Star Wars plane

Star Wars plane unveiled in Washington

Star Wars characters R2D2 and C3PO with the new R2D2 plane. 

NOW this is one Boeing 787-8 “Dreamliner” plane that’s living up to its name.

The R2D2 jet delighted diehard fans as it rolled out of the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, on the weekend, fully decorated in a Star Wars theme.

Stormtroopers also accompanied the jet out of the hangar.

It was greeted with much excitement. 

The plane was created for All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, and is the first of three aircraft to be adorned with the livery.

The R2D2 motif has been imprinted onto the cockpit and front half of the jet’s exterior, while the Star Wars logo spans the length behind the wings.

Inside, passengers will find themed in-flight decorations including headrest covers, serviettes and cups.

And those flying on the 215-seat plane will be able to watch all six of the recently released Star Wars films.

“At ANA we’re always looking for ways to improve the flying experience for our passengers, and what better way to start your trip to Asia than on a one-of-a-kind Star Wars plane?” ANA spokeswoman Hideki Kunugi said.

You could hop on board

The jet is scheduled to begin commercial flights from Haneda to Vancouver (flight number NH116) from October 18. And great news for Aussie fans — the plane will later fly between Japan and Sydney, as well as cities in the US, Europe, China and Indonesia.

May the force be with them!



























origina post found herhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/travel-advice/star-wars-plane-unveiled-in-washington/story-fni0bfok-1227528783950

'tortured by their own side'

Argentine Falklands War troops 'tortured by their own side'

Argentine soldiers were subjected to abuse and torture by their own superiors during the 1982 Falklands War against Britain, files released by Argentina's armed forces reveal.

Argentine soldiers occupied the islands within a few days from the invasion, but the conflict would be over in 74 days

They are the first official documents from the conflict to be made public and contain testimonies from soldiers who say they were poorly equipped and cold.
They say they were severely beaten for leaving the trenches to look for food.
The conflict over the islands cost the lives of more than 900 soldiers.
For years, war veterans have complained about the terrible conditions during the conflict, including lack of proper boots and coats, says the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires.
The previously secret files describe mock executions and soldiers being tied up inside empty graves.
A lieutenant describes how another officer tied his hands and legs to this back and left him face down on the wet sand of a cold Falklands beach for eight hours.
A sergeant says he had to be operated on after being kicked in the testicles.
"These documents lift the veil on facts that were hidden for so many years by the armed forces," said Ernesto Alonso, from a veterans group in La Plata.

'Exercise of colonialism'

The Falklands War began in April 1982, when Argentine troops invaded the British overseas territory which Argentina calls the Malvinas.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner ordered in April the release of all secret files from the armed forces during the conflict

A British task force was sent to the area and regained control of the islands in June. Three Falklands civilians and 255 British servicemen died during the conflict.
The number of Argentine dead is estimated at about 650.
Argentine defeat precipitated the end of the country's brutal military government, which was already facing serious economic problems and lack of popular support.
Despite widespread criticism in Argentina of the 1982 invasion, most Argentines continue to claim the islands as theirs.
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has previously described British presence as "a blatant exercise of 19th-Century colonialism".
The British government says it will defend the self-determination of the islanders.
An overwhelming majority of Falkland residents voted in March 2013 to remain a British territory. About 2,900 people live on the islands.





























origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34252025

satellite advances "North Korea"

North Korea touts satellite advances, raising prospect of rocket launch

"final phase" of developing a new satellite,

North Korea says it is in the "final phase" of developing a new satellite, raising the prospect of a
long-range rocket launch that would provoke international condemnation.

The world should expect to see a series of North Korean satellites "soaring into the sky," the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Monday, citing a senior aerospace official.

Although nuclear-armed North Korea insists its satellite launches are for peaceful purposes, they are widely viewed as tests of ballistic missile technology that aid its weapons program.

"There are multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that require North Korea to suspend all activities related to their ballistic missile program and re-establish a moratorium on missile launches, stop conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology, and abandon its ballistic missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner," U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in response to a question about the North Korean announcement.

"Any satellite launch using ballistic missile technology would be a clear violation of those resolutions," Kirby said at a regular news briefing Monday in Washington.

Timing of any launch unclear

The director of North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, the official cited in the state media report, didn't specify when any launches might take place.
North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in December 2012, prompting the U.N. Security Council to expand sanctions on Kim Jong Un's regime.

Launch station upgraded

Experts say that since the 2012 launch, Kim's regime has upgraded its Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

The North Korean aerospace official said Monday that "successful progress made in reconstructing and expanding satellite launching grounds for higher-level satellite liftoff has laid a firm foundation for dynamically pushing ahead with the nation's development of space science."

South Korea's Defense Ministry said it was closely watching "the latest report regarding North Korea's plan to launch a rocket" but declined to provide further comment on the matter.




























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http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/14/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch/index.html