Vivendi books higher profits despite slump September 1, 2009 ENTERTAINMENT giant Vivendi yesterday said consumers were staying at home in the recession, boosting sales of its pay-TV packages and video games, and helping it to report expectation-beating profits for its second quarter. The Paris-listed firm, which makes smash hit video games such as Guitar Hero, also said its French telecoms business was performing well, [...]
Lloyds secures 1bn in loan guarantees September 1, 2009 LLOYDS Banking Group has reached an agreement with the government to access £1bn of its working capital scheme. The bank, which has taken advantage of the scheme once already this year, will receive a government guarantee on half of the risk relating to a £2.2bn portfolio of short-term corporate loans. Lloyds and Royal Bank of [...]
FAIRTRADE BUCKS September 1, 2009 COFFEEconglomerate Starbucks has announced that from today all of its lattes and cappuccinos will now be verified as Fairtrade. This move is expected to increase the amount of Fairtrade Certified coffee sold in the UK and Ireland by 18 per cent this year. The switch to Fairtrade means Starbucks will contribute £2.5m to small farmers.
Murray prepares to dig deep in search of first Grand Slam August 31, 2009 ANDY MURRAY admits he must be prepared to slog it out in the early rounds if he is to fulfil his dream of landing the US Open. The world No2 finished runner-up to Roger Federer at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago and arrives at New York this week on top of his game having already [...]
Relief for Federer after easy opening win August 31, 2009 WORLD NO1 Roger Federer began his bid for a record sixth consecutive US Open title in convincing fashion with a straight sets victory over American teenager Devin Britton. The top seed ran out a comfortable 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 winner over the 18-year-old to set up a second round clash with Germany’s Simon Greul. Federer was [...]
Captain Colly happy to plan a Caribbean crusade August 31, 2009 PAUL COLLINGWOOD says he is geared to leading England’s quest for major international honours next year – even though he has not officially been installed as captain. Collingwood led England through this summer’s World Twenty20 on home soil but his mandate as captain for the shortest form of the game officially ends after today’s international [...]
Berlin heroes Idowu and Dobriskey shine at home August 31, 2009 TRIPLE-JUMP world champion Phillips Idowu made a triumphant return to home soil with victory at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead yesterday. Fellow Briton Lisa Dobriskey followed up her silver medal from Berlin by winning the 1500m, while Christine Ohuruogu returned to form by edging the 400m. American Tyson Gay overcame a groin injury to [...]
Worsley hits out at Skinner feigning claims August 31, 2009 WASPS forward Joe Worsley has hit back at claims from Harlequins skipper Will Skinner that the feigning of blood injuries is rife in top-level rugby. Quins were fined £259,000 and had winger Tom Williams banned for four months after he used a capsule of fake blood to force a late substitution. Skinner claimed the tactic [...]
Button vows to rediscover winning way August 31, 2009 CHAMPIONSHIP leader Jenson Button insists he does not want to go on limping his way towards a maiden world title. The Brawn GP driver failed to finish for the first time this season on Sunday at the Belgian Grand Prix, and has taken just 11 points from the last five races. Despite his waning form [...]
Avoid the orange look and follow the golden rules of fake tanning August 31, 2009 WHAT do sunbeds, mustard gas and chimney sweeping have in common? Well, as of last month, they are all listed as certain causes of cancer by the International Agency for Cancer Research, a branch of the World Health Organisation. This move followed the publication of a study which showed that the risk of skin cancer [...]
