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.

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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.........

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The Pakistan floods..[ 1632 ]

UN boss to visit flood-ravaged Pakistan

By South Asia correspondent Sally Sara and wires

ABC/BBC Saturday , Aug 14, 2010

Updated 33 minutes ago

Pakistani flood survivors try to catch food bags being dropped from
an army helicopter

UN officials estimate up to 6 million people are in need of food, water, medicine and shelter.
(AFP: Arif Ali)

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan later today in the wake of the nation's worst floods on record.

Mr Ban will meet Pakistani government officials before touring flood-ravaged areas tomorrow.

He is leading a UN appeal for urgent international assistance for victims of the disaster.

Aid agencies are warning of a second wave of deaths from disease and hunger.

UN officials estimate up to 6 million people are in need of food, water, medicine and shelter.

Flood waters are receding in the north west of the country, but the River Indus is expected to reach dangerous levels in Punjab and the southern province of Sindh in the next two days.

UNICEF spokesman Oscar Butragueno says the organisation is particularly worried about the welfare of children under five.

"Their defence system is very weak and they are susceptible to water-borne diseases," he said.

"When this is combined with malnutrition, it can increase significantly the mortality rate."

The Pakistani government has also scrapped Independence Day celebrations today to concentrate on the relief operation.

President Asif Ali Zardari says the directive means there will be no special official gatherings or flag-raising ceremonies or special parades at military corps headquarters.

- ABC/BBC

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