strike if they aren't part of a cohesive al Qaeda network?), the network is by no means finished.
Al Qaeda doesn't confine its leaders to a small patch of ground in the Afghan-Pakistan region as the Obama administration would like for you to believe.
Based on any reasonable definition, Zawahiri isn't the only "core" al Qaeda left standing.
And al Qaeda's senior leaders, including Zawahiri, still oversee the group's efforts inside Syria -- particularly the Al Nusrah Front, but also other assets.
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Posted: 23 Jan 2014 06:31 PM PST
The US killed four al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters last night, in the third drone strike in Yemen so far this year.
The remotely piloted Predators or the more deadly Reapers fired several missiles at a vehicle transporting AQAP fighters in Wadi Abida in the central province of Marib on Thursday night, a Yemeni official told Xinhua. The official said the strike was executed "in coordination with the Yemeni interior ministry."
Yemen's Interior Ministry confirmed that it "foiled an attempt by al Qaeda militants to seize some government institutions in Marib province," Xinhua reported.
Four people were killed and seven more were wounded in the strike. The Associated Press reported that "three suspected al Qaeda militants" were killed.
AQAP is known to operate in Marib province, and the US has targeted AQAP in Wadi Abida three times in the past. Two of the strikes took place in 2013 and the other in 2012. A few years earlier, in March 2008, Wadi Abida was identified as the base of an al Qaeda group known as the Yemen Soldiers Brigade. The group claimed credit for mortar attacks against the US Embassy, the Italian Embassy, and a Western housing complex in Sana'a in 2008.
Background on US strikes in Yemen
Last night's strike is the third by the US in Yemen since the New Year. The previous two strikes, on Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, targeted AQAP's network in the eastern province of Hadramout.
Thursday night's strike is the sixth in Yemen since Dec. 6, when AQAP penetrated security in a major attack at Yemen's Ministry of Defense in Sana'a. The suicide assault resulted in the deaths of 52 people, including foreign doctors and nurses, and 11 AQAP fighters. AQAP claimed that the assault targeted the US-run "operation rooms" for the drone program in Yemen.
The pace of the drone strikes in Yemen decreased last year from the previous year (26 in 2013 versus 41 in 2012). The reduction in the number of strikes coincided with a speech by President Barack Obama at the National Defense University in May 2013. The strikes are being reduced as the US government is facing increasing international criticism for conducting the attacks in both Yemen and Pakistan.
The number of strikes might have been much lower in 2013 were it not for an al Qaeda plot emanating from Yemen that was uncovered by US officials in late July. The plot led the US to close down more than 20 embassies and diplomatic facilities across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The plot involved AQAP emir Nasir al Wuhayshi, who now also serves as al Qaeda's general manager.
Between July 27, after the plot was disclosed, and Aug. 10, the US launched nine strikes in Yemen; no drone strikes were reported for seven weeks prior to July 27. The burst in attacks was intended to disrupt the plot and take out AQAP's top leadership cadre and senior operatives. The US killed Kaid al Dhahab, AQAP's emir for Al Baydah province, during that time period.
For more information on the US airstrikes in Yemen, see LWJ report, Charting the data for US airstrikes in Yemen, 2002 - 2014.
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