Simpson: I’ll take Tests in my stride August 23, 2011 UNCAPPED Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson insists his lack of international experience does not faze him as he prepares to play in his first World Cup. Simpson was the surprise inclusion in Martin Johnson’s 30-man squad yesterday and could make his debut in Saturday’s warm-up match against Ireland in Dublin. “I have been around the team [...]
Cavendish Worlds bid in doubt as he quits Vuelta August 23, 2011 TOUR DE FRANCE hero Mark Cavendish’s hopes of winning a first road race World Championship next month suffered a blow last night after he withdrew from the Vuelta a Espana. The Briton, who had yet to score any points, got off his bike 40km from the mountain-top finish to the fourth stage in Sierra Nevada, [...]
Mourinho rejects Real quit talk August 23, 2011 FOOTBALL: Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insists he is not quitting Real Madrid despite Spanish chiefs vowing to investigate his conduct against Barcelona last week. Rumours about Mourinho’s future gathered pace after the probe was launched into an incident with Barca coach Tito Vilanova in which he appeared to put a finger in his opponent’s [...]
Morgan backed for captaincy August 23, 2011 CRICKET: Coach Andy Flower has hailed Eoin Morgan’s leadership qualities as the batsman prepares to captain England for the first time in tomorrow’s one-day match against Ireland. Irish-born Morgan stands in for the rested Alastair Cook and Flower said: “He’s a confident young man, he is confident in his ideas about the game, he chooses [...]
Serena US Open seeding blow August 23, 2011 TENNIS: Bookies’ favourite Serena Williams faces a tricky route at the US Open after tournament organisers seeded her 28th. Williams has won the grand slam three times and has just claimed back-to-back hard court tournaments, but seedings are based on world rankings, in which she is No29. World No1 Caroline Wozniacki is top seed at [...]
Cost to insure BofA debt at record high August 23, 2011 SHARES in Bank of America tumbled more than six per cent during trading yesterday, as the price of insuring its debt rocketed to an all-time high. The spread on the bank’s five-year credit default swaps (CDS) climbed to 435 basis points in early trades, meaning it would cost £435,000 a year over five years to [...]
UK’s factories bounced back this month August 23, 2011 BRITAIN’S manufacturing sector has held up surprisingly well this month, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) claimed yesterday. The CBI survey for August was notably more upbeat than other recent studies – such as a purchasing managers’ index showing the factory sector contracting this summer. “Manufacturing order books are holding up, and expectations for output [...]
Eurozone staggers forwards August 23, 2011 THE EUROZONE economy has continued to grow this month despite escalating political turmoil over the debt crisis, fresh data suggested yesterday. A “flash” estimate of activity across the 17-nation single currency area came held steady at 51.1 in a purchasing managers’ index (PMI). All figures above 50 point to economic growth, yet the number “still [...]
Investors ask for 50-yr gilt August 23, 2011 INVESTORS are pushing for a new 50-year index-linked gilt for UK government bonds this autumn, it emerged yesterday. The Debt Management Office (DMO) held a quarterly meeting with so-called Gilt-Edged Market Makers (GEMMs) — primary dealers — and with gilt investors on Monday to discuss its issuance plans for the next three months. The 50-year [...]
How is Europe handling the crisis? August 23, 2011 This week, we are asking our readers’ panel, run in association with Politics Home, to rate Europe’s strategy for dealing with the debt crisis. Should Eurozone leaders be pushing for a break-up of the single currency, or working towards closer fiscal integration? And which leaders, if any, have impressed you during the crisis? To answer these [...]
