EDF closes in on British Energy deal July 25, 2008 French state-owned energy firm EDF and British Gas owner Centrica are closing in on UK nuclear business British Energy, and could announce a £12bn purchase as early as next week. British Energy, led by chief executive Bill Coley, admitted yesterday “it is in advanced discussions with one party.” A source close to the deal said [...]
Retail sales reverse into biggest slump on record July 25, 2008 The biggest monthly fall in retail sales on record has heightened fears that the UK will fall into a technical recession. British retail sales slumped in June by 3.9 per cent, the sharpest monthly fall since the series began in 1986, bringing the annual growth rate down to 2.2 per cent, according to the Office [...]
Oligarchs in oil grab as BP chief expelled July 25, 2008 Robert Dudley forced to leave Russia after campaign of “harassment” by authorities British oil giant BP was dealt a devastating blow last night after Robert Dudley, boss of its TNK-BP joint venture, was forced to leave Russia. Dudley, a key BP ally in its long-standing battle with its four oligarch partners, lashed out at the [...]
BP’s Russian row may hit production July 24, 2008 The dogfight between BP and its four oligarch partners could hit Russian oil production next year after the quartet demanded a $900m cut in spending at joint venture TNK-BP. The development is the latest in a long-running battle at the 50-50 venture between the British oil giant and its billionaire partners – Mikhail Fridman, Viktor [...]
Price website founder snubs takeover bid July 24, 2008 Moneysupermarket.com shares jump 45 per cent after offer by mystery buyer Top site Moneysupermarket.com saw its shares rocket 45 per cent yesterday after it dismissed a bid approach. The popular website, which lets users compare finance and travel prices, confirmed in a statement that CEO and cofounder Simon Nixon had received an initial approach regarding [...]
MPC vote split three ways July 24, 2008 A surprise three-way split between Bank of England rate setters left economists guessing whether an interest rate rise was on the cards. The minutes of July’s Monetary Policy Committee rate contained the word inflation 54 times, which is higher than the average, according to Lehman Brothers, highlighting the MPC’s concerns about cost rises. Seven members [...]
Mind games must be taken with a pinch of salt July 24, 2008 Well, we’re not even at the end of July and already the mind games have started. This promises to be a fascinating Premier League season. Luiz Felipe Scolari has barely hung up his suit on the back of his office door at Chelsea and already he has been given a pleasant ‘welcome’ to English football [...]
Calzaghe will recover for a November date with Jones July 24, 2008 Joe Calzaghe has quashed fears regarding the seriousness of his hand injury, insisting he will be back to fight Roy Jones Jnr in November. The undefeated Welshman was forced to postpone the scheduled 20 September showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, after damaging his right hand in training. But after seeing a [...]
Moores: Door not yet shut on Harmison July 24, 2008 Under-fire coach Peter Moores insists England outcasts Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison still have Test futures despite his part in the selection row which has split English cricket. Moores came under scrutiny afterAustralian-raised seamer Darren Pattinson was drafted into the side for the second Test against South Africa, ahead of the centrally-contracted duo. Captain Michael [...]
Raikkonen considering quitting sport when Ferrari deal runs out next year July 24, 2008 World champion Kimi Raikkonen has sensationally admitted he could walk away from the sport next year. The paddock has been rife with speculation that the Ferrari driver is on the verge of retiring from the sport at the age of 28. Raikkonen insists he has no intention of breaking his £20m-a-year contract with the Italian [...]
