Apple’s iPod Touch and US soldiers

The Apple iPhone has been working very hard to break into big business, but its little brother the iPod Touch already has a head start on the iPhone. According to The Apple Blog, the iPod Touch plays a huge part for U.S. soldiers working in Iraq. Read more

M110 Sniper Rifle with iPod Touch Mount and BulletFlight App

Since the launch of the Apple App Store, there have been some cool applications for the iPod Touch, but I think I might have found the best yet, the BulletFlight App. To use this application you will need the M110 Sniper Rifle with iPod Touch Mount.

The M110 is a .62×51mm semi-automatic sniper rifle, which will replace the aging M24 bolt-action sniper system. This new system is seeing action in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The M110 Sniper Rifle is based on the SR-25.

Knights Armaments are the company who developed the iPod Touch mount, which attaches to the side mounted picatinny rail, this mount attaches to an Otterbox protective case. The application is available from the App Store for $11.99

Source

Saddam Hussein’s luxury yacht, Ocean Breeze for sale

Iraq has finally won a legal battle, where they argued the ownership of Saddam Hussein’s yacht. Now that the Iraqi Government is able to sell the yacht, it is hoped to fetch at least $35 million. The Ocean Breeze yacht is 82 meters in length and comes with a mosque, swimming pools and a missile launcher and mini-submarine. Read more

KVH Receives $1.3 Million Order for TACNAV Military Navigation Systems

MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) announced today that it has received a new contract from a southeast Asian customer for the purchase of KVH’s TACNAV(R) military vehicle navigation systems and displays. The contract has a total value of approximately $1.3 million with shipments starting in late 2008 and extending into early 2009 Read more

Subsidiary of U.S. military security contractors buy 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane

Blackwater Worldwide who are a subsidiary of U.S. military security contractors have just purchased the 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane from the Brazilian aviation company Embraer. The 314 B1 Super Tucano propeller-driven fighter plane was bought for $4.5 million and delivered to EP Aviation at the end of February.

EP Aviation has apparently got 33 planes and helicopters registered with the FAA, obviously officials with Brazil’s government and Embraer declined to comment on the Estado report and apparently according to the source below phones calls were not returned. Apparently after reading on the internet the company called Blackwater Worldwide are infamous for its allegations of its killings in Iraq. Let us tell you more about the 314 B1 Super Tucano Fighter Plane.

The 314 B1 Super Tucano is black and grey and is propeller driven which if you look closely looks pretty similar to that of the World-War 2 fighter plane, the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano which is also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN) and pilot training missions. It incorporates highly modern avionics and weapons systems which we have listed below. At the moment it is being used by the air forces of Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and now Blackwater Worldwide has it.

The armament is as follows, 2x 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3P machine guns, 1x 20 mm cannon pod below the fuselage, 4x 70 mm rocket launcher pods, Conventional and intelligent bombs, 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha or Python 3/4 air-to-air missiles and External stores on 5 hardpoints. The maximum speed is 593 km/h (320 knots, 368 mph).

Source – USA Today

Cisco, Verizon and Wal-Mart help U.S. troops in Iraq on Mother’s Day

With Mothers Day coming up fast, its easy to get so involved in your own business to forget about the people that are trying to protect our country on Mother’s Day. The people I am talking about are the U.S. troops in Iraq, they have family as well and it’s nice to see companies doing their bit to help our troops keep in contact on this special day. See the press release below for information on what some big brands are doing to help.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Cisco, Verizon Business and Wal-Mart, along with SkyPort Global Communications and the USO (United Service Organizations), are helping to provide virtual family reunions for U.S. troops serving in Iraq. A lifelike, immersive video communications technology - known as Cisco® TelePresence - allows the troops to bridge the distance and speak to and see loved ones at home.

“Cisco TelePresence demonstrates the power of communicating and collaborating real-time as though you were meeting face-to-face,” said John Chambers, chairman and CEO of Cisco. “Our companies are very proud to join together to honor and recognize our troops and their loved ones. We hope military families will take advantage of this technology and connect with our service men and women overseas during the upcoming holidays.”

Rheanna Kitch, whose husband is serving in Iraq, commented: “I loved feeling like my husband was sitting right across the table from me. It makes this deployment a little bit easier being able to see my husband on a huge screen. Even though my sweetheart is halfway around the world, when I am in that room he is right beside me.”

The collaborative effort to support the troops includes the use of Cisco TelePresence to allow troops based in Iraq to connect with friends and family members back home. The free connections, using Verizon Business’ Private IP network and a SkyPort satellite uplink, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and link two remote bases in Iraq to two Wal-Mart stores: one located near Camp Pendleton in Temecula, Calif., and one located near Fort Drum in Evans Mills, N.Y. Two specially equipped family-gathering rooms were built in the Wal-Mart stores and opened April 2. They will be available through July 6, spanning the upcoming holidays of Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Independence Day.

“Verizon Business is proud of the technology we deploy to help members of the U.S. Armed Forces stay in touch with their families at home,” said John Killian, president of Verizon Business. “The women and men serving overseas make sacrifices every day, and we hope this effort will help them feel closer to their loved ones by being able to sit across from each other and talk - even though they are located at opposite ends of the world.”

Cisco TelePresence replicates face-to-face interaction so realistically that it feels as though everyone is in the same room, even though they may be thousands of miles apart. While videoconferencing has been intermittently available to service men and women, the Cisco TelePresence deployment represents the first lifelike communications of its kind between these particular troops and their families back home. Families from Camp Pendleton and Fort Drum are using the technology to reconnect with loved ones, see children and even hold virtual birthday parties.

“Getting to see my husband in Iraq really helps me,” said Mellisa Reynolds, who has used Cisco TelePresence in the Temecula, Calif. Wal-Mart to connect with her husband in Iraq. “It’s so comforting to go to the Wal-Mart store and be that close to him, as if he is right next to me. TelePresence makes it so much easier to communicate with him because I can see his facial expressions when he talks. You can’t see that in an e-mail or phone call.”

Rollin Ford, EVP and Wal-Mart’s chief information officer, said: “Wal-Mart is committed to supporting not only our troops but the entire military family, and we are proud to join with Verizon and Cisco to help connect military families with their loved ones serving in Iraq. Through TelePresence, our customers have the unique opportunity to support and connect with our men and women in uniform through a virtual face-to-face interaction.”

The Cisco TelePresence rooms are located at the Wal-Mart Store in Temecula, Calif. (32225 Highway 79 South, Temecula, Calif.) and at the Wal-Mart Store in Evans Mills, N.Y. (25737 US Route #11, LeRay, N.Y.)

Skyport has installed satellite ground links at two bases in Iraq where soldiers and marines can access a Cisco TelePresence system to have live conversations with family members and friends. This is the first example of Cisco TelePresence being deployed via satellite.

“We are honored to have been chosen by Cisco to participate in this effort to put our nation’s soldiers and marines in closer touch with the families they have left behind,” said Patrick Brant, president and CEO of Skyport.

Ford Mustang GT convertible is the 9 millionth and heads to Iowa

Iowa farmer Thomas Krumm went to his local Ford dealer to order a Mustang GT convertible and unwittingly ordered a piece of history – his Mustang is the 9 millionth built by Ford Motor Company.

He discovers that today when he picks up his milestone Mustang at Gookin Ford in Story City, Iowa.

Krumm, a farmer from rural Story City, became interested in Mustangs through his daughter, Rachael, a Mustang enthusiast who saved enough money to buy her first Mustang at age 17.

“Having been a Mustang fanatic my entire life, I couldn’t be more excited that my dad is receiving the 9 millionth Mustang,” said Rachael Krumm, who also is a member of the Iowa National Guard. “I am thrilled that I get to see his Mustang GT and its cool new features before I leave for Iraq.”

Mustang is Ford Motor Company’s longest-running nameplate. It was introduced on April 17, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair.

“Mustang is an icon, and the 9 millionth Mustang is a milestone we’re very proud of,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang Brand Manager.

“So many people have contributed to Mustang’s proud 44-year heritage possible – from incredible Mustangs owners and enthusiasts to our partners at AAI where Mustangs are built to Ford’s Product Development and Ford Division teams,” he said.

The Ford Mustang is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. Today, one of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang.
Visit Ford to get yours.

Carol Barnes has died in hospital

It has been announced that Former newsreader Carol Barnes has died in hospital.

Carol who was 63 was admitted to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton last weekend after reportedly suffering a stroke.

According to Sky news Carol began her working life as a teacher, before joining ITN as a reporter in 1976 and going on to anchor all the broadcaster’s main news programmes, including the flagship News at Ten bulletin for a number of years.

After initially leaving ITN, she rejoined the news team for the war in Iraq as one of the main presenters on the now-defunct ITV News Channel.

Former ITN chief executive Stewart Purvis said taht “It is a very sad day for friends, colleagues and viewers.”

All our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.

Chemical Ali execution approved: Ali Hassan Majid, Saddam Hussein’s cousin

Ali Hassan Majid who is better known as Chemical Ali is to be executed, as the Presidency Council has approved the execution of Saddam Hussein cousin. Ali will be hanged, however a date has Read more

Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass Set For A Fourth Bourne Movie

The Bourne Ultimatum won three awards at yesterday’s Oscars so it’s no surprise that both Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass are ready for a fourth Bourne movie. Previously both had said they’d do a sequel if the other would and with yesterday’s success proving the films are popular, it looks highly likely. Read more

Barack Obama sweeps Hawaii primary caucus results

We reported early that Barack Obama dealt a massive blow to rival Hillary Clinton in the Wisconsin primary, well we have just learned from The Guardian that Obama has also cruised pasts his Democratic rival in the Hawaii caucuses as well. With both these results it seems Read more

Baghdad bombings killed 43 people and wounded 85 in Al-Ghazl

43 people were killed and 85 wounded when two bombs went off in busy Baghdad Iraqi security and medical officials said a bomb that was hidden in a carton blew up and ripped through Read more

BFBS Radio join with Digital One

Digital One and BFBS Radio has joined together on a trial basis. The British Forces Broadcasting Service is available through digital satellite on channel 0211 and also over the internet. BFBS was designed for forces and their families, they broadcast in places such as Read more

George Bush to Visit United Arab Emirates

Today the US President, George Bush is heading off to the United Arab Emirates. He is expectedly going to give a speech in Abu Dahbi and it will include his push for democratic reform and regional security.

Whilst in Kuwait on Read more

Last 30 News & Products: 01-13-2008

Remember 9-11: Bush & America’s military freed Iraq and Afghanistan

Going into the race for US President 2008, lets not forget our past because we should always remember the September 11th 2001 attacks (9-11) and what a change it meant for the US and the rest of the world.

I am writing this after just watching the film World Trade Centre again, about people who were trapped in the rubble of the twin towers and it brought a tear to my eye about what happened that day and I can clearly remember where I was when the news was breaking.

Although many Americans are looking forward to Bush going and I am not saying he is the perfect president, but we must remember the attack made on US soil and when the US needed a tough leader they had one Read more

President Bush Expects To Have A Positive Place In History: Is He Deluded?

George Bush has recently announced that he thinks the writers of history will praise him for his ‘victory’ in Iraq. While speaking to US forces in Kuwait, Bush said, “It’s hard work that you’re doing, but it’s necessary work.” Read more

Ron Paul Campaign: illustrates political power of new technology

With news circling about letters put in Ron Paul’s name many years ago (not signed by him) I think its time to focus on more current news and in a more positive way (what a lot of news sites do not do).

Ron Paul’s campaign illustrates political power of new technology, the internet is the place of free speech and less control, it has helped Ron Paul raise $28 million.

The New Hampshire Primary saw no breakthrough for Ron Paul, his 8 percent should have been more but the real supporters of Ron Paul are undiminished Read more

Amy Ryan And Greg Kinnear Join Matt Damon In Life In The Emerald City

The latest collaboration between Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon has had some new arrivals in the cast in the shape of Greg Kinnear and Amy Ryan. They are to join Damon Read more

Barack Obama: new era in American history: unity and not division

As an agent of Change, Obama has already had a positive effect and change on our political landscape as evidenced by the “nicer tones” of the current campaign commercials and political discourse prevalent today among the candidates, which heretofore has been down right dirty and ugly. This is due to Obama’s position not too take the low road, continuing to walk the high road in spite of earlier low poll numbers –,continuing to stay positive and above the fray, continuing to focus on the important issues facing us today, and continuing to speak about his message of hope and change. — And then they followed.

The change Barack is inspiring us to make is in establishing and building a “People Coalition”, which in turn will be the catalyst for the emerging of a new era in American history, an era of unity and not division Read more

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