If we look at corporate performance in the early part of 2009, when we were going through a massive rationalization of corporate expense statements, companies were cutting costs by 20% or 25% in the face of serious sales declines.

FORBES: Good Buys In A Market With Room To Run

The Public Accounts Committee said that as a result of the practice, parliament was not being given a full picture of the expense incurred by massive purchases.

BBC: Defence spending 'masked' by MoD

In addition to the massive room expense, the MGM Grand added a new comedy club, Michael Mina restaurant, and what is sure to be a major Vegas attraction, a new five-story combination nightclub and restaurant spin off of London's famed Hakkasan, to debut in May.

FORBES: MGM Grand, Las Vegas

In order to stop flood waters overwhelming central London and to save the massive expense of building fresh flood walls and defences, some land could be set aside to act as a safety valve, catching flood waters and storing them until the danger has passed.

BBC: London's drowning