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The Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on 22 February that it had completed a series of tests of the Iron Dome rocket protection system using a Tamir missile that both Israeli- and US-made components for the first time. The MoD's Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and Iron Dome's

Kelvin Hughes has been contracted by the Pakistan Navy (PN) to supply the company's I-Band SharpEye Doppler submarine radar system as part of a mid-life upgrade programme for the PN's Khalid-class (Agosta 90B) submarines, the UK-based manufacturer of maritime navigation, surveillance, and security

Lockheed Martin has revealed an ambitious sales plan for the PZL Mielec M28 'Bryza' short take-off and landing (STOL) light airlifter that it obtained with the acquisition of the Polish manufacturer's Sikorsky parent company in November 2015. Speaking to reporters at PZL Mielec's production

EVENT The Islamic State issued a new video on 19 February in which it vowed to target Egypt's Christian Coptic community more frequently. This is part of a strategy by the jihadist group to provoke sectarian conflict in the country, in the hope that the resultant political instability will create

Pakistan and Ukraine have signed an agreement to expand industrial collaboration on military programmes for the Pakistan armed forces. The state-controlled Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said on 21 February that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the two governments at the 2017

Key Points Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis began the process of splitting the Pentagon's top acquisition job in two in a memo distributed across the agency on 21 February. The memo is the first step towards complying with congressional instructions to divide the responsibilities of what had been

China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned a new training ship for the Dalian Naval Academy. Named Qi Jiguang (pennant number 83), the vessel entered service on 21 February at the Lushun Naval Base, near Dalian, which is expected to be its base port. The ceremony was attended by

Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) has unveiled the first of 16 prototypes for the US Marine Corps' (USMC's) competitive Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 programme during a 21 February ceremony at the company's facility in Charleston, South Carolina. SAIC partnered with Singapore

The US Air Force (USAF), in collaboration with Raytheon Missile Systems, is developing a new signal processor for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Funded by the USAF, this development falls under the Form Fit Function Refresh(F3R) programme, which is designed to ensure AMRAAM

The National Navy of Uruguay is negotiating the transfer of up to three Cessna O-2s (337 Skymasters) from the Chilean Navy, Uruguayan sources told Jane's . The aircraft, recently decommissioned by the Chilean Navy and replaced by Vulcanair P68 Observer 2 surveillance aircraft, were offered to

Poland issued two separate requests for proposals (RFPs) for a total of 16 new military helicopters on 20 February, industry officials told Jane's . The two RFPs are for eight helicopters each, and cover the procurement of special forces helicopters to replace the armed forces' current Mil Mi-8/17

NIMR Automotive's N35 (6x6) mine-protected multipurpose vehicle and its 4x4 counterpart have been re-designated as the JAIS, with the 6x6 variant offered with increased firepower. At IDEX 2017 in Abu Dhabi the JAIS 6x6 was shown fitted with the EVPU Turra 30 remote-controlled turret (RCT). This

European missiles developer MBDA has secured a new contract to deliver additional Marte MK2 / N anti-ship missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy.

Italian company Leonardo has secured a new €11m contract to deliver its new generation identification friend or foe (NGIFF) interrogator for the Italian Navy's NH90 Nato frigate helicopters (NFHs).

The US Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence (NCARAI) has conducted initial human studies of the tactical battle manager (TBM) technology.

Americas

• Embraer has announced that their KC-390 tanker transport aircraft has completed its first dry refueling contact. The milestone test was conducted by a Brazilian Air Force F-5 Tiger which successfully plugged into both refueling hoses on one of the KC-390 prototypes during a sortie near Santa Cruz airbase, Rio de Janeiro, on Feb. 19. Embraer is currently assembling the first product model of the aircraft and believes the aircraft could be a good fit for air arms in the Middle East because of its multi-role capability. The company plans to bring the aircraft back to the Middle East next summer after it has been displayed at the Paris Airshow.

• Orbital ATK has received international orders worth $600 million in the past three months for their medium-caliber cannons and related munitions, the company has revealed. The orders from multiple customers were primarily for MK44 and M230 link-fed Bushmaster Chain Guns. Speaking on the orders, Dan Olson, vice president and general manager for the company’s Armament Systems Division lauded the cannon’s easy integration for land, air, and sea applications and added that the strong sales “reflects our core mission to work together with our integrator partners as well as our allies to create and deliver superior armaments and services for those who defend their nation’s security.”

• The Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 by Science Applications International Corporation and BAE Systems for the USMC has been unveiled for the first time. Developed to replace an aging fleet of amphibious assault vehicles, the Marines will receive a total of 16 vehicles with deliveries to commence in March. The earlier stages of the ACV 1.1 production effort were stalled by a contract protest by General Dynamics after the company was defeated in the Marine Corps’ bidding process.

Middle East & North Africa

• The UAE is looking to have its Pantsyr-S mobile air defense system upgraded. Speaking at IDEX 2017, Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturo said talks will be held “on modernizing this type of combat hardware and I hope that colleagues will increase the volume of orders for new modifications. So far, we’re talking about modernization with an option of deliveries.” Officials from Russia and the UAE signed contracts back in 2000 for the delivery of 50 Pantsyr-S1 systems.

• Its been reported that investors are betting heavily on Israeli defense and cyber-security firms benefitting from US defense spending plans under President Donald Trump. Companies such as Elbit Systems, Magal Security Systems and Check Point Software Technologies have all seen their share prices soar since Trump’s election in November 2016, and could benefit further from having their American subsidiaries incorporated in the US. One contentious project- the border wall along the Mexican border- could see firms like Magal, whose sensors and command and control systems help to secure airports, borders, power plants, seaports and prisons, provide its technology for the wall.

Africa

• Germany’s Stemme AG has reached an agreement with South Africa’s S-Plane Automation to integrate S-Plane subsystems into the Ecarys ES15 aircraft to create an Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV). Ecarys, a Stemme subsidiary that specialises in providing platforms for aerial surveillance, reconnaissance and scientific research missions, will be powered by S-Plane avionics and ground control station, and will combine the benefits of a manned aircraft with those of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), allowing for a greater variety of mission requirements.

Europe

• Poland’s Defense Ministry has begun negotiations with three bidders for various helicopter mission requirements. Eight are being sought to fill an urgent need for special forces missions, while eight more are required to fill a 2019 naval requirement for anti-submarine warfare and maritime search and rescue operations. The urgent nature of the acquisitions will allow Warsaw to bypass certain lengthy procurement procedures and they are believed to be talking to Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and Sikorsky. Despite the apparent urgency, however, the government is still insisting on offset requirements, which must be an “integral part of the contract.”

• Often reserved exclusively for border surveillance and protection, conceptual documentary photographer Richard Mosse has used advanced new thermographic weapons and border imaging technology in order to document the ongoing refugee crisis unfolding in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Libya, in Syria, the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, and other locations. Capable of capturing images beyond 30km, registering a heat signature of relative temperature difference, the camera identified only temperature resulting in bodies being whiter where they’re hotter. The installation is now on show in London’s Barbican Centre until April 23.

Asia Pacific

• Pakistan has contracted Leonardo to provide an undisclosed number of additional AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters. Deliveries of the utility and transport helicopters will begin in the middle of this year. Leonardo said that the purchase will expand Pakistan’s existing AW139 fleet, adding the rotorcraft’s high performance capabilities under extreme weather conditions make it a good fit for the country’s operational environment.

Today’s Video

• The ACV 1.1:

Névnap Alfréd – germán eredetű; Jelentése: tündér, tanács.

Mirtill – görög-francia eredetű; Jelentése: mirtuszfa, áfonya.  Idézet „Annyi ereje még váltig marad mindenkinek, hogy végrehajtsa azt, amiről meg van győződve.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

• A nap aktualitása
• A nap igéje
• A nap liturgiája

EZEN A NAPON EMLÉKSZÜNK RÁ:

Jászai Mari (Ászár, 1850. február 24. – Bp., 1926. okt. 5.) A magyar színjátszás nagyasszonya. 1891 augusztusának elején három előadást játszott Ungváron. Első este Stuart Mária szerepében, majd az Elektrában, s harmadik este a Phaedra címszerepében lépett fel.  A lelkes közönség mind a három este zsúfolásig megtelítette a színkört. 1893. június 28-án a beregszászi Arany Oroszlán szálló dísztermében lépett fel Hilgerman Laura, az operaház művésznője és Polónyi Elemér zongoraművész közreműködésével a Bereg megyei Közművelődési Egyesület javára rendezett „művészi estélyen”. Jászai Mari Kiss József Jehovah című költeményét, a Pázmány lovag és az Ágota kisasszony című költeményeket adta elő „felséges művészi színezéssel, frappáns hatással; frenetikus tapsokra ragadtatva a közönséget.”

Forrás: Keresztyén Balázs: Kárpátaljai Művelődéstörténeti Kislexikon (Hatodik Síp Alapítvány – Mandátum Kiadó, Budapest – Beregszász, 2001.)  

 MAGYARORSZÁG KULTÚRTÖRTÉNETÉBŐL:

A kolozsvári Bolyai Egyetemet egyesítik a román Babes Egyetemmel, Babes-Bolyai Egyetem néven (1959).

Forrás: Magyarország kultúrtörténete napról napra, Honfoglalás Egyesület 2000.

 

 

KERESD A MEGBÉKÉLÉST! (1)

„Ha vétkezik atyádfia, menj el hozzá, intsd meg négyszemközt: ha hallgat rád, megnyerted atyádfiát.” (Máté 18:15)

Miután a vasárnapi iskolai tanító elmagyarázta a gyerekeknek a „tiszteld apádat és anyádat” (2Mózes 20:12) parancsot, megkérdezte hatévesekből álló osztályát: „Tudtok olyan parancsot mondani, ami arról szól, hogyan bánjunk a testvéreinkkel?” Egy kisfiú rögtön válaszolt: „Ne ölj!” (2Mózes 20:13). Komolyra fordítva a szót: miért volt Jézus számára ilyen nagy ügy, hogy kibéküljünk hittestvéreinkkel ahelyett, hogy hagynánk elmérgesedni a vitát? Hiszen annyira fontosnak tartotta, hogy egy háromlépcsős tervet adott a kezelésére. Először: menj el, és négyszemközt beszélj vele. Másodszor: vigyél magaddal két vagy három tanút. Harmadszor: ha az előző lépések nem hoztak megbékélést, vidd az ügyet a gyülekezet elé. Ám ha ezeket az igeverseket az utánuk következőket kihagyva olvasod, akkor pont a lényeget nem fogod érteni, amire Jézus rá akart mutatni: „Bizony, mondom néktek azt is, hogy ha közületek ketten egyetértenek a földön mindabban, amit kérnek, azt mind megadja nekik az én mennyei Atyám. Mert ahol ketten vagy hárman összegyűlnek az én nevemben: ott vagyok közöttük.” (Máté 18:19-20). Ha a megbékélést keressük és egységre törekszünk, két csodálatos dolog történik: a) bátran imádkozhatunk bízva abban, ahogy imánk meghallgatásra talál; b) élvezhetjük Isten békességét és érezhetjük jelenlétét, ami nem lehetséges addig, amíg el nem rendeztük a problémát. Tehát ha ma Isten áldásaiban akarsz járni, keresd a megbékélést!

A fenti elmélkedés a Keresztyén Média UCB Hungary Alapítvány napi elmélkedése (honlap: maiige.hu), melynek írója Bob Gass. Magyar nyelven negyedévre szóló kiadvány formájában megrendelhető az említett honlapon, vagy a következő címen: Mai Ige, 6201 Kiskőrös, Pf. 33.

Szent Polikárp püspök és vértanú

Egészen korai idők vértanúja Polikárp, aki az Isten bölcsességét keresve vezette a rábízottakat. Isten segítségét kérjük a mai napon, hogy erősítse meg hitünket, és áldja a meg a felkészülésünket a közelgő nagyböjtre.

Polikárp szmirnai püspök, Szent János apostol tanítványa, a keleti Egyház kiemelkedő egyénisége. A húsvét megünneplésével kapcsolatos vita eldöntésére személyesen járt Rómában, Anicét pápánál (151 körül). Fennmaradt a filippiekhez írt levele. Életéről egykorú írók, Szent Ireneus püspök és Tertulliánus írtak. Haláláról hiteles vértanú akták tanúskodnak. 86 éves korában, 155 február 23-án a pogányok bevádolták a prokonzulnál mint “Ázsia tanítómesterét”, és halálát követelték. Máglyahalálra ítélték, de mivel a tűz nem ártott neki, karddal átdöfték. Holttestét megégették, de csontjait összegyűjtötték, és “minthogy drágaköveknél többre becsülték, megfelelő helyen (a kisázsiai Musztafa hegyen) eltemették”. Ott gyülekeztek össze a keresztények “vértanú születésnapját” megünnepelni.

bacskaplebania.hu

 

 

Since toppling President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, the Egyptian military has successively expanded its civil economic activities. This development has attracted growing criticism, above all in the private sector. The government responded in October 2016 by announcing that the armed forces would diminish their economic role over the coming two to three years. But strong market positions, established privileges and historically ingrained structures make it unlikely that this will actually occur. Instead the economic activities of the armed forces, for example in the food, energy and construction sectors, will continue to shape the Egyptian economy. Realisation of the structural reforms Cairo agreed with the IMF in November 2016 is more than doubtful under these circumstances. Not least on those grounds, international donors should urge Egypt’s leaders to curb the army’s privileges.

Mauritania, an important ally of the EU in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, faces several inter-related development challenges: ensuring an efficient use of the revenue derived from natural resources, economic diversification and improved governance. The severity of these development challenges is increased by difficult political relations between the three main ethnic groups in the country, the dominant group being the Arab-Berber Bidhan. They constitute less than one-third of the country’s population, but dominate economically and politically. The Haratin, the largest group in the country, is made up of descendants of black Africans enslaved by the Bidhan (freed or still enslaved). The third group in the country is the West Africans or Black Mauritanians. Mauritania’s post-independence history is marked by repeated attempts by this group to assert its non-Arab identity and claim for a more equitable share of political and economic power. The tension that these divisions create is a problem in itself, but they can also be appropriated by violent Islamist insurgencies in the region. The urgency of this challenge is further complicated by the likelihood of increased climate change effects that the country is currently not adequately prepared for. This study therefore discusses the main political, economic and development challenges that contemporary Mauritania is faced with, illustrating how these challenges can only be properly grasped with consideration to their historical evolution. Based on this, the study investigates the current basis for EU-Mauritania relations and suggests a select number of policy areas for consideration, as this relationship continues to evolve around issues of mutual concern such as security and development.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP