Super surfer Slater in running to equal Federer’s record January 12, 2012 THE COUNTDOWN is on to this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards, which are being held at Central Hall, Westminster, on Monday 6 February. These are the most prestigious sports awards in the world because the winners are chosen by the 47 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which includes UK sports stars of the [...]
Gerrard pens new Liverpool deal January 12, 2012 FOOTBALL: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has signed a new long-term contract that effectively means he will finish his career with his boyhood club. The 31-year-old, who has made 566 appearances since making his debut in November 1998, said: “I’m very happy. It’s a very proud day for myself and my family. It comes on the [...]
IRB support Wales in Shingler row January 12, 2012 RUGBY UNION: The International Rugby Board has backed Wales in the row with Scotland over the eligibility of London Irish star Steve Shingler. The 20-year-old centre was called up by Scotland head coach Andy Robinson ahead of next month’s Six Nations, but the IRB has ruled that Shingler is not eligible to represent them as [...]
Nadal shrugs of fitness concerns January 12, 2012 TENNIS: Former world No1 Rafael Nadal has dismissed concerns over his fitness, saying his shoulder is “in perfect condition” ahead of next week’s Australian Open. The Spaniard intends to take February off to recover from a persistent shoulder injury, but will compete at Melbourne Park in search of an 11th grand slam crown. “It was [...]
Keane signs short-term Villa deal January 12, 2012 FOOTBALL: Aston Villa have signed Los Angeles Galaxy and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane on loan until 25 February, subject to Fifa clearance. Keane is set to become the third MLS player to join Premier League club this month following the returns of Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan to Arsenal and Everton, respectively
RBS retreats from global ambitions January 12, 2012 ROYAL Bank of Scotland and Barclays both finalised new rounds of job cuts yesterday, with nearly 4,000 posts to go between the two lenders. RBS, which is 83 per cent state-owned, said it would cut 3,500 people from its investment bank through lay-offs or asset sales “in light of a changed market and regulatory environment”. [...]
Lloyds wholesale bank hires former MF Global Europe boss January 12, 2012 LLOYDS has hired the man who used to head up the European operations of bankrupt broker MF Global, despite the firm currently being investigated by US authorities in relation to missing client money. Richard Moore will join Lloyds as head of trading in its wholesale division in March, provided his appointment is approved by the [...]
FORMER POLLY PECK BOSS DENIES £33M THEFT January 12, 2012 BUSINESS tycoon Asil Nadir, who returned to Britain last year after 17 years abroad, yesterday pleaded not guilty to 13 charges of theft from his collapsed Polly Peck conglomerate. The 70-year-old Turkish-Cypriot appeared at the Old Bailey and denied theft of £33.1m from the business between 1987 and 1990. He had been due to face [...]
Home Retail to slash divi January 12, 2012 HOME RETAIL GROUP warned it was set to slash its dividend after a declining electronic goods market caused Christmas sales at Argos to slump by more than £150m. The near-nine per cent fall in sales at Argos stores open more than a year in the 18 weeks to 31 December means the group now expects [...]
Mothercare sales suffer as stores close and supermarkets compete January 12, 2012 MOTHER and baby products retailer Mothercare reported lower third quarter sales yesterday, mainly as a result of store closures due to tough economic conditions. Mothercare is battling intense competition in the UK from supermarkets and internet players, as well as consumer uncertainty in the face of a difficult economic climate. Last November, the group launched [...]