Swann: Sterner tests ahead September 8, 2011 ENGLAND spinner Graeme Swann admits the acid test of his side’s improvement in the one-day format will come next month when they face India away from home. Fifth in the current ICC rankings, England have hinted at a brighter future this summer, vanquishing Sri Lanka coupled with their encouraging start to the current series against [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 8, 2011 LANDMARK FOR PAterson Mike Blair will start at scrum-half for Scotland in their World Cup opener against Romania tomorrow. Blair will partner fly-half Ruaridh Jackson, while Joe Ansbro and Sean Lamont make up the centre pairing. Full-back Chris Paterson becomes the first Scot to play at four World Cups, while hooker Ross Ford will win his 50th [...]
Lampard still one of the best, says Villas-Boas September 8, 2011 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas insists Frank Lampard is still among the best midfielders around, despite his recent England snub. Lampard was omitted against Bulgaria seven days ago and then garnered mixed reviews when recalled for the narrow win over Wales on Tuesday. But Villas-Boas still believes the 33-year-old represents the cream of the top flight, [...]
Refreshed Cavendish eyes London September 8, 2011 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish will return to the saddle this weekend in the Tour of Britain with his eyes fixed on glory in London. The Tour de France green jersey winner has not raced since retiring from the Vuelta a Espana just four stages into the competition. But two weeks later, Cavendish says he feels fresh [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF September 8, 2011 Hamilton rues worst season yet FORMULA ONE: Britain’s Lewis Hamilton rates this season his worst ever as he prepares for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton, who has won twice but crashed out on two occasions and clashed with stewards, said: “I’m trying to get back to some good results. It feels like it’s been [...]
COALITION HIT BY GDP DOWNGRADE September 8, 2011 THE GLOBAL economic slowdown is set to condemn the UK to near-stagnation in the second half of the year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned yesterday. Forecasters at the OECD predict British growth of 0.1 per cent or below in this quarter, and in the next. The downward revisions are largely due [...]
Economic woes hit Lloyds sale September 8, 2011 THE UK’s growth slowdown could significantly reduce the price that Lloyds can get for the branches it is selling, City A.M. has learned. At least two of the three bidders – the Co-operative Financial Services, NBNK and Sun Capital – are concerned that the state of the economy will make Lloyds’ forecasts about the assets’ [...]
Obama urges new stimulus September 8, 2011 AMERICA looks set for yet another double-pronged dose of government stimulus, after President Barack Obama launched his “American Jobs Act” late last night, and Fed chief Ben Bernanke hinted at more monetary easing. Obama urged Congress to vote through his $447bn (£280bn) programme of tax cuts and government spending hikes, repeating the words “pass this [...]
Why buying property is no panacea September 8, 2011 ANYBODY interested in the housing market and in trying to preserve their wealth in these uncertain times should take a look at a fascinating new book. Safe as Houses: a Historical Analysis of Property Prices is full of useful facts – and a stark reminder that investing in residential property isn’t as sure a bet [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 8, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES DEADLINE LOOMS TO OUT SECRET SUITORS Companies covertly circling UK acquisition targets are being warned by advisers that they risk the disclosure of their identities to the market in coming days if they pursue bid talks. On 19 September, the UK Takeover Panel, which regulations M&A of public companies, brings into force new rules [...]
