The Worlds Most Expensive Holiday
August 8, 2008
Abu Dhabi is now offering the World’s most expensive holiday at an astounding one million dollars! The hotel cost three billion dollars to build and is the most expensive ever. The package includes accommodation for two people, for seven days on an all inclusive basis, daily spa treatments, with an unlimited chauffer service and first class return trip to any international destination.
Though there are some added extras such as tailor made trips; like a day in Iran or Bahrain… is this really worth while?!
Ms Abrahams the marketing manager has said:
“The package seeks to give celebrities, luminaries and well-known businessmen the lifetime chance to stay in the unique iconic Emirates Palace, experience seven days of wonder and at the same time the opportunity to effectively promote their business message”.
It does seem however that you could get an awful lot more for your one million dollars should you arrange something else!
Manchester Super Casino Plan Axed
August 7, 2008
The Culture Secretary has said that there was “no consensus” that a super casino was needed to boost the Manchester economy. Andy Burnham went on to say that he worries that gambling would become a problem. It has also been put forward by the government that setting up new theatres, museums, sports centres or shopping centres may be a better course of action. 
It was Gordon Brown that promised a policy review on the subject and I think it is not a big surprise that the plan was stopped. Though, the Manchester city council have said that they intend to appeal against the decision.
The plan initially was to open a super casino with 5,000 meters square for customers to use. The casino would also have 1,250 unlimited jackpot machines. It was also expected that the introduction would then prompt other businesses to thrive such as, restaurants, bars, conference facilities, hotels and live entertainment. Apparently Las Vegas has 30 casino’s that are classed as ‘super’ and the proposed one in Manchester was to be the UK’s first. 
The main aim of the project was to encourage regeneration of the area the super casino was to located in. As a non-gambler I think that it is probably for the best that the plans have not gone ahead. The council will have to go back to the drawing board and find a more ethical way of encouraging growth within our economy.
No More East End for Wellard
August 6, 2008
Next Friday one of television’s most famous dogs is set to die. The dog Wellard, who has been on the show for the last 14 years, has been played by three different canine actors since the debut in 1994.
Robbie Jackson (AKA Dean Gaffney) initially found the pooch walking the streets, Wellard stayed with the Jacksons and Robbie until his departure, when Gus then took her in.
Sorry to ruin the dramatic saga for you but on Friday Bianca is to find Wellard on the floor unconscious in their house and is forced to take Wellard to the vets. The vet is to inform Bianca that the dog is on its last legs and needs to be put down.
It does seem apt that Wellard should spend her last moments with the Jackson family one again. There have been some high profile and dramatic story lines this year in Eastenders, but I think you’ll agree that this is one not to miss?!?!?!
China and the Olympics?!
August 5, 2008
Can anybody help me answer the question as to how and why the Olympic committee came to the decision that it would be a good idea for Beijing to host the Olympics this year?
Not only do they have an awful smog problem (rumour has it they doctored photographs to make the problem seem smaller than it is) but their communist government rule with an iron fist and appear to be doing nothing about their appalling poverty and human rights problem. To add to this people have been forcibly moved out of the areas that the Olympic stadium has been built and I doubt that they were rehoused in new luxury homes!
Now just days before the Games are due to open there has been a terriost attack in the region of Xinjiang.
Fair enough the area is quite a long way from Beijing but it makes you wonder, with all the riots and protests that have been occurring why have the Olympic organisers rewarded the Chinese with the prestige of holding the Games? It was a mere promise that they would start to address the issues of poverty and the communist government that seems not to be apposed by anyone. This seems ludicrous to me!
But i’ll just get down off my high horse for a minute and give you something to contemplate…..what will the reporters make of London and Britain when they all roll up in 2012?!
Windfall Tax Considered by Government
August 1, 2008
In the news today it said that the government is considering implementing windfall tax. This comes after record increases in the cost of fuel. The revenue generated would be used to aid poorer families that are struggling to pay fuel bills.
The main energy companies targeted are BP, Shell and British Gas who have announced recently multi million pound profits. Richard Lambert of the CBI has said however that this could be bad for consumers. So, it rests on Alistair Darlings’ shoulders to weight up whether this will be positive for our flailing economy.
The problem is that the government does not want to discourage investment into our economy. Business Secretary John Hutton has said:
“We’ve got to have a fiscal and a regulatory climate that encourages all of that investment because, quite simply, it will go elsewhere if there’s not confidence in the UK market. But the chancellor has to make these calls - very difficult calls - and he has my full support in looking at all of these issues.”
Though ministers have to look at the full picture, it is difficult for consumers to feel anything but resent against these Global Conglomerates. From April to June, Shell announced a £4 billion profit, this is up by 4.6 percent on the same time last year. Centrica, the parent company for British Gas made over £900 million in the first half of the year.
Looking at the figures there was a 20 percent fall, but then the day after British Gas customers were given a 35 percent price increase. I could go on with figures from BP, but I think you get the idea…
Something must be done to prevent energy poverty, especially for when the winter kicks in. It is now in our government’s hands to decide what course of action to take and whether the windfall tax will be the best plan.