The $850 Million Soccer Game

10 Feb

On Feb. 12, Manchester United and Manchester City will square off in what’s being called the “Manchester Derby.”  That game will be the most expensive sporting event, ever played, of any sport, anywhere on Earth. According to The Wall Street Journal the two teams will have spent $850 million to assemble their rosters.

Who knew American sports were such a bargain? When the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees battle for baseball supremacy, their rosters have only totaled $380 million. The Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys have showcased $350 million in player investments.

The record won’t last long. By the time the season ends, the Manchester match will have fallen to forth place. Hope it’s a good game!

Manchester United and Manchester City Soccer Teams.photo c/o WSJ

 

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World’s Most Polite Robbery

9 Feb

A 65-year-old man walked into a South Seattle shell station, made a purchase, then asked the cashier to do him a favor. He said, “Could you empty that till for me please … I’m robbing you sir,” as he pulled out a gun. As he apologized profusely, he also demanded the man empty the register. He apologized, saying that he needed the money for his children and to pay off his rent. After the cashier gave him $300, the man vowed to repay the money if he could. Shortly after, the police arrested the man. The gas station owner released the video of the incident.

Though impossible to condone his behavior, the robber could have gained a little sympathy, had some new facts not come to light. Turns out that he had been convicted of arm robbery once before.

Diet Pepsi Unveils New, Sassy Can Design

8 Feb

According to a company press release, Diet Pepsi created a new design for its can “in celebration of beautiful, confident women.” A marketing executive called the new product “slim and attractive.” Pepsi will officially unveil the new design this Friday at Fashion Week in New York City. If the new can isn’t your thing, no worries. Though the new can will arrive in stores in March, the old style will remain as well.

New Diet Pepsi "Slim" can design

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Wine Fraud Victimizing Investors

8 Feb

With investments in the wine industry at an all-time high from the Far East and 2009’s crop considered the best in a generation, many investors believe now is the perfect time to invest in wines. However, the BBC details a new, but potentially costly, risk of an investment: a group of companies that have defrauded wine investors of nearly 30 million pounds.

In the piece, the BBC speaks with Jim Budd, an investigative journalist who specializes in wine fraud. He claims that there are over 60 companies in the UK that he would never purchase any wine from. One investor said that he lost 50.000 pounds that he couldn’t afford to lose.

Let the buyer beware!

More than £30 million in wine fraud may occur annually

Unexploded WWII Bomb Forces 6,000 Evacuations in Paris

8 Feb

More than 6,000 Parisians were forced from their homes this weekend after builders found an unexploded WWII Royal Air Force bomb on the grounds of French carmaker Renault.

The 1000 pound device was located in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the outskirts of the city. Experts believe it fell 69 years ago during a bombing run that sought to avoid civilian casualties. More than 400 policemen evacuated anyone whose home lay within 400 meters of the bomb, because it was considered “live and dangerous.”

In typical French fashion, though, the builders actually first discovered the bomb in January, but couldn’t diffuse it until this past weekend.

“The bomb was originally found by builders carrying out work in late January, but experts have only been able to start diffusing it today. The area is now completely safe,” a spokesman for the mayor’s office in Boulogne told The Telegraph.

Technicians diffuse WWII bomb found in Paris

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