National News Briefs

Casino layoffs. A new Quinnipiac University poll. Afghanistan progess report. A man was arrested for gas theft.
National News Briefs
The Grand Opening Weekend Celebration at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino is held on May 17, 2008 in Ledyard, CT. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
10/1/2008
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/casino.JPG" alt="The Grand Opening Weekend Celebration at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino is held on May 17, 2008 in Ledyard, CT.  (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)" title="The Grand Opening Weekend Celebration at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino is held on May 17, 2008 in Ledyard, CT.  (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1833516"/></a>
The Grand Opening Weekend Celebration at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino is held on May 17, 2008 in Ledyard, CT.  (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Largest Casino Lays Off 700

The world’s largest casino, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, has said Tuesday that it will lay off 700 employees, according to a News Channel 8 report.

Foxwoods is the largest casino in the world, with 340,000 square feet of gaming space in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet. More than 40,000 guests visit Foxwoods each day.

In a statement, the casino blamed the ailing economy for the layoffs.

“If you are running a business and you are not making a profit you have to trim where you have to trim,” a hotel worker said in the News Channel 8 report. ”Look at Wall Street, the economy. They are going down the tube. I knew it had to be coming.”

Poll: Obama Sweeping Trio of Swing States

A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Democrat Sen. Barack Obama leading Republican Sen. John McCain by a comfortable margin in three key swing states that could determine who wins the White House in November.

In Pennsylvania, Sen. Obama leads McCain by 15 percentage points—54 percent to 39 percent. In Ohio and Florida, McCain also trails, but by closer margins—50 percent to 42 percent in Ohio and 51 percent to 43 percent in Florida. Together, the three states make up 68 electoral votes out of a total 538.

No president since 1960 has been elected without winning at least two out of three of these swing states.

Bush Notes Progress in Afghanistan

In a meeting yesterday with General David McKiernan, commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan, President George Bush noted progress being made in Afghanistan, but was quick to mention that more work needs to be done.

“There’s been progress when you consider the fact that millions of young girls go to school that didn’t have a chance to go to school before in Afghanistan… There’s progress when you realize that health care needs are being met for the first time in—around Afghanistan. There’s progress when there are roads being built so farmers can get product to market,” said President Bush.

Fighting in Afghanistan continues to be tough, the President acknowledged, and he reiterated his plans to send more troops there. U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan have exceeded fatalities in Iraq in recent months.

Gas Thief Burned After Plans Backfire

A Wauzeka, Wis. man who was attempting to steal gasoline from a van was burned after using a lighter to see how much gas was available, according to abc 2 WISN report.

 The man, who was visiting friends in nearby Mukwonago, Wis., discovered Saturday morning that his SUV did not have enough gas to run and tried to siphon fuel with the help of a local woman. The lighter caused a fireball to erupt and burn his hands, and both subsequently fled to a  parking lot, where the man was arrested for theft and negligent use of burning material and the woman was arrested for being an accessory to theft, according to the report.

Formal charges have not yet been filed.