Two strange incidents involving Qantas Airlines jets have us wondering about the safety of their planes.

First up, a giant hole is torn into the belly of one of their 747s last Friday, forcing an emergency landing in Manila.

Qantas boss Geoff Dixon says jet explosion 'out of our control':

Cirrus will release a new personal jet in 2001, according to this story from the UK Independent:

If your idea of roughing it is flying commercial carrier or staying in a hotel with less than four stars -- or if you're a devout fan of access to indoor plumbing -- the "Not Camping" luggage tag from ModCloth is for you.

source: AP

An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when parliament meets Sunday. The end of Castro's rule - the longest in the world for a head of government - frees his 76-year-old brother Raul to implement reforms he has hinted at since taking over as acting president when Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006.

By sunrise, most people headed to work in Havana seemed to have heard the news, which they appeared to accept without obvious signs of emotion. There were no tears or smiles as Cubans went about their usual business. "He will continue to be my commander in chief, he will continue to be my president," said Miriam, a 50-year-old boat worker waiting for the bus to Havana port. "But I'm not sad because he isn't leaving, and after 49 years he is finally resting a bit."

The resignation opens the path for Raul Castro's succession to the presidency, and the full autonomy he has lacked in leading a caretaker government. The younger Castro has raised expectations among Cubans for modest economic and other reforms, stating last year that the country requires unspecified "structural changes" and acknowledging that government wages that average about $19 a month do not satisfy basic needs.

Dear Raul: Please take the hint and drop this communism business, so I can finally go to Havana and enjoy your fine cigars. Thank you.

This youtube video is making the rounds in Venezuela:

Reuters Story:

A video of a Gucci- and Louis Vuitton-clad politician attacking capitalism then struggling to explain how his luxurious clothes square with his socialist beliefs has become an instant YouTube hit in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Pedro Carreno was momentarily at a loss for words when a journalist interrupted his speech and asked if it was not contradictory to criticize capitalism while wearing Gucci shoes and a tie made by Parisian luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton.

"I don't, uh ... I ... of course," stammered Carreno on Tuesday before regaining his composure. "It's not contradictory because I would like Venezuela to produce all this so I could buy stuff produced here instead of 95 percent of what we consume being imported."

Riding a boom in oil prices, middle-class and wealthy Venezuelans are on a spending spree, guzzling fine whiskies and snapping up luxury cars. Poorer Venezuelans also have benefited, with subsidies driving a spike in demand for basic products.

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Maybe you saw CNBC broadcasting live from the Naples Ritz-Carlton earlier this week, from the meeting of The Business Council. Naples' NBC affiliate, NBC-2 News, reports on private jet traffic-jams (Miami suffered a similar affliction after the Super Bowl):

A group of some of the business world's most influential multi-millionaires is causing an air traffic jam at the Naples Airport.

Foster says it will be crowded, but she still expects everything to operate smoothly and safely.

July 29-August 4, 2007, Cannonball Run is coming back to the US. It's quite possibly more coast-to-coast craziness than your average person can handle, but if you're looking for an excuse to press the pedal to the metal in that two-seater you picked up with your bonus money this year, this might be it. Drive, party, drive, party, sneak in a little sleep here and there and see how quickly you can traverse 3000 miles.

From their website:

SO WHAT IS THE GREAT AMERICAN RUN?

Outrageous driving machines, the very best roads and an ‘up for it’ crowd – it will be the ‘time of your life’ and you have been warned.

Visit: http://www.thegreatamericanrun.com/

And yes, it only costs $10,000.

Moscow Times reported today on bodyguards in Russia, and more specifically on hiring hot female bodyguards in Russia. The article starts:Olga Korolyova is a diminutive 1.64 meters tall. She has shiny blond hair. If you get too close when she's at work, she'll immobilize you with two blows. "I like to defend the weak," the bodyguard said at a recent training class. As another participant lunged at her with a plastic knife, Korolyova cracked the assailant's arm and slammed her to the floor. Retreating, knife in hand, Korolyova triumphantly fired a fake gun at her attacker.

This has long been a highly-regarded profession in Russia. From the Moscow Times in 2005:

Now in their second year, the security awards are known as the ZUBR (for za ukrepleniye bezopasnosti Rossii, or for the strengthening of the security of Russia) and are billed rather grandly as one of the new "civil society initiatives used to cooperate with the government in the fight against new threats." The word zubr means bison, so all the award winners went home with a large metal bison.

More and more executives in Russia are starting to hire protection, which can cost $1500/week and up. And more and more women are starting to enroll in bodyguard school, not surprising when you consider that in Soviet day, supposedly no man would sleep with a woman who couldn't disassemble an AK-47 in under a minute. It's a wild world over there, and if you're in the business of oil or arbitrage, why not hire someone who can protect you and look good while doing it?

Irish golf vacations combine a golfing experience in two countries: Eire, or the Irish Republic, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. However, you would not notice by the welcome you will receive in each part of the island. The Emerald Isle is well named after its lush greenery, and the golf courses in Ireland make full use of that.

In fact, many of the Irish golf courses are links courses, such as Royal Portrush, used for the Senior British Open, and Ballybunion, a links course in County Kerry that is situated in a small seaside town. Ballybunion is rated among the top ten golf courses in the world, and is a typical links course, built among sand dunes on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Tom Watson loves it.

Too Many Irish Golf Courses to Name

There is little point in naming the famous Irish golf courses since it would take more room that is available here, so let's just assume that all the courses you play on your Irish golfing vacation will be good ones. What you need to know now is what else Ireland has to offer.

Well, there is the Irish whiskey, the Irish stout such as Murphy's or Guinness, and the Irish welcome. There are leprechauns, the Blarney Stone and the fantastic Dublin Bay prawns. There is everything for every member of the family, from the bright lights of Dublin, Galway and Cork to the seaside resorts and funfairs than dot the coastline of Ireland from Dublin, and right round back to Dublin again.

Whatever golfing vacation package you choose, you will find plenty for the family to do. There are walks, water sports, fishing of all kinds, both inland and sea fishing...try the shark fishing if you have the guts for it...and also the people. Only in Ireland will find grocery stores with a small bar round the back, where you are offered a drink while you wait until the official opening time!

Enjoy the Vacation but Don't Forget the Golf

Many people end up forgetting the golf and just enjoying the vacation. It's that kind of place. If, however, you are a serious golf player, then you will not be short of golf courses or people to play against. The golf schools are excellent, with a wealth of experience in teaching the game. After all, this is the home of Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, and if you are wondering who they are, ask the American Ryder Cup team!

There is a lot to do during Irish golf vacations, and lots of people willing to teach you how to do it properly. When it comes to golf and entertainment the Irish excel, and you will enjoy an experience that you will always remember. Great golf and a great time for everybody!

- Mike Pedersen

We have always known that investing in bricks and mortar is normally the most lucrative and wisest investment you could ever make. However, with the continuing price rises in the UK many are looking abroad to buy an investment home and future nest egg. Spain has always been first choice for many, with year round sunshine and relatively cheap cost of living. Nevertheless, what do we buy and how? Tony Roberts reveals the secrets to buying property here and offer his ten top tips on making the right investment.

When we bought our first property in the Costa del Almeria, we broke every rule and guideline. We bought impulsively whilst on holiday, having done no research whatsoever. We dealt with an estate agent who we later discovered had a rather colourful history, we bought off-plan without ever visiting the site, we did not use a lawyer and so the list went on. It was very exciting and we were incredibly lucky. However, do not push your luck follow these guidelines. Get it right and you will have a wonderful asset that will give you and your family enormous enjoyment over the years as well as creating greater wealth.

1. Get the help of an Estate Agent
Your first step should be shop for a good estate agent, not shop for a property. Estate agents are necessary in the UK and in most other countries; you cannot afford to be without one. Get yourself a good one, look at the websites; a good one will seem genuinely concerned about informing homebuyers, check out the testimonials. A reputable agent will help you to find the right property and take the headache out of property searches especially if you do not speak the language. However, a warning, think hard before going it alone without the help of an estate agent. In reality, buying privately will mean months of chasing people and worrying that you have not done everything you should. However, if you do buy privately, then be very careful.

2. Nothing beats good legal advice
As with using an estate agent to look for the right property, make sure you have the right lawyer when making your final purchase. A good agent will recommend a local lawyer who speaks English, who knows the area and all its regulations. It is amazing how many people are willing to buy something abroad without the use of a reputable lawyer. It is something they would never dream of doing in the UK.

3. Location, Location, Location
Remember the words of hotelier Conrad Hilton who, when asked what were the three keys to success, famously replied, Location, location, location. Fifty years later not only is it still true for the hotel business, but also for buying a home with resale value.

As in the UK, where you buy counts just as much as what you buy. Narrow your location choices to just a few places and think of resale value when considering a property, and will it make a good rental? Make sure necessary shops and services are located nearby and try to make sure surrounding properties are of a similar standard and size. In addition, try to get something located near the town. Remember, buying the least expensive home in the best location is better than buying a beautiful home in an undesirable location.

4. Do your homework
Buying property abroad is an exciting experience; however, one of the biggest mistakes investors make when it comes to buying property in a foreign country is failing to do their homework. You cannot do too much research into an area. Spain is a big place so first settle on a region. If it is unknown to you, try to visit the area as many times as possible so you can glean more than just one impression. Looking for property online and in newspapers and magazines should always be part of your strategy as it vastly increases your chances of finding what you want. If you are looking for property online, begin by making your initial searches as broad as possible. You can always narrow your searches later. Careful local research before you commit to buying can save much heartache later.

5 Stay Focused and do not be hasty
Stay within your budget and keep focused on what you originally had in mind, it is all too easy to be tempted to buy something that is not what you really want. While you want to cast your net as wide as possible so that you do not miss your dream home, you do not want to be wasting time viewing property that is wholly inappropriate or completely unaffordable.

Therefore, you should draw up a realistic and accurate wish list. However, you must go looking for your home with an open mind. You will soon realise that it is virtually impossible to find exactly what you want, so you may need to compromise on some issues, you prioritise your requirements.

6. Know why you are buying
Make sure you know why you are buying and what it is that you are seeking to achieve with your purchase. Is it a holiday home, a residential home or an investment. Are you looking for short-term gain or regular long-term income?
If buying for investment, it is vitally important that you understand the risk factor and you are comfortable with it.

7. The bigger house is not always the better.
In any residential development, houses vary in size but if you are looking for maximum resale value do not always choose the largest house on the block. When determining market value, the homes nearest to yours are most important. If most of the nearby homes are smaller than yours then they can act as a drag on appreciation. On the other hand, if you buy a small or medium house in the development, the larger homes can pull yours up in value

Do not assume that the more bedrooms you have the better the property is. Two and three bedroom properties have the quickest sell-on value and you should try to stick with this when buying. Two bathrooms are necessary and as most will tell you, a large kitchen is the heart of the home.

8. Money, money, money
The simplest fact is can you afford it? Stay within your budget, consider what you are buying, and allow for extras. The cost of buying a property in Spain is much higher than in the UK, (VAT, lawyer's fees, and taxes), so you must budget accordingly. Consider the pros and cons of buying abroad and always factor in costs including existing commitments and future expenses.

Buying a home is a rewarding experience but remember to invest in the location of your home first. Research is key in buying abroad and you have to have patience and time when making such a huge investment. If you remember that location is the primary factor in property, your money will continue to grow through the years and earn you your share in the property world.

9. Check the transport links.
Make sure there is a choice of budget airlines, and if possible more than one airport. Check out the road infrastructure. People who rent property will want somewhere that is easy to get to and will often be attracted to those places with a nearby airport served by low cost airlines. Budget airlines have opened up huge areas of Europe, but do not assume they will always be there. What would happen should the airline close down the route?

10, Check the taxation and inheritance laws
Make sure you understand the tax implications involved should you decide to sell. In addition, if you want control over how the property is dealt with on your death and avoid any restrictive rules, then check out the inheritance laws, it is likely that you may need two wills one for any assets in Britain and one covering your property and savings in Spain.

- Tony Roberts