TUI Travel to raise 440m to repay loan September 29, 2009 TUI Travel, Europe’s biggest tour operator yesterday said it would raise £440m to help finance £900m of borrowings, as it cautioned that winter booking volumes remained lower than last year. TUI Travel said it would launch a £300m five-year convertible bond issue and had agreed a new credit facility worth £140m in a bid to [...]
Clapham House expects trading to remain tough September 29, 2009 RESTAURANT group Clapham House yesterday said revenues grew two per cent in the first half to the end of March compared with a year earlier, but it expects the trading environment in the UK to remain tough, especially at its Tootsies business. The owner and operator of Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The Real Greek and Tootsies [...]
Compass sees boost from new business wins September 29, 2009 COMPASS Group, the world’s biggest caterer, has seen a 14 per cent growth in yearly earnings per share on the back of new business wins, cost cuts and a weak pound, sending its shares to a 12-month high. The company, which feeds office and factory workers, soldiers and schoolchildren, said it expected underlying sales to [...]
Wenger wades into RVP diving storm September 28, 2009 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger was last night forced to defend another of his strikers in a diving storm, after Robin van Persie admitted exaggerating contact from defenders. Wenger has already fought Eduardo’s corner this season, successfully appealing to Uefa after European chiefs hit the Croatian with a two-match ban for diving. And ahead of tonight’s [...]
Caution a thing of the past for goal happy Rafa September 28, 2009 LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez insists his side will not curb their attacking instincts as they look to continue their goal rush against Fiorentina tonight. The Reds arrived in Italy for their Champions League Group E clash in ominous form, having scored 24 goals this season already. And although they are without midfield general Javier Mascherano, [...]
Don’t take your foot off the gas now, rueful Hamilton warns his heir Button September 28, 2009 WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton has warned his would-be successor Jenson Button that he cannot afford to ease off now that his goal is in sight. Button took another step towards his maiden title by increasing his championship lead to 15 points at Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. But the Englishman only managed fifth place – the [...]
Venus and Safina crash in Tokyo September 28, 2009 TENNIS: World No1 and defending champion Dinara Safina was sensationally dumped out of the Pan Pacific Open in the second round by Taiwanese qualifier Chang Kai-Chen.“It’s not an easy moment, it’s so disappointing I didn’t play the way I should have,” she said. Second seed Venus Williams was also sent packing in Tokyo, losing 7-6 [...]
Woods claims FedEx Cup September 28, 2009 GOLF: World No1 Tiger Woods took home a cheque for $10m (£6.3m) after being crowned the winner of the FedEx Cup, despite Phil Mickelson claiming the Tour Championship. Mickelson shot a final-round 65 on Sunday to claim victory at East Lake Golf Club but Woods was second, ensuring the 33-year-old topped the FedEx Cup standings. [...]
Obama boost for Chicago bid September 28, 2009 OLYMPICS: President Barack Obama will travel to Copenhagen this week to show his support for Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.He will join his wife Michelle at the International Olympic Committee meeting in the Danish capital on Thursday. Chicago, the favourite to land the Games, faces stiff competition from Madrid, Rio de Janeiro [...]
Strauss gets ICC backing in cramp row September 28, 2009 WORLD governing body the ICC has backed England captain Andrew Strauss in the row over cramp that erupted during Sunday’s Champions Trophy defeat of South Africa. Proteas skipper Graeme Smith asked for a runner when he started cramping as the hosts vainly chased their target of 324. But Strauss, backed by the umpires, turned down [...]
