Solomon Islands agrees visa exemption for Saudis    Over 1 million visitors with sales exceeding SR28 million as Riyadh Book Fair comes to a close    Subscription period for October issue of 'Sah' Sukuk product opens for Saudi individuals    Israeli army orders northern Gaza residents to evacuate    Etidal and Telegram remove over 129 million extremist contents    Commerce Ministry issues 135,000 commercial records in 3Q 2024    Over 50% of Kazakh voters participate in referendum on nuclear power plant construction    Elon Musk calls Trump 'only candidate to preserve democracy' in dire election warning    US official: Israel has not guaranteed it will avoid attacking Iran    Israeli warplanes launch over 30 airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb    Saudi Arabia stresses balance between economic growth, energy security, and climate action    Al Khaleej secure first win, Al Riyadh stun Al Qadsiah    Al Nassr secure commanding 3-0 victory over Al Orobah to extend winning streak    Al Hilal triumphs 2-1 over Al Ahli in a thrilling clash to maintain top spot    Saudi Environment Ministry issues first license for aeroponics agriculture in Mideast The project reduces water consumption by 95% and enables year-round productivity    Al Ittihad keeps pressure on Al Hilal after defeating Al Okhdood 2-1    Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry overdose death    Woman with rare double uterus gives birth to twins    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    UK's Prince Harry celebrates 'little legends' at London charity awards    US country music star Kris Kristofferson dies, aged 88    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Putin's macho image gets a boost
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 02 - 08 - 2009

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin plunged into the depths of Lake Baikal aboard a mini-submersible on Saturday in a mission that adds a new dimension to his macho image.
Putin, a judo black belt who has flown in a fighter aircraft and shot a Siberian tiger in the wild, descended 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) below the surface of the world's deepest lake to inspect potentially valuable gas crystals.
“I haven't seen anything like that in my whole life. This is a very special feeling,” Putin told reporters on emerging from the deep-sea craft looking pale and a bit dizzy after spending more than 4.5 hours underwater.
Asked if he planned to travel in space after his supersonic flight and deep-sea dive, Putin, dressed in blue overalls, said, “No, there is enough work here on earth.” Hidden on Lake Baikal's largely unexplored floor are large deposits of clathrate hydrate, crystals packed with one of Russia's most lucrative exports: natural gas.
Scientists estimate Baikal hydrates contain over 1 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, an amount comparable with the world's largest discovered gas fields. Mineral extraction is banned in Lake Baikal which is a nature reserve.
The 56-year-old former KGB spy has cultivated his macho image, and polls show this has won him many admirers, especially among Russian women. In 2007, while president, he featured in magazines across the world after donning combat trousers stripped to the waist while on a fishing trip in the Yenisei River.


Clic here to read the story from its source.