Thursday, March 11, 2010

DTN News: The Forbes Rich List 2010 / Mexico's Carlos Slim Overtakes Gates In World Rich List

Source: DTN News / Forbes Magazine
Defense News ~ (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 11, 2010: Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine's billionaire's list - the first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings.
Mr Slim's fortune rose by $18.5bn (£12.4bn) last year to $53.5bn.
That beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($53bn) into second place, with US investor Warren Buffet ($43bn) third. In 2009 332 names left the list after a tough year, but the total number of billionaires on this year's list rose from 793 to 1,011, Forbes said.
A spokesman for Carlos Slim refused to confirm the Forbes estimate of the Mexican tycoon's wealth, saying they did not "waste their time" on such calculations, but he welcomed the result.
"We are pleased that he's been considered the best businessman of the world," spokesman Arturo Elias told the BBC. "It means there is trust among the investors."
The year's biggest gainer, Brazilian mining tycoon Eike Batista, broke into the top 10 for the first time.
He came in at number seven, having boosting his wealth by $19.5bn to $27bn.
Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim is the new richest person in the world, knocking Microsoft founder Bill Gates into second spot, Forbes said on Wednesday.
It is only the second time since 1995 that Gates has lost the crown, said the magazine.
Here is Forbes ranking of the 20 richest people in the world:
1. Carlos Slim (Mexico) - $US53.5 billion, telecommunications
2. Bill Gates (USA) - $US53 billion, Microsoft
3. Warren Buffett (USA) - $US47 billion, Berkshire Hathaway
4. Mukesh Ambani (India) - $US29 billion, petrochemicals, oil and gas
5. Lakshmi Mittal (India) - $US28.7 billion, steel
6. Larry Ellison (USA) - $US28 billion, Oracle
7. Bernard Arnault (France) - $US27.5 billion, LVMH
8. Eike Batista (Brazil) - $US27 billion, mining, oil
9. Amancio Ortega (Spain) - $US25 billion, retail
10. Karl Albrecht (Germany) - $US23.5 billion, supermarkets
11. Ingvar Kamprad & family (Sweden) - $US23 billion, Ikea
12. Christy Walton & family (USA) - $US22.5 billion, Walmart
13. Stefan Persson (Sweden) - $US22.4 billion, Hennes & Mauritz
14. Li Ka-shing (Hong Kong) - $US21 billion, diversified
15. Jim Walton (USA) - $US20.7 billion, Walmart
16. Alice Walton (USA) - $US20.6 billion, Walmart
17. Liliane Bettencourt (France) - $US20 billion, L'Oreal
18. S. Robson Walton (USA) - $US19.8 billion, Walmart
19. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud (Saudi Arabia) - $US19.4 billion, investments
20. David Thomson & family (Canada) - $US19 billion, news and information company Thomson Reuters
The full Forbes ranking of the world's billionaires can be seen atwww.forbes.com/billionaires.

Defense News ~ DRAPER, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: FLXT - News) http://www.flexpoint.com today announced that they are working with additional contractors in the airline industry who contacted Flexpoint on additional airline applications utilizing its patented Bend Sensor® technology. The US airline industry includes about 500 companies with combined annual revenues in excess of $250 billion.

The Company has completed initial development of a seat impact detection sensor for aircraft and sensors have been sent to the contractor and are currently undergoing further testing. The Company is also working with contractors for the development and use of sensors in another application on interior systems for commercial airplanes. With these new applications the Company is now involved in applications ranging from sensors in hydraulic systems to internal safety systems. In January of this year, the Company announced they are working with a major airline manufacturer in the development of a “poppet valve” to be utilized in the hydraulic systems of aircraft and that the company is also working with the manufacturer of aircraft flight simulators on the incorporation of a Bend Sensor® as a Passenger Presence Detection device in simulators used for pilot training.

Clark Mower, President of Flexpoint Sensor Systems, stated, “We are pleased to announce that we are working with new potential customers who are contractors and suppliers currently providing parts and products to the airline industry. We continue to receive confirmation of the applicability of our technology into a variety of industries and these additional applications of our technology are both similar to, and yet uniquely different from, other applications. Both applications have the potential of being placed in multiple locations throughout the aircraft and have the capability of being utilized in both new aircraft and potentially as a retrofit replacement or additional application in existing aircraft. We anticipate some of these developed applications being utilized in the next 6-12 months. There are tens of thousands of airplanes in the US alone."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and involve both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such uncertainties include, among others, certain risks associated with the operation of the company described above. The Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results.

Contact:

Flexpoint Sensor Systems
Clark Mower, President, 801-568-5111

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New 3G/4 Model Ordered by Distributors in Belgium, the Netherlands and the U.K.


Defense News ~ NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - 03/11/10) - IDO Security Ltd. (OTC.BB:IDOI - News), developer of the innovative MagShoe™ shoe scanning device (SSD), today announced that the new, state-of-the-art MagShoe™ 3G/4 model has been ordered by its distributors in Belgium, the Netherlands and the U.K.

"The new 3G/4 model of the MagShoe™, recently showcased at the 2010 SICUR International Security Safety Exhibition in Madrid, Spain, conforms to all detection requirements and provisions of the EU regarding Airport and Aviation Security. Together with the increased height detection, the new MagShoe™ has garnered a great deal of interest from European authorities," said Dani Werber, International Marketing Manager of IDO Security Ltd.

MagShoe™ addresses a key vulnerability in walkthrough metal detectors and other screening technologies. These technologies stop just above the ankles when scanning for concealed weapons. MagShoe™, a portable, user-friendly device, extends metal detection to include the lower extremities, now covers everything from eighteen inches to the bottoms of the feet -- without requiring passengers to remove their shoes, thanks to a patented "step-on" design.

"We are extremely pleased with the reception our 3G/4 model has received in the European security market," said Henry Shabat, Manager of IDO Security Ltd. "Based on the initial response from our client and distributor base, we fully expect to have further announcements regarding additional clients in the very near future."

Click here to view Social Media version of this release.

Click here to visit the IDO Security Social Media Newsroom.

About IDO Security:
Headquartered in New York with a subsidiary in Israel, IDO Security designs, develops and markets the patented, UL-certified MagShoe™ weapons metal detection system. MagShoe™ fills a critical void in today's metal detectors by extending screening to the lower body and feet. MagShoe's unique "shoes-on" design maximizes security, thoroughness and accuracy while eliminating the need to remove shoes for increased convenience and safety. Ideal for security and loss prevention at virtually any facility, MagShoe™ is currently in use at international airports, cruise lines, government agencies, prisons and more.http://www.idosecurityinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial uncertainties and risks. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry, and that reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based upon our current expectations about future events. These forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed as a result of a number of factors, including but no limited to, the sufficiency of existing capital resources, uncertainties related to the development of IDO's business plan, the ability to secure additional sources of financing, general economic conditions, the availability of competing products and the ultimate market acceptance of our products, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes that affect us and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of IDO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, anxious to spur growth and tackle unemployment, will name two top executives from Boeing and

Defense News ~ WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, anxious to spur growth and tackle unemployment, will name two top executives from Boeing and Xerox on Thursday to spearhead his drive to boost U.S. exports, the White House said.

Obama, who pledged in his State of the Union address to double U.S. exports over five years to support 2 million jobs, will make the announcement in Washington when he speaks to the Export-Import Bank's annual conference on his trade strategy.

A White House official said Obama would name Boeing Co (BA.N) president and chief executive Jim McNerney and Xerox Co (XRX.N) chief executive Ursula Burns to lead the President's Export Council.

Founded in 1973 by former President Richard Nixon, the council is a key forum for the private sector to communicate its trade views to the U.S. administration.

Obama will also create a new Export Promotion Cabinet, drawn from government departments including Treasury, State, Commerce and Agriculture in support of his efforts, the White House said.

Trade is a central part of Obama's drive of shift Americans away from an over-reliance on borrowing and consumption, replacing those sources of economic activity with investment and greater exports to the rest of the world.

Exports could help the United States recover from the worst recession in 50 years, caused by the collapse of the country's housing market, and unemployment at a towering 9.7 percent.

But critics say Obama has not backed up his words with action to advance free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea, and they are sceptical that his top-down initiatives to lift exports will deliver results.

"Beyond another bureaucratic incarnation -- in the form of a new "Export Promotion Cabinet" -- the details for achieving that growth in exports are missing," Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said in congressional testimony last week during hearings on Obama's 2010 trade agenda.

Some members of Obama's Democratic Party are hostile to further trade deregulation and blame deals done in the past for costing American jobs.

Obama's Thursday export speech will be followed on Monday by the first round of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Melbourne. Obama has said the TPP will set the standard for future U.S. trade deals, with greater protection for workers and the environment than was previously the case. (Additional reporting by Doug Palmer; Editing by John O'Callaghan)


EAGLE EYES® Inducted into Space Technology 2010 Hall of Fame®

Defense News ~ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EAGLE EYES® Optics and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame® for theirradiation-filtering technology - used in EAGLE EYES polarized sunglasses to protect human eyes from solar radiation. The Space Technology Hall of Fame® honors outstanding technologies developed for use in space and adapted to improve life on Earth. EAGLE EYES will be recognized at a private ceremony at the 26th National Space Technology Hall of Fame® Symposium in Colorado on April 15th. The Space Technology Hall of Fame® was created in 1988 by the Space Foundation (www.spacefoundation.org), in cooperation with NASA, to increase public awareness of the benefits resulting from space exploration programs. To date, the Space Foundation has inducted 61 technologies, honoring the organizations and individuals who transformed space technology into commercial products that improve the quality of life for all humanity.

Magellan Aviator  (Photo: Business Wire).  View Multimedia Gallery

Magellan Aviator (Photo: Business Wire). View Multimedia Gallery

EAGLE EYES carries a full line of sunwear in over 80 styles and various categories including fashion, sports,FitOns®, ClipOns, children's and, more recently, has introduced their new RX-Activ™ Readers. "The EAGLE EYES brand provides the consumer with a truly unique visual experience. The benefits of our sunglasses are noticed immediately once you try them on," states Alan Mittelman, CEO and President of the company. "As we approach our 20th year in business, we look forward to the next decade of continued growth."

Developed from Original NASA Optic Technology

In the 1980s, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory began researching a method to protect human eyesight from the harmful effects of solar radiation in space, especially ultraviolet and blue-light rays, known to contribute to cataract and age-related macular degeneration. NASA scientists learned that the eyes of eagles contain oil droplets that filter out harmful radiation and permit only specific wavelengths of light to enter. This natural filtering process provides them with extreme visual clarity - even at great distances. The researchers replicated this natural system, used in the first transparent welding curtain, to filter out harmful light and protect human eyesight in hazardous environments. The technology was soon applied to sunglasses introduced to the public under the name SunTiger and known today as EAGLE EYES. These lenses absorb 99+ percent of all photo wavelengths considered hazardous to human eye tissue - including ultraviolet and blue-light up to 475 nanometers in the wavelength spectrum. Numerous studies indicate this specific range may be the most beneficial to the human eye for protection, increased visual perception and contrast.

"We are most honored to receive this induction which will further strengthen our brand and increase consumer awareness on the importance of protective eyewear for human health and quality of life," further states Mittelman "In today's marketplace, there are literally thousands of sunglass brands. We remain proud to be recognized worldwide as a technology-driven brand 'built on science' and a leader in UV eye protection."

For more information on EAGLE EYES OPTICS visit www.eagleeyes.com or call 818-225-7765. For Business Opportunities, please email the company headquarters directly at eeo-direct@eeo.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6210533〈=en.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6210533

Contact:

EAGLE EYES
Kathy McLeod, Marketing Director
818-225-7765
eeo-direct@eeo.com

Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA to Present at the March 2010 RedChip New York Equities Growth Conference


Defense News ~ SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA and SHANGHAI, CHINA--(Marketwire - 03/11/10) - Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA, Inc. (OTC.BB:WEMU - News) ("Worldwide Energy"), a U.S.-based solar module technology and China manufacturing company specializing in products for customers in the solar energy, aerospace, wireless telecommunications, medical equipment and automotive industries, today announced that the company's president, Jeff Watson, will be presenting at the 2010 RedChip New York Equities Growth Conference being held March 23-24 in New York City. The Company's presentation is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at the NASDAQ Market Site (4 Times Square).

Mr. Watson will provide an overview of the company and an update on its solar manufacturing operations in China.

Company presentations will be webcast live via http://www.RedChip.com and archived for 90 days.

RedChip investor conferences are a nationally known forum for emerging growth companies to present their stories before hundreds of investment bankers, fund managers, institutional and accredited investors, and research analysts. For this event, RedChip brings together leading investors, market leaders, and high-growth companies for two full days of dynamic presentations and Q&A sessions by CEOs and executive teams.

For additional information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Company at this event, please contact Jon Cunningham at 407-644-4256, Ext. 107, or email conference@redchip.com.

About Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA, Inc.
Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA, Inc. (http://www.wwmusa.com), headquartered in South San Francisco, California, is a 16-year-old engineering-oriented firm specializing in photovoltaic (PV) panel, mechanical, electronics and fiber optic products manufacturing. The company's worldwide customer base includes the industries of solar energy, wireless telecommunications, aerospace, automobiles and medical equipment. Subsidiaries include Shanghai Intech Electro Mechanical Products Co. Ltd., Shanghai Intech Electronics Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Intech Precision Mechanical Products Manufacturing Co. Ltd., located in Shanghai, China.

Force Protection Receives Award of $26.1 Million for Additional Field Service Support



Defense News ~ LADSON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT - News), a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions and provider of total life cycle support for those products, today announced it has received a modification to contract M67854-07-D-5031 from the United States Marine Corps Systems Command for additional field service support. The contract modification extends the ongoing performance of 216 field service representatives and associated support for Independent Suspension System (ISS) installations for Cougars at the MRAP Sustainment Facility (MSF) in Kuwait. The modification has a firm fixed price value of $26.1 million. Work is expected to be completed by June 2010.

Randy Hutcherson, Chief Operating Officer for Force Protection, commented, “This award will enable us to continue the vital work of installing independent suspension systems for Cougar vehicles in Kuwait. Our customer is pleased with our progress and the results we have achieved on the suspension installations. The upgrades being performed in Kuwait will enable Marines to conduct their missions in Afghanistan with increased mobility and proven survivability. We look forward to completing these important upgrades in the coming months.”

About Force Protection, Inc.

Force Protection, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions, including blast- and ballistic-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones. The Company’s specialty vehicles, including the Buffalo, Cougar and related variants, are designed specifically for reconnaissance and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The Company also develops, manufactures, tests, delivers and supports products and services aimed at further enhancing the survivability of users against additional threats. In addition, the Company provides long-term life cycle support services of its vehicles that involve development of technical data packages, supply of spares, field and depot maintenance activities, assignment of highly-skilled field service representatives, and advanced on and off-road driver and maintenance training programs. For more information on Force Protection and its products and services, visit www.forceprotection.net.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions of Force Protection’s management, and on information currently available to management. These forward looking statements include, among other things: the growth and demand for Force Protection’s products and services, including its modernization, spares and sustainment business; the anticipated work completion dates for our products and services; the anticipated long-term demand for service, support and upgrade work to the Company’s fleet of vehicles; the Company’s execution of its business strategy and strategic transformation, including its opportunities to grow the business; and the Company’s expected financial and operating results, including its revenues, cash flow and gross margins, for future periods. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Examples of these factors include, but are not limited to, ability to effectively manage the risks in the Company’s business; the ability to develop new technologies and products and the acceptance of these technologies and products; the ability to obtain new orders for its vehicles and products; the other risk factors and cautionary statements listed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Contact:

Company Contact:
Force Protection, Inc.
Tommy Pruitt, 843-574-3866
Senior Communications Director
or
Investor Relations Contact:
ICR Inc.
James Palczynski, 203-682-8229
Principal and Director

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