Why we shouldn’t be surprised by the rapidly rising cost of High Speed 2 August 21, 2013 IT’S A familiar but depressing story. When a big government project is first advocated, the backers downplay the costs in order to gain political support. As the scheme progresses, the budget increases dramatically, but the momentum behind it makes it difficult to stop. The same pattern is repeated again and again. The Channel Tunnel Rail [...]
M&S’s new ad campaign will struggle to reverse slumping fashion sales August 21, 2013 YOU CAN visualise the meeting at Marks & Spencer’s headquarters when its new campaign, advertising its make-or-break Autumn collection, was finalised. An ad agency suggests the idea of female empowerment and the boardroom battleground. Any actual brand idea is forgotten, as the rolodex spins and agents are called. Actress Helen Mirren, artist Tracey Emin, author [...]
Letters to the editor – 22/08 – Global competition, HS2 debate, Best of Twitter August 21, 2013 Global competition [Re: We should be glad that foreign firms want to buy British companies, yesterday] I agree with Tim Worstall. It is essential that financiers and investors have a viable route to a profitable exit. And a foreign sale is often an important avenue. UK venture capital typically wishes to sell on in four to [...]
Finesse your 5S August 21, 2013 The latest iPhone is coming – send it into orbit with these stellar accessories Tarra Motors Scooter Price: TBC Asian scooter production company Tarra Motors has announced its latest creation: a scooter with an inbuilt iPhone docking station. The docking station in the dash allows the scooter to store information such as electricity consumption while [...]
Champions League: Wenger eyes frantic end to window after Europe boost August 21, 2013 FENERBAHCE 0 vs ARSENAL 3 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger heaped praise on match-winner Aaron Ramsey after the Gunners all but secured their Champions League status and a £30m windfall – but insists he still needs a midfielder. Wenger, who was last night also linked with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema after admitting defeat in his [...]
Premier League: Mourinho bares teeth and puts Rooney on ice August 21, 2013 CHELSEA 2 vs ASTON VILLA 1 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out making a renewed attempt to sign Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney until after the two Premier League heavyweights clash on Monday. Despite having less than two weeks to complete any transfer business, Mourinho is prepared to wait until after his team travel [...]
Advantage Australia as Watson punishes gamble on debutants August 21, 2013 AUSTRALIA batsman Shane Watson toasted a rare highlight amid a miserable Ashes campaign for the tourists after his 176 yesterday at the Oval lifted their hopes of ending the summer on a high. Watson’s best ever Test score and first Ashes century was the highlight of day one of the fifth and final match, as [...]
I fear for Broad’s safety in Oz, says Hussain August 21, 2013 FORMER England captain Nasser Hussain fears England paceman Stuart Broad could be attacked during the return Ashes series in Australia, following incendiary remarks by the tourists’ coach Darren Lehmann. Lehmann yesterday said he hoped Australia fans Down Under would “give it to him from the word go for the whole summer” in the hope that [...]
Spurs set to sign Willian as door opens for Bale August 21, 2013 TOTTENHAM are expected to complete the club recor £30m signing of Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian by the weekend, as they prepare for life after Gareth Bale, despite talk of a late snag in negotiations. Willian flew into London earlier this week to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Spurs as the north London [...]
Rangers on track to relocate to £10bn site of proposed HS2 link August 21, 2013 QUEENS Park Rangers chiefs have confirmed that they are in talks to swap Loftus Road for a new 40,000-seater stadium at nearby Old Oak Common. The arena would be part of a £10bn plan to transform 100 acres of industrial land into office and residential property, as well as incorporating the proposed HS2 rail link [...]
