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.........

Saturday, February 26, 2011

NASA Image of the Day, Feb 25th ..[ 2128 ]

The latest NASA "Image of the Day" image.

Rising on twin columns of fire and creating rolling clouds of smoke and steam, space shuttle Discovery lifted off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a picturesque, warm, late February afternoon. 
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Launch of the STS-133 mission was at 4:53 p.m. EST on Feb. 24. Discovery and its six-member crew are on a mission to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station.
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Discovery is making its 39th mission and is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This is the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station.
Image Credit: NASA
Παρασκευή, 25 Φεβρουάριος 2011 7:00:00 πμ
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Japan: Many Japanese caught in the N. Zealand Quake !..[ 2127 ]

News Navigator: Why were so many Japanese caught in the New Zealand quake?

Members of Japan's disaster relief team are seen near the rubble of a collapsed building, where a number of international students -- including those from Japan -- remain missing, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 24, 2011. (Mainichi)

The Mainichi answers common questions readers may have about the Japanese people struck by the recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Question: Why are so many Japanese among those hit by the earthquake?
Answer: New Zealand is a popular destination among Japanese students for studying abroad. According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 1,051 Japanese individuals studied at universities and other higher education institutions in New Zealand in 2008. Though the number of Japanese students there was far smaller than the number in the United States (around 30,000) and the number in China (over 16,000), New Zealand was still the 10th most popular destination. Considering the relatively small size of New Zealand's population -- 4.37 million as of the end of July last year -- the number of Japanese students could be considered to be quite high.
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Q: So there really are many Japanese in New Zealand, aren't there?
A: Yes. In fact, the ministry's statistics do not include students attending language schools and those in short-term study-abroad programs, as opposed to study-abroad programs during university or direct enrollment in overseas universities. According to statistics compiled in New Zealand that include those language school students and those in short-term programs, almost 10,000 Japanese students visited New Zealand in 2009. Furthermore, the recent earthquake struck in late February -- around the time many schools in Japan are starting to close for spring break and a large number of students go overseas.
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Q: Besides those from Japan, are there many international students in New Zealand?
Emergency services work to remove a body from the site of the CTV building in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, after the city was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake Tuesday. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Sarah Ivey)

A: According to the New Zealand statistics, over 20,000 Chinese and nearly 16,000 South Korean students studied there in 2009. Many from other Asian countries, such as India and Saudi Arabia, also reportedly studied in New Zealand. Because a building housing a language school collapsed in the recent disaster, there are many international students whose safety is unaccounted for.
Q: Why is New Zealand popular among international students?
A: Compared to other English-speaking countries, it is thought that commodity prices are cheaper and public safety is better in New Zealand. The entire nation is very supportive of international students, offering various consultation and information services. Furthermore, stays of up to three months do not require student visas. The acceptance of foreigners in New Zealand appears to attract not only international students, but a number of immigrants as well.
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As Japan and New Zealand are situated almost opposite from each other across the equator; there is only a three- or four-hour time difference between the two countries, depending on daylight savings time. The climate is also similar to that in Japan in some ways, and there is plenty of greenery. As of October last year, Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, had a total population of roughly 370,000, with Japanese people reportedly accounting for 2,820.
Q: Why are most of the missing Japanese female?
A: Possibly because more Japanese women study overseas than men. According to study-abroad consulting firm Ryugaku Journal Inc., currently some 70 percent of Japanese students studying overseas are women. Ryugaku Journal Vice-President Yukari Kato attributes the popularity of New Zealand among women to the country's laid-back environment -- saying it may be more attractive to women than big cities like New York or London. (Answers by Hiroshi Endo, City News Department)
Click here for the original Japanese story
(Mainichi Japan) February 25, 2011
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Friday, February 25, 2011

Racism in Russian universities..[ 2126 ]

Minorities complain of rising racism in Russian universities

Moscow State University main building

There's increasing concern about the high levels of discrimination which ethnic minority students face if they study at Russian universities. Insults, beatings and official harrassment are among the complaints.

 
Posted  February 25th 2011

Fenced off public squares guarded by hundreds of security officers are not an uncommon sight in Moscow. City authorities are anxious to avoid gatherings that could lead to violent clashes between right-wing hooligans and ethnic minorities. 
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Click for the...Full story: Deutsche Welle
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NASA Image of the Day, Feb 24th ..[ 2125 ]

The latest NASA "Image of the Day" image.


Space shuttle Discovery's liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a picturesque, warm, late February afternoon was witnessed by news media representatives near the countdown clock at the Press Site. Launch of the STS-133 mission was at 4:53 p.m. EST on Feb. 24. 
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Discovery and its six-member crew are on a mission to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station. 
 .
Discovery is making its 39th mission and is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This is the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the International Space Station. 
Image Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder
Πέμπτη, 24 Φεβρουάριος 2011 7:00:00 πμ
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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Libya: the Revolt Spreads..[ 2124 ]

Qaddafi Loses Grip on Libya as Revolt Spreads

Published February 24, 2011
| Associated Press
Feb. 23: A Libyan protester holds a weapon as he shouts slogans against Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi, during a demonstration in Tobruk, Libya.
AP
 A Libyan protester holds a weapon as he shouts slogans against Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi, during a demonstration in Tobruk, Libya.

BENGHAZI, Libya –  The scope of Muammar al-Qaddafi's control was whittled away Wednesday as major Libyan cities and towns closer to the capital fell to the rebellion against his rule. In the east, now all but broken away, the opposition vowed to "liberate" Tripoli, where the Libyan leader is holed up with a force of militiamen roaming the streets and tanks guarding the outskirts.
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