FTSE 100 down as US budget deal hopes fade December 21, 2012 The leading share index slipped back this morning – the final full trading day before Christmas – and fell 0.7 per cent in early deals, as a deal on the US budget looked less likely. US Republican lawmakers have rejected party leader John Boehner’s proposal in the fiscal cliff talks, leading to fears that $600bn [...]
UK economy grew by 0.9 per cent in second quarter December 21, 2012 UK GDP grew by a less-than-expected 0.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2012, marking a greater challenge for the economy to expand in the last three months of the year. The official figures from the Office for National Statistics were revised down the original estimate of one per cent. Third-quarter GDP growth was [...]
Nokia and RIM settle patent dispute December 21, 2012 Nokia has settled a patent licence dispute with Blackberry maker Research In Motion over use of its Wi-Fi technology. The agreement will involve a one-time payment from RIM to the Finnish mobile phone maker, but the terms are confidential, Nokia said this morning. The agreement covers all existing patent litigation between the two companies. The [...]
Xstrata ramps up zinc production at Australian mine December 21, 2012 Xstrata Zinc this morning said ore production would jump a further 33 per cent at its Lady Loretta mine in Australia. The miner’s zinc arm said production would hit 1.6m tonnes a year at the Queensland-based mine by 2016, which started production in September. The FTSE 100 miner has spent A$362.2m (£232.7m) on Lady Loretta [...]
BAE Systems snaps up £2.5bn deal with Oman December 21, 2012 Defence firm BAE Systems this morning said it had signed a contract worth £2.5bn with Oman to supply aircraft. The contract, which starts in 2017, will see the FTSE 100 company deliver 12 Typhoon and eight Hawk aircraft. Guy Griffiths, group managing director for BAE Systems’ international business, said that BAE had a long history [...]
PSG new £570m deal stretches credibility, says Uefa FFP expert December 20, 2012 ONE of the experts behind Uefa’s financial fair play (FFP) rules has warned that the credibility of European football’s governing body rests on its response to Paris Saint-Germain’s new €700m (£570m) four-year deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority QTA. PSG will receive €150m (£122m) this season rising to €200m (£163m) in 2015-16 from QTA, which, [...]
Bale’s my man of the year in review of 2012 December 20, 2012 IT’S BEEN a hugely eventful year, from the extraordinary climax to the Premier League title race, to a new England manager and some dazzling individual performances. Here are my picks of 2012’s highlights. BEST PLAYER Robin van Persie’s goals kept Arsenal alive and he’s made a good start to life at Manchester United, but I’ve [...]
Manchester’s braced for return of Ronaldo December 20, 2012 FORMER Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in February when Real Madrid take on Alex Ferguson’s side in their last 16 Champions League tie. Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to overcome Bayern Munich to keep alive hope of a Wembley final, with the first leg at the Emirates. Celtic have been drawn [...]
Morgan tips young Lions to give India tougher test in Mumbai December 20, 2012 STAND-IN skipper Eoin Morgan has tipped England’s inexperienced Twenty20 side to bounce back from yesterday’s defeat in tomorrow’s second international against India. The tourists, missing regular captain Stuart Broad through injury, plus Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Steven Finn – all rested following their Test series exploits – were beaten by five wickets in Pune. [...]
Scotland turn to Johnson December 20, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Former Wales coach Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland’s interim head coach, succeeding Andy Robinson in the hot seat. The Australian will take charge of the team for their Six Nations campaign, which begins against England in February.
