Thomas Cook sells Spanish chain for £61m December 13, 2011 Thomas Cook said it had sold its Spanish hotel chain Hotels Y Clubs De Vacaciones (ICV) to Grupo Iberostar for 72.2 million euros (£61m) as part of its plans to cut debt. HCV is being sold with net debt of 22.4m euros so the transaction will reduce Thomas Cook’s net debt by 94.6m euros. “We [...]
Switzerland cuts growth forecast December 13, 2011 The Swiss government has reduced its 2012 growth forecast, saying the Eurozone crisis had taken its toll. The forecast growth rate was cut from 0.9 per cent to 0.5 per cent. But the country is not expected to lunge into recession.
Deutsche Boerse and NYSE send EU case for merger December 13, 2011 NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse have sent proposals to European competition authorities to address their concerns over a merger of the two exchange operators, they said in a statement. “The parties have strengthened their original proposal with respect to European single equity derivatives by increasing the assets to be included in the divestiture, and to [...]
Lampard ignites race for title December 12, 2011 By FRANK DALLERES AT STAMFORD BRIDGE Late penalty from Chelsea super-sub ends City’s unbeaten run and catapults Villas-Boas’ side back into the top four CHELSEA 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 1 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas declared his team’s faltering Premier League title challenge back on track after Frank Lampard climbed off the bench to puncture leaders [...]
End of the road for England legend Wilkinson December 12, 2011 ENGLAND’S iconic World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson yesterday announced his retirement from international rugby. The 32-year-old, arguably England’s greatest ever player, won 91 caps over the course of an injury-plagued career and also represented the British and Irish Lions on two tours. Wilkinson will forever be remembered as the man who kicked England to [...]
MATCH ANALYSIS December 12, 2011 KEY MOMENT Manchester City’s early dominance was hardly reflected by a 1-0 scoreline handed to them by Mario Balotelli’s second minute strike and a famous Chelsea comeback may never have materialised had referee Mark Clattenburg spotted Jose Bosingwa’s trip on David Silva inside the penalty area in the 14th minute. Only after super-slow-motion replays was [...]
Shanghai eye Drogba and Anelka pairing December 12, 2011 AMBITIOUS Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua want to reunite Nicolas Anelka with his old Chelsea strike partner Didier Drogba. Anelka, 32, will move to the Far East in January on a two-year contract believed to be worth £8m a year, it was confirmed yesterday. But, not content with just one former Stamford Bridge frontman, the Chinese [...]
Arsenal to conquer new frontier with pre-season tour of Nigeria December 12, 2011 ARSENAL chiefs are planning to take the club into new territory next summer by embarking on a pre-season tour to Africa. The Gunners are in talks about playing a number of matches in Nigeria next summer, before the 2012-13 campaign gets underway. Other tours are also being discussed and it is understood Arsenal could schedule [...]
Kauto Star set for King George December 12, 2011 HORSE RACING: Four-time winner Kauto Star has been entered for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day by his trainer Paul Nicholls. The 11-year-old defied the critics by beating Long Run to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock three weeks ago.
Hoy caught in Foy crossfire December 12, 2011 FOOTBALL: British cyclist Sir Chris Hoy has been accidentally targeted on Twitter by Tottenham fans angry with referee Chris Foy following Sunday’s defeat at Stoke. Foy made several controversial calls and a number of Spurs fans have mistakenly written to Olympic champion Hoy expressing their displeasure. “Getting some rather amusing grief from Spurs fans!” Hoy [...]
