Winning return for Henin January 4, 2010 TENNIS: Former world No1 Justine Henin made a winning return to professional tennis after beating Nadia Petrova in the first round of the Brisbane International. Belgian Henin, playing her first match since retiring in May 2008, impressed on her way to a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the Russian second seed. “I have been waiting for [...]
Kubica to stay with Renault January 4, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Robert Kubica has opted to stay with the Renault team following their takeover last month. The Pole had a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave the team if it was not wholly owned by Renault. But after talks with Luxembourg private investment group Genii Capital, which now owns 75% of [...]
HMV in pole position for MAMA takeover January 4, 2010 HMV is poised for a successful £46m takeover of MAMA Group after a rival offer hit the buffers. MAMA’s largest shareholder, Luxembourg-based investment firm SMS Finance, made a £38.3m bid for the music venues and festivals firm last month. SMS – the investment vehicle of Italian telecoms billionaire Silvio Scaglia – owns 29.8 per cent [...]
UK and European markets start year in the red January 4, 2010 UK and European stock markets are set to start the year in the red, after ending 2009 close to their highs of the year. GFT is quoting the FTSE 100 index to open down as much as 39 points from Friday’s close, at a level of 5,373. The German DAX is also expected to start [...]
Private pensions system “in crisis” January 4, 2010 THE private pensions system is in crisis with virtually all final salary schemes now closed to new entrants, according to the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA). A survey of 309 employers by the ACA showed that 9 out of 10 defined benefit schemes have shut the door on new employees. The data also showed that 91 [...]
Ryanair branded “puerile and childish” over credit card charges January 4, 2010 BUDGET airline Ryanair has been branded “puerile and childish” for using a legal loophole to hit online customers with an extra credit card charge. Office of Fair Trading chief executive John Fingleton attacked the company for the £5 fee charged on all but one credit card. The fee has been added to payments with Electron [...]
United dumped out by Leeds January 4, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson risked further punishment by criticising referee Chris Foy following his side’s shock FA Cup elimination by League One Leeds United. A first-half goal from Jermaine Beckford was enough to inflict Ferguson’s first FA Cup defeat to lower league opposition, and his maiden exit at this stage of the competition, [...]
Classy Kallis rescues SA as England strike early January 4, 2010 BATSMAN Jacques Kallis’s 33rd Test century helped steer South Africa to 279-6 after England had the hosts struggling at 127-5 on day one of the third Test in Cape Town. Kallis was left unbeaten on 108 at the close after sharing an 89-run stand with keeper Mark Boucher (51) for the sixth wicket. England bowlers [...]
Wasps boss Hanks adds to chorus of criticism aimed at top-flight referees January 4, 2010 WASPS boss Tony Hanks added his voice to criticism of Premiership refereeing after seeing his side’s play-off hopes dented by a 12-6 home defeat to Newcastle. Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth kicked four penalties to earn them a first win at Adams Park in nine attempts, with Mark van Gisbergen and Dave Walder scoring with the [...]
We’ll beat America, Tiger or no Tiger, boasts Monty January 4, 2010 EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has warned America that he expects to win back the trophy this year, regardless of whether world No1 Tiger Woods plays. Fourteen-time Major winner Woods is not sure to feature at Celtic Manor in October, having withdrawn from the game indefinitely following revelations about his infidelity. “A lot depends [...]
