EU red tape slowing down M&A boom October 13, 2009 THE increase in M&A activity in recent weeks has been taken in some quarters as a tentative sign of economic recovery. The potential Kraft and Cadbury deal, Disney’s $4bn acquisition of Marvel, health company Johnson & Johnson’s purchase of 18 per cent of Dutch biotech business Crucell, and Ticketmaster’s attempt to buy Live Nation are [...]
LAST CHANCE TO PLACATE THE TAX MAN October 13, 2009 SIMON NEWSHAMNEWSHAMS TAX SOLICITORS TAXPAYERS with unpaid taxes on foreign interests have been offered an amnesty by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), but time is running out for them. The amnesty, known as the New Disclosure Opportunity (NDO) allows UK resident individuals and companies with unpaid taxes on offshore bank accounts or overseas assets, including [...]
MERCEDES’ NEW COUPE IS A TRUE MILE-MUNCHER October 13, 2009 WITH increasing frequency, I get into a new car and find myself banging my head or elbow on something that’s infringing on the space inside the cabin. Take this latest coupe. As I lean forward to adjust the steering column, my head connects with some protrusion above as soon. Airbags, impact protection bars and no [...]
OUT OF OFFICE October 13, 2009 DAMIEN HIRST AT THE WALLACE COLLECTIONHirst, whose work fetched £100,000 at a charity sale at Christie’s on Monday night, has spent £250,000 refurbishing the Wallace Collection in preparation for his display there. Twenty-five works, never seen in Britain, will be on display, making him one of the few living artists ever to have their work [...]
Gerrard injury forces England boss Capello to try Belarus experiment October 13, 2009 ENGLAND head coach Fabio Capello is used to being depicted as a strict headmaster, but tonight he is preparing to play the experimental scientist.With qualification for next summer’s World Cup already assured, the Italian has promised to tinker with selection and tactics when Belarus visit Wembley. His decision is made easier by the unavailability of [...]
Pompey warn James suitors to forget bids October 13, 2009 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has told Tottenham and Manchester United to forget about trying to lure goalkeeper David James from Fratton Park. Both clubs have been linked with January swoops for the veteran England No1, who has admitted to being unsettled by the club’s turbulent past few months. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who is [...]
Proud Oxx calls time on Stars’ career October 13, 2009 SEA THE STARS, the brilliant Irish colt who completed a unique treble in landing the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was hailed yesterday after being retired to stud by his connections. The six-time Group One winner, trained by John Oxx, was being lined up for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Classic [...]
Younus to step down in ‘fix’ row October 13, 2009 YOUNUS KHAN has resigned as captain of Pakistan despite being cleared of match-fixing allegations by a parliamentary sports committee. Younus, 31, informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of his decision yesterday when attending a hearing to discuss his side’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. National Assembly committee chairman Jamshed Dasti had implied that Pakistan had [...]
Schumacher backs Vettel to ruin Button title dream October 13, 2009 SEVEN-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher is backing Sebastian Vettel to pull off a sensational comeback and pip Jenson Button to the Formula One title. With two races of the season to go, Vettel lies third in the standings with Rubens Barrichello two points ahead in second and Button a further 14 points in front. But [...]
Azam fails in appeal against 12-week ban October 13, 2009 GLOUCESTER hooker Olivier Azam was last night ordered to serve his full 12-week ban for kicking England captain Steve Borthwick in the eye. The Frenchman appealed the original punishment for an offence that left the Saracens skipper fearing for his sight and severely swollen. A panel agreed with Azam that the offence merited a less [...]
