Dettori facing inquiry after failed drug test November 13, 2012 THREE-TIME Champion Jockey Frankie Dettori faces a French horse racing inquiry after returning a positive test for a banned substance at a meeting at Longchamp in September. A solicitor for Dettori, arguably the highest profile rider in flat racing over the last two decades, said the British-based Italian’s case would be heard next week. “On [...]
Flood pretty dry on Ioane taunts November 13, 2012 FLY-HALF Toby Flood has laughed off taunts by Australia’s Digby Ioane that England’s wingers are nothing but pretty boys. “The England wingers are pretty, really good looking. I just can’t wait to go against them,” said Ioane, who will line up against Chris Ashton on Saturday. Flood saw the funny side, saying: “I can see [...]
RFU play down £6m loss November 13, 2012 Governing body the RFU has reported losses of £6.3m for 2011-12 after the World Cup meant fewer lucrative games at Twickenham. The RFU said the loss was anticipated and balanced by profits accrued over a four-year cycle.
Romanov snubs Hearts fans’ bid November 13, 2012 A fans’ group hoping to buy Scottish Premier League club Hearts has had an initial offer rejected by owner Vladimir Romanov. The Hearts Foundation, comprised of supporters and local businessmen, acted following the club’s admission last week it needed donations to pay a tax bill of around £500,000.
Weak miners and Vodafone weigh on FTSE 100 November 13, 2012 The leading blue chip index was trading down this morning, dragged down by headline mining shares and Vodafone. On the FTSE All-Share, Finnish miner Talvivaara sank 8.72 per cent, as its nickel mine remained shut by a waste water leakage. Electronic card payment provider De La Rue dropped 7.14 per cent as it issued a [...]
UK inflation jumps to 2.7 per cent November 13, 2012 The consumer prices measure of inflation jumped to 2.7 per cent in October, up from 2.2 per cent in September, with the hike in university fees behind the rise. Aside from university tuition fees, price rises in food and transport also contributed to the increase, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics. [...]
Petra Diamonds agrees $244m new debt facility November 13, 2012 Miner Petra Diamonds has agreed new debt facilities of $244m (£154m) to finance the expansions of two South African mines. The new facility will be mainly used to expand the Finsch and Cullinan mines in South Africa, as well as helping the group’s general working capital needs. Over the three months to September, Petra Diamonds’ [...]
William Hill and GVC get more time for Sportingbet bid November 13, 2012 William Hill and GVC Holdings have been given more time to make a formal offer for Sportingbet, with the deadline extended to 4 December. Following a £530m takeover approach, the UK Takeover Panel has extended the deadline from this afternoon to allow discussions to continue between Sportingbet, William Hill and joint bidder GVC Holdings. William [...]
Vodafone drops to loss November 13, 2012 Telecoms company Vodafone slumped to a pre-tax loss of £492m over the six months to September, as it was forced to write down the value of its business in Spain and Italy by £5.9bn. It was hit by customers in Southern Europe making fewer phone calls. Over the second quarter, group organic revenue fell 1.4 [...]
50,000 zombie firms to fail if rates rise November 12, 2012 TENS of thousands of firms are set to go bust when interest rates rise, taking hundreds of thousands of jobs down with them, business troubleshooting group the Institute for Turnaround (IfT) has warned. There are almost 150,000 zombie firms in the UK – businesses that are fundamentally broken, and only still alive because ultra-low interest [...]
