Today's Photos!! Thursday May 24th, 2012

[bd popeye]

I'll kick the PIX off early today..

Army soldiers hold back protesters who tried to attack former prime minister and presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq as he is leaving a polling station after casting his vote in Cairo May 23, 2012. Protesters threw stones and shoes at Egyptian presidential candidate Shafiq after he cast his ballot on Wednesday, taking aim at the former prime minister for serving under deposed leader Hosni Mubarak.

Lebanese civil defence personnel clean the road from burning tires after Muslim Shiite men blocked the highway leading to Beirut airport on May 23, 2012 to protest against the abduction of 13 Lebanese Shiite men the day before in Syria. The Free Syrian Army, which is seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, denied abducting a group of Shiite Lebanese pilgrims inside Syria.

Posters of Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, decorate a vehicle as supporters of the army rally and block Jounieh highway, north of Beirut, on May 23, 2012.

Mexican Army soldiers custody Irasema Lopez Garza, partner of Carlos Oliva Castillo, aka 'La Rana', alleged leader of the Zetas in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon y Tamaulipas, during her presentation to the press at the National Defence Secretaryship headquarters in Mexico City, on October 13, 2011. The recent book 'Las jefas del narco' (The narco bosses), coordinated by Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa's researcher Artura Santamaria, informs about how the death of thousands of drug traffickers during the last five years in Mexico promoted many of their wives, sisters and daugthers to key posts previously reserved to men, inside the drug cartels.

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers listen to a briefing before going on patrol with U.S. soldiers of the Battle company, 1-508 Parachute Infantry battalion, 4th Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in the town of Senjaray, Zahri district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan May 23, 2012.

Shreen Mohammad (R) eats a meal with other Afghan National Army recruits at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) in Kabul March 13, 2012.

These pictures taken on May 16th/17th, 2012 shows rebel soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) along the frontline near Paw Jaw, some 20 kilometers south of Laiza, a KIA-controlled stronghold in Myanmar's northern Kachin state on the border with China. Ethnic rebels from the Kachin Independence Army have battled the Myanmar army for a year in a conflict that has displaced around 50,000 civilians and cast a shadow over government reforms. Fighting appears to have worsened in recent weeks -- despite a revamped peace talk team -- and the insurgents say they are ready to defend their remote northern stronghold of Laiza.

In this handout photograph released by the African Union-United Nations Support Team, soldiers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) perform their duties on May 22, 2012, during a joint AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) operation to seize and liberate territory from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group Al Shabaab in the Afgoye region west of Mogadishu. AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen Andrew Guti announced the beginning of 'Operation Free Shabelle' aimed at bringing security and econonic revival to the 400,000 people of the Afgoye Corridor and beyond in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia, located to the south and west of the country's capital Mogadishu.

[bd popeye]

In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Army, 2nd Lt. Tobias C. Alexander is pictured. The Department of Defense announced the death of Alexander on Sunday, May 20, 2012, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Matthew Weight, a U.S. Army Specialist of the Battle company, 1-508 Parachute Infantry battalion, 4th Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division secures an area near a ceramic shop during a joint patrol with the Afghan Army in the town of Senjaray, Zahri district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan May 23, 2012.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - MAY 23: Air Force Academy Cadet graduates walk onto the field at the start of the graduation ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium on May 23, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address for this year's graduation ceremony.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - MAY 23: U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with a cadet at the graduation ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium on May 23, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address for this year's graduation ceremony.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - MAY 23: An Air Force Academy graduates celebrate their graduation at the graduation ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium on May 23, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address for this year's graduation ceremony.

[bd popeye]

From China..

Right click on images then select view image for a higher res picture!

A police officer shows a unmanned aircraft during the China International Exhibition on Police Equipment 2012 in Beijing, capital of China, May 22, 2012. A total of 430 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions took part in the exhibition. (Xinhua/Liu Changlong)

People visit the China International Exhibition on Police Equipment 2012 in Beijing, capital of China, May 22, 2012. A total of 430 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions took part in the exhibition. (Xinhua/Liu Changlong)

Heavy smoke is seen at the accident site in a factory in Zhijiang City, central China's Hubei Province, May 23, 2012. Two explosions ripped through a factory in Xiannu Township of Zhijiang Wednesday, injuring eight people, including two news reporters. The fire was extinguished by 11:50 a.m. (Xinhua)

Female airline security workers receive training in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, May 22, 2012.(Xinhua/Xu Chang)

[bd popeye]

More..

In this picture taken on May 21, 2012 two Chinese paramilitary guards watch as China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC)'s first independent deep-water oil drilling rig, leaves the port of Qingdao, east China's Shandong province.

Two police officers help each other to settle their backpacks at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2012, before boarding an airplane to join the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor. The 13-person team of Chinese police officers departed from Beijing to East Timor on Tuesday at midnight. It is the 17th peacekeeping police team China has sent to the Southeast Asian nation since 2000. [Xinhua]

Police officers pose for group photos at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2012, with some of them to board an airplane to join the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor.
[Xinhua]

REGINA, SK - MAY 23: HRH The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles receives a saddle blanket from the Royal Mounted Police and Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper (Right) at a concert and reception hosted by the Government of Canada at the RCMP 'Depot' Divison Drill Hall as part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, celebrations on May 23, 2012 in Regina, Saskatchewan,Canada.

Police surround dozens of protesters as they make arrests following a march against tuition fee hikes Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Montreal. A combined force of Montreal and Quebec provincial police surrounded hundreds of demonstrators near the city's downtown before taking at least 400 of them into custody.

A policeman searches a backpack as they arrest protesters after a march against tuition fee hikes Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Montreal.

Honduras soldiers from the Task Force Paz Garcia buy food from villagers inside their base in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. On Friday May 11, a helicopter mission with advisers from the DEA, appears to have mistakenly targeted civilians in a remote jungle area in the region, killing four riverboat passengers and injuring four others. Later, according to villagers, Honduran police narcotics forces and men speaking English spent hours searching the small town of Ahuas for a suspected drug trafficker.

An Honduran Navy officers patrol in Ahuas, Honduras, Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

Honduras soldiers from the Task Force Paz Garcia train inside their base in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

Honduran policemen take into custody a fellow officer assigned to the GEAS special anti-kidnapping unit, in Tegucigalpa, on May 23, 2012. The Honduran police is being investigated for alleged connections with drug trafficking, kidnapping, car theft and extortion.

[bd popeye]

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KINGS BAY, Ga. (May 16, 2012) Ensign Tabitha Strobel, main propulsion assistant aboard the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729), updates the crew on a simulated weapons system casualty in the Attack Weapons System (ASW) trainer at the Trident Training Facility. The AWS trainer simulates an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine's AWS control room and is used to maintain Sailor proficiency in weapons handling and firing. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)

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BANGOR, Wash. (May 18, 2012) Lt. Sohnhwa Lee, center, chief supply officer for the Blue Crew aboard the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726), supervises a simulated dive as diving officer of the watch in the Ship Control Trainer at Trident Training Facility (TTF) Bangor. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ed Early/Released)

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NEW YORK (May 23, 2012) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 from Norfolk, Va., flies past the Statue of Liberty at the beginning of Fleet Week New York 2012. More than 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen arrived in New York on six U.S. Navy ships, three U.S. Coast Guard cutters, and 12 coalition ships. Fleet Week will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Finley/Released)

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NEW YORK (May 23, 2012) Sailors and Marines man the rails as the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) enters New York during a parade of tall and military ships at the start of Fleet Week New York 2012. More than 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen arrived in New York on six U.S. Navy ships, three U.S. Coast Guard cutters, and 12 coalition ships. Fleet Week will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leona Mynes/Released)

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NEW YORK(May 23, 2012) The guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG) makes its way past the New Jersey skyline in New York Harbor to participate in Fleet Week New York 2012. Fleet Week New York 2012 marks the 25th year the city has celebrated the nation's sea services. This year, the seven-day event coincides with he commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and will host more than 6,000 service members from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard team in addition to coalition ships from around the world.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson/Released)

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NEW YORK, (May. 23, 2012) The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) makes its way past the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor during the Parade of Sail launching Fleet Week New York 2012. The event marks the 25th year the city has celebrated the nation's sea services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elisandro T. Diaz/Released)

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NEW YORK, (May 23, 2012) The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Shirane (DDH 143) makes its way past the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor during the Parade of Sail launching Fleet Week New York 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elisandro T. Diaz/Released)

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NEW YORK(May 23, 2012) The Ecuadorian navy sail training ship BAE Guayas (BE 21) sails past the Statue of Liberty to participate in Fleet Week New York 2012. Fleet Week New York 2012 marks the 25th year the city has celebrated the nation's sea services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson/Released)

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HAT YAO, Thailand (May 23, 2012) Royal Thai and U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicles land on the beach during a simulated amphibious assault for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

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HAT YAO, Thailand (May 23, 2012) An amphibious assault vehicle departs the beach for the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) during a simulated amphibious assault conducted with Royal Thai marines for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

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HAT YAO, Thailand (May 23, 2012) U.S. Marines position amphibious assault vehicles on the beach during a simulated amphibious assault conducted with Royal Thai marines for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

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HAT YAO, Thailand (May 23, 2012) U.S. Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, participate in a simulated amphibious assault conducted with Royal Thai marines for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

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HAT YAO, Thailand (May 23, 2012) Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conduct a clearing exercise in a military operations on urban terrain training area as part of a simulated amphibious assault conducted with Royal Thai marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

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RED SEA (May 17, 2012) Gunner's Mate Seaman Mac Carrier, of Bristol, Tenn., performs maintenance on an M2HB .50-caliber machine gun aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and is deployed participating in exercise Eager Lion 2012. Eager Lion is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships through a joint, whole-of-government, multinational approach to meet current and future complete national security challenges, including 19 nations from five different continents and more than 11,000 participants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane P. Ecklund/Released)

[-DENO-]

Turkish Naval forces and Marine forces EFES-2012 amphibious assault exercies started in Foca-İzmir.8.000 Soldiers,55 aircrafts,48 helicopters and 456 armored vehicles and tanks joined the exercises.31 military visitors (from 28 different countrys) watched the exercises too ..

[bd popeye]

Great PIX DENO!

A model dressed as a policewoman poses on a police bike at the Asia Pacific China Police exhibition in Beijing on May 24, 2012. The exhibition runs from May 22 to May 25 bringing together Chinese and foreign manufacturers of police equipment and vehicles.

Chinese police and citizens check out weapons on display at the Asia Pacific China Police exhibition in Beijing on May 24, 2012. The exhibition runs from May 22 to May 25 and brings together Chinese and Foreign manufacturers of police equipment and vehicles.

[-DENO-]

Great PIX DENO!

Thanks

More photos from Efes 2012 exercises

[-DENO-]

ANA soldiers prepare to receive their graduation certificates.

An Afghan National Army soldiers prepare to receive their graduation certificates from non-commisioned officer academy at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated non-commisioned officers will form the backbone of the Afghan National Army. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

Newly graduated NCOs in formation.

Newly graduated non-commisioned officers in formation during a ceremony for the Afghan non-commisioned officers training brigade at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated NCOs will form the backbone of the ANA. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

An ANA soldier becomes a NCO.

An Afghan National Army soldier becomes a non-commissioned officer during an non-commisioned officer academy graduation ceremony at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated non-commisioned officers will form the backbone of the Afghan National Army. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

The ANA honor guard during NCO graduation ceremony.

An Afghan National Army honor guard during a graduation ceremony for the Afghan non-commisioned officer training brigade at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated NCOs will form the backbone of the ANA. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

Parade march in an ANA NCO graduation ceremony.

New members of the Afghan National Army non-commissioned officer corps march in parade formation during the non-commisioned officer graduation ceremony at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated non-commisioned officers will form the backbone of the Afghan National Army. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

Parade march in an ANA NCO graduation ceremony.

An Afghan National Army honor guard leads a parade formation of newly graduated non-commisioned officers during a ceremony at Camp Ghazi, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, 2012. As Afghans take the lead in the security of their own country, these newly graduated non-commisioned officers will form the backbone of the Afghan National Army. ISAF PAO Photo by WO Frantisek STEIN, CZE-A (released)

[trikora88]

Nice pics guys. Thanks.

The sails from the tall ship from indonesia Dewaruci as she sails past the Statute of Liberty May 23, 2012 in New York. The tall ship is participating in Fleet Week events in New York.

Sailors aboard the tall ship from Indonesia 'Dewaruci' sail past the Statute of Liberty May 23, 2012 in New York. The tall ship is participating in Fleet Week events in New York.

The KRI Dewaruci, from Indonesia, sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. This year's event marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

[Fuschimuschi]

So the GSG 9 raided the home of Germany's Hells Angels boss today who lives in my village and I missed it! Would have been cool photos for sure but I'm confident that I will find some great ones my neighbours took or even a video.

[Jmount78]

Great way to start the day with these photos! Thanks guys!

[Royal]

Chinese police and citizens check out weapons on display at the Asia Pacific China Police exhibition in Beijing on May 24, 2012. The exhibition runs from May 22 to May 25 and brings together Chinese and Foreign manufacturers of police equipment and vehicles.

What exactly do police need a minigun for?!

Great pics as usual guys - especially the F4s

[ubermensche]

What exactly do police need a minigun for?!

There's a lot of people in China

[rgjbloke]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting.