Chinese leader cheers growth but talks down possible reform November 8, 2012 CHINA’S outgoing President yesterday talked down the prospect of political reform as he prepared to hand over the reins of the country’s ruling Communist Party. Hu Jintao said in a party summit speech that the world’s second-largest economy has “held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and neither taken the old and [...]
Swiss Re joins reinsurance profit bonanza November 8, 2012 SWISS RE has become the third reinsurer this week to unveil expectation-busting profits, following yesterday’s announcement that net income rose 62 per cent in the third quarter. European rivals Hannover Re and Munich Re have already raised their targets for 2012 following a year characterised by surging investment income and an absence of large payouts. [...]
Defoe fires Roy reminder with treble to lift Spurs November 8, 2012 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 vs NK MARIBOR 1 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas showered praise on striker Jermain Defoe after his clinical hat-trick sunk NK Maribor and reignited Spurs’ flagging Europa League campaign. Defoe’s treble saw him overtake Teddy Sheringham in the club’s all-time scoring charts and served as a nudge to England manager Roy Hodgson, who [...]
Pietersen blasts ton as England batsmen revel November 8, 2012 ENGLAND’S Ian Bell welcomed the return to form of batsman Kevin Pietersen after he yesterday hit his first century since the text messaging row that almost ended his international career. Pietersen showed his customary flamboyance in an 86-ball ton before retiring on 110 as England plundered 408-4 against Haryana on the first day of their [...]
Federer downs Ferrer to race into Finals last four November 8, 2012 WORLD No2 Roger Federer is relishing the chance to win his seventh end of season championships, after yesterday becoming the first player to qualify for the last four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a straight sets victory over David Ferrer. The 17-time grand slam champion faced 10 break points against the world [...]
Wiggins coach Sutton injured in bike crash November 8, 2012 BRITISH Cycling has called on the government to do more to protect riders after head coach Shane Sutton suffered bleeding on the brain in an accident yesterday, just hours after Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins broke ribs in a separate bike crash. Sutton, who leads a team of coaches who work with Wiggins, is [...]
Versatile Youngs can handle England Test job, insists Lancaster November 8, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has hailed the metamorphosis of Leicester’s Tom Youngs from centre to Test hooker after handing the 25-year-old his international debut in tomorrow’s clash with Fiji. Youngs, whose scrum-half brother Ben will start the first of this month’s four Tests on the bench, is one of five changes from England’s last [...]
Wenger strikes Wilshere deal as Jenkinson and Osman called up November 8, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits he would rather Jack Wilshere had not been called up for next week’s England friendly against Sweden, but has struck a deal that will see the midfielder play only part of the match. Wilshere returned last month after more than a year out with ankle injuries, and Wenger is fearful [...]
Beating Tsonga no guarantee of semi-final place for Murray November 8, 2012 CALCULATORS will be at the ready when Britain’s Andy Murray faces Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today at the 02 Arena in what could be a complex finish to the final group matches of the ATP World Tour Finals. The round-robin set up of the group stages means that all four men in Group A technically stand [...]
Wasp Thomas ready to face old pals in cup November 8, 2012 WASPS hooker T Rhys Thomas insists there will be no old pals’ act when he returns to his former stomping ground, vowing to show Cardiff Blues no mercy in the LV= Cup this evening. Thomas, 30, spent almost nine years at the Blues before joining Dai Young at the London club this summer and he’s [...]
