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

DTN News: The Forbes Rich List 2010 / Mexico's Carlos Slim Overtakes Gates In World Rich List Source: DTN News / Forbes Magazine (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 at www.forbes.com/billionaires.

DTN News: Boeing Delivers EGYPTAIR's First 777-300ER For Long-Haul Fleet Upgrade

DTN News: Boeing Delivers EGYPTAIR's First 777-300ER For Long-Haul Fleet Upgrade Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE,- March 10, 2010: EGYPTAIR and leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) took delivery Monday of the first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 777-300ER (Extended Range) commercial jetliner to join EGYPTAIR's fleet. EGYPTAIR operates a fleet of five Boeing 777-200ERs, five 737-500s and 12 737-800s, with another eight 737-800s on order directly from Boeing. The Egyptian flag carrier is leasing the new 777-300ER from GECAS and will take an additional five 777-300ERs on lease through the second quarter of 2011 to continue upgrading its long-haul service. "This delivery is a substantial milestone in the history of EGYPTAIR. We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve the best of everything. This is a continuation of the long term partnership with Boeing," said Hussein Massoud, chairman of EGYPTAIR Holding Company. "The 777-200ER has always been one of the strongest performers in our fleet for fuel efficiency and reliability. The 777-300ER's additional improvements in fuel efficiency and seat-mile costs will directly benefit our bottom line," said EGYPTAIR Airlines Chairman Capt. Alaa Ashour. "The 777-300ER is an important part of our fleet modernization and growth plans to achieve greater profitability." EGYPTAIR's new 777-300ER has 346 seats including 49 lie-flat beds with a 78-inch seat pitch, plus an in-seat entertainment system throughout the cabin. A member of the Star Alliance, EGYPTAIR will operate 777-300ERs on routes to London, Tokyo and North America.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 10, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 10, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued March 10, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 10, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 10, 2010 are undermentioned; CONTRACTS

NAVY ~Guam Pacific International, LLC*, Barrigada, Guam (N40192-10-D-2800);

~Bulltrack-Watts, JV*, Marysville, Calif. (N40192-10-D-2801);

~Niking Corp.*, Pearl City, Hawaii (N40192-10-D-2802);

~Overland Corp.*, Ardmore, Okla. (N40192-10-D-2803);

~P&S Construction Inc.*, Lowell, Mass. (N40192-10-D-2804); and

~Pacific West Builders*, National City, Calif. (N40192-10-D-2810), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation/modernization and routine repair/maintenance of government shore-based facilities in Guam. The dollar value for all six contracts combined is $100,000,000. The contract also contains four unexercised option periods which, if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $500,000,000. Guam Pacific International, LLC, is being awarded task order 0001 at $12,959,699 for the complete design and construction of a combat support vehicle maintenance facility at the northwest field area of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by July 2011. All work on this contract will be performed in Guam, with an expected completion date of March 2015. Contract funds for task order 0001 will not expire at the end the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with 13 proposals received. These six contractors will compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity. ~Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Mass., is being awarded an $81,491,000 contract for DDG 1002 diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) materials and long-lead/advanced procurement items, DDG 1000 class training equipment and curriculum, and associated DDG 1000 class engineering services. These DMS materials and long-lead/advanced procurement items will be incorporated into the mission systems equipment for DDG 1002. The DDG 1000 class training equipment and associated DDG 1000 class engineering services include continuation efforts to complete DDG 1000 Class combat system training course requirements, data center items, and long-lead training equipment material. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (79.1 percent); Falls Church, Va. (14.5 percent); and Andover, Mass. (6.4 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-5126). ~The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., is being awarded an $11,433,264 cost-plus-fixed-fee/firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-05-G-0012) for the procurement of 58 each overhead (OH) panel kits and main distribution panel (MDP) kits for the CH-46E helicopter. In addition, this order provides for updates to the drawings that define the OH and MDP panels, the item unique identification marking on the panels, and required field support services. Work will be performed in Salisbury, Md. (90 percent), and Ridley Park, Pa. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. ~Marvin Engineering Co., Inc.*, Inglewood, Calif., is being awarded a $9,895,746 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-06-C-0050) to exercise an option for 324 production BRU-32 B/A ejector bomb racks and three periodic production samples for the F/A-18 E/F/G aircraft. Work will be performed in Inglewood, Calif., and is expected to be completed in May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY ~BAE Systems Specialty Defense Systems of Pennsylvania, Inc., Jessup, Pa. is being awarded a maximum $27,973,542 firm-fixed-price contract for lightweight helmets. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Marine Corps. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Nov. 30, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-10-C-0011).

~River Trading Co., Ltd. *, Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a maximum $16,909,258 firm-fixed-price contract for delivery of bituminous coal. Other location of performance is West Virginia. Using services are Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 171 proposals solicited with 13 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2011. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0653). ~Delta Coals, LLC*, Nashville, Tenn., is being awarded a maximum $6,700,248 firm-fixed-price, total set-aside contract for delivery of bituminous coal. Other location of performance is Virginia. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There were originally 171 proposals solicited with 13 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is May 31, 2011. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0651). ~AAR Parts Trading, Inc., Wood Dale, Ill., is being awarded a maximum $6,439,950 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, sole-source contract for control assembly and difuser. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 2, 2015. The Defense Logistics Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (SPRRA1-10-D-0004). AIR FORCE ~Universal Technology Corp., Dayton, Ohio, was awarded a $24,500,000 contract which will provide for short term research and development in key technology areas for the air vehicles director, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. At this time, $50,000 has been obligated. AFRL/PKVC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-10-D-3037). ~McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded an $8,823,078 contract which purchase 100 focused lethality munitions-small diameter bomb I variant. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 681 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-10-C-0013, P00002). ~Kuhana Associates, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $7,149,646 contract which will provide a full range of clinical support services in the form of health care workers. At this time, $2,186,000 has been obligated. 355 CONS, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., is the contracting activity. (FA4877-10-D-0001) *Small business

DTN News: Congress's Crystal Ball: Something Has To Give On The Budget

DTN News: Congress's Crystal Ball: Something Has To Give On The Budget Source: BNet By Matthew Potter Government Analysis (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 10, 2010: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Executive Branch’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) don’t always see the future the same way. This time is no different. In its recent analysis of the budget, the CBO reckoned that the Obama Administration has seriously underestimated U.S. budget deficits over the the next ten years. The initial estimate of the deficits in 2010 and 2011 are: “the federal government would record deficits of $1.5 trillion in 2010 and $1.3 trillion in 2011. Those deficits would amount to 10.3 percent and 8.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively. By comparison, the deficit in 2009 totaled 9.9 percent of GDP.” By 2020, the CBO figures the total debt of the U.S. will be $20.3 trillion or 90 percent of the GDP. (By comparison, the debt of troubled Greece is 113% of GDP, and it has been running annual deficits of six to fourteen percent since 2000. The U.S. is not Greece, but as its deficit grows the debt service also grows. This means as the CBO reports that “net interest would more than quadruple between 2010 and 2020 in nominal dollars (without an adjustment for inflation); it would expand from 1.4 percent of GDP in 2010 to 4.1 percent in 2020.” This means that if it does not increase revenues, the federal government is going to have to cut spending. The big difference between the OMB’s projections and the CBO’s is revenue: The CBO is much more pessimistic, estimating revenues will be $1.2 trillion less then the OMB is planning. What this all means is that the interest on U.S. debt will begin to eat into the U.S. budget unless revenue grows significantly. If not, spending will have to be cut even more. Whatever numbers you believe, those of the OMB or the CBO, the situation does not look pretty. Matthew Potter Matthew Potter is a resident of Huntsville, Ala., where he works supporting U.S. Army aviation programs. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he began work as a defense contractor in Washington D.C. specializing in program management and budget development and execution. In the last 15 years Matthew has worked for several companies, large and small, involved in all aspects of government contracting and procurement. He holds two degrees in history as well as studying at the Defense Acquisition University. He has written for Seeking Alpha and at his own website, DefenseProcurementNews.com. *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: US-Europe Tensions Rise Over Arms Deals, Exports

DTN News: US-Europe Tensions Rise Over Arms Deals, Exports

* Britain's Mandelson disappointed by tanker deal collapse * State Department studying BAE judgment Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By Rhys Jones Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - March 10, 2010: The United States and Europe face growing tensions over restrictions on export deals involving BAE Systems while European politicians protest the collapse of efforts to sell aerial tankers to the United States. The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it would delay action on any new export license requests by BAE Systems after the British military contractor pleaded guilty to violating several U.S. laws. "We understand that there has been no change to existing export licenses and agreements, and that export activities may continue under existing authorisations," BAE said in a statement, but added that it did not know when the State Department would issue any new licenses. The UK has also expressed its concern at the United States's handling of a military tanker contract, after EADS's U.S. partner Northrop Grumman dropped out of the race to build a tanker, leaving U.S. rival Boeing as the sole bidder. "Given the open market to U.S. producers we have in Europe, it is very disappointing that a U.S.-led European consortium feels that the revised tanker procurement process is now so biased against them that it is not even worth making a bid," Britain's business secretary Peter Mandelson said in a statement on Wednesday. France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon echoed Mandleson's comments during a visit to Berlin's Humboldt University. "I think the attitude of the U.S. government on the matter of the air tankers is a serious breach of the rules, which are those of fair competition between our economies," said Fillon. "The American government, I am saying it, has obliged EADS to quit the competition for the American army's air tankers." EXPORT LICENSE DELAYS BAE Systems earlier this month pleaded guilty to conspiring to make false statements in connection with foreign arms contracts and agreed to pay a $400 million fine to settle a long-standing inquiry into its business practices. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the department was studying the judgment entered in federal court in the District of Columbia and would not move forward on any export license approvals for now. "This may have an effect where U.S. licenses are required to sell UK products into export markets that require International Trade and Arms Regulation licenses, which the U.S. has been reluctant to give out," said Evolution analyst Nick Cunningham. The potential row with BAE, which is seen as the most successful European company in penetrating the world's largest defence market, due to Britain's close ties to the United States, comes after a spat between the two allies over sensitive software codes for the F-35 fighter jet. The Pentagon recently said it would keep to itself the software code that controls Lockheed Martin Corp's new radar-evading F-35, despite requests from co-development partners -- Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway. BAE has increasingly turned its back on its European roots to foster closer business ties with the U.S and itself sold a 20 percent stake in Airbus in 2007. BAE last week said it had sold half of its 20.5 percent stake in Saab, the Swedish aerospace company, and also plans to offload the rest of its investment through a market placing. (Additional reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Rupert Winchester)

DTN News: Iran TODAY March 10, 2010 ~ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad In Afghanistan Visit

DTN News: Iran TODAY March 10, 2010 ~ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad In Afghanistan Visit Source: DTN News / Telegraph.co.uk (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - March 10, 2010: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, is due to visit Afghanistan today for talks with his counter part Hamid Karzai.

The announcement comes the day after Robert Gates, the US Defense Secretary, said he was concerned Tehran was playing a "double game" in the country, being friendly to the Afghan government while looking to undermine the United States. Mr Ahmadinejad had been due to visit the country on Monday but the trip, which would have coincided with Mr Gates' visit, was postponed.

Western powers want regional players to co-operate in bringing stability to a country where the US and other foreign troops back Mr Karzai's government in the face of an insurgency by the Islamist Taliban. Iran says the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan is a key reason for the problems in its eastern neighbour. "Two dates were set (as possibilities), either Monday or Wednesday. Based on the president's schedule, Wednesday has been set as a date for the visit and God willing this visit will take place," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said. It would be Mr Ahmadinejad's first visit to Afghanistan since both he and Mr Karzai were re-elected last year. Mr Ahmadinejad has been invited by Mr Karzai and the visit was aimed at expanding bilateral ties. They are also expected to discuss "solutions for settling the problems" in Afghanistan. Western security analysts have long talked of the need for a regional settlement on Afghanistan to prevent a resurgence of old rivalries which could stoke a renewed civil war when U.S.-led troops begin to leave. But Tehran, locked in a showdown with the United States over its nuclear programme, has little reason to co-operate with Washington in helping it stabilise Afghanistan.

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY March 10, 2010 ~ US Troops Could Withdraw From Afghanistan Ahead Of 2011 Deadline

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY March 10, 2010 ~ US Troops Could Withdraw From Afghanistan Ahead Of 2011 Deadline Source: DTN News / Telegraph.co.uk (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - March 10, 2010: US troops could start withdrawal from Afghanistan before the July 2011 deadline set by Barack Obama, the Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, has hinted.

Mr Gates made the remarks during a visit to a dust-blown training ground in Kabul province where Afghan soldiers come for weeks of training under U.S. and British instruction. British Brigadier Simon Levy told Gates that if Nato countries contribute more trainers, the project to expand the Afghan army will keep pace. But he said any withdrawal "would have to be conditions-based."

The goal is to reach 134,000 trained forces this fall. The Pentagon hopes the Afghans will soon ease the load on U.S. forces. Mr Gates, and Abdul Rahim Wardak, the Afghan Defence Minister, said his troops were eager to take on the responsibility for defending the country, but gave no indication of when that might be possible. Mr Gates said, "We will begin that transition no later than July of 2011, but the pace will depend also on conditions on the ground." Still, the Pentagon chief said, "We should not be too impatient." His comments came as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, visited the country. At a press conference in Kabul he said that the US "themselves created terrorists and now they say they are fighting terrorists". He said: "We do not see the presence of foreign military forces in Afghanistan as a solution for peace in Afghanistan." Mr Gates watched as Afghan troops dealt with a simulated roadside bomb explosion. He stood on an embankment above the road as Afghan soldiers leapt out of a convoy, tended to casualties and contained the explosive. He said he was very impressed by what he saw. "Although attention may be focused on operations in the south today, the training that is going on in this facility is even more important," he said. "At the end of the day, only Afghans will be able to provide long-term security for Afghanistan." U.S. forces are engaged in a major offensive against Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan. Gates visited some of those troops on Tuesday. Reporters also asked Gates about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's announced visit to Afghanistan on Wednesday. "It's certainly bothersome," he said. "We think Afghanistan should have good relations with all its neighbours, but we want all of Afghanistan's neighbours" to deal fairly with President Hamid Karzai's government. Gates has accused Tehran of "playing a double game" in Afghanistan by trying to woo the Afghan government while undermining U.S. and Nato efforts by helping the Taliban.