Latest radio 1 show

My latest radio 1 show, from last Thursday, in Dutch; about Jordan, the jungle, Alex Reid, cross dressing, boobs that are too big and why Britons cannot get enough of this.

Scroll to 1:21:30 (1 hr, 21 mins, 30 sec) for my item

http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=10345309

Latest radio 1 show

http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=10336030 my radio 1 show in Holland, last Thursday.

A false French bet

Following pressure from the European Union and private operators, France has proposed a new gambling law, presenting it as a historic proposition that will open up the French gambling market for the first time in history. 

The bill should put an end to the state monopoly of two operators, PMU and Française des Jeux. French officials claim the new law will meet European Union demands for liberalisation and will fully open up its market, which is worth an estimated five to six billion Euros a year.

The UK-based Remote Gambling Association (RGA) said in a statement that ‘the French bill will fail to achieve any of its stated objectives’. It is a safe bet to say the RGA is right. Under the new bill, operators need a licence and can only obtain one if they close down their accounts for six months. This basically means giving away your customers to the French monopolists or competitors. Even if such a drastic move is made, another clause forbids applicants to have a sister or daughter company in an offshore tax haven. Ladbrokes and William Hill’s move to Gibraltar still fresh in mind, which self-respecting online gambling business does not have one? It is unlikely anything will change. Only if the Senate removes these clauses and if France softens its approach, the market can truly open up.

Latest Radio 1 show (in Dutch)

My latest BNN Radio 1 show in Holland. Scroll to 0:22 (22 mins) for my item about drugs abuse and policy in the UK.

http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=10273615

50 jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks

Everyone who thinks it is a tough time out there, with more people being made redundant than finding new jobs, will be inspired by the story of Dan Seddiqui.  

The former financial analyst was unable to get a job and when he did not even have a place to call home anymore, he was sent to therapy by his parents to help him prepare properly for the job hunt.  

Dan was so encouraged by his sessions he wanted to prove there are plenty of jobs out there. Perhaps his therapist was a bit too good value for money: Dan decided he wanted to try as many jobs as possible in one year. In 50 weeks he worked in all 50 American states and tried everything from being surf instructor (Hawaii), photographer (Alaska), wedding planner (Nevada), weatherman (Ohio) as well as a real estate agent (Idaho). 

In Illinois he worked as a ticket agent, in Oregon as a logging logger and in California he was a cellar master. Now he has announced he is going to write a book and publishers are queuing up for the rights. His book, titled ‘Living the Map’, will be published at the end of the year. Dan said he did find his dream job, being a dietician, a job that he did for a week whilst in Mississippi.  

www.livingthemap.com

Latest radio 1 show

My latest radio 1 show in Holland, about the British paparazzi, Amy Winehouse and the new documentary StarSuckers.

Scroll to 0:35 (35 mins) for my item.

http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=10254177