Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Dubai World in Debt Talks on $26 Billion, Rest Stable

Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Dubai World began talks with banks to restructure $26 billion of debt, including $3.5 billion owed by property unit Nakheel, and said the remainder of its liabilities are on “a stable financial footing.”

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Brewery launches Tactical Nuclear Penguin: ‘World’s Strongest’ Beer

A Scottish brewery, with a history of controversy, claims to have made the world’s strongest beer!

The drink, named “Tactical Nuclear Penguin” is so strong that it should be served in small measures usually reserved for spirits.

Its maker, BrewDog brewers of Fraserburgh described the 32 per cent proof tipple (or 64 proof) as its “most audacious and ambitious project to date”.

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10,000 new pub jobs at JD Wetherspoon

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon plans to create 10,000 jobs over the next five years with the opening of 250 new pubs.

It is to invest £250m on the new outlets over the five year period. The company currently operates 743 pubs across the UK.

The new pubs will be located across the UK, including Sheffield, Livingston, Leominster, Otley, New Malden, Liverpool, Haverfordwest and Newcastle.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: “We only have 743 pubs compared to, say, Mitchells & Butlers which has 2,000.

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S. Fla. hotel rates tumble again

Continuing a trend, hotel rates fell again for the week ended Nov. 21, according to data from Smith Travel Research.

Average daily room rates in Broward County fell to $95.34 from $111.72 at the same time last year. Miami-Dade rates fell to $129.17 from $143.64. Rates in Palm Beach County fell to $108.27 from $118.25

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World's Top 20 Business Hotels

Hotels that combine service, technology and comfort have topped a list of the world's best business hotels with the winners offering their guests those added extras that can make all the difference to a trip.

Readers of travel magazine Travel + Leisure ranked hotels on a list of services and amenities to come up with their 20 top business hotels, part of the publication's annual World's Best survey.

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City to delay ban on coffee cups

The city of Toronto is expected to vote today to delay its controversial ban on disposable coffee cups, deciding to take a back seat as the McGuinty government prepares to enact province-wide regulations on the recycling program.

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Fontainebleau Las Vegas retailers part of auction

The auction for the resort and retail portions of Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be consolidated, but not the bankruptcies.

Attorney Scott Baena, who is representing the entities developing the more than $2 billion Fontainebleau Las Vegas, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last week on behalf of the three retail subsidiaries. The request was submitted as part of Carl Icahn’s $156 million stalking-horse bid for the entire project, which was under construction, but has stalled

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China Looks To Accelerate Development Of Tourism Industry

The recent Chinese State Council Executive Meeting approved in principle the proposal "View on Accelerating Development of Tourism Industry", encouraging social capital and enterprises of all ownerships to enter the tourism industry.
Tourism has both economic and social functions with low energy consumption, a high influence coefficient, more employment opportunities, and better comprehensive benefits. Despite the rapid development in recent years, the tourism industry still faces problems of extensive growth mode, underdeveloped infrastructure, and low service quality

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Dubai: Casino Fallout

Investors are closely watching MGM [MGM 10.57 0.01 (+0.09%) ] amid concerns that a possible debt default at Dubai World could derail the casino trade.

"Dubai is a large holder in MGM shares," explains Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Robert LaFleur. "If they're in a position where they're seeking liquidity, you have to wonder whether they'll look to those shares as a source of potential liquidity."

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Harrah's steps closer to hotel deal

Harrah's Entertainment has taken another step forward in its plan to buy Planet Hollywood Resort, a plan the resort's current owner called a "perfect marriage."

The gaming giant has filed applications with Nevada gaming regulators seeking approval to acquire the niche property, the state Gaming Control Board confirmed Monday.

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Las Vegas bets big on $8.5 billion CityCenter project

LAS VEGAS — Sin City is pinning its biggest bet ever — $8.5 billion — on a 67-acre, six-tower complex of striking hotels, gourmet restaurants, swank shops and a single casino that starts opening today in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

Many watching the high-stakes roll of the dice shudder at the thought that nearly 5,900 rooms in three hotels will be awaiting guests when CityCenter's crown jewel — the 4,004-room Aria Resort & Casino — opens Dec. 16.

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Dubai Woes Reach Shanghai Hotel

HONG KONG -- A blueprint to build a Dubai-style seven-star hotel in Shanghai was expected to be a magnet that would draw big-spending tourists. But when the miracle of the Dubai boomtimes disappeared like a mirage, the so did the opening date of the ultra-luxurious Shanghai hotel.

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