By Todd DeFeo
HarpBlaster.com New Wire
ATLANTA – It’s no surprise that travelers are probably going to start packing less when flying, given the airlines’ mediocre approach to handling luggage.
Last November, there were 247,305 reports of lost, damaged, delayed or stolen pieces of luggage. On top of the less-than-impressive baggage-handling record, many airlines have started charging fees […]

PRNewswire
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 14, 2008 — The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flew supersonic for the first time yesterday, achieving another milestone. The aircraft accelerated to Mach 1.05, or about 680 miles per hour.
The test validated the F-35 Lightning II’s capability to operate beyond the speed of sound and was accomplished with a […]

Voice of America
A U.S. newspaper says the nation’s two highest-ranking intelligence officials expect to be replaced when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.
The Washington Post quotes senior intelligence officials as saying Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, and CIA Director Michael Hayden are opposed by a number of influential congressional Democrats.
The Post says […]

By Todd DeFeo
HarpBlaster.com News Wire
While the economy may result in a decline in business travel, leisure travelers could benefit from lower rates and assorted other deals and promotions, according to Zagat’s 2009 U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas survey.
“The travel industry is certainly affected by the economic crisis,” Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey, said in […]

By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2008 – On his last Veterans Day as commander in chief, President Bush paid tribute to all those who have worn the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard during a speech at the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum […]

HarpBlaster.com News Wire
HONOLULU — The Hawaii quarter, the 50th and last coin in the 50 State Quarters Program, was ceremonially launched at Bishop Square in downtown Honolulu today.
Amid a keiki hula performance and Hawaiian music, United States Mint Director Ed Moy bade farewell to the Nation’s most successful coin program in history.
“Long after the last […]

Special to HarpBlaster.com
WASHINGTON – Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) said the missing policy details for President-elect Barack Obama’s agenda “is the opposite of transparency” and the organization has posted the data to its site
“This is the opposite of transparency and we would ask that Obama restore the deleted portion of the site,” said Grover Norquist, […]

HarpBlaster.com News Wire
ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2008 — A Congressman from Georgia is raising a “red” flag about Barack Obama’s plan to create a civilian force to help the military with security on the home front.
“We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set. We’ve got to […]

Voice of America
An American newspaper says the U.S. military has conducted nearly a dozen secret raids against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in Syria, Pakistan and other countries since 2004.
The New York Times cites anonymous U.S. senior officials in its report Monday saying the raids were authorized by a classified order given by then-Defense Secretary […]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2008 – Since Anbar province returned to Iraqi control, Iraqi security forces are taking more responsibility and U.S. Marines in western Iraq are increasingly performing an overwatch role, the deputy commander of Multinational Force West said today.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Martin Post, briefing Pentagon correspondents by satellite […]