This Weekend Pix - December 13th & 14th, 2008

[VAMAN]

Soldiers stand in a line as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro visit the tomb of national hero Simon Bolivar at the national cemetery in Caracas December 13, 2008. (Reuters)

In this photograph released by India government Press Information Bureau in New Delhi, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, the Indian Navy apprehends pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Dec. 13, 2008. The Indian navy said it arrested 23 pirates who threatened a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, the latest in a series of recent clashes with Somali pirates. (AP / Press Information Bureau)

This photograph released by India government Press Information Bureau in New Delhi, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, shows arms and ammunition recovered by the Indian Navy from pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Dec. 13, 2008. The Indian navy said it arrested 23 pirates who threatened a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, the latest in a series of recent clashes with Somali pirates. (AP / Press Information Bureau)

ATHENS, GREECE - A Protestor stands in front of riot police as students block access to Syntagma (Parliament) Square on December 13, 2008 in Athens, Greece. An edgy stand-off had developed as some 2,000 demonstrators, mainly Athens Polytechnic students, squared up to police outside the Greek parliament on the eighth day of their dogged challenge to state authorities. The police killing of a 15-year-old a week ago has set off widespread riots and led to clashes between protesters and police. (AFP / Olivier Laban-Mattei)

KABUL, AFGANISTAN - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R) and the Afghan President Hamid Karzai inspect honor guards on December 13, 2008 in Kabul, Afganistan. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Saturday paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where he spoke to troops battling the Taliban and held talks with President Hamid Karzai. (AFP / Ahmad Masood)

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (centre) meets troops in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. Brown is in Afghanistan and has visited UK troops near the front lines with the Taliban in the country's volatile south. Brown says the presence of international troops in Afghanistan is critical to stem terrorism and to support Afghan elections next year. Brown is visiting one day after four troops were killed Helmand. He says there is "disgust and horror" that the Taliban used a 13-year-old boy as a suicide bomber in one of the attacks, which killed three Marines. (AP / Lewis Whyld)

Sorry couldn't help it. She is beautiful.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Miss Russia, Ksenya Sukhinova, is crowned Miss World at the 2008 Miss World pageant held in Sandton Convention Centre on December 13, 2008 in Johannesburg,South Africa. 112 contestants paticipated in these competition. (AFP / Paballo Thekiso)

[MichaelF]

Why are "protestors" (rioters) always the dirtiest looking people?

[Adux]

Why are "protestors" (rioters) always the dirtiest looking people?

hippies.....................

[Golan]

A man is publicly flogged by a Somali al-Shabab fighter after being accused by the hardline Islamic group of using marijuana in Bula Marer town, December 13, 2008. Somalia's President Abulahi Yusuf sacked his prime minister on Sunday, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country. A respected Somali rights group said this week that fighting in the Horn of Africa country had killed more than 16,200 civilians since the start of last year, when allied Somali-Ethiopian forces drove the Islamists out of power. Picture taken December 13, 2008.

A Somali Islamic al-Shabab fighter (foreground) stands at a public execution site where a man was executed by the hardline Islamic group in Bula Marer town, December 13, 2008. The executed man was accused of killing his own father. Somalia's President Abulahi Yusuf sacked his prime minister on Sunday, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country. A respected Somali rights group said this week that fighting in the Horn of Africa country had killed more than 16,200 civilians since the start of last year, when allied Somali-Ethiopian forces drove the Islamists out of power. Picture taken December 13, 2008.

A Somali al-Shabab fighter stands guard during a public flogging by the hardline Islamic group in Bula Marer town, December 13, 2008. Somalia's President Abulahi Yusuf sacked his prime minister on Sunday, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country. A respected Somali rights group said this week that fighting in the Horn of Africa country had killed more than 16,200 civilians since the start of last year, when allied Somali-Ethiopian forces drove the Islamists out of power. Picture taken December 13, 2008.

Somali al-Shabab fighters burn marijuana seized by the hardline Islamic group in Bula Marer town, December 13, 2008. Somalia's President Abulahi Yusuf sacked his prime minister on Sunday, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country. A respected Somali rights group said this week that fighting in the Horn of Africa country had killed more than 16,200 civilians since the start of last year, when allied Somali-Ethiopian forces drove the Islamists out of power. Picture taken December 13, 2008.

Somali al-Shabab fighters stand stand guard during a public flogging by the hardline Islamic group in Bula Marer town, December 13, 2008. Somalia's President Abulahi Yusuf sacked his prime minister on Sunday, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country. A respected Somali rights group said this week that fighting in the Horn of Africa country had killed more than 16,200 civilians since the start of last year, when allied Somali-Ethiopian forces drove the Islamists out of power. Picture taken December 13, 2008.

Cuba's President Raul Castro speaks as his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez looks on at Miraflores Palace in Caracas December 13, 2008. Cuban leader Raul Castro strengthened his relationship with his "nephew" and biggest benefactor, President Hugo Chavez, symbolically starting his first foreign trip as president in Venezuela on Saturday.

In this courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin, reviewed by the US military, Canadian-born accused terrorist Omar Khadr doodling as his lead defense counsel, Navy Lieutenant Commander William Kuebler, addresses the judge, Army Colonel Pat Parrish, during a pre-trial session in Camp Justice on the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. Khadr faces charges of murdering a US soldier in a 2002 firefight in Afghanistan.

A woman suffering from the symptoms of cholera is taken in a wheelbarrow to a clinic in Harare December 12, 2008. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe announced on Thursday his government had stopped a cholera outbreak that has killed nearly 800 people, but the United Nations said the death toll was rising. The United States, which has called on Mugabe to step down, said the outbreak was worsening and South African officials declared a stretch of the border with Zimbabwe a disaster zone because of Zimbabweans fleeing in search of treatment.

German TV host Thomas Gottschalk (R) applauds Dutch-born 105-year-old German actor and singer Johannes Heesters during the German television show "Wetten dass. ..?" (Bet it...?) in Stuttgart December 13, 2008.

Dutch-born 105-year-old German actor and singer Johannes Heesters performs during the German television show "Wetten dass. ..?" (Bet it...?) in Stuttgart December 13, 2008.

[Fireball Sanchez]

Great pics guys

A U.S. Marine holds onto a parachute attached to a supply of water and food dropped by a C-130 cargo transport aircraft during Operation Backstop Dec. 11 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan. The Marines of 3/8 protect human rights, promote shared values and respect Afghan culture, traditions and religion.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Marines free fuel barrels of their rigging after an air delivery from a C-130 cargo aircraft during Operation Backstop Dec. 11 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan. The Marines of 3/8 are in Helmand province to reinforce success and sustain the momentum of the ongoing progress by the Alliance in Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Hires.

A Marine with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, provides security with an M249 squad automatic weapon Dec. 8 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Under the request of Regional Command South, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan supplied Co. I to provide security for a large British logistics convoy, moving supplies from an area in transient with NATO Forces. Co. I and its headquarters, 3/8, are the ground combat element of SPMAGTF-A, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, and train and mentor the Afghan national police.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

British Royal Marine Commando Cpl. "Britney" Piers Stacey (right) and U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jason M. Mills (left) run communications between British forces and Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan, during Operation Backstop Dec. 11 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Stacey was the liaison officer working with Co. I, and Mills was the combat operations center watch officer during Operation Backstop Dec. 7-12. The British Royal Marine Commandos are in Helmand province with many other nations in a combined effort to support the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its fight against extremists and in the training of their security forces.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Lance Cpl. Robert B. Xerri (front), Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Carriddi (left) and Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Walker (right) prepare to fire a 60 mm mortar round to ensure their readiness in a deliberate defense Dec. 10 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The mortar team supported Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, during Operation Backstop Dec. 7-12. The company's headquarters, 3/8, is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations and train and mentor the Afghan national police.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Marines take cover as engineers use explosives to create fighting holes for a deliberate defense during Operation Backstop Dec. 7-12 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan. The Marines of 3/8 are well prepared and trained for operations in Afghanistan and have many combat veterans within their ranks.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

U.S. Marines in a Humvee overlook a village close to Now Zad, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, while in a deliberate defense during Operation Backstop Dec. 7-12. The Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force ? Afghanistan. Marines of 3/8 have undergone a rigorous training program, specifically tailored to their assigned mission in Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

A mounted U.S. Marine patrol returns from patrolling nearby villages during Operation Backstop Dec. 10 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. The Marines of 3/8 focus on enduring efforts, those operations which create a foundation for the future of Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

[phasio]

Rioter using laser against police

[camerashy]

How can these kids get away with this? Hard to believe high school teenagers are manhandling the police. From this perspective Greece doesn't appear to be a very strong democracy.

[khalifah]

excellent collection of photos, (and videos) this weekend gentlmen. thank you

and its good to see Popeye again

[camerashy]

How can these kids get away with this? Hard to believe high school teenagers are manhandling the police. From this perspective Greece doesn't appear to be a very strong democracy.

I'm all of a sudden reminded of the LA riots.

[Dalamar]

How can these kids get away with this? Hard to believe high school teenagers are manhandling the police. From this perspective Greece doesn't appear to be a very strong democracy.

Well, the government does not allow the police to do their job, because they are afraid that it may spoil their image.

The young criminals are strongly supported and even encouraged by a leftist party called SYRIZA and by all mass media (TV and press). I have switched off the TV as I get sick watcing journalists encouraging the violence.

[VAMAN]

Well, the government does not allow the police to do their job, because they are afraid they may spoil their image.

The young criminals are strongly supported and even encouraged by a leftist party called SYRIZA and by all mass media (TV and press). I have switched off the TV as I get sick watcing journalists encouraging the violence.

It is present in every democratic country. Politicians encouraging some unruly elements which are holding the whole society to ransom. This is the disadvantage of a democratic system. Sad state of affairs, what can I say.

[Jocker_89]

Opposition demonstrators carry a banner reading "Dissenters' march" during an anti-Kremlin protest in Moscow, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. Police thwarted an anti-Kremlin protest organized by chess great Garry Kasparov's opposition group Sunday, seizing demonstrators and shoving them into trucks. Later About 50 protesters, one with a banner of Kasparov's group United Civil Front, which is part of Other Russia, gathered at another site in central Moscow and marched about 1 kilometer (half a mile) along a major street, shouting slogans such as "Russia without Putin!" before they dispersed.

People wear face masks which read "Censorship" during the "Dissenters' March" opposition rally in St. Petersburg December 14, 2008. Police on Sunday blocked attempts by radical Kremlin opponents, buoyed by a looming economic crisis, to hold banned marches in Russia's two biggest cities and detained several opposition activists.

Russian OMON (Riot police) officers detain co-leader of Other Russia opposition group, Eduard Limonov, during an anti-Kremlin protest in Moscow, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. Police thwarted an anti-Kremlin protest organized by chess great Garry Kasparov's opposition group Sunday, seizing demonstrators and shoving them into trucks, as they detained at least 25 people including the group's co-leader Eduard Limonov.

Police detain protesters during the "Dissenters' March" opposition rally in St. Petersburg December 14, 2008. Police on Sunday blocked attempts by radical Kremlin opponents, buoyed by a looming economic crisis, to hold banned marches in Russia's two biggest cities and detained several opposition activists.

Police scuffle with a protester during the "Dissenters' March" opposition rally in St. Petersburg December 14, 2008. Police on Sunday blocked attempts by radical Kremlin opponents, buoyed by a looming economic crisis, to hold banned marches in Russia's two biggest cities and detained several opposition activists.

Russia's anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Chabanenko arrives on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, near the port city of Bluefieds, 460km (286 miles) west of Managua, December 13, 2008. Russian officials donated generators and computers to Nicaragua on Saturday during a visit by three Russian warships to the Central American nation that opposition leaders condemned as illegal.

Indian army soldiers stand guard on a hillock during an election rally in Khundru, some 45 miles (75 kilometers) south of Srinagar, India, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. India's prime minister said Sunday he wants "normalized" relations with Pakistan amid rising tensions between the South Asian rivals following the Mumbai attacks.

A protester looks at a riot police officer during a demonstration in front of the Greek Parliament building in Athens December 13, 2008. Riots since the Dec. 6 shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos have destroyed hundreds of shops, banks and cars, rattled the conservative government and shaken investor confidence in the 240 billion euro economy ($315 billion) as the global crisis bites.

[VAMAN]

Good looking destroyer black paint all black.

[CreepingDeath]

since did Protesters acquire such technology?

[Pete031]

They are using the shwartz.....