The theory of complex manifolds overlaps with several branches of mathematics, including differential geometry, algebraic geometry, several complex variables, global analysis, topology, algebraic number theory, and mathematical physics. Complex manifolds provide a rich class of geometric objects, for example the (common) zero locus of any generic set of complex polynomials is always a complex manifold. Yet complex manifolds behave differently than generic smooth manifolds; they are more coherent and fragile. The rich yet restrictive character of complex manifolds makes them a special and interesting object of study.
This book is a self-contained graduate textbook that discusses the differential geometric aspects of complex manifolds. The first part contains standard materials from general topology, differentiable manifolds, and basic Riemannian geometry. The second part discusses complex manifolds and analytic varieties, sheaves and holomorphic vector bundles, and gives a brief account of the surface classification theory, providing readers with some concrete examples of complex manifolds. The last part is the main purpose of the book; in it, the author discusses metrics, connections, curvature, and the various roles they play in the study of complex manifolds. A significant amount of exercises are provided to enhance student comprehension and practical experience.


text:
Global chip shortage has no impact on Redvine, company continues to deliver on SD-WAN demand
31 May 2022, Johannesburg – Redvine Networks, a fully-managed SASE and cloud service provider, says it remains unaffected by the current global chip shortage which Intel expects to last through 2024. Redvine continues to deliver solutions to its customers across Africa at turnaround times comparable to pre-COVID levels.
"We have always been a future-forward technology company that believes in developing a long-term strategy for each of our customers. We do not sell technology for its own sake or try to simply make the numbers. The business started with a software-first mindset at a time when the trend in the market was moving away from traditional hardware approaches to cloud-based technologies," says Binesh George, CEO at Redvine Networks.
Redvine has always been committed to investing in partnerships and technologies that not only meet the immediate needs of customers but are also future-proof to scale as their demands increase. Since 2020, increased demand, the stockpiling of chips due to geopolitical tensions like those between the US and China, and extreme weather events have fuelled the global chip shortage. This has resulted in vendors such as Cisco and Fortinet having lead times of several months.
"The principles Redvine follows as a pure-play SD-WAN solutions provider sees the company able to divorce the software and hardware layers from one another. This means there is no dependency on hardware as Redvine white labels solutions from multiple vendors. We also leverage our reputation and partner status with key vendors to have access to equipment other service providers do not have," adds Wesley van Rayne, Redvine Networks Principal Engineer.
"The internal pipeline that Redvine has in place to access global solutions, and make them available to customers across the continent, has meant we can continue to deliver on customer expectations," says Simon van Blerk, Africa Sales Manager at Redvine Networks.
For instance, the company has deployed SD-WAN solutions to a leading pathology laboratory and a global records and information management specialist with no disruption, at the height of the chip shortage.
"The combination of our strong international partnerships and the strategic planning we have been doing since opening our doors have ensured that the chip shortage has absolutely no impact on our effectiveness and ability to deliver on any customer demand," concludes George.
Redvine's VMware SD-WAN by Velocloud architecture
Redvine and 128T partner for customer success

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
package org.opensplice.common.view.entity.tree;

import org.opensplice.cm.CMException;
import org.opensplice.cm.Entity;
import org.opensplice.cm.Participant;
import org.opensplice.common.CommonException;
import org.opensplice.common.util.Report;

/**
 * Concrete implementation of a RootTreeNode. It responsibility is to keep track
 * of the Participant and all the Domain objects that are available in the same
 * kernel the Participant participates in.
 *
 * @date Oct 5, 2004
 */
public class PartitionTreeNode extends RootTreeNode {

    /**
     * Creates a new PartitionTreeNode by resolving all Domain entities and
     * displaying them as children in the tree.
     *
     * @param _e The Participant that participates in the same kernel as the
     *           domains that need to be displayed.
     * @param _tree The tree the node is the root node of.
     */
    public PartitionTreeNode(Participant _e, EntityTree _tree) {
        super(_e, _tree);
    }

    /**
     * Refreshes this node and all of its expanded descendants. This is realized
     * by resolving all Domain entities and their dependent entities. Entities
     * that are no longer available, will be removed from the tree and new
     * entities are added to the tree.
     *
     * @throws CommonException Thrown when the node could not be refreshed.
     */
    @Override
    public void refresh() throws CommonException{
        Participant participant = (Participant)userObject;
        Entity[] entities = null;

        try {
            entities = participant.resolveAllDomains();
        } catch (CMException e) {
            Report.getInstance().writeErrorLog(e.getMessage());
            this.remove();
            throw new CommonException("Entity tree could not be refreshed.");
        }
        int childCount = entities.length;

        for(int i=0; i<childCount; i++){
            DependantEntityTreeNode child = (DependantEntityTreeNode)(this.resolveChildNode(entities[i]));

            if(child != null){
                entities[i].free();
            } else {
                child = new DependantEntityTreeNode(entities[i], tree);
                tree.addNode(child, this);
            }
            if(this.isExpanded()){
                child.refresh();
            } else{
                this.expand();
            }
        }
        this.removeUnavailableChildren(entities);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Copyright © 2004 - 2017 | Klient Informatics Limited | © All Rights Reserved.


text:
Star to Perform at Plaza Opening : Thousand Oaks: Publicist says Bernadette Peters intends to give a solo show at the 1,800-seat auditorium in October.
By STEPHANIE SIMON
The grand opening of Thousand Oaks' Civic Arts Plaza will blend local and national talent, with veteran Broadway performer Bernadette Peters joining the Conejo Symphony Orchestra for a black-tie gala.
Although Peters has not yet signed a contract, her publicist said the acclaimed singer and actress fully intends to perform her eclectic solo show in Thousand Oaks' 1,800-seat auditorium Oct. 21 and 22.
"She considers it booked," publicist Judy Katz said. "She liked the idea that she'd be opening a new performing arts center, and she loves playing with symphony orchestras. She's excited to do it."
Intent on establishing the Civic Arts Plaza as the premiere cultural center between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Thousand Oaks officials said they considered Peters' verbal commitment to headline the grand opening a coup.
"By bringing in a major star, we will announce to the country that we are a major force to be dealt with, not a backwater little theater," said Harry Selvin, a member of the city's theater commission. "She was our top choice, because of her national and international reputation."
Peters--a versatile performer who has won rave reviews for her concerts, plays and films--melds songs and drama in her high-energy acts. Drawing on country music, Broadway shows and old classics, she creates glitzy performances with broad appeal.
At a concert last fall in the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, for instance, Peters sang everything from Lyle Lovett to Stephen Sondheim to Rodgers & Hammerstein. Arts critics have praised Peters, who turned 45 last week, for her ability to shift from cute to coy to elegant to comic as she strives to express the tone of each new song.
"She's a dynamite little gal, she really truly is, and she's got a voice that will knock your socks off," said Selvin, who has been negotiating with Peters' agent for weeks.
Several theater commissioners said they expect a signed contract soon, probably within a few weeks. They would not release details about the negotiations now.
But Selvin said Peters' fee for two shows is within the grand opening's $80,000 performance budget.
Selvin also expressed confidence that negotiators had resolved the sticky issue of the "out clause," a standard bit of legalese allowing artists to break commitments if offered film work or gigs in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Selvin said Peters has agreed to give at least 60 days' notice if she does decide to accept another, more lucrative, deal. In the two months before the grand opening, she will not withdraw from the Thousand Oaks shows, no matter what other offers she receives, Selvin said.
Details of Peters' contract will be available after the star signs all the papers, theater commissioners said. At that point, they will also discuss plans for the grand opening, a mix of performances, speeches and champagne celebrations.
Tickets to the shows--which will open with the Conejo Symphony and local choirs performing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"-- are expected to cost between $50 and $100. City officials expect sell-out crowds both Friday and Saturday nights, especially with a big-name headline act.
"Peters is a proven star," Councilwoman Judy Lazar said. "She's a very enthusiastic performer, and on those days, enthusiasm will be the reigning word."


text:
Home » Featured , Latest Buzz , Paper News » Is 'I's Telugu Release in Trouble ? | DC
Is 'I's Telugu Release in Trouble ? | DC
Written By Chiyaan Vikram on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 | 8:28 AM
After rumours about the change in the release date of I, producer N.V. Prasad, who bought the rights of the film in Telugu, had confirmed that the movie is all set for a 2015 Sankranti Release. However, the latest on the industry grapevine is that the makers of the film are facing another hurdle, and this time from producers of the Telugu film industry.
Confirming the news, a source said that the producers called for a meeting at the film chamber demanding that 'I' Should not be released for Sankranti, as there are already a few big-budget Telugu movies set to release during the festive season.
The makers of 'I' have planned the dates so that it does not clash with multi-starrer Gopala Gopala and has a gap for a week. Meanwhile, other big movies like Temper and Pataas have already postponed their release dates.
Directed by Shankar 'I', which stars Vikram and Amy Jackson in the lead roles, is produced by V.Ravichandran under the banner of Aascar Film. The music has been composed by A.R. Rahman
Source : Deccan Chronicle


Used daily, it helps to protect hands from dryness. There are two ways to use the Shea Intensive Hand Balm. For daily use: warm a generous amount of balm between the hands, then gently massage into the palms, back of the hands, nails and cuticles (twice a day). As an intensive mask: apply a thick layer to the hands and leave on for 10 minutes to intensely nourish the skin, then massage in any excess (twice a week).


Heather Hancock is a highly-motivated real estate professional who lists and sells properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She has lived in North Forth Worth since 2006 and has seen the area grow with time. Prior to entering the real estate profession, Heather served as a public educator for 15 years. She brings excellent interpersonal and communications skills to her career and enjoys serving others in a new and different way.
It would be an honor to Heather to have the opportunity to help you with anything real estate related. Always eager to learn and grow, she takes her profession very seriously. She makes it a point and priority to be on the cutting edge of innovation, technology, and market trends so that she can serve her community and those that she is trying to help.
Heather is an active and enthusiastic member of the community who enjoys fitness, golf, traveling with her husband and their three boys, and showing her clients the best that Dallas/Fort Worth has to offer.


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text:
// Copyright 2014 The Chromium Authors. All rights reserved.
// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style license that can be
// found in the LICENSE file.

WebInspector.TimelineJSProfileProcessor = { };

/**
 * @param {!WebInspector.TracingTimelineModel} timelineModel
 * @param {!ProfilerAgent.CPUProfile} jsProfile
 * @return {!Array.<!WebInspector.TracingModel.Event>}
 */
WebInspector.TimelineJSProfileProcessor.generateTracingEventsFromCpuProfile = function(timelineModel, jsProfile)
{
    if (!jsProfile.samples)
        return [];
    var jsProfileModel = new WebInspector.CPUProfileDataModel(jsProfile);
    var idleNode = jsProfileModel.idleNode;
    var programNode = jsProfileModel.programNode;
    var gcNode = jsProfileModel.gcNode;
    var samples = jsProfileModel.samples;
    var timestamps = jsProfileModel.timestamps;
    var jsEvents = [];
    var mainThread = timelineModel.mainThreadEvents()[0].thread;
    for (var i = 0; i < samples.length; ++i) {
        var node = jsProfileModel.nodeByIndex(i);
        if (node === programNode || node === gcNode || node === idleNode)
            continue;
        var stackTrace = node._stackTraceArray;
        if (!stackTrace) {
            stackTrace = /** @type {!ConsoleAgent.StackTrace} */ (new Array(node.depth + 1));
            node._stackTraceArray = stackTrace;
            for (var j = 0; node.parent; node = node.parent)
                stackTrace[j++] = /** @type {!ConsoleAgent.CallFrame} */ (node);
        }
        var jsEvent = new WebInspector.TracingModel.Event(WebInspector.TracingModel.DevToolsMetadataEventCategory, WebInspector.TracingTimelineModel.RecordType.JSSample,
            WebInspector.TracingModel.Phase.Instant, timestamps[i], mainThread);
        jsEvent.stackTrace = stackTrace;
        jsEvents.push(jsEvent);
    }
    return jsEvents;
}


And I actually don't have that pink jacket yet - it's on its way. I hope I love it as much in person as I do online. Here is the link to it, in case you like it, too.
I plan to get two more short-sleeved shirts, a crewneck sweater, and maybe one more new jacket. After I know if I'm getting a new one, I'll decide which one or two to use from my closet.
I should have everything by September 15th, and though it would have been ideal to have everything before tomorrow, I say it's never too late to get started! So jump in any time - you don't have to wait until any particular date. Anyway, I'm just using an even smaller capsule until those spots are filled, so I'm not even breaking any rules.
You might notice that I don't have a lot of color going on. It wasn't intentional, but I think it will make it really easy to mix and match. With my pale complexion, I think neutral colors tend to be more flattering, too.
As you choose your capsule wardrobe, are you noticing that you have a few favorite colors to wear, or are you choosing a wide variety? I think either way could work just fine, especially if you choose colorful tops but have several neutral bottoms to mix with, or vice versa.


text:
Teorija i praksa
Tranzicijska pravda
Iz arhiva
1 Kakve poruke šalje NATO nakon izbora u SAD-u ...
Piše: Dženana Karup Druško
2 Utemeljitelji "9. januara" – presuđeni su ratni zločinci! ...
3 Potpuni poraz politika Dodika i Čovića ...
4 Istok ili Zapad: Gordana Tadić ili Osman Mehmedagić? ...
5 Ko podržava strategiju za (ne)procesuiranje ratnih zločinaca? ...
6 Sumrak bh. pravosuđa ...
7 Ko su predstavnici "međunarodne zajednice" koji blokiraju korištenje bonskih ovlasti a time i provođenje Dejtonskog mirovnog sporazum ...
8 Srbija i Albanija u zajedničkoj misiji ...
9 Tako se stvarala Republika Srpska ...
10 Uloga stvaraoca RS, članova Predsjedništva, Vlade i Skupštine u zločinima ...
11 Kako su stvaraoci stvarali Republiku Srpsku ...
12 Kinesko-rusko strateško partnerstvo u kontekstu Balkana ...
13 Dužnici Pekinga ...
14 Širenje kineskog geopolitičkog uticaja Novim putem svile ...
15 Balkan u novom svjetskom poretku ...
16 Država i demokratija po mjeri Milorada Dodika ...
Russian foreign policy – new kind of welfare
Belgrade is the center from where Russian policy in the Balkans is conducted.
By: Dženana Karup Druško
Because of his activities, Milorad Dodik was put on the American black list, and the High Representative is considering to propose a ban on his travels to European countries. There is no doubt that the isolation of Milorad Dodik is an important matter in stopping him from destroying Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that the USA and other members of the Quint, who are also the guarantors of the Dayton peace agreement, really can influence Dodik. This is confirmed by his signing of the Reform Program document, and even more by his retreat following the most recent crisis when he tried to block the state institutions and announced secession of the Republika Srpska. However, equally important is the role of Aleksandar Vučić, who fully supports Dodik. In all this, of course, it is clear now that both Dodik and Vučić are in turn fully supported by Russia and that the Russian Federation is working to achieve the objectives of its foreign policy in BiH, as well as in the Western Balkans, using a new kind of warfare.
As recently announced by its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine will in future mark the 26th of February as the Day of Resistance against "Russian occupation of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia six years ago". On the other hand, Moscow takes stand that the Crimea peninsula was simply "returned" to its "historical" native country.
Following the developments in Ukraine that ended with annexation of Crimea in 2014, which included the staged referenda and organized public voting plebiscites, strong media propaganda , "spontaneous" dissatisfaction of people, "mysterious" para-military formations of which it was "not known" where they came from… all the way until the annexation of Crimea – one of the questions that were asked by the strategists, military analysts and security experts was: will the new external policy of Russia stop at Ukraine, or will they point their newly developed forms of warfare against other countries, specifically those that are within the zone of influence that the Russians consider their own?
The breaking point– Putin seizing power
In his paper "War in eastern Ukraine 2016", Stanislav Linić says. "The year 1999, when the former KGB colonel Vladimir Putin won the power, can be considered the turning point that has had decisive influence on European security. Importance of his statement given at that time that the "collapse of the USSR had been the greatest geo-political catastrophe of the century" became clear only much later. Since his coming into power, Putin has been committed to re-establishing the Russian hegemony in Eastern Europe and regaining its military power."
Although certain aspects of the new Russian strategy had been observed even earlier (e.g. cyber-attacks in 2007 against servers of the Estonian government, banks and media outlets that had completely blocked the country for a period of several days; 2008 attack against Georgia), the developments in Ukraine demonstrated to all that this new kind of warfare was perfected and represents a real danger. In this new method of warfare, Vladimir Putin has combined the work of intelligence and military services, diplomats, media, non-governmental organizations, companies, banks, cultural associations… thus erasing all previously known boundaries.
General Philip Breedlove, then commander of NATO forces for Europe, pointed that the Russian hybrid war should be in main focus because the Russian attention, he said, was not limited only to Ukraine, but presented a real security threat to the rest of Europe too. Therefore, it is no surprising that following the developments in Ukraine, the concern was soon felt in Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland…
Reasons for concern were plenty, because contrary to other forms of warfare known to history so far, when the state of war, goals and intentions had been formally declared and the sides were clear, one of the most important features of this new kind of warfare, which is generally known also under the name of hybrid war (although some theoreticians disagree with this equalization), is that the truth about what is actually going on is kept concealed for as long as possible, together with the answers to why with what aim, and who are the actors. All this is an additional danger because if, for example, Russian forces were to cross borders of one of the Baltic countries, this would constitute a clear act of aggression which would automatically, based on Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, trigger the NATO response.
However, if the war broke out and were waged within a country, with a certain group of people claiming that they were threatened in some way and that is why they wanted the change of government or secession, organized a referendum about it, caused internal conflicts, organized massive public gatherings exercising a limited amount of violence and demanding change, and then the foreign agents or paramilitary formations showed up – the NATO forces cannot intervene.
Gerasimov's Doctrine
The new Russian kind of warfare is also called the Gerasimov's Doctrine, after the Russian general Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov, who was appointed by Vladimir Putting as Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia in 2012. General Gerasimov published in a military magazine on 26th February 2013 the text titled "Value of knowledge in predictions: new challenges require rethinking of the forms and methods of conducting military operations", where he says that in the 21st century there is a clear trend of blurring the "boundary between war and peace", and that "there is no more classic declaration of war", and that the wars, once they break out, tend to run following some unknown patterns. General Gerasimov wrote in his paper that Russia must adjust and turn towards non-conventional methods. Which were those, became apparent several months later in Ukraine.
A more thorough analysis of the Gerasimov's doctrine begun only after the Russian attack against Ukraine. Janis Berzins, Director of the Latvian Center for Security and Strategic Studies and lecturer at the NATO school, believes that the Russian view of contemporary warfare is based on the assumption that the mind is the most important battlefield: "As a result, in the new generation of war, the informational and psychological warfare is predominant". According to him, in the current geopolitical setting, the main opponent of Russia is the Western civilization, its values, culture, political system and ideology.
Dr. Phillip Karber, president of the Potomac Institute and Professor at the Georgetown School conducted, on invitation by the Ukrainian government, a research aimed at examining how was the Russian strategy of the "new generation warfare" implemented in practice. In his paper "Russian Style Hybrid Warfare" he lists five factors of hybrid warfare: 1. political subversion manifested in infiltration of agents, use of information technology and mobilization of mass media, bribing or intimidating local leaders (political, military etc.), liquidations, acts of terrorism; 2. creating refuges by proxy forces is an important step for the success of the hybrid warfare, because it is the phase when strategically important locations in the targeted country are taken – like government buildings, military bases, police stations, etc. In this phase, the rebels are armed and trained, the transport capacities are impacted, cyber attacks have compromised communication infrastructure etc.; 3. intervention – involves engagement of conventional forces at the borders of the targeted country, and this is often disguised as a military exercise of a larger scale, and frequently mobilizing all military branches. This includes establishment of training and logistic camps in the immediate vicinity of the targeted country; 4. intimidation and/or exploitation of the population; 5. manipulation, which results with blurring the state of war and accountability of the stakeholders.
According to Kerber, there are three stages of hybrid war: destabilization of the country by encouraging internal conflict, causing collapse of the state by destroying economy and infrastructure; and replacing the local political leadership by one's own operatives.
Serbian pressures against BiH and Montenegro
How great is the threat of this new method of warfare employed by the Russian Federation is well illustrated by the statement of some years ago by general Marko Carleton-Smith, commander of the British army, when he said that Great Britain "cannot be at peace in view of the threat the Russia represents", and that Russia has now become a "much greater threat" to national security of Great Britain than the groups of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). During his state visit to the United States of America in April 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron said: "He (Putin, author's note) intervenes everywhere, I mean in Europe and in the United States of America, wanting to weaken our democracies."
The dimensions of the hybrid warfare are manifested in the foreign policy, and changes in the foreign policy of Russian Federation are directly liked to Vladimir Putin becoming the President. One of major characteristics of this policy is that it hides its true objectives and intentions; however, after numerous events (some are mentioned in the first part of the text), it is clear that the objective of Russian policy at global level is to cause disruptions, provoke crises and work towards strengthening distrust in the Western values and democratic system of Rule of Law – the same objectives that Moscow had been striving to achieve during the Cold War. Demolition of the Berlin Wall and former members of the Eastern Block joining NATO has caused Russia to change the ways in which they want to achieve them.
In March 2018, when testifying before the Armed Forces Committee of the US Senate, the NATO forces commander in Europe, general Curtis Scaparotti, said that Russia's growing influence in Europe was the biggest problem on both the civilian and military stage, particularly in the Western Balkans. He said that Russia was using its good relations with Republika Srpska's officials to undermine BiH institutions. When asked what country was the biggest problem in the region, he answered – Serbia.
Prof. Dr. Nedžad Korajlić, dean of the Faculty for Criminalists, Criminology and Security Studies of the Sarajevo University, when he was a guest in the program Res Fact to discuss relations between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, speaking of security in the region, as one of the problems he talked about the hybrid warfare. "Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region are exposed to hybrid warfare by the eastern countries, primarily Russia, Serbia and some other countries who have their interests there".
Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, Žako Korać, in his interview of 1st of March 2020 to the Radio Free Europe, said: "Montenegro is exposed to absolute pressure by Serbia, to which Europe has no response. At this time, Serbia most directly interferes with the internal matters of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. This is the same political matrix that had prevailed in the nineties. The winds of war are blowing again through the region. Presently, this is what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, but it could easily spread elsewhere."
Russian plan(s) for the Balkans
The new concept of Russian foreign policy, adopted on 30th November 2016, foresees the constructive and multifaceted cooperation with European countries that are not parts of military alliances". For the first time in history of contemporary Russia, President Vladimir Putin defined the Concept of Foreign Policy, which under Article 69 provides for respect of choice of the European states that are not members of military alliances.
Sergey Zeleznik, then Secretary to General Council of the ruling Russian Party United Russia, and one of the closest party associates of Vladimir Putin, said in December 2016 that Russia was in favor of establishing an alliance of "military neutral and sovereign countries" in the Balkans that would include Serbia, Montenegro, BiH, and Macedonia. The Plan was marked as B-4.
The Russian Duma (Parliament) welcomed in their address of 22nd June 2016 the agreement of the politicians of the "Balkans Four" who was supposed to become, as was underlined, the "foundation of the regional security architecture". The announcement followed the Zeleznik's success in securing signing of 16 declarations and memoranda with 10 parties from Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and BiH entity of Republika Srpska. As a direct consequence followed the proclamation of "neutrality" of Serbia, what was later taken as a basis for developing a national security strategy, and then proclamation of "neutrality" of the BiH entity of Republika Srpska (now used as an argument against Atlantic integrations of both Serbia and RS).
The case of Montenegro is the best illustration of the plan B-4. The attempted coup involved operatives from Russia and Serbia (as proven by the ruling of the court in Montenegro). The coup had been supported also by the leading Montenegrin opposition leaders – Andrija Mandić, Milan Knežević and others, who enjoy unquestionable support of Milorad Dodik and Aleksandar Vučić. (Vučić and Dodik have been supporting them in public also in the recent developments in Montenegro – the massive protests organized by the Serbian Orthodox Church against the law that aims to transfer a large part of the assets of the Serbian Orthodox Church to the State of Montenegro.)
With Montenegro joining NATO and with clear commitment of the Northern Macedonia to join NATO, the Russian Plan B-4 to establish a Russian enclave in the Balkans has finally seen its end in 2018.
The prevented activities of the Russian intelligence services in 2018, particularly in the case of double agent Skripal (Sergei Skripal was poisoned together with his daughter in British city of Salisbury), and the case of OPCW (attack at the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons), as well as the Plan B-4 under which the attempted coup and liquidation of Milo Đukanović in Montenegro were carried out, as well as the attempt to cause the fall of Zoran Zaev, leader of opposition in Macedonia (who had been the one breaking up the pro-Russian forces), and destabilization of BiH in 2018, have temporarily disrupted the Russian attacks, but also caused the Putin's "deep cleaning" in the intelligence community of Russia, forcing him to formulate a new plan for the Western Balkans.
With the failure of the Plan B-4, in the new plan Serbia and Republika Srpska became the main advocates and realizers of the Russian enclave in Europe. The aim is to continually work on destabilization of NATO and the European Union in the Balkans, and to block Bosnia and Herzegovina on its paths towards Atlantic and European integrations.
Arrival of Matviyenko to BiH
An integral part of the new Russian plan – which sees Dodik "promoted" to the most prominent Russian player in the Western Balkans (judging by his statements and actions) – included supporting Dodik to win the Presidency of BiH, but also the supporting SNSD party in the elections acting against the opposition in RS. This new turn in policy, following the loss of Montenegro and Northern Macedonia, is manifested in the aggressive increase of pressure at BiH, connected to the arrival of the President of the Upper House of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko to official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which, abusing the state institutions and the media, she did not hide the objectives of the Russian policy in BiH: termination of OHR, strengthening of the entities, reform of the Constitutional Court and Prosecution of BiH, open support to the Republika Srpska and Milorad Dodik, and stopping progress of BiH on its path towards Euro and Atlantic integrations. Since the coming of Matviyenko, strong attacks at BiH started where all major Russian foreign policy levers are used: economic, political and propaganda activities.
One more reminder of an important detail of the visit by Matviyenko. Her appearances in BiH were followed by individual reactions, announcements by OHR and the American Embassy in Sarajevo, and information were published that Matviyenko was on the American and European black list because of her involvement in the Crimea annexation. However, what also followed was the apology by Dragan Čović, then member of Presidency of BiH, to Matvyenko for the "public reaction"? After the elections in October 2018, Dodik entered the Presidency of BiH, but not Čović.
Here is important to mention the (then) role of Croatia, (as it became apparent in the Agrokor affair, it played the role of the "vassal" of Russian policy), which provided unquestionable support to Čović in BiH, and it perfectly suited him to, together with Milorad Dodik, (continue) to work to destabilize BiH and undermine its institutions.
In view of the political changes in Croatia – election of new president and expected election of the leader of HDZ, which is the most influential party in Croatia, but also in BiH through its sister party of HDZ BiH – there is an expectation of change in the Croatian foreign policy towards BiH, because although a NATO member, due to the policy of Milorad Dodik, which is supported by Čović, Croatia now has pro-Russian forces at their border.
Another sign of such political changes is the silence of official Zagreb after Čović's visit to Russia in February (where he met with, among others, Matvyenko), as well as the lack of reaction to the recent big crisis in BiH caused by Dodik's blockade of the state institutions and his talk about secession. This silence was broken by some Croatian media, after the reaction by the Quinta countries and the High Representative in BiH, pointing at Banja Luka and Belgrade as the main culprits for the undermined security in the region.
Role of Croatia
If the policy of the official Zagreb is considered in economic context, no reaction should be expected, because Russian banks have taken over the control package of Agrokor few years ago, and Russians control major part of the energy sector in Croatia. However, support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in confronting the destabilizing Russian or pro-Russian forces, which seriously undermine security in the Balkans and beyond, can also take the form of the absence of the earlier official support to Dragan Čović and his coalition with Dodik. This, certainly, includes the blocking of the process of establishing Government of the Federation of BiH for 16 months after the general elections, which has been achieved by HDZ with their demands to adopt changes to the Election Law in order to strengthen the ethnic rights to the detriment of civil rights, while ignoring at that the rulings of the Strasbourg court that make reference to the Election Law of BiH – the very law they want to change.
Because of his doings, Milorad Dodik was placed on the American black list, and the High Representative is thinking to bar his travels to European countries. There is no doubt that isolation of Milorad Dodik is important in preventing his destruction of BiH, and that the USA and other members of the Quinta, who are guarantors of the Dayton peace agreement, really can exert influence on Dodik. This was proven by his signing the Reform Program, and even more by his retreating after the most recent crisis of him blocking state institutions and announcing secession of the Republika Srpska.
However, equally important is the role of Aleksandar Vučić, who provides full support to Dodik. Of course, in all this, as is now clear, both Dodik and Vučić are fully supported by Russia and the Russian Federation is working to achieve the objectives of its foreign policy in BiH, as well as in the Western Balkans, using a new kind of warfare. Still, Serbia has to deal with the question of Kosovo. And while in the past Milorad Dodik used the issue of Kosovo as an argument to threaten with secession of Republika Srpska, it appears (after the most recent crisis in BiH) that the issue of Milorad Dodik could be resolved in the same package with resolution of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia. This is because the central role in both cases is played by Belgrade, i.e. Vučić.
In fact, it turned out that the united western countries in the Balkans, when they have clear and shared positions and goals, still have much stronger influence than the Russian Federation. Otherwise, security in the Balkans would be additionally undermined; the Montenegro case and developments in the Macedonian Sobranje (Parliament) demonstrated how far Russian and pro-Russian forces are willing to go. In the Balkans, a serious hybrid war with the Russian Federation has been imposed onto the West, and its outcome will directly impact the security and future relations in Europe itself.
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CLICK HERE for video response. The scholars' 2 OPINIONS: 1) NO SHE CANNOT STAY IN THE MASJID UNLESS PASSING BY FOR A NEED (MAJORITY) Evidences: -The junub (sexually impure person after intercourse) is told explicitly in the Quran (Nisa: 43) not to stay in the masjid. And the junub, by analogy, is similar to the menstruating women because they both have an impurity that requires ghusl. – Rasulullah (S) said to tell all women (menstruating and not) to come to the Eid prayer, but he said "let the menstruating women avoid the prayer place." -Rasulullah (S) in said, "The mosque is not permitted for menstruating women or anyone who is in a state of janabah (sexual impurity)." 2) YES SHE CAN STAY IN THE MASJID (minority opinion held by Ibn Hazm, Al-Muzani a scholar of the Shafi'I madhab, Dawud Ad Dhaahiri, and modern day scholars such as Shaykh Yusuf al Qardawi and others) Evidences: -The hadeeth mentioned above ("The mosque is not permitted for menstruating women or anyone who is in a state of janabah (sexual impurity).") was classed as da'eef (weak) by Shaykh al-Albaani as well as other scholars, so it is not permissible to make a ruling of fiqh based on a weak hadth. – The ayah talking about the junub cannot be applied to the menstruating women because they are not analogous. When Aisha is on her period during Hajj, Rasulullah (S) told her "do everything but don't do tawaf of the kabah" which indicates she could stay at the Kabah and do worship, dua, etc. -A slave woman who was freed set up a tent and lived in the masjid. And Umm Mihjaan (the caretaker of the masjid) would regularly take care of the masjid, and was not told to avoid it during menses. -Therefore, these scholars are of the opinion that if it were really impermissible for a woman to not stay in the masjid, there would be an authentic direct hadith or ayah about it, as women around the messenger regularly had their period. The evidences brought by the majority are not strong enough to make it haram upon her to stay in the masjid.
CLICK HERE for video response. Did you know that the wives of the Prophet (S) traveled together WITHOUT a Mahram from Madinah to Makkah to make Hajj? In short – there are two opinions on the matter. 1) No, she has to have a Mahram. 2) Yes, she can, as long as her safety can be ensured, and that she uses safe public transportation where others are around.
CLICK HERE for video response Rasulullah (S) said "Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year." [Muslim] So CAN I DO 6 SHAWAL BEFORE MY RAMADAN MAKE UP FASTS? 2 Opinions of the scholars: 1) NO, FINISH RAMADAN FASTS FIRST: Some scholars, amongst them the Hanbalis, say that one must finish the obligatory fasts of Ramadan first before you do any other voluntary fast, as obligations are more important than voluntary fasts and because the Hadith says "Whoever FASTS Ramadan and follows it up with 6 of shawal…" indicating one must finish all 29/30 of Ramadan first and foremost. Some of this group say, if one cannot do all of Ramadan make up fasts in Shawal, then they can complete their 6 Shawal in the next month (Dhul Qa'dah). 2) YES, YOU CAN DO 6 SHAWAL BEFORE RAMADAN MAKE UPS: The other opinion of scholars (amongst them the Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki madhhab) is that the obligation of finishing off Ramadan is an obligation that is given an extended amount of time to fulfill. So since it is given a wide time of 11 months to finish the Ramadan fasts, it should NOT be limited to finishing them off in the very next month (shawal). Shawal is a limited amount of time, and Ramadan is given a long time, and therefore it would be permissible to fast 6 shawal first as long as the Ramadan fasts are accomplished throughout the next 11 months. This is from the mercy of Allah in giving us a long time to make up all the Ramadan fasts. The precedence that we have in the seerah, is that of Aisha (R) who said that she regularly made up her Ramadan fasts in the month of Shaban, which is the month right before Ramadan. But it is also known that she did many voluntary fasts throughout the year. Scholars conclude that she thererfore saw it acceptable to do voluntary fasts, EVEN though the Ramadan make up fasts had not been completed yet. It is also very difficult for women to make up Ramadan fasts (maybe 7-8 days) & finish shawal (another 6 days) within one month – because obviously her menses will come (maybe 7-8 days). That almost requires her to fast another WHOLE month minus her period just to accomplish Shawal. And that is definitely a great difficulty. **Majority of scholars say you cannot combine Shawal and Ramadan make up fasts with one intention. They should be separate intentions and separate days. NOTE: Know yourself! If you find it difficult to make up your fasts, PRIORITIZE Ramadan fasts over Shawal fasts, because an obligation is like a debt! May Allah allow us all to fast the 6 of Shawal to get the reward of an entire year! Ameen
CLICK HERE for video response. RECITING QURAN – there are 2 opinions: 1) She CANNOT read/recite the Quran. Most scholars prohibit women from touching the Quran based on the hadith "The menstruating woman and the one who is in a state of sexual impurity (janaabah) should not recite anything of the Qur'aan." 2) She CAN read/recite the Quran. This is the opinion of Ibn Taymiyyah, ibn Qayyim, Imam Malik, Bukhari, and one opinion of Imam Ash Shafii as well as many other scholars. Their argument is that the hadith mentioned above is Daeef (weak). In fact, the hadith is considered weak by almost all scholars of Hadith and therefore cannot be used in order to make a fiqh ruling. So women may recite or read the Quran, either from memory or from the Quran mushaf (book) itself. TOUCHING THE QURAN Scholars of fiqh agree that someone who is not purified CANNOT touch the Quran because Allah says in the Quran "None shall touch it except the purified" (Waqiah: 79). This includes the junub (sexually impure), the menstruating woman, as well as someone without wudhu. So how can she read the Quran? 1) Use a barrier (glove, towel, pen) so that her hand doesn't directly touch the Quran 2) Read it off of a tablet or phone as these are not considered the Quran, but rather devices that have the Quran in them. 3)Read a book which has Tafseer/translation in it – as that is not considered the Quran mushaf (book) either. Even if it contains the Arabic, if half is tafseer/translation, it is permissible for an impure person to hold.
CLICK HERE for video response. Q:If you fast all day, and your period starts a few minutes before Maghrib, do you have to make that day up? A: Yes. Q: If I didn't make up all my fasts before next Ramadan, what do I do? A: If you had no excuse, you have to pay the penalty, Fidya as well as make them up later. (Fidya: feeding a poor person a full day's meal per day that you missed). Q: Do pregnant and breastfeeding women have to fast? A: They are exempt if they fear for themselves or the baby. However, if they feel well enough, they can fast, after consulting a doctor. Q: How do pregnant/nursing moms make up those fasting days if they have years of make ups? A: There are multiple opinions of scholars: 1- make them all up over the years (majority opinion) 2- pay the fidya only (opinion of Ibn Abbas and Ibn Umar (R)) 3- pay the fidya AND make them up over the years


A unique black and white photographic exhibition has been hosted by UK Athletics in recognition of the contribution of past and present black and Asian athletics coaches in the UK from grassroots to elite level.
The exhibition – entitled 'COACH' – served as the key Black History Month milestone for the organisation and has a long-term goal of continuing to inspire the next generation to get into athletics for years to come.
Led by former athlete and now UKA vice president and Equality, Diversity & Engagement Lead Donna Fraser, the event – held in collaboration with commercial partner Grant Thornton – took place on the evening of Wednesday October 25 in London to "shine a light on those who were athletes themselves and are passionate about sharing their experiences and expertise with emerging athletics stars in the UK".
On the exhibition, Fraser – who has also been nominated for the 'inspirational role model' award at the European Diversity Awards on November 16 – said: "As an organisation there are several key messages we want to deliver, with the crux of the exhibition being to promote positive BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) role models, especially females, while inspiring BAME communities to get involved in athletics, whether that be through participation, coaching, officiating or volunteering.
Photographer Ernest Simons added: "I love sport and love taking shots of athletes at all levels even more. A photograph can tell a story of emotions, whether that be pain, happiness, disappointment; the list is endless.


Van things continue to go slowly, if not entirely non-existant.
Yesterday I was able to get most of the items being stored in the back of the van out of there. Sadly, this means my travel trailer now has more junk in it. I still need to find somewhere to put the two bench seats I'm removing. I should probably just get rid of them. Craigslist or free or whatever. I guess there's still enough doubt in my plans that I feel like I should keep them around.
That's basically all I've done. I went around to some self serve junkyards yesterday looking for power window switches for my sister's car. One of them had a bunch of old vans, and even a class B motorhome. It was an old Transvan and it was nasty and scary inside. I poked around but didn't see anything too worthwhile.
Right now I'm researching flooring and wall insulation options.
Oh, I guess I did rip out all the back carpet yesterday. It's been kind of rolled up towards the front for a while but I finally cut it out. I left the carpet up in the cab area.
Anyway, back when I used to own a house the basement would leak when it rained. Basically the slope away from the house wasn't there and the water would pool in the window well and then leak in the window. This caused the entire finished basement to be ripped out. I researched a lot on subfloors for basements back then because I planned to eventually refinish everything. Never did.
I'm toying with the idea of the basement subflooring systems in the van. Simply, they're a layer of dimpled or designed plastic to create air pockets for moisture to evaporate in, and also act as a moisture barrier from the actual plywood on top. I've seen no mention of this on any van sites or groups. I like the idea, especially since I've already been putting sheet metal down over rusted through holes in the metal floor of the van. My main hold up is not knowing the insulation situation in that setup.


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2016 Isuzu D-MAX Road Test
If you're a dead set 4X4 enthusiast, sign-up for our FREE eMag here > The Magazine
THE D-MAX, ISUZU UTE'S WORKHORSE UTE RANGE, HAS BUILT A REPUTATION FOR BEING TOUGH, FUNCTIONAL AND RELIABLE. It features an understressed 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, five-speed manual or automatic transmission and an electronically selectable 4X4 drivetrain with a dual-range transfer case.
On-road the D-MAX is rear-wheel-drive, with electronic stability control to keep things in check, while off-road the driver can engage 4WD high or low with torque being split 50:50 between the front and rear drive wheels.
Isuzu's 4JJ1 3.0-litre turbo-diesel produces 130kW and 380Nm – figures that are now some way off being class-leading – but it's an engine that has earned a 'built to last' reputation.
If you ever find yourself in a room full of Isuzu owners (as we have), they'll all happily tell you that they bought their 'truck' because it's an Isuzu and Isuzu has a reputation for making vehicles that last.
The current D-MAX was first introduced in 2012 and while its execution is no-longer cutting edge compared to its more recently upgraded rivals, it remains a genuine consideration for buyers looking for a workhorse or touring vehicle that is comfortable, capable and can cop a beating without turning to water.
THERE ARE FOUR MODELS IN THE D-MAX RANGE, BEGINNING WITH THE ENTRY LEVEL SX, THEN LS-M, LS-U (AS TESTED) AND THE RANGE TOPPING LS-TERRAIN.
Each share the same 4X4 drivetrain combination (described above) mated to either a five-speed automatic or manual gearbox. The higher-specced LS-U and LS-Terrain sit on larger 17-inch alloys, the SX on 16-inch steel wheels and LS-M on 16-inch alloys.
The D-MAX is rated to tow 3500kg (braked) and carry from 1005kg to 1025kg depending on the trim level and gearbox fitted.
All D-MAX models come with the same suite of active and passive safety features including six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution – enough to give the D-MAX a 5-Star ANCAP rating but not quite enough to compete with HiLux, Ranger or Colorado that are now equipped with trailer sway control, and hill descent control in their D-MAX LS-U equivalent models and an even greater array of driver aids in their top spec models.
The D-MAX LS-U that we tested appears to be the best value spec-level with standard features that include carpet (lower spec levels get washable vinyl flooring), climate control air-conditioning and a multi-function control screen with reversing camera and side-steps. Stepping up to the LS-Terrain costs an additional $4700 and adds niceties like proximity key central locking, push-button start, an electric driver's seat and partial leather trim.
A six speaker stereo system with CD player and Bluetooth is standard in the SX and LS-M, which is upgraded to include a multi-function control screen and DVD player in the LS-U and an additional two speakers in LS-Terrain. Satellite navigation isn't packaged into any of the D-MAX range – including most notably the $54,000 LS-Terrain – which adds further weight to the fact that from an infotainment perspective, the D-MAX is a generation behind many of its competitors. Our guess is that you'll have to wait for the all-new D-MAX that is being developed jointly with Mazda, before seeing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make an appearance.
But focusing on what the D-MAX lacks in up-to-the-minute electronic niceties is to lose sight of what the D-MAX is all about.
2016 D-MAX recommended retail pricing (price includes GST but excludes on-road and dealer costs):
D-MAX SX: (auto): $45,000; (man): $42,800
D-MAX LS-M: (auto): $47,800; (man): $45,600
D-MAX LS-U: (auto): $49,300: (man): $47,100
D-MAX LS-TERRAIN: (auto): $54,000; (man): N/A
COMPETITOR PRICE COMPARISON (base model 4X4 crew cab pricing shown):
Toyota HiLux Workmate: (auto): $45,990; (man): $43,990
Mitsubishi Triton MQ GLX: (auto): $39,490; (man): $36,990
Mazda BT-50 XT: (auto): $46,615; (man): $44,615
Ford Ranger XL 2.2DT: (auto): $47,265; (man): $45,065
Volkswagen Amarok TDI400 Core: (auto): $45,990; (man): $42,990
Holden Colorado LS: (auto): $47,190; (man): $44,990
WHAT YOU GET WITH THE D-MAX IS HONESTY. IT HAS HONESTY IN SPADES AND IT SHINES THROUGH IN BOTH THE ON-ROAD AND OFF-ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCE. That said, when you first sit in the D-MAX it's the early noughties feel of the cabin that first gets your attention. Yep, it's looking a bit dated but it's only really going to bother Ranger and HiLux buyers and they're busy buying Rangers and HiLuxes.
What it continues to offer is a level of practicality that is slowly being lost as these utes become more 'car like'. The D-MAX is a 4X4 ute you can jump into with mud on your boots, scuff the trim, soil a seat (not that sort of 'soil'), dirty the dash and at the end of the day, wipe it all clean. Try that in your Wildtrack.
It's that level of practicality and on some levels even simplicity, which has helped establish the D-MAX's reputation and popularity in Australia.
Out on the road, the D-MAX is an honest toiler (there's that word again). With the correct tyre pressures – 30psi all round when unladen per the placard – there is some fore and aft jiggling that is a hallmark of 4X4 utes with cart-sprung rear-ends. If you've got a tray full of air and you are running tyre pressures around the 40psi mark – it's the Australian way you know – you'll be "bobble heading" your way to a headache.
The steering lacks feel and the handling is more 'truck-like' than the competitors, making the D-MAX harder to place in a corner and more fidgety when it gets there (if the road is less than smooth) – but we're talking 4X4 utes here and none of them really drive like a car. All of the 4X4 utes can have their driveability – both on and off-road – improved with the fitment of quality aftermarket suspension and there are plenty of brands supplying gear for the D-MAX.
The 4JJ1 3.0-litre diesel is a little noisy and reminiscent of the Mitsubishi 4M41 (3.2-litre found in the current Pajero) – both engines can boast about their truck heritage and their reputations for being unkillable. In the D-MAX, diesel clatter (a combination of injector and ignition noise) is most noticeable when on the throttle – but it is not uncomfortably intrusive and adds to that truck-like appeal that the D-MAX wears like a badge.
Power and torque (130kW and 380Nm) are now well down on what the competition is offering – for example the Colorado's 2.8 turbo-diesel outputs 147kW and 500Nm – but that doesn't take away from the unruffled manner in which the 4JJ1 rolls out its torque and gets the job done.
In standard form it's going to wince a little at the thought of towing your 3.0 tonne Jayco, but it's so under-stressed that a trip to your local diesel tuner will liberate a good dose of additional willingness without raising a sweat (Bruce Garland races D-MAX's and with some basic tuning extracts a reliable 180kW from the 4JJ1 without an issue). If the rumoured 2017 D-MAX update makes an appearance, we'd be expecting the 4JJ1 to have been given a bit of a tickle.
The auto is only a five-speeder but it's an Aisin AW TB50-LS unit and a good one, with sequential manual shifting that allows the driver to make the best use of the engine's torque on-road and select individual gears in low-range when off-road.
Yeah, but how does it go in the dirt we hear you ask?
We took the LS-U up to the Adventure 4WD test track in the Barossa Valley and came away impressed for the most part. Selecting 4WD high or low is easy enough using the rotary dial and it's best to turn the on-road biased traction control off.
That's right – off. The D-MAX's traction control is tuned for on-road use and is too slow to respond in low-traction off-road situations to be really useful. The D-MAX has no factory diff-lock or rear LSD option, which means with the traction control switched off it relies solely on open diffs to maintain forward progress – but don't worry, it will still impress you with what it can do.
Drop the tyre pressures down into the low 20s, suss out the right line through an obstacle and dial up just the right amount of momentum (if needed) – that's the D-MAX driver's modus operandi. They key is to avoid a 'cross-axle' situation with open diffs – they are inherently lazy and push torque to the wheel with the least traction. Lifting wheels is to be avoided.
Getting it right is straightforward and the D-MAX will reward you by happily trudging its way over and through most of the obstacles you point it at, and that's exactly how it performed out on the test track. Note to future owners – swapping the rear diff centre for a locking unit will turn the D-MAX into a 'weapons grade' off-roader.
The D-MAX's auto allows manual selection of gears in low-range and has the smarts to hold the gear on steep uphill and downhill sections. On downhill runs it allows the driver to use the D-MAX's engine braking to maintain a controllable speed – which unlike a true downhill descent control system – is somewhat dependent on the steepness of the descent.
Isuzu expects D-MAX buyers to take them off-road and has fitted them with a full compliment of steel bash-plates providing protection for the engine sump and the transfer case, as well as the leading edge and base of the fuel tank.
Fast dirt roads should be tackled in 4WD high and doing so – as you would expect – adds a degree of balance to the way the D-MAX goes about things. That kinda 'wooden' on-road feel translates well on the dirt, with the D-MAX handling corrugations and rough sections of road with no sign of bumpsteer or unwanted feedback through the wheel, at least not on our drive.
It'll take a long highway in its stride for sure, but where the D-MAX is really at home is off the bitumen and working hard.
It's simple really, if you want a tough 4X4 ute that will work hard on and off the road, and do so year-in year-out with nothing more than regular servicing, then the D-MAX is your next 4X4 ute. It's the 'working dog' of the 4X4 ute world – tough, capable, reliable and honest.
We keep an 'ear to the ground' when it comes to 4X4s and what counts the most to us is actual ownership experience. Turbo-diesel powered vehicles aren't without their issues, from carbon build-up in inlet systems (thanks to really crappy emission control systems) to design faults that can and are resulting in total engine or fuel system failures.
If it's a good shot at a pain-free ownership experience that you seek, then your pre-purchase research should include hunting down genuine ownership experiences – via the many forums dedicated to the specific 4X4s models that interest you – and finding out how they perform over the long term.
Do your research on the D-MAX and you'll see what we're banging on about here and why – despite it's cosmetic shortcomings – it is the sixth best selling 4X4 ute in Australia, ahead of the Volkswagen Amarok and Mazda BT-50.
Got a D-MAX or MU-X? Tell us what you think of it.
Power/Torque: 130kW @ 3600rpm /380Nm @ 2800rpm
Transmission: 5-spd manual or 5-spd automatic (with sequential manual shift)
Suspension: Front: independent; rear: solid axle with leaf springs
Wheels and tyres:
SX: 16×7.0 rim | 245/70 R16 tyre
LS-M: 16×7.0 rim | 245/70 R16 tyre
LS-U: 17×7.0 rim | 255/65 R17 tyre
LS-Terrain: 17×7.0 rim | 255/65 R17 tyre
Approach/departure: SX: approach 29.4 degrees; departure 27.4 degrees; LS-M | LS-S | LS-Terrain: approach 30.0 degrees; departure 22.7 degrees
Ground clearance/wading depth: 465mm
Tow rating: 3,500kg towing (braked) and carrying capacity of 1,025kg; GCM (gross combined mass) is 5,950kg; gross vehicle mass is 2,950kg.
D-MAX SX
Adjustable Steering Col. – Tilt only
Air Conditioning – Pollen Filter
Airbags – Head for 2nd Row Seats
Body Colour – Exterior Mirrors Partial
Calipers – Front 2 Spot
Gloveboxes – Upper & Lower
Seatback Pocket – Front Driver Seat
Seatback Pocket – Front Passenger Seat
Seatbelt – Adjustable Height 1st Row
Skid Plate – Rear
Vinyl – Cabin Floor
D-MAX LS-M adds:
Map/Reading Lamps – for 1st Row
Over-head Centre Console – Front
Sunvisor – Vanity Mirror for Passenger
Tail Lamps – LED
D-MAX LS-U adds:
HDMI input for Audio/Video
D-MAX LS-Terrain adds:
Electric Seat – Drivers
Leather Seats – Partial
Power Door Mirrors – Folding
Storage Compartment – Overhead Console 1st Row
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In this article:d-max, isuzu, isuzu ute, review
2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Professional Review: Road Test At Australian Launch
Engineering 101: How To Build A Better Tow-Tug; Isuzu MU-X Revealed
Part-Time 4WD Explained and it's Evolving (Part Three)
New 2021 Isuzu MU-X Revealed in Thailand
2021 Isuzu D-MAX Awarded 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating


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Legends of the Rock and Roll Lifestyle
ron wood
Ian Dury and the Blockheads sung about Sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll and it became a phrase synonymous with the stars of the genre. The hard hitting, fast paced music reflected or dictated the way of living of those who sang it and would enable them to create the mystique and the image of the rock and roll singer. In the past fifty plus years we've seen many a wild rockers grace the stage and find chart success, all while living the hectic and crazy lifestyle you'd expect.
Keith Richards may be one of the greatest guitarist, singers and songwriters of all time but his legacy won't be all from his work with The Rolling Stones. Richards became famous for his rock and roll lifestyle and you could write whole books dedicated to only just some of his escapades. They include snorting his father's ashes, jumping from flaming buildings, straying awake for days on end, being busted on drug charges multiple times and has drank several lifetimes of alcohol. He somehow managed all of this while remaining with this band for over fifty years and is still touring at the age of seventy-two.
Gene Simmons of Kiss is known as one of the leading front men of rock. His career has spanned from 1963 top the present and shows no signs of slowing down. Whether he's in full make up and armour as the Demon or he's in his suit making Kiss a profitable brand as much as a successful band, he's done it all. He has boasted to have had sex with over 4,600 women throughout his career, which would be more than one a week, every week for fifty plus years. Despite this, Simmons has admitted to never touch alcohol, staying sober his whole life.
Ozzy Osbourne is another rock icon who has had plenty of wild days. Many of his years are full of drugs and alcohol, with other stories including driving his pregnant girlfriend to the hospital to give birth while he was drunk and didn't have a licence, shooting cats that were damaging his car, giving a hash cake to a priest, doings striptease and urinating in a man's drink one night in Germany and much more, without even covering the story of him biting the head off a live bat.
Living a rock and roll lifestyle is beyond most of us mere mortals. Whether its all night benders, gambling or whatever, the average human couldn't take it. You could start out with a great casino bonus at Red Flush and try gambling, binge at your local pub and stay up for one only night before you couldn't handle it, so how these rockers survived and are still kicking only adds to their legends.
March 10, 2018 -- Stones. No filter. Prague: GENERAL SALE NOW ON (0)
April 23, 2015 -- 5 Things you didn't know about The Rolling Stones (1)
July 3, 2013 -- The Rolling Stones' Debut in 1962 Was Like Flying Without a License (0)


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La quatrième bataille de Kidal a lieu les 21 et , pendant la guerre du Mali. Elle oppose le GATIA, dominé par les Touaregs de la tribu des Imghad, à la CMA, et particulièrement au HCUA, dominé par les Touaregs ifoghas.

Prélude
Le , la ville de Kidal passe entièrement sous les contrôle des rebelles touaregs et arabes du MNLA, du HCUA et du MAA lorsque l'armée malienne est mise en déroute au cours de la troisième bataille de Kidal. Quelques semaines plus tard, les rebelles se rassemblent pour former la Coordination des mouvements de l'Azawad (CMA). Le , la CMA signe l'accord d'Alger avec le gouvernement malien. Cependant Kidal demeure aux mains des rebelles et des combats continuent d'avoir lieu entre la CMA et les groupes loyalistes de la Plateforme des mouvements du 14 juin 2014 d'Alger, représentée principalement dans la région de Kidal par le Groupe autodéfense touareg Imghad et alliés (GATIA). Le , après trois semaines de discussions à Anéfis, la CMA et la Plateforme scellent les « pactes d'honneur » et promettent de ne plus s'affronter.

Le  et le , entre plusieurs centaines et un millier d'hommes du GATIA menés par le général El Hadj Ag Gamou entrent à Kidal avec le « consentement » de la CMA. Cependant le climat est tendu, certains membres de la CMA dénoncent une démonstration de force du GATIA. Le 6 février un accord est conclu entre les deux factions et le GATIA s'engage à alléger son dispositif militaire à Kidal. Certains combattants se retirent vers Gao ou Ménaka dans les jours qui suivent.

Le , la tension remonte d'un cran lorsque des combattants du GATIA érigent deux check-points aux entrées nord et sud de Kidal. Les hommes du HCUA réagissent par des tirs de sommation et menacent de démanteler par la force ces nouvelles positions. Les Imghad acceptent de lever le poste sud mais conservent le poste nord. Pour Jeune Afrique, , quant au général El Hadj Ag Gamou, établi à Takalote, à  au sud-est de Kidal, il , qu'il compterait remettre à son ami Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, consul du Mali au Niger et ancien gouverneur de Kidal. Les deux camps accusent l'actuel gouverneur de la ville d'être plutôt favorable à l'autre parti et espèrent que le poste de président du conseil régional de l'administration intérimaire soit attribué à un homme qui leur soit proche.

Le président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta demande au général Mahamane Touré, chef d'état-major des armées, de donner l'ordre au général Gamou de regagner la base de l'opération Maliba à Gao. Mais Mahamane Touré refuse. Il est limogé le 29 juin et remplacé par le général Didier Dacko.

Le 17 juillet, la CMA et la Plateforme trouvent finalement un consensus et signent un accord à Niamey, au Niger. Les deux partis s'accordent pour partager la gestion administrative, mais aussi sécuritaire de Kidal. La CMA accepte la demande du GATIA d'une coopération pour sécuriser la ville et tenir les checkpoints.

Mais à la mi-juillet, un convoi de six véhicules du GATIA chargés d'1,5 tonnes de drogue est enlevé par des hommes de la CMA près de Tin-Essako ou Tinzawatène. Cet événement pourrait avoir envenimé encore davantage les relations entre les deux groupes.

Déroulement
Un incident éclate le soir du 19 juillet, lorsqu'un homme du GATIA, un officier du HCUA et un civil sont tués à Kidal lors d'échanges de coups de feu. Les représentants des deux groupes déclarent cependant que l'accord signé à Niamey . La CMA demande aux hommes du GATIA de rester cantonnés sur leurs positions et de ne pas sortir en armes, mais cette demande n'est pas exécutée.

Le 21 juillet, les combats éclatent entre les hommes du GATIA et ceux du HCUA. Les affrontements débutent à 16 heures dans le centre-ville, chaque camp accuse l'autre d'avoir ouvert le feu en premier. Dans la soirée, le GATIA fait monter des renforts depuis Gao et Ménaka, tandis que des combattants de la CMA gagnent Kidal depuis Tinzawatène, Tin-Essako et Aguel'hoc. Selon le MNLA, deux hélicoptères français de la force Barkhane survolent la ville pendant les affrontements tandis que les casques bleus restent cloîtrés dans leur camp.

Les combats baissent en intensité à 19 heures et s'arrêtent avec la tombée de la nuit. Ils reprennent le lendemain à cinq heures du matin dans l'Ouest de la ville et s'achèvent à 10 heures.

Du 21 au 22 juillet, le gouvernement malien, la MINUSMA et la France appellent à plusieurs reprises à l'apaisement.

Les hommes du GATIA finissent par se retirer de Kidal, plusieurs se replient vers Anéfis. Le calme revient le 23 juillet et les habitants, jusqu'alors cloîtrés, commencent à sortir de chez eux. La MINUSMA organise alors des patrouilles en ville.

Fared Ag Almahmoud, porte-parole du GATIA, affirme que ses troupes se sont retirées à quelques kilomètres de la ville après la conclusion d'un accord avec la CMA : . Mais le porte-parole de la CMA, Almou Ag Mohamed, dément et affirme que les forces de GATIA ont subi une défaite : . Le 27 juillet, le général El Hadj Ag Gamou regagne finalement Bamako.

Suites
Après les combats, le GATIA accuse les combattants de la CMA d'arrestations arbitraires et de pillages contre des civils imghad. Le 26 juillet, deux civils sont assassinés près de Kidal, la CMA accuse le GATIA qui dément. Fin septembre 2016, la CMA publie une liste de 63 exactions dont il accuse le GATIA, une source de la MINUSMA de RFI déclare alors que le GATIA a effectivement commis des exactions et des assassinats .

Pertes
Aucun bilan humain officiel n'est communiqué par les groupes armés, mais selon RFI plusieurs sources dans la ville parlent de plusieurs dizaines de tués.

Le soir du 21 juillet, selon les témoignages recueillis par l'AFP, un habitant parle de cinq morts chez les ex-rebelles et de 10 du côté des pro-gouvernementaux, tandis qu'un représentant de la CMA affirme que le camp adverse compte « beaucoup morts » contre trois pour son côté. Fahad Ag Almahmoud, secrétaire général du GATIA, reconnaît quatre morts pour les forces de son mouvement. Almou Ag Mohamed, porte-parole de la CMA et membre du HCUA, parle de quatre morts dans ses rangs contre une trentaine pour ses adversaires. Le journal malien Le Témoin, donne un bilan de neuf morts pour la CMA et environ 60 tués pour le GATIA d'après des sources de la CMA.

Dans son rapport de septembre 2016 sur la situation au Mali, l'ONU fait état d'au moins 14 morts et 89 blessés, tant combattants que civils, pour la journée du 21 juillet.

Le 22 juillet, une infirmière et un médecin du principal centre de soins de Kidal déclarent à l'agence Reuters avoir vu au moins une vingtaine de morts et une quarantaine de blessés. Selon Studio Tamani, des habitants évoquent plus d'une trentaine de morts. Libération indique de son côté qu'à Bamako, . Le média malien Kibaru évoque après la combat au moins 80 morts d'après ses sources. Le 4 août, le président de la CMA, Bilal Ag Acherif, affirme que les combats ont fait au moins 150 morts et 100 blessés.

Dans un rapport publié en février 2018, la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA) et le Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies aux droits de l'homme (HCDH) documentent la mort de 20 civils à Kidal, les 21 et 22 juillet. D'après le rapport, 35 civils ont également été blessés ou victimes de mauvais traitement, dont 16 femmes suspectées d'être des sympathisantes de la CMA. Selon le Bureau de la coordination des affaires humanitaires (OCHA), les combats ont également fait  déplacés parmi les civils, qui se sont portés en direction de Gao, Tombouctou ou de l'Algérie.

Voir aussi

Reportages
 .

Notes et références

Bataille de 2016
Guerre du Mali
2016 au Mali
Juillet 2016

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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