Positive start to the week but a short trading session means no Santa Claus rally for markets December 20, 2009 Stocks are expected to start the week higher this morning, reversing a late dip on Friday when a late surge in the US dollar took its toll on mining stocks. GFT is forecasting the benchmark FTSE 100 index to open at 5,221, up 25 points from Friday’s close. The German DAX is called to open [...]
ECONOMIC DIARY December 20, 2009 IN a quiet and short week, the big news on the agenda will be the revisions – if any – to third quarter GDP figures for the UK and the US on Tuesday. The UK third quarter data will be released on Tuesday at 9.30am. Despite an upward revision to -0.4 per cent from -0.6 [...]
Stuck in London for Christmas? Hole up in a luxury hotel December 20, 2009 OH dear. A bit of snow, as we had on Thursday, and London goes into panic mode. Flights are delayed, cancelled and rearranged, and with the threat of a BA strike only tenuously averted, getting out of London over the Christmas period seems anything but a sure bet. But look on the bright side. It’s [...]
TRAVEL NOTES December 20, 2009 Snow-shoeing on Etna For something off the beaten (snowy) track, try a winter adventure set against Sicily’s most stunning scenery. Snowshoe on Europe’s largest active volcano, Mt. Etna, with the Bay of Naxos sparking below, or cross-country skiing across ancient lava flows. No experience necessary for either. Back on foot, walk to the gorge of Alcantara [...]
Lampard saves sloppy Blues December 20, 2009 CARLO ANCELOTTI admitted his Chelsea side were feeling the pressure of a hectic winter schedule after being held by London rivals West Ham in a tale of two penalties. Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick on the stroke of half-time gave the Hammers a deserved lead before Frank Lampard rescued the Blues with a thrice-taken penalty after Matthew [...]
Onions and Colly keep cool to steer England to safety December 20, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss spoke of his relief after his side survived a “crazy hour” to hang on desperately for a draw in the first Test with South Africa at Centurion. Strauss’ men looked to be cruising towards a share of the spoils after Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott steered them to 172-3 early in the [...]
I didn’t see the axe coming, insists betrayed boss Hughes December 20, 2009 MARK HUGHES hit back at Manchester City chiefs last night, insisting he was given no warning of his ruthless sacking. Hughes’ 18-month reign as City boss came to an end after Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Sunderland with the club’s billionaire Arabic owners announcing Roberto Mancini as his successor. On reflection, Hughes’ demeanour during Saturday’s match [...]
Barneveld cruises through December 20, 2009 DARTS: World No2 Raymond van Barneveld strolled into the second round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand part-timer Warren Parry at Alexandra Palace. The Dutchman is joined in round two by last year’s BDO winner, Mark Webster, who opened his account with a 3-2 win over Mark Walsh. Scotland’s [...]
Kempton bid to beat big freeze December 20, 2009 RACING: Officials at Kempton remain hopeful the big freeze will not stand in the way of Kauto Star bidding for an historic fourth straight success in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The weather has already claimed a number of National Hunt meetings this last week, but clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, [...]
Bollinger sees off Windies December 20, 2009 CRICKET: Doug Bollinger claimed the final wicket to settle a tense third Test with the West Indies in Perth and help Australia wrap up a 2-0 series victory. The tourists resumed on the final morning on 308-9 requiring another 51 for victory. But after Kemar Roach (13) and Gavin Tonge (21) had added 15, Roach [...]
