Iran's President Rouhani visited Russia: another step to a Multipolar World

The significance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Russia on March 27-28 goes far beyond the bilateral relationship. Iran is one of the main actors in Syria and Iraq. It has an importance place in the geopolitical plans of US President Donald Trump. Its relationship with Russia is an important factor of international politics. The future of the entire Middle East depends to a great extent on what Russia and Iran do and how effectively they coordinate their activities.

Less than two months are left till the presidential election in Iran. The presidential race formally starts on April 17 and Rouhani has a good chance to win. True, the country’s foreign policy at the strategic level is defined by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the executive branch of the government led by president implements it. The spiritual leader does not pay visits to other countries but Russian President Vladimir Putin met him in Tehran last year – the second time in the recent 17 years.

This was Rouhani's first official visit to Russia and the first time he and Putin met within a bilateral framework. The trip took place against the background of growing partnership as both countries have become leading forces of the Astana process that made Iran, Russia and Turkey guarantors of the Syrian cease-fire.

True, the cooperation in Syria is of utmost importance but there is each and every reason to believe that Russia and Iran will have to join together in an attempt to settle the conflict in Afghanistan. As a regional superpower, Iran will gain much by coordinating activities with Russia in that country after the US withdrawal that seems to be inevitable. Such cooperation would become a game-changing factor with far-reaching consequences for the region from the Mediterranean to Pakistan.

The emerging triangle, including Russia, Iran and Turkey, becomes an alliance, could reshape the region. A ceasefire in Syria reached as a result of the Astana process led by the «big three» would reduce the clout of the US, the UK and France. Actually, their influence has already been diminished. The neighboring states will see that progress can be achieved without the «traditional players» representing the West.

Russia is the country that can debunk the myth that the Middle East is threatened by a «Shia threat» emanating from Tehran. It can use its close and friendly relations with leading Sunni states – Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and, perhaps, Saudi Arabia – to play the stabilizing role of mediator between the Shia and Sunni camps. Russia has a unique position to act as an intermediary between Iran and Israel – something nobody else can do.

It’ll take years to heal the wounds and mitigate the contradictions between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Today, the West does not enjoy the clout it once had there. The borders drawn by Western countries caused many conflicts; direct military interventions made them lose trust and support. Under the circumstances, Russia is not exactly an outside actor. Moscow needs peace and stability in the region. This goal can be achieved in tandem with Turkey and Iran. Iraq and Syria can join the trio after they overcome the devastating results of wars. It makes the cooperation with Tehran an issue of paramount importance for Russia.

The bilateral relationship is going to be strengthened by large-scale economic projects.

Despite the importance of foreign policy issues, the talks mainly focused on prospects for deepening trade, economic and investment cooperation, including under large joint projects in energy and transport infrastructure. More than ten major trade and economic agreements were signed during the visit. Russia has already pumped about one billion euros into Iran' railway network, with serious financial injections into bilateral projects yet to be implemented.

Exports to Iran stand at only around 1 percent of Russian foreign trade, but a trade surplus and the existence of a large market for Russian manufactured goods make Iran an important partner. The bilateral trade grew by 60 percent from $1.2 billion in 2015 to almost $2 billion in 2016.

The resumption of weapons deliveries and participation in infrastructure projects financed by Russian loans have led to the doubling of exports of non-energy products from Russia to Iran. The first batch of S-300 air defense systems was delivered in April 2016.

Russia has agreed to provide Iran with a loan of $2.2 billion for infrastructure projects involving Russian companies. It is planned to build a power plant and enhance generation at another in Iran in a contract worth several billion dollars. Under an agreement signed between the two sides, the Russians will improve efficiency at the Ramin power plant in Khuzestan province to 50-55% from 36% now. Another Russian company will build a 1,400-megawatt power plant in the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas in Hormuzgan province. Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz plans to export 300 trucks in 2017, GAZ signed a memorandum with the Iranian authorities for the supply of 900 buses.

Russia’s role in reaching the Iran nuclear deal, the cooperation in Syria and the allegiance to the policy of rapprochement declared by President Putin provide ample evidence of Moscow’s desire to boost the bilateral ties.

A momentous event to take place this year will provide an impetus to the development of Russia-Iran relations. Tehran is expected to become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this June. Iran also has expressed interest in signing a trade agreement with the Eurasian Union.

Russia and Iran are united by common goals and interests. The development of relations between the two great powers is a significant contribution into creating alternative poles of power to change the world for the better.

Souce: http://www.zerohedge.com

Wright Electric unveils its commercial electric plane business

Gas is the biggest cost for airlines. The easiest way to reduce these costs? Don’t use gas at all. That was the pitch from Wright Electric, a startup building a commercial passenger plane that runs on batteries and can handle flights under 300 miles. These short-haul trips make up 30 percent of all flights and is a $26 billion market.

Today Wright Electric gave its first preview to the world at Y Combinator’s Demo Day, where Silicon Valley’s most prestigious startup accelerator puts its new companies in front of investors. Wright Electric announced it’s building a 150-seat plane to disrupt the 737 market. It’s struck a partnership with budget British airline EasyJet, which could put its design in the air. And it even showed off its own electric plane in the parking lot.

“This is one of best hard tech teams I’ve seen,” said Michael Seibel, the head of Y Combinator’s accelerator program. Wright Electric hired a team that had been previously funded by NASA to investigate the potential for electric planes, which its co-founder Jeff Engler says puts the startup years ahead of the competition.

The plan for exactly how the planes will work depends on advances in battery technology. If batteries get a lot better in the next decade it will go all-electric — and if they don’t, it will use a hybrid system similar to a Chevy Volt. Last year Boeing and Airbus sold 967 planes in the 737 style at about $90 million each. Even replacing a fraction of that market could be a big opportunity.

For now, gas will still be necessary for long-haul flights across the country or the world. But Wright Electric’s technology could make jumps like New York City to Washington, D.C. much cheaper, and potentially more environmentally friendly, depending on where the electricity to charge the batteries comes from.

Wright Electric is only a year old and has a long way to go before its planes are operational. The image above is just a mock-up. But with every airline desperate to reduce costs and undercut the competition, it could fly high once it’s off the ground.

Source: https://techcrunch.com

Gold Mine Wells vs Oil Wells

Gold mine well in Russia. This gold well has a depth of 4 km. The width of the well is 0.8 m. Despite the impressive size of the well, gold mining there is limited by the person's physical capabilities. If lowered further, it can be dangerous for a person because of the high load on the body associated with high temperature, humidity, logistics and the possibility of seismic activity. Fortunately for the oil industry, it does not have such limitations associated with the physical condition of a person, so oil companies can drill deeper. We represent the deepest wells in the world.

1. Chayvo Z-44 (Russia, 13 km) The world's deepest oil well, known as the Chayvo Z-44, goes to a depth of about 13 km, equivalent to 15 heights of Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. This depth is also twice the record altitude in a balloon. A total of 2.3 billion barrels of oil is expected to be produced in the wells on this shelf. Before Chayvo well Z-44 well and other similar wells were drilled, the leading position was occupied by the famous Kola superdeep borehole located in the western part of Russia.

2. OP-11 (Russia, 12 345 m) January 2011 was marked by a message from the company Exxon Neftegas that the drilling of the longest well with a large departure from the vertical is nearing completion. OR-11, located on the Odoptu field, also set a record for the length of the horizontal trunk - 11,475 meters.

The perpetrators were able to complete work in just 60 days. The total length of the OP-11 well at the Odoptu field was 12345 meters (7.67 miles), thereby setting a new world record for drilling wells with a large vertical bottom hole (BOV). OR-11 also took first place in the world by the distance between the face and the point of drilling horizontally - 11,475 meters (7.13 miles). ENL Company performed drilling of a record well in just 60 days using the technology of high-speed drilling and integrated drilling quality control developed by ExxonMobil, achieving the highest drilling performance in every foot of the OR-11 well. Drilling_russia3. BD-04A (Qatar, 12 289 m)

In May 2008, a geological exploration well with a length of 12,289 m was drilled by Maersk in Qatar at the Al-Shaheen oil field. The length of the horizontal barrel was 10,902 m. The BD-04A was drilled in just 36 days and used the GSO Rig 127 drilling rig of Transocean for this purpose. Transocean got even more notoriety in April 2010 after the Deepwater Horizon oil platform disaster in the Gulf of Mexico: the company was the operator of this well under a contract with BP.

1. The Kola Superdeep (USSR, 12 262 m) It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as "the deepest human invasion of the earth's crust." When, in May 1970, a lake with a difficult-to-pronounce name, Vilgiskodeoivainjärvi, began drilling, it was assumed that the well would reach a depth of 15 kilometers. But because of high (up to 230 ° C) temperatures had to collapse.

The well allowed to obtain a number of unique scientific data. In particular, with its help, a two-layer model of the structure of the earth's crust was questioned. At the moment, the Kola well is mothballed.

1. Bertha Rogers (United States, 9583 m) Another ultra-deep well created in the area of ​​the Anadarko oil and gas basin in Oklahoma in 1974. Thanks to the use of the newest equipment and the rejection of core sampling, drilling took only 502 days from Lone Star company and was stopped when sinkers came across a deposit of molten sulfur. Work cost $ 15 million.

2. Baden Unit (United States, 9159 m) Well drilled by Lone Star near Anadarko. Its development began in 1970 and lasted for 545 days. The wellhead was equipped with a blowout preventer, designed for a pressure of 105.5 mPa. In total, 1,700 tons of cement and 150 diamond bits were used for this well. And its full cost cost the company $ 6 million.

3. Hauptbourung (Germany, 9101 m) The famous Kola well made an indelible impression on the European public. Many countries have started to prepare their projects of superdeep wells, but separately it is worth noting the Hauptborgung well, developed from 1990 to 1994 in Germany. Drilling_russiaThe ultra-deep KTB Hauptbourung well was drilled from 1990 to 1994, it was supposed to reach a depth of 12 km, but due to unpredictably high temperatures it was possible to reach only 9.1 km. Due to the openness of drilling and scientific data, good technology and documentation, the super deep KTV well remains one of the most famous in the world.

4. Zistersdorf UT2A (Austria, 8553 m) In 1977, in the area of ​​the Vienna oil and gas basin, where several small oil fields were hidden, a Zistersdorf UT1A well was drilled. When at the depth of 7544 m non-recoverable gas reserves were discovered, the first. 

Source: http://oilpro.com

Eni Hits Oil In Mexico’s Campeche Bay

Eni said its Amoca-2 well, the first drilled by an international oil major in Mexico since the 2013 energy reform, hit oil in Campeche Bay’s shallow waters.

The well, which is located in Contractual Area 1, hit 110 m (361 ft) of net oil pay from multiple good quality Pliocene reservoir sandstones, the company said in a news release.

Drilled to a total depth of about 3,500 m (11,483 ft), the well “confirmed the presence of 18 degree API oil in the shallower formations, while the newly discovered deeper sandstones contain high quality light oil,” Eni said. “Reserves are still being assessed, but the well indicates a meaningful upside to the original estimates.”

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said the discovery builds on the company’s strong exploration record. The company holds a 100% stake in the Area 1 and is evaluating fast-track phased development options.

“Focusing on conventional exploration with high initial stakes and operatorship, we manage to fast-track exploration activities, monetize exploration successes early and receive competitive development opportunities, therefore maximizing value generation for our shareholders,” Descalzi said.

Eni said it plans to continue drilling a new well, Amoca-3, in the same area before drilling two delineation wells— Miztón-2 and Tecoalli-2—to appraise existing discoveries and target new undrilled pools.

Source: www.epmag.com

When is the Real First Day of Spring — March 20th or 21st?

Traditionally, we’ve celebrated the beginning of spring on March 21, but astronomers and calendar manufacturers alike now say that the spring season starts one day earlier, March 20, in all time zones in North America.

How could the first day of spring change from year to year?

There are a few reasons why seasonal dates can vary from year to year. The first is that a year is not an even number of days and neither are the seasons.

Another reason is that the earth’s elliptical orbit is changing its orientation (skew), which causes the earth’s axis to constantly point in a different direction, called precession. Since the seasons are defined as beginning at strict 90-degree intervals, these positional changes affect the time the earth reaches each 90-degree location in its orbit around the sun.

The pull of gravity from the other planets also affects the location of the earth in its orbit. The current seasonal lengths for the Northern Hemisphere are:

Summer — 93.641 days

Autumn — 89.834 days

Winter — 88.994 days

Spring — 92.771 days

As you can see, the warm seasons, spring and summer, combined are 7.584 days longer than the colder seasons, fall and winter (good news for warm weather admirers). However, spring is currently being reduced by approximately one minute per year and winter by about one-half a minute per year. Summer is gaining the minute lost from spring, and autumn is gaining the half a minute lost from winter. Winter is the shortest astronomical season, and with its seasonal duration continuing to decrease, it is expected to attain its minimum value — 88.71 days — by about the year 3500.

Length of Day Vs. Night

Another complication revolving around the vernal equinox concerns the length of day versus night. We have been taught that on the first days of spring and autumn, the day and night are equal to exactly 12 hours all over the world. Yet, if you check the calendar pages in our Almanac, you will find that this is not so. In fact, our tables tell you that on the days of the spring and fall equinox, the length of daylight is actually longer than darkness by several minutes.

The reason this happens can be attributed to our atmosphere. If the earth was a planet that did not have an atmosphere, then yes, on the equinox days the length of the day and night would be exactly even.

However, our atmosphere acts like a lens and refracts (bends) its light above the edge of the horizon. Put in another way, when you watch the sun either coming up above the horizon at sunrise or going down below the horizon at sunset, you are looking at an illusion – the sun is not really there, but already below the horizon.

As a result, we actually end up seeing the sun for a few minutes before its disc actually rises and for a few minutes after it has actually set. Thus, thanks to atmospheric refraction, the length of daylight on any given day is increased by approximately six or seven minutes.

Source: http://farmersalmanac.com

Titanic sank due to enormous uncontrollable fire, not iceberg, experts claim

The sinking of the RMS Titanic may have been caused by an enormous fire on board, not by hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic, experts have claimed, as new evidence has been published to support the theory.

More than 1,500 passengers lost their lives when the Titanic sank on route to New York from Southampton in April 1912.

While the cause of the disaster has long been attributed to the iceberg, fresh evidence has surfaced of a fire in the ship’s hull, which researchers say burned unnoticed for almost three weeks leading up to the collision.

While experts have previously acknowledged the theory of a fire on board, new analysis of rarely seen photographs has prompted researchers to blame the fire as the primary cause of the ship’s demise.

Journalist Senan Molony, who has spent more than 30 years researching the sinking of the Titanic, studied photographs taken by the ship’s chief electrical engineers before it left Belfast shipyard.

Mr Maloney said he was able to identify 30ft-long black marks along the front right-hand side of the hull, just behind where the ship’s lining was pierced by the iceberg.

He said: “We are looking at the exact area where the iceberg stuck, and we appear to have a weakness or damage to the hull in that specific place, before she even left Belfast”.

Experts subsequently confirmed the marks were likely to have been caused by a fire started in a three-storey high fuel store behind one of the ship’s boiler rooms.

A team of 12 men attempted to put out the flames, but it was too large to control, reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius.

Subsequently, when the Titanic struck ice, the steel hull was weak enough for the ship’s lining to be torn open.

Officers on board were reportedly under strict instruction from J Bruce Ismay, president of the company that built the titanic, not to mention the fire to any of the ship’s 2,500 passengers.

Presenting his research in a Channel 4 documentary, Titanic: The New Evidence, broadcast on New Year’s Day, Mr Maloney also claims the ship was reversed into its berth in Southampton to prevent passengers from seeing damage made to the side of the ship by the on-going fire.

Mr Molony said: “The official Titanic inquiry branded [the sinking] as an act of God. This isn’t a simple story of colliding with an iceberg and sinking.

“It’s a perfect storm ox extraordinary factors coming together: fire, ice and criminal negligence.

“Nobody has investigated these marks before. It totally changes the narrative. We have metallurgy experts telling us that when you get that level of temperature against steel it makes it brittle, and reduces its strength by up to 75 per cent.

“The fire was known about, but it was played down. She should never have been put to sea.”

In 2008, Ray Boston, an expert with more than 20 years of research into the Titanic’s journey, said he believed the coal fire began during speed trials as much as 10 days prior to the ship leaving Southampton.

He said the fire had potential to cause “serious explosions” below decks before it would reach New York.

An inquiry into the disaster, presented to Parliament in 1912, described the ship as travelling at “high speed” through dangerous icy waters, giving the crew little opportunity to avoid the fatal collision.

Source: www.msn.com

UAE police uses fake cutout car to stop over-speeding

The UAE police have devised an innovative idea to prevent motorists from speeding on highways.

To deter the motorists from going over the speed limit, the police has put up a full-size cutout of a patrol car on one of the highways, complete with flashing lights.

Videos uploaded on Facebook show the car in a red and white colour scheme, with the number 999 painted on the side.The cutout, 'parked' on the side of the highway, is supported by a black metal frame.

The maximum speed limit on a UAE highway is 120km/hr, on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, but motorists usually touch 140km/hr and above between radars.

Countries such as US, Australia and New Zealand are known to use cutouts of policemen at traffic junctions and public places to keep people from flouting rules, but a cutout car is surely a first.

Source: www.msn.com

Friday the 17th – Origins of the Unlucky

You might have heard of the unlucky nature of the number 13, especially when it falls on a Friday in some parts of the world, but in Italy the number 13 is actually a good one!  Except in one very particular situation:  13 people sitting at a table…take a look at DaVinci’s Last Supper and you may understand why…

In Italy the number 17 is avoided and feared, even to familiarly irrational lengths like skipping the number on airplane rows or street addresses.  Friday the 17th is a national day of sfortuna, or bad luck…and you’ll be hard-pressed to find an Italian who can coherently explain their motivation for avoiding travel and important events or decisions this particular day.

But why the number 17? There are a handful of potential reasons:

• The Pythagorean Greeks considered the number 17 a disgraceful number between two otherwise “perfect” numbers, 16 and 18.
• The Christian biblical flood (Genesis 7-11) started on the 17th day.
• In 9 AD the 17th Roman Legion, among others, was brutally defeated by the Germans in Teutoburg.  Some 20,000 Roman soldiers died in this unexpected attack.
• Confusion in the Middle Ages led to the Roman Numeral for 17, XVII, being associated with the Latin phrase “VIXI” (=”I lived”) seen on ancient tombs.

So why is Friday the 17th especially bad?

Likely because of Friday’s already tainted reputation due to Good Friday, which in the Catholic faith is the day that Jesus was crucified.

So on this Friday the 17th, if you find yourself superstitious, I suggest you grab a bottle of Italian wine and relax safely somewhere inside. After all, wine helps calm the nerves!

Source: https://venividivinoitaly.com

Halliburton Closing In on Acquisition of Aker Solutions

The US oilfield services major Halliburton is said to be close to strike a deal to acquire Norwegian oil services company, Aker Solutions.

According to Norwegian media reports, with reference to an article in the Norwegian Financial daily Finansavisen, the Aker Group, owned by Kjell Inge Røkke, is about to sell its oil services business.

Kjell Inge Røkke

Earlier reports, citing people familiar with the matter, have speculated that Norwegian billionaire Rokke is considering the sale of Aker Solutions, and that the negotiations with Halliburton have been going on for a while.

A spokesperson from Aker ASA was quoted that the Norwegian investment firm will neither confirm nor deny its talks, but also added that it does not plan to announce any news regarding its holdings in Aker Solutions.

Aker Solutions’ shares opened today close to 15 percent higher at NOK 54.8 (previous close NOK 47.7) and are being traded between NOK 53.8 and NOK 56 on Oslo Stock Exchange.

Aker Solutions ended the 2016 in profit of NOK 152 million, down some 60 per cent from profit in 2015.

Source: http://subseaworldnews.com

Iran leapfrogs Iraq as India's no. 2 oil supplier in February

India's oil imports from Iran rose nearly 17 percent in February from a month earlier as refiners received less crude from key OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and Iraq after an OPEC deal to cut output, shipping data showed on Monday.

The jump meant Iran replaced regional rival Iraq as India's second-biggest oil supplier - a role Tehran used to occupy before Western sanctions were imposed against it over the country's disputed nuclear program.

While Saudi Arabia remained the biggest oil supplier to India, ship tracking data and a report compiled by Thomson Reuters Oil Research and Forecasts showed imports from Iran rose to 647,000 barrels per day (bpd) in February. That was 16.7 percent more than January, and almost trebled from February 2016.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pledged to curb production by about 1.2 million bpd from Jan. 1, the first cut in eight years, in a move designed to boost prices and drain a supply glut. Iran, Libya and Nigeria were, however, granted exemptions from the deal.

In the first 11 months of this fiscal year, between April and February, India imported about 542,400 bpd from Iran, compared to about 225,522 bpd for the same period a year ago. Average oil volumes supplied by Iran over this period were the highest on record.

In the first two months of 2017, India's oil imports from Iran averaged 598,400 bpd compared to about 192,500 bpd a year ago, the data showed.

Indian refiners including Reliance Industries Ltd, operator of the world's biggest refinery complex at Jamnagar, have returned as buyers of Iranian oil after having stopped imports from Iran during the sanctions period.

Meanwhile, India's February oil imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq were nearly a third lower than the same month a year ago.

Nigerian oil supplies in February stood at 527,400 bpd, the data showed, a jump of 94 percent from the previous month. That meant the African nation emerged as the fourth-biggest oil supplier to India, displacing Venezuela.

The latter, witnessing a decline in production, is cutting supplies to India as it is fulfilling obligations under oil for loan deals with China and Russia.

Source: http://oilpro.com

Are Emirates and Etihad Merging?

The UAE is home to two of the world's most successful airlines, based just 70km from each other. 

Emirates, based in Dubai and Etihad in Abu Dhabi, specialize in long haul flights to almost every destination on Earth. However, due to their close proximity, along with external factors such as energy prices and the emergence of budget airlines, it seems as the two giants may become one.

It has been reported internationally that the possibility of a merger between the UAE's two major airlines is being discussed. Handelsblatt, a European Business Daily news has reported that the ruling families have met to discuss a merger. Falling profits, along with a changing industry with an uncertain future are cited as the reasons behind the discussions, although neither Etihad or Emirates have confirmed the reports.

This week, the CEO of Emirates Tim Clark, hinted at a 'gathering storm' in the premium airline industry. H e discussed the major factors facing airlines like Emirates, such as competition from low-cost airlines who are now offering both international routes and long haul flights at competitive rates. He also spoke about political issues such as President Trump's recent travel ban, which saw a 25% decrease in sales for the carrier.

This is not the first time rumours of a merger have been discussed. The financial crisis of 2008 had many discussing the possibility of a merger, which time discredited . While there is no concrete news as yet, it is clear that times are tough for the airline industry, and a merger is definitely a possibility.

Do you think they'll merge?

Source: www.msn.com

The Chevy Camaro Track concept is a 1LE by another name

For the 2017 Geneva auto show, Chevrolet has trotted out a big, green, track-ready Camaro that isn't called a 1LE. It's called the Camaro Track concept. It also has a different graphics package consisting of unique black stripes on the hood and roof. They're paired with a custom "satin green" paint job.

These are just cosmetic differences, though. Mechanically, this Camaro Track is basically a US-spec Camaro SS 1LE, which we've confirmed with Chevrolet is currently a vehicle exclusive to the US. It has the FE4 suspension package from that car, as well as the ZL1, which includes magnetic shocks, and revised springs and sway bars.

It also gets the SS 1LE's electronically-controlled limited slip differential, Brembo six-piston front brakes, and extra coolers for the engine, transmission, and differential. Even the tires are the same. At all four corners are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires in the same widths as the 1LE. The only major difference is that this Track concept has an 8-speed automatic transmission. In the States, all three levels of 1LE are exclusively manual.

Inside, it features suede on the steering wheel and center console, comes with Recaro seats, and the pedals are aluminum. Outside it has a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler that also appear to be cribbed from the 1LE. Chevy also added black bow-ties and smoked taillights that are available as Camaro accessories.

According to Chevrolet, a number of the accessories on this car are US-exclusive, but some of them will be available in Europe in the near future.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com

Rabbit hole leads to '700-year-old Knights Templar' caves

Footage has emerged of an intriguing network of caves found through a rabbit hole that many believe were built by the Knights Templar order 700 years ago.

The sanctuary in Shropshire is located under an unassuming set of what appear to be large rabbit holes in a farmer’s field near the town of Shifnal.

The caves, some of which have to be accessed on hands and knees, are one metre underground and are carved out of sandstone. They feature several alcoves and a font.

It remains unclear exactly what the caves were used for or when they were built, but Historic England describes them as a "grotto" and states it appears they have recently been used for "black magic rites".

The organisation estimated the caves were "probably late C18 or early C19, but undatable" and included "neo-Norman decoration to bays between columns, one neo-Norman doorway with beak-heads and roll moulding; decorative quatrefoils and designs abound".

The Shropshire Star reports the caves "have also been visited by pagans and druids wanting to hold ceremonies, and are popular at solstice and Halloween".

They were reportedly sealed by the owners of the land in 2012 to deter vandals and practitioners of "black magic".

Photographer Michael Scott said: "I traipsed over a field to find it, but if you didn't know it was there you would just walk right past it. Considering how long it's been there it's in amazing condition, it's like an underground temple."

"I had to crouch down and once I was in it was completely silent. There were a few spiders in there but that was it. It was raining so the slope down was quite sludgy but inside the cave was bone dry."

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Krokodil: Flesh-eating 'zombie' drug

Krokodil is a fairly new drug that has appeared in Russia since 2002. It started showing up in Siberia and has spread throughout the country since then. While several drugs are quickly and harshly addictive and physically damaging, krokodil sets a new standard for fast destruction of mind, spirit and body. In 2013 reports of its use began cropping up in the U.S.

Krokodil Manufacture and Harmful Effects

The medical name for the drug is desomorphine. It is made at home by acquiring codeine, sold over the counter for headaches, and cooking it with paint thinner, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine and the red phosphorous from matchbox strike pads. The resulting liquid is injected into a vein. The high from this drug lasts 90 minutes to two hours, and it takes about a half-hour to make the drug. So a krokodil addict does little other than get the ingredients and cook up the drug.

Migration from Heroin to Krokodil

Russia has a severe problem with heroin addiction, but when a heroin addict can no longer afford that drug, he can make up krokodil which has a stronger kick and costs about a tenth the price. But while the life expectancy of a Moscow heroin addict is four to seven years, the life expectancy of a krokodil addict is just a year or two.

At one meeting of drug enforcement officials, two regional governors reported that krokodil accounts for about half of all addictions and drug-related deaths in their regions. And in some other areas, krokodil has nearly replaced opiates as the drug of choice.

It is estimated that somewhere between a few hundred thousand and a million people are injecting this deadly drug. Between 2009 and 2011, the amount of krokodil seized by law enforcement increased 23-fold. In just the first three months of 2011, 65 million doses were seized.

Why is it Called Krokodil?

If You’ve Ever Thought of Using This Drug….

Krokodil gets its name from the fact that the caustic drug causes an addict’s skin to become green, scaly and bumpy like a crocodile’s. If the drug misses a vein and is injected into flesh, that flesh will develop abscesses. It is common for addicts to develop gangrene and require amputations. The flesh on some body parts affected by krokodil injections will rot off completely, leaving bare bone.

Withdrawal is savage, much worse than heroin. Heroin can cause sickness and pain for up to ten days but withdrawal from krokodil can result in a month of unbearable pain. Extremely strong tranquilizers are used during withdrawal so the addict does not pass out from the pain. Doctors dealing with addicts say that this is the strongest level of addiction and the hardest to cure. If a person does manage to get clean from krokodil, they may be left with permanent damage like a speech impediment, vacant gaze and erratic movements.

Source: http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/krokodil.html

The ambitious Lexus R CF GT3

The Lexus RC F GT3 signals an ambitious foray into the world of sports cas racing for Lexus engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi and Yukihiko Yaguchi explains how, and why has a lot to be proud of. A chief engineer at Lexus, Yaguchi is the man behind the RC F GT3, a heavily modified version of the RC F, Lexus’s new high-performance coupe.

He’s proud of the car, which will soon sit at the pinnacle of Lexus’s performance-oriented range. He’s proud that Lexus has become one of the few Japanese manufacturers to develop a vehicle compliant with the strict parameters of GT3, a grand touring motor-sport category that abides by regulations set by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the world’s governing body for auto racing events. And he’s proud that his car is being so widely acknowledged.

The RC F GT3 is the latest model in the Lexus F range, a division of cars largely associated with performance, precision and progressive technology. The range includes the widely lauded Lexus LFA, a two-seat coupe that has competed in various endurance races.

“The history of the F range actually began with the IS F in 2007,” explains Yaguchi. “Since then we’ve launched several game-changing models – both concept cars and production vehicles – but this sports car definitely represents a highlight.” When the RC F GT3 Concept was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show, in March, it generated a wealth of justified hype, and plenty of headlines. It made clear Lexus’s ambition to make its presence felt on the racetrack, where previously it had little bearing, and it proved Japan’s ability to manufacture, from start to finish, a world-class sports car.

“We’re now in the process of fine-tuning the vehicle,” says Yaguchi. “Once it’s done, we’ll start supplying the cars to racing teams to race in the 2015 season. GT3 cars can enter countless races around the world, including the 24-hour race at Nürburgring, in Germany, and the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) in the US. It’s great that many racing fans will get to see our product in action.”

Like the Lexus RC F, the most powerful V8 performance model the brand has yet developed, the RC F GT3 is full of engineering features aimed at extracting the best out of its 540-plus horsepower engine. The car will be an asset to any race team. Its purpose-built front fenders and front-end underbody treatment have been designed to minimize drag.

Its rear spoiler stands tall and wide to provide the car with enough downforce to improve stability (and therefore increase its speed) around bends. And “Lexus’s latest carbon fiber technology has been applied wherever appropriate,” says Yaguchi, “to keep the car’s weight to a minimum.” He continues: “With attention to detail in mind, we’ve fine-tuned everything from the car’s agility and handling response to the mechanics of its onboard devices. We have here a very serious racing car. But at the same time, drivers of all skill levels would be able to enjoy driving it on circuits around the world.”

Source: https://www.lexus-int.com

Revealed: How UAE is making it rain so much in February

Ten cloud-seeding operations have been carried out in the last three days.

More than 50 cloud-seeding operations in less than two months are the reason behind the extraordinary rainfall you've been seeing of late, according to a UAE meteorologist.

Dr. Ahmed Habeeb, a meteorologist and cloud seeding expert at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), said 56 seeding operations have taken place between January to present.

"We have carried out 10 cloud seeding operations only in the past three days, from Thursday," Habeeb told Khaleej Times on Sunday.

"In these operations, we have covered most of the available clouds cross the country which has helped the rain to increase."

Cloud-seeding operations over the UAE have played a major part in increasing rainfall, says the meteorologist.

Habeeb noted that international studies show that rainfall in the UAE has increased between 10-30 per cent over the past few years.

"The UAE's Rain Enhancement Programme - through cloud-seeding - has contributed greatly to the higher amount of rainfall being received now than when it was under normal conditions," he said.

The Met expert explained that during their operations, only clouds that are expected to generate rain are targeted.

"We don't make it rain, as it can rain even when no operation has been made, but cloud-seeding helps to make most of the seeded clouds generate rain," said Habeeb.

"The goal of cloud-seeding is to increase condensation within the cloud and trigger precipitation."

The expert said clouds are seeded by salt particles, which attract moisture to form droplets big enough to fall as rain.

Light to heavy rains were received in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and various other parts of the UAE on Sunday.

Around 20 mm of rain was received on Sunday morning, according to Habeeb.

The wet and cold weather has covered the country since last week but weathermen expect it to last only until Monday morning.

"We don't expect rains on from Monday afternoon until Tuesday," said Swaleh Khattar, from the NCMS.

He said weather in the UAE will be partly cloudy in general on Monday morning but the clouds will decrease in the afternoon and the following days with little chances of rain.

The weatherman also predicted slight to moderate winds becoming fresh at times over the sea.

"We also expect foggy conditions in the late night and early morning hours and from Tuesday to Thursday with visibility dropping to as low as 500m," said Khattar.

"Motorists are being advised to drive carefully in the coming days to avoid accidents because of fog."

According to the Khattar, temperatures in the coming days will be between 14�C and 28�C along the coast, with 12�C to 30�C in the inland.

In the mountains the highest temperatures will be 20�C and the lowest as 9�C.

Forecasters said that humidity is likely to increase overnight over some internal areas, possibly leading to more fog and mist in early morning hours on Monday.

The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and moderate in the Sea of Oman and forecasters have urged people to stay away from the waters.

Source: www.msn.com

Iraq & Iran Signs MOU for Joint Cooperation

Mr. Jabbar A. Allibi the minister of oil signed a memorandum of understanding with his Iranian counterpart Mr. Beigin Zangana to establish joint committees to finish some of the important cases.

Such as: the case of the joint fields between the two countries in order to invest these fields perfectly, the committee of studying the capability of extending the Iraqi crude oil pipeline from Kirkuk through the Iranian lands, and the committee of studying the transportation of the Iraqi oil from Basra to Abadan.

The memorandum stated also to continue the cooperation in the sector of supplying the power stations with the Iranian gas, inviting the Iranian companies to invest in the oil & gas sector, and rehabilitating the infrastructure of the oil & gas facilities in addition to the petrochemicals factory in Basra.

Iran shown its readiness to grant scholarships to the Iraqi students in the oil specializations.

Mr. Allibi "after the end of discussions" said that they was positive and fruitful because the two sides was keen to activate the horizons of cooperation between the two countries to serve the joint benefits. In addition to the coordination of the attitudes in OPEC to achieve the demanded balance in the global oil market in order to support the prices.

Mr. Zangana said that the two sides held an extended meeting to discuss the common concern issues which are related with the development of the oil & gas industry and the border oil fields, as well as the implementation of many strategic important projects to strengthen the opportunities of cooperation between the two countries. He also was comfortable for the elevation of the oil prices in the global market after the resolution of OPEC to cut the production.

It is worthy to mention that the Iranian minister Mr. Beigin Zangana visited Baghdad for one day with a high class delegation. And was received by Mr. Allibi the minister of oil and many responsible members from the ministry of oil.

Source: http://www.gulfoilandgas.com

Saudi Arabia Bulks Up in Asia to Boost Appeal Before Oil IPO

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. expanded its ownership of refineries and petrochemical plants in Indonesia and Malaysia with investments totaling $13 billion as it prepares for what may be the biggest ever initial public offering by bulking up its business in Asia, its largest market.

The Middle Eastern oil giant, known as Saudi Aramco, signed a $6 billion agreement Wednesday with Indonesia’s PT Pertamina for refinery projects. A separate $7 billion deal with Malaysia’s state-owned Petroliam Nasional Bhd. to develop an oil refinery and naphtha cracker in the southeast Asian country and provide up to 70 percent of the crude requirements, was sealed Tuesday.

“This will strengthen the equity story for Saudi Aramco,” Khalid Al Falih, the kingdom’s energy minister, said in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. “Investors will be looking for a company that has breadth in its portfolio.”

The deals are part of Saudi Aramco’s long-standing strategy of investing in refining to help lock in demand for its crude, as it has done in markets including the U.S., Japan and South Korea. The company is battling for global market share amid challenges posed by U.S. shale oil producers, Russia and even fellow members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Cilacap Refinery

“Saudi Arabia, as OPEC’s largest producer and exporter, wants to secure outlets in the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing energy market,” said John Driscoll, the chief strategist at JTD Energy Services Pte, who has spent more than 30 years in the petroleum trading industry in Singapore. “A $7 billion deal positions the kingdom as Malaysia’s largest single investor and provides the basis for future partnerships and collaboration.”

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi commented on the refinery deal in Bogor, West Java on Wednesday, and didn’t immediately offer details. In December PT Pertamina said it formed a joint venture with Saudi Aramco and planned to boost its Cilacap refinery capacity 15 percent to 400,000 barrels a day.

Saudi Aramco’s investment in the Malaysia’s $27 billion development, known as Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development, or RAPID, in Pengerang is a boost to the project that borders the traditional Asian oil trading and refining center of Singapore, and was announced in 2011 and originally scheduled to come online last year.

King’s Visit

RAPID will include a 300,000 barrel-a-day refinery, scheduled to start in 2019, which can produce fuels that meet Euro 5 emissions standards and provide feedstock for a connected 3.5 million tons-a-year petrochemical plant, according to a joint statement from both companies.

The deal significantly reduces the financial burden on Petronas and will allow it to allocate capital to other businesses such as liquefied natural gas and petrochemicals, according to a Feb. 28 note from BMI Research. The agreement also helps lock-in future demand for Saudi crudes, according to the note.

“Malaysia offers tremendous growth opportunities and today’s agreement further strengthens Saudi Aramco’s position as the leading supplier of petroleum feedstock to Malaysia and Southeast Asia,” Saudi Aramco President Amin Nasser said in the statement.

The deal coincides with a visit to Asia by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is leading an entourage to strengthen ties with the region. Malaysian and Saudi Arabian companies signed memorandums of understanding worth a total 9.74 billion ringgit ($2.19 billion) in areas including construction, aerospace, halal, and hajj-related industries, according to a statement from Malaysia’s trade ministry.

Source: www.oilpro.com