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.........

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

China : Top Official executed..[ 1404 ]

China executes top Chongqing official for corruption

BBC., Wednesday, 7 July 2010 10:29 UK

100 yuan notes - file photo

The corruption scandal has involved dozens of officials in Chongqing

China has executed the top justice official in the city of Chongqing as part of a crackdown on corruption.

Wen Qiang, former director of the Chongqing Municipal Judicial Bureau, was the highest-ranking official charged in connection with the scandal.

He was convicted of accepting bribes, rape and shielding criminal gangs.

Dozens of officials have been prosecuted as part of the clampdown, initiated by Chongqing's Communist Party boss Bo Xilai.

Wen served as the huge municipality's deputy police chief for 16 years before becoming its top judicial official.

According to Xinhua news agency, he was convicted of taking more than 12m yuan ($1.76m, £1.16m) in bribes either in person or through his wife.

He also took bribes to protect five organised crime gangs and, in August 2007, raped a university student.

Residents hold banners outside the Chongqing court praising Wen's
execution on 7 July 2010

In May Wen lost an appeal against his death sentence, after the high court said the evidence against him was clear.

His wife and three of his associates were tried alongside him and jailed.

His sister-in-law, Xie Caiping, was also sentenced last year to 18 years in prison, for running illegal gambling dens.

To date more than 90 officials have been prosecuted as part of the high-profile crackdown, which began in the southern city in mid-2009.

It has increased the popularity of Bo Xilai, and is being seen by some as an attempt on his part to secure a spot in the governing politburo.

But despite this high-profile campaign corruption among officials remains widespread, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing.

This worries China's leaders, who are seriously concerned that public anger at levels of corruption is undermining support for the Communist Party.

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