Hayley Burns (international)( week of: 25-29 February 2008)

International

Lucky U.K. Gambler Turns $1 Bet into $2 Million Win

Summary:
LONDON — A lucky gambler has made 1 million pounds (about $1.97 million) from 50 pence — or 98 U.S. cent — bet, British bookmaker William Hill said Saturday. The man, who William Hill has not identified, correctly guessed the outcome of eight horse races Friday, beating odds of 2 million-to-one. He walked into a William Hill branch in the north England town of Thirsk and placed wagers on eight horses in eight different contests in a so-called "accumulator bet," the company said. His first win came when a horse called "Isn't That Lucky" won the 2:55 p.m. race at the Sandown track, southwest of London. By the time "A Dream Come True" crossed the finish line at the Wolverhampton racecourse in central England later that evening, the man had won 1 million pounds, or nearly $2 million. William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe says the man was oblivious to his win when he came to a different William Hill branch Saturday to place more 50 pence bets. Sharpe said the man had not won any of Saturday's wagers, losing 2.50 pounds — just less that $5. "If he does it another 400,000 times we'll have it all back," Sharpe said. William Hill PLC, one of the biggest players in Britain's gambling industry, operates more than 2,000 betting shops across the country.

Opinion:
So I don’t think that gambling is a good way to spend your money, but this guy did it right. I also think that is very awesome he had no idea about his bet winnings, so nonchalant. Part of me thinks that he cheated, but I’m sure the corporation is investigating any possibility of that.


Queen Elizabeth II Apologizes to Child Bitten by Swan

Summary:
LONDON — Elishia Stevenson wanted an apology when a swan bit her. So she wrote to Queen Elizabeth II. The 6-year-old girl from Cornwall, southwest England, wrote to Buckingham Palace because her mother told her the queen owns all the swans in Britain. She decorated her letter with flowers and a picture of a swan with a sad face. A lady-in-waiting responded, saying the queen was "sorry to hear about the swan." Though the queen doesn't own every swan in Britain, she does own certain mute swans in the Thames. This tradition goes back to the 12th century, when roast swan was considered a delicious dish, and continues today with the annual "Swan Upping," a census of swans on the Thames. David Pogson, a Buckingham Palace spokesman, said the idea the queen owns all the swans is a myth.

Opinion:
Ha-ha, I think this is very funny. The mom said something so outrageous but the little girl took it so seriously. Classic 6 year-old. Parents do this all the time, they just say something to their children to stop thinking about a particular problem, I think this always just causes more problems, and questions. Parents should just tell their kids the truth the first time; they are going to find out anyways… with caution and common sense of course.