Airbus Talks Mile-High Casinos

Airbus faces series of setbacks at Paris Air Show

(NEWSER) - The world’s biggest air show begins today, but Airbus won't be showing off the gem of its fleet—the superjumbo A380 has been grounded after it collided with a taxiway building, damaging its wingtip. It’s just one of several Paris Air Show embarrassments for the Boeing rival, the AP reports: Airbus also canceled the demo of its A400M military transport plane due to a gearbox issue, and the company on Saturday announced that two versions of its A350 jet would be delayed two years. More»

Vegas prepares for 'cutter' scam

(NEWSER) - Las Vegas casinos are readying their defenses against a group of baccarat cheaters, the Las Vegas Sun reports. The group, known as "cutters" and described by police as "extremely well-organized," are thought to have stolen tens of millions from casinos worldwide. They take advantage of the baccarat custom in which the dealer allows a player to cut the deck after shuffling. Using a tiny camera embedded in a sleeve or cufflink, the "cutter" spreads the cards slightly, videotaping their suit, value, and order. More»

Airlines ordered to repair anti-hijack doors

(NEWSER) - Doors designed to keep intruders out of aircraft cockpits may be faulty on at least 1,600 commercial jets, according to aviation industry insiders. Authorities in the US and elsewhere have ordered repairs be made to hundreds of Boeing 747s and Airbus A320s in the coming months, sources tell the Wall Street Journal. More»

Tunnel dwellers trade danger of drowning for a little comfort

(NEWSER) - Flood tunnels beneath the casinos of Las Vegas seem an unlikely place to call home. But that’s exactly what they are to an estimated 700, including some who’ve built surprisingly elaborate makeshift dwellings in the 350-plus miles under the city. The Sun describes the “home” of couple Steven and Kathryn, who have a double bed, bookshelves and even a shower—made from a drinking-water dispenser. More»

(NEWSER) - The many states hoping gambling will revive their troubled budgets are in for an unpleasant surprise, writes Nate Silver for Esquire. Gambling is supposed to be recession-proof, but that hasn’t been the case this time. "The year 2008 was the first time in history that total casino gaming revenues declined throughout the United States," writes Silver, of FiveThirtyEight.com fame. In Las Vegas, they were down a whopping 12%, and they’ve fallen another 15% this year. More»