The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Monday, May 24, 2010

Heathrow airport ,plans for a third runway scrapped..[ 1273 ]

Heathrow third runway axed in victory for campaigners

Jonathan Prynn and Sri Carmichael
24.05.10

The company that runs Heathrow airport this afternoon officially confirmed that it had scrapped plans for a third runway.
Operator BAA said all work on the project will cease in what campaigners called “a final victory”. It has also abandoned work on a second runway at Stansted.
It marks a triumph for environmentalists and residents opposed to the runways across the South-East but will be seen as a major blow to business and the aviation industry.
The Lib-Con coalition government is opposed to the Heathrow expansion and BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: “We recognise the importance of government policy in a matter as significant and controversial as runway capacity.”
BAA will stop buying properties in Sipson, the village in the path of the runway, but has left open a scheme to reimburse locals who wish to sell their homes because of blight. “It is no longer appropriate for us to purchase properties. Equally important is our intention to stand behind our commitment made to provide time for those local residents who wish to sell their properties to us to do so,” said Mr Matthews.
Edward Lister, leader of Wandsworth council and of a group of local London councils against the runway, said: “This is the final victory. It is great news that BAA have finally seen sense. This is great news for people living in west London. An additional runway with all the noise and pollution would have been devastating for their quality of life.”
Campaigners against the runway included new Tory MP Zac Goldsmith who won his Richmond seat campaigning against it. Actress Emma Thompson and impressionist Alstair McGowan were also involved in the battle.
Geraldine Nicholson of one residents' group opposed to the runway said: “I'm overwhelmed, gobsmacked. We've fought for this for eight years. We're all over the moon. It was one fight worth taking on.”
John Stewart of pressure group HACAN said: “This is a double blow for BAA, whose strategy is now in tatters. It is the right outcome for the people though.”
HACAN also said it was particularly pleased today by the news on Stansted. The Government had clearly stated that Heathrow's runway would be scrapped but had not been so categorical about Stansted, which Mr Stewart said meant the Stansted expansion could have been eventually approved after a public inquiry process.
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