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Diecast Vehicles from Fantasticflyers.com

2008-02-21T00:39:00.000-08:00

Take a look at a variety of Diecast Vehicles in fantasticflyers.com.

Their products ranges from Highway 61, Corgi James Bond, Corgi Skirmish Military, Corgi Military, Caterpillar and Hobby Master.

With subject matter ranging from the high-powered Dodge Challenger Concept, to the stylish 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88, Highway 61 Collectibles^TM offers something for the most demanding die-cast collector. Throw in muscle car classics such as Camaro, Cuda and Mustang and you have makings of the most exciting range of die-cast product ever available.

Corgi diecast vehicles feature:

Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Detailed rotating wheels with rubber tires.
Realistic panel lines and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals

The Skirmish range brings together collectable models and figures at 1:50th scale. These limited edition sets are the perfect addition to any collection.

The Corgi "Military Vehicles" range presents higly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles. Corgi diecast vehicles are pre-assembled and painted. Each model is an instant display piece or diorama centerpiece straight from the box. Made from diecast metal, die cast tanks from Corgi are 100% true to scale. Color, camouflage and unit markings are carefully researched for maximum authenticity, marking the difference between and authentic scale model tank and a "toy" tank.

Stock markets recession

2008-01-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

By TOBY ANDERSON

LONDON - Stocks fell sharply worldwide Monday following declines on Wall Street last week amid investor pessimism over the U.S. government's stimulus plan to prevent a recession.

U.S. markets were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the downbeat mood from last week's market declines there circled through Europe, Asia and the Americas. Britain's benchmark FTSE-100 slumped 5.5 percent to 5,578.20, France's CAC-40 Index tumbled 6.8 percent to 4,744.15, and Germany's blue-chip DAX 30 plunged 7.2 percent to 6,790.19.

In Asia, India's benchmark stock index tumbled 7.4 percent, while Hong Kong's blue-chip Hang Seng index plummeted 5.5 percent to 23,818.86, its biggest percentage drop since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

In Canada, the S&P/TSX composite index on the Toronto Stock Exchange fell 4.8 percent. Brazilian stocks plunged 6.6 percent on the main index of Sao Paulo's Bovespa exchange, and Argentina's benchmark Merval index fell 6.3 percent to close under 1,900 for the first time since August 2006.

Investors dumped shares because they were skeptical that an economic stimulus plan President Bush announced Friday would shore up the economy that has been battered by problems in its housing and credit markets. The plan, which requires approval by Congress, calls for about $145 billion worth of tax relief to encourage consumer spending.

"We've taken our lead from the Asian markets who have not been impressed by the U.S. There's debate if there's going to be a recession in the U.S. I don't think there's much chance of that though," said Richard Hunter, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers Ltd. in London.

Concerns about the outlook for the U.S. economy, a major export market for Asian companies, has sent the region's markets sliding in 2008. Just last Wednesday, the Hang Seng index sank 5.4 percent.

"It's another horrible day," said Francis Lun, a general manager at Fulbright Securities in Hong Kong. "Today it's because of disappointment that the U.S. stimulus (package) is too little, too late and investors feel it won't help the economy recover."

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index slid 3.9 percent to close at 13,325.94 points, its lowest close in more than two years. China's Shanghai Composite index plunged 5.1 percent, partly on worries about mainland Chinese banks' exposure to risky U.S. mortgage investments.

"People are certainly nervous about a potential recession in the U.S. spilling over to the rest of the world," said David Cohen, Director of Asian Economic Forecasting at Action Economics in Singapore.

Cohen said there may be "still some wariness" about politicians being able to come up with a compromise and act sufficiently quickly on a stimulus package. "I think the impact would be marginal anyway," he said.

Investors took cues from the negative reaction to the president's plan on Wall Street on Friday, when the Dow Jones industrial average slid 0.5 percent to 12,099.30, bringing its loss for the year so far to nearly 9 percent.

Traders also have shrugged off assurances from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the U.S. central bank is ready to act aggressively — which means a likely big interest rate cut later this month — to help the sagging economy.

Some analysts predict that Asia won't suffer dramatically from a U.S. recession because increased trade and investment within Asia has made the region less reliant on the United States than in the past. Excluding Japan, 43 percent of Asia's exports go to other nations in the region, Lehman Brothers calculates, up from 37 percent in 1995.

But on Monday, uncertainty and pessimism reigned.

In Tokyo trading, exporters got hit hard, partly because of the yen's recent strength against the dollar. Toyota Motor Corp. lost 3.3 percent and Honda Motor Co. sank 3.4 percent.

Shares of Bank of China dropped 6.4 percent in Hong Kong after the South China Morning Post newspaper reported that the bank is expected to announce a "significant write-down" in U.S. subprime mortgage securities, citing unidentified sources. In Shanghai, the bank's stock declined 4.1 percent.

India's benchmark Sensex index fell 1,353 points, or 7.4 percent — its second-biggest percentage drop ever — to 17,605.35 points. At one point, it was down nearly 11 percent.

The decline hit companies across the board, with power utility Reliance Energy Ltd. falling 16.4 percent. Major software company Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. slid 7.6 percent

"A gloomy U.S. climate has affected the global markets. Even if those markets recover, it will take sometime for the recovery to reach India because today's fall has been so drastic," said Jayant Pai, of the Mumbai investment company IL&FS Ltd.

Still, Pai and others suggested that the declines could lead to a buying opportunity.

"The sell-off today takes us close to the bottom," she said.

Since the start of the year, Japan's Nikkei index has declined 13 percent, while Hong Kong's blue-chip index is down more than 14 percent. Even China's Shanghai index — which nearly doubled last year — has fallen 6.6 percent over the same period and nearly 20 percent from its all-time closing high on Oct. 16.

Pavaroti:1935-2007

2007-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

One of the three tenors, Luciano Pavarotti died last September 6, 2007 due to pancreatic cancer.
Born in Modena, Italy, Pavarotti was influenced by his father, who has a great tenor voice too. Together with his father, they sing in local church choirs. He began the serious study of music in 1954 at the age of 19 with Arrigo Pola, a teacher and professional tenor in Modena. Pavarotti married Adua Veroni who is an opera singer.

Pavarotti's first career as a tenor began in a smaller regional Italian opera houses, making his debut as Rodolfo in La bohème at the Teatro Municipale in Reggio Emilia in April 1961. For how many years he has been Rodolfo in opera houses in Italy.

Pavarotti holds two Guinness World Records for receiving the most curtain calls — at 165 — and for the best selling classical album.

On 13 December 2003 he married his former personal assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani.
Pavarotti's remains were honored in Modena Cathedral. The Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival Hall flew black flags in mourning.

Lohan surrendered

2007-07-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2007 Lindsay Lohan, accompanied by her attorney, surrendered at the Beverly Hills Police Department at 4:30 pm.

Lohan was under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and of misdemeanor hit and run. After fingerprinted and photographed, Lohan was released on her own recognizance. A court date was scheduled for August 24.

Lohan and two other adults were in her 2005 Mercedes SL-65 convertible when she lost control and crashed into a curb and shrubs on Sunset Boulevard on May 26, police said.

Last week, Lohan checked out of a rehabilitation center after a stay of more than six weeks. It was her second stint in rehab this year. She said in January she had checked into rehab for substance abuse treatment.

what's that smell?!!??

2007-07-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Does your feet smell?haha:D

We take a bath, clean ourselves, put on colognes or perfumes to look good and smell nice. But did you ever come across a a person who never cleans himself or washes his clothes?

Yesterday, German police were informed by neighbors of an apartment, that they smell something rotten from the house. Police broke in the apartment fearing they would see a dead body since the house has been for more than a week already.

But instead, they saw a man sleeping with his stinky feet beside a foul-smelling pile of unwashed clothes.

Ok, that was really awful. So you better clean-up yourself often or else you'll smell like dead meat!!

Baby Born from Frozen Egg

2007-07-03T00:22:00.000-07:00

Today marks the birth of the first baby born from frozen egg.
The baby created from an egg that had been matured in the laboratory, frozen, thawed and then fertilized, was born in Canada, scientists announced today. Scientists hoped that this will be a viable option for women who became infertile due to certain types of cancer.

McGill Reproductive Center in Montreal, Canada led this study. Three other women are pregnant by the same laboratory technique. All are part of a clinical trial at the McGill Reproductive Center of 20 patients with an average age of 30 who were infertile due to polycystic ovaries.

Oocytes (eggs before they mature) were collected from patients and matured in the the lab before freezing. The eggs remained frozen for no longer than a few months before they were thawed. After that eggs were fertilized with a type of sperm-injection technique. The the embryos were planted back to the patients.

But this process is still being studied by scientists for cancer patients.

Chris Benoit Tragedy

2007-06-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

Are you fond of watching wrestling? If so, then you must know Chris Benoit. He was one of my little brother's favorite.

Last Monday, policemen found Benoit and his family dead and said they were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide and evidences should still be gathered.

Serious text messages were received from Benoit last Sunday Morning, so their friends alerted the police to check on the family. The bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m. and will be autopsied on Tuesday. The house is in a secluded neighborhood set back about 60 yards off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. On Monday night, the house was dark except for a few outside lights. There was a police car in front, along with two uniformed officers.

Benoit is a Canadian professional wrestler who performed for WWE and WCW. He has gained awards and has been a big part of the wretling world.

"WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the organization said in a statement on its Web site.

Spurs sweep Cavaliers

2007-06-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

Last June 14, 2007, Spurs swept the Cavs on an 83-82 Game 4 victory. Once again wearing their crown, San Antonio Spurs got their 4th NBA title since 1999.
Tony parker, who scored 24 points in the game, got the MVP award. Manu Ginobili scored 27 — 13 in the fourth quarter together with Tom Duncan, who was MVP in his first three final, expressed their awe and joy as they clutched their Larry O'Brien trophy.
Coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs, now a perfect 4-for-4 together in finals appearances, spent most of the postseason dismissing talk that they should be considered a dynasty.
The Spurs weren't the Spurs earlier this season, and Popovich, ever the task master, criticized his squad, calling it the worst defensive one he had coached. San Antonio was 33-18 at the time, "struggling" for by its lofty standards, but it wasn't long before they started playing Spurs basketball.

They beat Denver, Phoenix and Utah to win the Western Conference title and then stormed through the Cavs, who were exposed during four games that looked competitive on the scoreboard but were hardly even close.
This wasn't their first NBA title. But for the Spurs, it's maybe the one that means the most.

Movie Awards from MTV

2007-06-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

It was "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" that won the top prizes including Best Movie trophy by beating out favorites like "300" and "Borat." "Best Performance" award, which surprised everyone because Johnny Depp actually showed up to accept it, receiving a standing ovation in celebration of the majesty of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Best Comedic Performance and Best Kiss was awarded to Sacha Baron Cohen 300 went home with Gerard Butler accepting the Best Fight Award and MTV's Spoof Contest was Andy Signore, who entered with "United 300."

Jack Nicholson got the Best Villain award for his role in "The Departed." Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith, both of whom starred in "

The Pursuit of Happyness," got the Best Breakthrough Performance.

The MTV Generation Award was given for lifetime achievement to Mike Myers.

The show was hosted by Sarah Silverman

Best Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Best Performance: Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Best Villain: Jack Nicholson, "The Departed"
Best Comedic Performance: Sacha Baron Cohen, "Borat"
Best Breakthrough Performance: Jaden Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Best Fight: Gerard Butler vs. The Uber-Immortal, "300"
Best Kiss: Will Ferrell & Sacha Baron Cohen, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"
Best Movie Spoof: Andy Signore, "United 300"
Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet: "Transformers"
MTV Generation Award: Mike Myers

Miss Universe 2007

2007-05-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

Last May 28, 2007, the 56th Miss Universe pageant was held at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico. Out of the 77 delegates, Miss Riyo Mori of Japan emerged as the winner. The pageant was hosted by Vanessa Minnillo and Mario Lopez. The top 15 includes Miss Venezuela, Thailand, Denmark, Nicaragua, Angola, Slovenia, USA, Brazil, India, Mexico, Japan, Ukraine, Tanzania, Korea and Czech Republic. Fourth Runner Up goes to USA, third Runner Up is Miss Korea, Second Runner Up for Miss Venezuela and First Runner Up is Miss Brazil. Miss Philippines was Miss Photogenic and Miss China was awarded as Miss Congeniality.

The MISS UNIVERSE® 2007 prize package includes:
Official Miss UNIVERSE Mikimoto pearl tiara;
2 Year Scholarship from The NY Film Academy in NYC;
custom designed wardrobe by Tadashi;
National and International multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear;
Swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand;
Shoe wardrobe from Nina;
A Ritmo Mundo Jumbo Jet Mystery Dial time piece;
Year-long supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems;
Membership to Gravity Fitness and papering at John Barrett Salon;
Fashion Portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha;
Consultation with stylist Billie Causieestko;
New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses;
professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization and Trump Model Management; and a personal appearance wardrobe.

Design by Mikimoto. The official jewelry sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization.
Kept by the Miss Universe Organization to be used in the crowning of the new Miss Universe every year
Valued at $250,000
800 diamonds, almost 18 carats.
120 pearls South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3.0 - 18 mm
Design depicts the phoenix rising, which signifies status, power and beauty
The Crown was designed specifically for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan, Mikimoto crown and tiara first used for Miss Universe 2002

Spam messages on your emails

2007-05-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

Unwanted messages are flooding our mail boxes..but studies shows that Internet users are being used to this and therefore not complaining about spam.
Thirty-seven percent of U.S. e-mail users say they are getting more junk in their personal e-mail accounts, and 29 percent see an increase in their work accounts. About half say they have not noticed a change. Meanwhile, 28 percent of Internet users now say that spam is not a problem at all, up from 16 percent in June 2003.
They said that spam emails have been a part of the online life, so people feel that they should just stop complaining about it and move on, even though they still get annoyed. Most complains were from users who get spam emails with pornography.
Some user have been wise by blocking spam with software filters and using techniques for making their e-mail addresses more difficult for spammers to find.

Blood pressure rising with global temperature

2007-05-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

It was reported that almost 1 billion people have high blood pressure worldwide and this number is still increasing. Heart disease and hypertension has been some of the killers of over millions of people every year. Doctors have been warning us to have a healthy diet and regular exercise to lessen stress. Patients seldom notice symptoms until organs already have been damaged. Normal blood pressure is measured at less than 120 over 80. Anyone can get high blood pressure, a level of 140 over 90 or more. But being overweight and inactive, and eating too much salt, all increase the risk. So does getting older. Be more aware.

Tornado hit Kansas

2007-05-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

A 1.5-mile-wide Category F-5 enhanced tornado, that hit Kansas last Friday night was the most powerful to hit the U.S. in eight years. It has destroyed almost 95% of the town and death toll reached to 10 as of Monday. There was a 20-minute warning so residents still got the time to to take shelter in storm cellars and basements.

read the whole story here.

The "Babel" sickness

2007-05-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

Reports from Tokyo Japan claimed that viewers of the movie "Babel" experienced nausea and headache. Extreme sounds and lighting was said to be the cause of this sickness.

read full story

Spiderman's web reaches blockbuster

2007-05-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

(LOS ANGELES) — "Spider-Man 3" cast a worldwide web with a blockbuster first day, hauling in $29.15 million in 16 overseas markets and beating the debuts of the previous two "Spider-Man" flicks in each locale.

The film had the best opening day ever Tuesday in some countries, including France, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong, distributor Sony Pictures said.

"Spider-Man 3" opens over the next couple of days in dozens of other countries, including the United States on Friday.

"`Spider-Man' is a worldwide franchise, and the thing we're most excited about is that in two pretty completely separate parts of the world we've gotten off to a great start," Jeff Blake, Sony vice chairman, said Wednesday. "We certainly hope for the same in North America."

read the whole story from time

Battered Bush during debate

2007-04-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopefuls flashed their anti-war credentials Thursday night, robustly criticizing President Bush's Iraq policy in an unusually early first debate of the 2008 campaign.

"If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I am president, I will," said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, one of eight contenders on the debate stage.

But Clinton found herself on the receiving end of criticism moments later when former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said she or anyone else who voted to authorize the war should "search their conscience."

Edwards, in the Senate at the time, also cast his vote for the invasion, but he has since apologized for it.

Of eight rivals participating in the debate at South Carolina State University, four voted earlier in the day to support legislation that cleared Congress and requires the beginning of a troop withdrawal by October 1. The legislation sets a goal of a complete withdrawal by April 1, 2008.

"We are one signature away from ending this war," said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois. He said if Bush won't change his mind about vetoing the bill, Democrats need to work on rounding up enough Republican votes to override him.

In addition to Clinton and Obama, Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut also cast votes earlier in the day in favor of the legislation.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also took part in the debate.

Bush is barred by the Constitution from running for re-election next fall, and the result is an extraordinarily early start to the campaign to succeed him.

The debate was 90 minutes long without opening or closing statements from the candidates. Instead, each of the eight fielded questions in turn.

House OKs Iraq troop withdrawal bill

2007-04-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON - A sharply divided House brushed aside a veto threat Wednesday and passed legislation that would order President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq by October 1.

The 218-208 vote came as the top U.S. commander in Iraq told lawmakers the country remained gripped by violence but was showing some signs of improvement.

Passage puts the bill on track to clear Congress by week's end and arrive on the president's desk in coming days as the first binding congressional challenge to Bush's handling of the conflict now in its fifth year.

"Our troops are mired in a civil war with no clear enemy and no clear strategy for success," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Republicans promised to stand squarely behind the president in rejecting what they called a "surrender date" handed to the enemy.

"Al-Qaida will view this as the day the House of Representatives threw in the towel," said Rep. Jerry Lewis of California, ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee.