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.........

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Russia's fighter jet exports..[ 1509 ]

Russia to keep 2nd place in fighter jet exports until 2013
 
Russia to 
keep 2nd place in fighter jet exports until 2013
Russia will most likely continue holding a second place on the global market of new multirole fighter jets until at least 2013, a Russian arms trade expert said, RIA Novosti.


TREND ////22.07.2010 09:33



"We are expecting a significant growth of this [fighter jet] market segment both in terms of quantity [68%] and revenues [91%] until 2013 compared to the previous four years [2006-2009]," Igor Korotchenko, head of a Moscow-based think tank on the international arms trade, told reporters on Wednesday.

"According to our estimates, Russia will keep a solid second place during the upcoming four-year period," the expert said.


According to the Russian think tank, at least 1,589 multirole fighters worth over $82.5 billion will be sold on the global market in 2006-2013.


A total of 476 new fighters worth $27.7 billion were sold in 2006-2009. This figure will almost double in the next four years with the demand rising from 119 to 200 planes annually.


The United States tops the list with 472 new fighters worth over $19 bln, which were sold in the past four years and have been ordered for the next four.


Russia currently maintains a second place with 377 new fighters worth over $16.3 bln, trailed by China, the U.K., Sweden and France.


According to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, the country could sign its first contract for the export of Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets by the end of this year.


The Su-35 Flanker-E, a modification of the Su-27, is a heavy class, long-range, multirole fighter, whose technical characteristics can be compared with those of fifth-generation jets.

Blasts at Kabardino-Balkaria hydro plant..[ 1508 ]

Blasts at Kabardino-Balkaria hydro plant equivalent to over 20 lbs

Topic: Attack on Baksan hydropower plant

Blasts at 
Kabardino-Balkaria hydro plant
2/2
Blasts at Kabardino-Balkaria hydro plant
09:22 22/07/2010
© Photo Press-service GU of the Ministry of Emergency Measures on the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti)
The blasts at the hydropower plant in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria were equivalent to more than 10 kg of TNT (22 lbs) altogether, a source from the local law enforcement authorities said on Thursday.

The attack saw a group of up to four gunmen burst into Kabardino-Balkaria's Baksan Hydropower Plant early on Wednesday and shoot dead two security guards. Then they detonated four explosive devices. The resulting blaze covered an area of 250 sq meters.

The attackers were apparently well-trained militants, the source said. The Russian Federal Security Service has said the gang's leader had been identified.

The head of RusHydro's plant in the North Caucasus, Ali Sattaev, said two hydro units were damaged as a result of the blasts. However, a RusHydro spokesman said energy supplies to Kabardino-Balkaria would not be affected by the attack.
Some experts say the attack may be a "rehearsal" that could be followed by other similar attacks.

Whale vs Yacht.. [ 1507 ]

Whale of a tale for couple yachting off Cape Town

Whale landing on yacht  
The picture apparently showing the moment before the whale hit the boat


A couple on a whale-watching trip off Cape Town, South Africa, say they had a lucky escape when a 10m (33ft) specimen leapt on to their yacht.
The southern right whale, a species known for poor eyesight, snapped the mast before sliding back into the water, said Paloma Werner.

She and her partner had just seconds to take cover, she said. A nearby tourist caught the moment on camera.
"I still like whales," Ms Werner told the BBC afterwards.
The southern right whale navigates by sound, leading Ms Werner to suspect it was an accident.
"Our boat's engine was off and so the whale just didn't know we were there," she said.
"We were just the wrong boat, in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Diving for cover

Ms Werner and her companion Ralph Mothes had headed out to Table Bay on their yacht in fine weather before catching sight of the whale in the distance.
Cutting the engine, they floated for an hour watching the whale, she told the BBC.
Damage done to boat 
Ms Werner says the damage may cost £8,500 to repair
"It appeared about 120m away from our boat and then it went under the water again.
"A few moments later, I saw it resurface just 10m away.
"Suddenly I heard my partner shout and when I looked around, I saw the huge thing breaching on to the deck.

"Instinctively, I took cover as the mast came crashing down. I saw my partner, Ralph, dive for cover behind the yacht's wheel. Then the whale slid down the side of the boat and back into the water."
"As soon as I realised that we were unhurt, we checked to see how much damage had been done.
"Luckily, we weren't taking on water so we started the engine and headed for shore. I saw the whale reappear further away.
"When we got back to land, I realised how lucky we were to have survived."

The leaping whale was caught on camera, apparently by a tourist on another boat who later passed it on through a tour guide.

The decision to release the Lockerbie bomber...[ 1506 ]

Salmond defends al-Megrahi release


the London Evening Standarad .,22.07.10
 
Scotland's First Minister has written to US senators defending his government's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber.
In a letter to John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Alex Salmond made clear that the Scottish Government made the decision to free Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds and had received no representations from BP on the matter.


The triumphant return of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, left, to Libya 
sparked anger in the US
The triumphant return of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, left, to Libya sparked anger in the US
He said the decision was made with "integrity" and following a "clear legal process".
Libyan Megrahi is the only man to have been convicted of the Lockerbie atrocity which killed 270 people in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on December 21, 1988. 

He was released from a Scottish prison last August, having been given three months to live, but is still alive and living with his family in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

David Cameron's first visit to Washington as Prime Minister has been overshadowed by the row over his release, with US senators suspicious that oil giant BP may have had a hand in the affair.
Mr Salmond said he had written the letter making clear the Scottish Government's stance in order to assist the committee with a proposed hearing on July 29.

He wrote: "I want first of all to restate the revulsion of the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland at the bombing of Flight Pan Am 103 and to acknowledge the terrible pain and suffering inflicted on the victims and the relatives of all those who died in the Lockerbie atrocity. Whatever different views we have about the release of Al-Megrahi, I am sure we stand together on that."
"I can say unequivocally that the Scottish Government has never, at any point, received any representations from BP in relation to Al-Megrahi."

Mr Salmond has previously criticised ex-premier Tony Blair for negotiating a prisoner transfer agreement (PTA) with Libya in 2007 - which was not invoked for Megrahi's release - at the same time as sealing a deal for BP in the country, saying it gave rise to suspicions of "deals in the desert".
He wrote in the letter: "I must make clear that the Scottish Government strongly opposed the PTA and the memorandum that led to it was agreed without our knowledge and against our wishes."

NASA image of the Day July 21..[ 1505 ]

The latest NASA "Image of the Day" image.
Children experience NASA from the inside during the annual "Take Your Children to Work Day" held each summer at NASA facilities across the country. Children get to see NASA facilities, participate in education activities and shadow their parents during the workday. 

They can also observe the agency's many different careers, learning about occupations as varied as engineering, graphic design, accounting, maintenance and many other professions. Pictured here, children explore the Exploration Experience exhibit at the Marshall Space Flight Center during a previous "Take Your Children to Work Day." 

The exhibit showcases NASA's accomplishments and goals, from the benefits of space exploration here on Earth, to the technologies NASA develops to explore our solar system. 
Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Doug Stoffer
Τετάρτη, 21 Ιούλιος 2010 7:00:00 πμ