Monthly Archives: July 2014

VISA For most countries of the world, it is a visa-on-arrival at the airport or railway crossings (expect a 3-6 hour wait usually in the middle of the night) for a 30-day visa. Cost is $53 and 2 passport photos … Continue reading →

Thorium, an element named after the Norse god of thunder, may soon contribute to the world’s electricity supply Apr 12th 2014 Economist WELL begun; half done. That proverb—or, rather, its obverse—encapsulates the problems which have dogged civil nuclear power since … Continue reading →

VISA. Required by virtually every country in the world. Time consuming, bureaucratic and costly. For most is valid for a maximum of 30 days, non extendable from the date of entry. Travel to St Petersburg, Kaliningrad Vyborg is possible without … Continue reading →

Military expenditures data are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to … Continue reading →

by Mark Thompson, Time Magazine, Nov 4, 2013 The army, after generations of preparing to fight complicated land wars, is more likely to face enemies that are terrorists, insurgents, and other small -bore bad guys than large standing armies. That’s … Continue reading →

THE F-35, THE MOST EXPENSIVE WEAPON EVER BUILT excerpted from “The Most Expensive Weapon Ever Built” by Mark Thompson. Time Feb 25, 2013 The Pentagon plans on buying 2,357 F-35s for $400 billion, making it the costliest weapons program in … Continue reading →

In February, 2011, the US Navy started construction on a new $15 billion aircraft carrier, slated to weigh anchor in 2020. It followed the just-as-costly Gerald R. Ford, then 20% built and due to set sail in 2015. Meanwhile, on … Continue reading →

OUT OF SIGHT – EXPENSE AND STUPIDITY TOO BIG TO CAMOFLAGE Apr 12th 2014 ECONOMIST “I WEAR camo so I can feel safe,” says Sean, a member of the navy reserve. He cannot quite fathom why his combat uniform is … Continue reading →

The evolutionary history of life on Earth traces the processes by which living and fossil organisms have evolved since life on the planet first originated until the present day. Earth formed about 4.5 Ga (billion years ago) and life appeared … Continue reading →

WHY EARTH HAS LIFE Earth is one special planet. It has liquid water, plate tectonics, and an atmosphere that shelters it from the worst of the sun’s rays. But many scientists agree our planet’s most special feature might just be … Continue reading →