King out for two more weeks March 9, 2010 TOTTENHAM are planning to be without captain Ledley King for the next fortnight as they continue their drive for Champions League qualification. Centre-back King, who is hampered by a long-term knee problem, is also currently nursing a thigh injury sustained last month against Wigan. He will miss fourth-placed Spurs’ Premier League visit from Blackburn on [...]
Watchdog’s bite is too harsh in new regulations March 9, 2010 JAMES BAGGE SENIOR CONSULTANT, NORTON ROSE LLP THIS week there has been a quantum shift in risk exposure for those who work in the financial services industry and perform controlled functions. With effect from 6 March, if anything goes wrong on their watch, there is a real risk of being faced with the prospect of [...]
Employers swap bonuses for tax-free pensions March 9, 2010 REMUNERATING high earning employees in a tax efficient way has always been difficult, and the recent interest in bonuses has made it even more tricky for employers. The introduction of the 50 per cent rate of taxation on those earning over £150,000 has also spurred many to look at ways to protect its high earners. [...]
Put your foot down this summer March 9, 2010 WHAT’S the best way to experience the great British countryside? Some might say it’s in a country pub, with a flagon of frothing ale and a ploughman’s lunch before you. Others might say that it’s in a national park, enjoying a sandwich while perched on top of a mountain and surveying the spectacular scenery spread [...]
Embrace a world of adventure March 9, 2010 JAPAN SKI EXPERIENCE If you love skiing but are bored of France and fondue, then Japan can be a great alternative. There are now over 600 ski resorts in the country, and with annual snowfalls of up to 16m, the skiing is second to none. One of the most popular destinations, says specialist tour operator [...]
Staying afloat in zero gravity is the way to beat City stress March 9, 2010 MY abiding image of floatation therapy has always been Absolutely Fabulous’s Edina Monsoon thrashing about ridiculously in a tank in her bedroom. I think she ended up keeping a dolphin in it. Back then, the idea of relaxing by lying in a puddle of water inside what looked like a giant plastic egg seemed just [...]
OUT OF OFFICE March 9, 2010 BUTTERWORTH AT THE BRIDEWELL Find out how Jerusalem playwright Jez Butterworth made his name with the Tower Theatre Company’s staging of his acclaimed earlier show, Mojo, a scintillating tale of Soho gangsters. Until 13 March, Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, EC4Y 8EQ. Tickets £11 from www.towertheatre.org.uk. MOTHER’S DAY AT THE MAY FAIR HOTEL Daughters [...]
Supercars go green March 9, 2010 FOR the last few years, the supercar brands largely ignored the move towards greener motoring. Instead they have continued to produce products and concepts that followed the traditional performance car development trajectory – they got faster, more powerful and generally more obnoxious. Only smaller carmakers including Koeniggsegg and Fisker Cars felt the need to experiment, [...]
UK trade gap widens March 9, 2010 THE UK’s goods trade deficit with the rest of the world has grown to its widest since August 2008, official figures have shown. Exports in January plummeted by almost 7 per cent leaving the deficit at £7.987bn compared with £7.01bn in December. The figures were disappointing because the weak pound was expected to boost exports. [...]
Shanks pulls out of Carlyle takeover talks March 9, 2010 SHARES in waste management group Shanks slumped by as much as 20 per cent after it pulled out of takeover talks with US private equity group Carlyle. The FTSE 250 group says it is unwilling to recommend a final price of 120p cash per share, claiming the £475m offer undervalues the company and its prospects. [...]
