Tuesday, March 22, 2011

High-Speed Vacations


Image: The Formula Rossa roller coaster at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (© Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

World's Fastest Stuff: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Feel the need for speed? Bing Travel scoured the globe to find the fastest planes, trains, automobiles, park rides and even critters. Discover how to enjoy these speed demons, all guaranteed to get your adrenalin pumping.
The cheetah, the fastest land animal on Earth, can sprint at 70 to 75 mph for up to 1,600 feet and can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in three seconds. Unfortunately, the cheetah is also fast disappearing from the Earth. Fewer than 10,000 adults are estimated to be left in the wild today, according to Panthera, a wild-cat conservation organization. Travelers can still catch a glimpse of wild cheetahs in Namibia, Niger, Botswana, Iran, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Remember These One-Hit Wonders?

 Image: (From left) Taylor Hicks & Jeff Cohen in 'The Goonies' (Photos courtesy of Wonderwall)

Do you recall Taylor Hicks? How about Jeff Cohen? See what pop culture's

4 Alternatives to a Traditional Mortgage

Image: Couple outside house (© Spike Mafford/Getty Images)

4 alternatives to a traditional mortgage

If you want to buy a home but don't qualify for a traditional mortgage, you have other options. Here are a few.

4 alternatives to a traditional mortgage (© Creatas/SuperStock)


Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a repeat buyer or an investor, you might have reasons that you don't want to — or can't — obtain a traditional mortgage. Maybe lenders don't see you as being in ideal financial health because of a foreclosure or bankruptcy in your credit history. Or maybe you have plenty of assets in the bank but can't show sufficient monthly cash flow to convince a lender that you will be able to make the monthly payments. Or perhaps you're a small-business owner with irregular income.

Search: Hair Bands Then & Now

Image: Twisted Sister in 1983 (© Everett Collection) 
                         
                      Hair Metal Bands
                      Hair Metal Bands
 
(Clockwise top, left) Band members of Twisted Sister, Motley Crue, Britny Fox & Poison (Courtesy Everett Collection; Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images; Krasner/Trebitz /Redferns/Getty Image; Lennox McLendon/AP) 

Their mile-high manes helped launch these metal heroes to success in the

US fighter jet crashes during Libya mission

News: US Jet Crashes in Libya, More                                                             




Image: Libyans inspect the wreckage of a US fighter jet Tuesday after it crashed in an open field near Benghazi (© Anja Niedringhaus/AP)


An American fighter jet crashed in Libya's rebel held east, with both crew ejecting safely as the aircraft spun from the sky during the third night of the U.S. and European air campaign.
The crash was the first major loss for U.S. and European forces, which over three nights appear to have hobbled Gadhafi's air defenses and artillery and rescued the rebels from impending defeat.
But the opposition force, with more enthusiasm than discipline, has struggled to exploit the gains.

US fighter jet crashes during Libya mission

News: US Jet Crashes in Libya, More                                                             




Image: Libyans inspect the wreckage of a US fighter jet Tuesday after it crashed in an open field near Benghazi (© Anja Niedringhaus/AP)


An American fighter jet crashed in Libya's rebel held east, with both crew ejecting safely as the aircraft spun from the sky during the third night of the U.S. and European air campaign.
The crash was the first major loss for U.S. and European forces, which over three nights appear to have hobbled Gadhafi's air defenses and artillery and rescued the rebels from impending defeat.
But the opposition force, with more enthusiasm than discipline, has struggled to exploit the gains.

US fighter jet crashes during Libya mission

News: US Jet Crashes in Libya, More                                                             




Image: Libyans inspect the wreckage of a US fighter jet Tuesday after it crashed in an open field near Benghazi (© Anja Niedringhaus/AP)


An American fighter jet crashed in Libya's rebel held east, with both crew ejecting safely as the aircraft spun from the sky during the third night of the U.S. and European air campaign.
The crash was the first major loss for U.S. and European forces, which over three nights appear to have hobbled Gadhafi's air defenses and artillery and rescued the rebels from impending defeat.
But the opposition force, with more enthusiasm than discipline, has struggled to exploit the gains.

LIZ HURLEY AND SHANE WARNE - BACK ON?

It seems Elizabeth Hurley just can't stay away from lothario Shane Warne. Liz was reported to have split with the former Australian cricketer last month after his alleged fling with a 26 year-old porn star, but has since been seduced again.

Liz Hurley and Shane Warne went their separate ways in February, but were spotted dining together last week. Credit: Wire Images

REPORT: CBS AND WARNER BROS. WANT 'WINNING' SHEEN BACK

After weeks of enduring his ranting and raving, after he hit them with a $100 million lawsuit, do CBS and Warner Bros. really want Charlie Sheen back?

Charlie Sheen may return to "Two and a Half Men," despite his actions in the past month. Credit: Getty Images

Perhaps. The internet is currently ablaze with reports that the network and studio have offered Sheen his old job on "Two and a Half Men," the same one from which he was fired earlier this month.
RadarOnline.com reported that CBS president and CEO Les Moonves has been in talks with executives at Warner Bros. and "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre about finding a way to work with the trouble star again. HollywoodLife.com has alleged that Sheen's discussions with rival Fox about a late-night chat show sparked CBS into action, with the network trying to win him back.
Watch: Will CBS take Charlie back?
NBC's Jeff Rossen, who interviewed Charlie for his multi-part NBC special report, is in a Twitter over the potential re-hiring. "Sources close to Charlie Sheen tell NBC News, CBS has offered him his job back. Discussions ongoing. Not a done deal," Rossen tweeted.
Reps for all entities - Charlie Sheen, CBS and Warner Bros. - declined to comment to ABCNews.com when contacted about the matter.
Sources say there's an 80 per cent chance of Charlie Sheen returning to work on "Two and a Half Men." Credit: Getty Images

If the reports turn out to be true, it's a massive about-face for the network and Sheen, who have been warring for the last month.
The popular sitcom, "Two and a Half Men," was put on hiatus in January after Charlie was hospitalised and sent to rehab. Following this, Charlie publicly condemned show-creator Lorre, Warner Bros. and CBS, via a series of TV and radio interviews, alleging they barred his return to work. Charlie then filed a $100 million lawsuit, alleging a conspiracy among Warner Bros. and Lorre to shut down the show.
 
 

News Source: au.Yahoo

 

Russell Crowe splashes $10 million on Sydney house

Hollywood star Russell Crowe has splashed out $10 million on a Sydney house after a four-year search, a report said Tuesday.

  • Russell Crowe's new house. Photo: 7News

The Oscar-winning actor bought a property in prestigious Rose Bay where he will live with wife Danielle Spencer and their two children aged seven and four, the Sydney Morning Herald said.

Lions boss' tact called over Suns taunt

One of Brisbane's favourite sons has questioned Lions' chairman Angus Johnson's decision to taunt the Gold Coast at a function boasting two Suns employees as guests of honour.
Now a Gold Coast assistant coach, Shaun Hart attended last Friday's Lions season launch as a member of the 2001 premiership team being honoured at the club dinner.
Also present was ex-Brisbane team-mate Marcus Ashcroft - the Lions record holder for games played, now the Suns football manager.

43 dead in Pakistan mine blast, no survivors

A Pakistani miner emerges from a tunnel during the ongoing rescue operation at the coal mine in Sorange district of the insurgency-torn province of Baluchistan. All 43 miners in a colliery in southwest Pakistan that was hit by a blast at the weekend have been confirmed dead, officials said Tuesday, as rescuers ended their search operation.AFP

QUETTA, Pakistan (AFP) - All 43 miners in a colliery in southwest Pakistan that was hit by a blast at the weekend have been confirmed dead, officials said Tuesday, as rescuers ended their search operation.
"All 43 bodies have been recovered," Iftikhar Ahmed, provincial chief inspector of mines for the insurgency-torn Baluchistan province, told AFP.
"There are no survivors and the mine is being sealed," Ahmed said.
President of Pakistan Mines Workers Federation Bakht Nawab confirmed the final toll.

Organic food supplier takes on Woolies

An organic food supplier has launched a legal battle against Woolworths over a marketing campaign.AAP

An organic food supplier has launched a legal battle against supermarket giant Woolworths over a phrase used in a marketing campaign starring celebrity cook Margaret Fulton.
The supplier claims Woolworths has infringed on its trademark by using the words "Honest to Goodness" in its latest advertising push, launched two weeks ago with television commercials, recipe cards and a website featuring Ms Fulton.

Ex-Israeli president Katsav sentenced to 7 years


Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, center, arrives at a court...AP











TEL AVIV, Israel – An Israeli court ordered former Israeli President Moshe Katsav to prison for seven years Tuesday following his rape conviction, rejecting his attorneys' request for leniency and making him the highest-ranking Israel official ever sent to jail.
The silver-haired Katsav broke down in tears and screamed at the judges: "You made a mistake! It is a lie! The girls know it is a lie!"

Afghan security transition to start in 7 areas


Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai gives a speech during...Reuters
 










KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan's leader announced on Tuesday seven areas would be included in the first phase of a gradual transition of security from NATO troops to Afghan forces in July, including volatile cities in the south and north.
The announcement was the first tentative step in a long process that will end with the withdrawal of all foreign combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014, a process agreed by U.S. and NATO leaders last year.
"Transition is the right of the Afghan people and, therefore, we should stand on this right and we want this transition to happen," Afghan President Hamid Karzai told a graduation ceremony for Afghan military officers on a base at Kabul airport.

Official death toll from Japan quake & tsunami tops 9,000: Kyodo

TOKYO (Reuters) - The official death toll from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan earlier in the month has now exceeded 9,000, Kyodo news agency quoted the national police as saying on Tuesday.

Knut's mysterious death strikes a chord

Knut's first presentation at the Berlin zoo in 2007 (Tobias Schwarz/Reuters) 

Mourners flock to the Berlin zoo as questions surface about the polar bear's sudden end.



World mourns loveable polar bear Knut



The only polar bear to ever be raised entirely by humans—and to have his own Vanity Fair cover photo shoot—died suddenly on Saturday in front of hundreds of his many fans. Knut was only four years old when he collapsed, leaving grieving admirers all over the world to cope with his early death.

Odd-looking BMW seen on test track

A BMW M3 with a pickup bed at a test track in Germany. (KGP Photography)

A pricey M3 is photographed with its back cut and replaced by a pickup bed. 


BMW M3 pickup
Spied: A highly modified BMW M3 has been caught testing at the Nurburgring.
A BMW M3 pickup has been spotted doing hot laps at the world famous Nurburgring racetrack. Yes, this is the same V-8-powered BMW M3 that is renowned as one of the world's hottest, sportiest and all around lust-worthy German sports machines. And no, this isn't an early April Fools joke -- although we're still kind of hoping it is.

BMW M3 pickup
BMW M3 crossbreeds with Chevy El Camino?
Our spy photographers have provided the indisputable proof that someone at BMW has gone seriously crazy, by chopping off the back of a lovely M3 and slapping on a pickup bed behind
the passenger compartment. From the B-pillars

forward, this prototype is all ground-hugging BMW M3. Yet at the rear, this car has more in common with a Chevy El Camino or a Ford Ranchero.

This BMW M3 pickup was one of many official M3 cars being tested at the 'Ring, according to our sources. Racing stripes done up in camouflage hinted at this being a factory-endorsed prototype, rather than the handiwork of some wacky private owner. But the hacked-off B-pillar and crude rear window made it unlikely this car/truck stands a serious shot at production.

A BMW spokesperson has now confirmed to Road & Track that the M3 Pickup spotted in Germany is simply a one-off test mule. "BMW M did indeed create the pickup seen on the 'Ring, but it was just an internal project, not something that is in development," said Dave Buchko, BMW Advanced Powertrain & Heritage Communications Manager. "There are no plans to produce it."

Tennis pro claims higher IQ than Einstein

Marion Bartoli of France. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Marion Bartoli of France says her IQ is higher than one of the greatest thinkers in history.


French tennis star Marion Bartoli says she has an IQ of 175




Albert Einstein's IQ was reportedly around 160. Marion Bartoli laughs at such feeble-mindedness.
The top-ranked French player recently told reporters from her home country that she had an IQ of 175*, a score that's 40 points higher than the MENSA cut-off and better than some of the greatest thinkers in history, like Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Thomas Edison.

She was asked about the comments by reporters following a semifinal win at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

U.S. action in Libya raises big questions

After an air strike by coalition forces, a rebel fighter looks at a burning vehicle belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi. (Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Obama insists the U.S. military role will be complete "in days," but a major problem still lingers.



International alliance divided over Libya command


President Barack Obama, speaking in Santiago, Chile on Monday, defended his decision to order U.S. strikes against Libyan military targets, and insisted that the mission is clear.
And like a parade of Pentagon officials the past few days, Obama insisted that the United States' lead military role will be turned over—"in days, not weeks"—to an international command of which the United States will be just one part.