Anti-piracy law forges ahead October 28, 2009 Business secretary Lord Mandelson said yesterday he was confident plans to cut the internet connections of persistent illegal filesharers will be approved by parliament. The controversial proposals – which have split the entertainment industry – follow France’s move to ban illegal peer-to-peer sharers for up to a year. Broadband provider TalkTalk slammed the plans, saying [...]
FOOTBALL-CRAZY PWC GETS STUCK IN ON ENGLAND’S WORLD CUP BID October 28, 2009 GOOD news for the multitude of football fans in the City: the team behind England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup have secured themselves a powerful ally. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accountancy giant, today announces it is the first sponsor to officially back the bid, responsible for working on crucial aspects of the proposal such [...]
GSK sales jump as swine flu fever boosts demand October 28, 2009 DRUGS giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)?yesterday reported a three per cent growth in group sales due to a boost in demand for its swine flu vaccine and a surge in sales from emerging markets. GSK yesterday posted pre-tax profits of £1.9bn for the three months ending 30 September from £1.2bn the year before. The group yesterday said [...]
Recovery in UK house prices continues to gain momentum October 28, 2009 THE rebound in UK house prices gathered pace in September according to the Land Registry’s latest monthly report, which revealed that house prices rose 0.9 per cent on August cutting the annual decline to just 5.6 per cent. The Land Registry’s figures are the latest evidence suggesting that UK house prices are firmly on an [...]
US and Asia retail sales buoy the Pru October 28, 2009 INSURANCE giant Prudential yesterday reported a 10 per cent year-on-year rise in third-quarter retail sales, reflecting its focus on its profitable US and Asian operations. Chief executive Tidjane Thiam, in his first statement as head of the group, said that total retail sales grew to £699m in the period. Retail sales for the first nine [...]
The City is finding its touchy-feely side but it’s still survival of the fittest October 28, 2009 WHEN Bruce Wasserstein died a couple of weeks ago, it was the end of an era. Wasserstein was the epitome of the red braces-wearing, ball-breaking business style that for many still defines the Wall Street and the City. He was known to respond the problems by giving a lecture telling colleagues to “dare to be [...]
CAREERS CLINIC October 28, 2009 JOANNA CROSSE, AUTHOR OF ‘FIND YOUR VOICE’ I’ve been promoted to a role that involves making regular presentations, but I’m no good at public speaking. How can I be more confident at making speeches? THE first mistake made by many people who are fearful of public speaking is thinking they have to be like someone [...]
Agassi claims worry WADA October 28, 2009 ANTI-DOPING chiefs have demanded an explanation from tennis authorities after former world No1 Andre Agassi said he was able to lie his way out of a ban for taking crystal meth. Five-time grand slam winner Agassi, who retired in 2006, recounts in his autobiography how he tested positive for the stimulant in 1997. However he [...]
Hanks tells England: Fit-again Shaw is ready to face Pumas October 28, 2009 WASPS have handed England manager Martin Johnson a massive boost by insisting Simon Shaw will be available to face Argentina should he be required. The 36-year-old lock is set to make his first appearance since the summer’s British and Irish Lions tour in Sunday’s Premiership clash with Leeds after recovering from a metatarsal injury. And [...]
Losing British GP would damage F1, say McLaren October 28, 2009 MCLAREN team boss Martin Whitmarsh has pleaded with Formula One chiefs to save the British Grand Prix for the good of the sport. The race is in doubt after Donington Park, which was due to stage it from next year, failed to raise the funding necessary to host the event. Silverstone, which has been its [...]
