Back in 2003, Dubai announced it was commencing construction of a multibillion-dollar project named “The World”. This man-made archipelago was supposed to consist of islands imitating different countries and containing luxurious tourist resorts and private homes.but today, 17 years later, the project remains incomplete begging the questions, What went wrong? Why? And will they ever finish it? In early 2000, Dubai was booming. Real estate prices were sky high and demand for ocean properties massive. Real estate developer NAKHEEL came up with various projects including 3 different palm tree islands, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira, and Palm Jebel Ali and of course “The World”. In addition, there were future plans to add “The Universe” which would include the sun, the moon, other planets, the milky way, and a distant galaxy. There were also plans to build “The Dubai Waterfront” a massive island complex designed to protect Palm Jebel Ali from erosion. So with such a bright future ahead why did everything just stop? Well, Dubai’s economy relies heavily on crude oil, while the 2008 world financial crisis didn’t affect them directly, it did affect them indirectly. Oil prices plummeted, as did real estate demand and construction companies started going bust. John O’Dolan who bought the island of Ireland for 25 million pounds committed suicide, Safi Qurashi who bought Britain was sent to prison for bouncing checks and in 2009 NAKHEEL had to be bailed out of a $25 billion debt. The Palm Jebel Ali project came to a standstill and in 2011 NAKHEEL offered investors refunds. The Dubai Waterfront project has also been discontinued and Palm Deira has been downsized and rebranded Deira Islands. The world has larger problems, with investors having pulled out and the man-made islands eroding back into the sea. People are worried about how rising sea levels will affect it and also how the dredging and disruption of the sea bed may affect the ecosystem. Existing residents of Palm Jumeirah have begun complaining about water quality as the breakwater barrier not only stops erosion but also stops the natural tidal movement, causing the water inside Palm Jumeirah to become stagnant. All these problems have caused a lack of faith in the feasibility of the project. In 2014 an Australian real estate developer announced “The European Islands” project to be opened in 2020. Although covid19 has delayed this, phase 1 is still planned to open in 2020 and will consist of Sweden beach palaces, Germany villas, Honeymoon island, Portofino hotel, and Côte d’Azur resort. Whether this is the spark to relight the project’s fire or it’s final fizzling out, only time will tell! If you enjoyed this video, subscribe, it helps a lot! Get more Tips here! http ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNJfm3t3WM4

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Texas is the only place on Earth that can blend the Old West, BBQ, football, oil and space exploration into one unique culture. However, as quirky and fun a place as it seems, there are definitely some things you should avoid doing whilst visiting! 1. Don't expect Chicken Fried Steak to actually be Chicken. Chicken-fried steak refers to the cooking method, not the meat! It is Steak, fried using the same technique as "fried chicken". Ergo; Chicken-fried steak. Interestingly enough Spain has a similar dish that's called "Cachopo". 2. Don't put ketchup on your burger. There aren't many strict guidelines when it comes to burgers, but there is one hard and fast rule: ketchup is only for French fries. Mayo and mustard, however, are acceptable condiments for burgers. This is according to Barry Popik, who compiled a list of terms like "Yankee Burger," which refers to a burger topped with ketchup. 3. Don't Forget to Go Large If you're traveling through a state that's as large as the 39th biggest country in the world, you're going to need to take a break at some point. The Buc-ee's convenience store in New Braunfels is the largest in the world, with a massive 66,335 square feet of space. As an added bonus, it also has the longest car wash in the world, so you can give your vehicle a thorough cleaning whilst you pick up some snacks. Of course, Texas is also home to the World's largest Belt Buckle and Cowboy boot. 4. Don't Confuse Coke with Coca-cola. It doesn't matter if it's a Dr Pepper, 7-Up, some fancy schmancy soda you bought from Central Market, or a can of Grape Crush - it's all just a coke to a Texan. So, if someone offers you a coke down in Texas, the correct response is, "Sure thing! What kind of coke do you have on hand?" Not, "Nah, I think I'll pass on the coke and go for a Diet Sprite instead." Just take a look at this map of the different names people use for soft drinks by county, and you'll see what I mean. 5. Don't Forget To Hire A Car. Texas is absolutely massive! If you're trying to get from one city to another, it can take a while - we're talking hours! And unfortunately, if you're outside of a larger city, you're not going to have many public transportation options. You'll have to drive or fly. But if you do take a road trip through Texas, make sure to keep an eye on other drivers and try to avoid rush hour if you can. 6. Don't Stroke an Armadillo. Armadillos are cute, little creatures that are known for their hard shells and their habit of rooting around for food. However, about 20% of them carry leprosy! It's believed that armadillos acquired the bacteria that causes leprosy from humans after Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, and they can transmit it to humans who come into contact with them. In fact, armadillos are responsible for about 33% of leprosy cases in the United States each year, with most of those cases occurring in Texas and Louisiana. So, while they might be cute to look at, it's best to avoid touching armadillos! 7. Don't Avoid The Bar-B-Queue! Nobody likes waiting in line, but when it comes to barbecue joints, it's a good sign if there's a crowd waiting outside. In the larger cities, you might even have to wait up to two hours to get a table at the really popular places, but trust us - it's worth it. If there's no queue, it's usually for a good reason! 8. Don't Mess with Texas! This phrase is often used to show pride in the state, and it's not meant to be taken literally. However, it's a good idea to respect the state and its residents. Don't point if you see someone dressed as a cowboy or mock someone's boots. Remember Texas is also an Open Carry state! Now you know what Not To Do, we hope you enjoy your stay in the cowboy capital of the world! Get more Tips here! http://www.destinationtips.com ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAEtfpGZ4KU

Get more Tips here! www.destinationtips.com Places featured: The Thames The Houses of Parliament The Elizabeth Tower (a.k.a. Big Ben) The London Eye Food markets Red buses the tube Hyde park Piccadilly Circus Oxford St Guards Iconic black taxis Tower of London The Shard the Millennium Bridge St Paul's Cathedral Tower Bridge ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHll-xZpdjI