Economy in new GDP blow May 24, 2012 The UK economy shrank by 0.3 per cent in the first three months of the year, the Office for National Statistics said. A contraction of 0.2 per cent was estimated last month.
EU says it wants Greece to stay in euro May 24, 2012 European Union leaders, advised by senior officials to prepare contingency plans in case Greece decides to quit the single currency, urged the country to stay the course on austerity and complete the reforms demanded under its bailout programme. After nearly six hours of talks held during an informal dinner, leaders said they were committed to [...]
Asos profit surge fuelled by overseas sales May 24, 2012 Online fashion retailer ASOS met forecasts with a 43-per cent rise in year profit as stellar growth overseas offset a weaker home market. The firm, which targets 16 to 34-year-old women looking to emulate the designer looks of celebrities such as Alexa Chung, Tulisa Contostavlos and Kate Moss, said on Thursday it made a pretax [...]
Shell considers next move in Cove bidding war May 24, 2012 Royal Dutch Shell said it was considering its options regarding Cove Energy, the explorer it is trying to buy, as it extended the deadline for shareholder acceptances in the face of a higher bid from a Thai firm. The takeover battle for Cove, which has a stake in huge gas finds off the coast of [...]
QPR captain Barton banned for 12 matches May 23, 2012 CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Joey Barton’s QPR future was plunged into fresh doubt last night after he received a 12-match ban for three instances of violent conduct against Manchester City earlier this month. Rangers captain Barton will not play until November at the earliest after being handed an eight-game suspension on top of his statutory four-match ban [...]
London Welsh anger at block on promotion May 23, 2012 LONDON Welsh chiefs have hit back at the Rugby Football Union after learning their promotion bid is doomed to failure even if they win the Championship play-off. The RFU ruled yesterday that the Exiles do not meet Premiership criteria regarding stadia, as their home, Old Deer Park, is inadequate and plans to play at Oxford [...]
ZARA’S OLYMPIC FLAME RIDE DRAWS CROWD May 23, 2012 MORE than 30,000 people gathered at Cheltenham Racecourse yesterday to see the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips carry the London 2012 Olympic flame aboard her horse Toytown. Former eventing world champion Phillips, who still hopes to qualify for this summer’s Games, rode a lap of the course before lighting a cauldron.
There shouldn’t be any debate: give Di Matteo Chelsea job now May 23, 2012 CURRENTLY basking in the glory of their extraordinary Champions League success, Chelsea must feel on top of the world. Surely the last thing the club want is for the players to return in July for pre-season training in a state of disarray. So why are they even considering not appointing Roberto di Matteo manager? They’re [...]
Boss not stars best for Blues brand boost May 23, 2012 CHELSEA have been urged to forget star signings such as Eden Hazard and focus on appointing the right manager, or risk wasting a boost to their brand value earned by conquering Europe. Champions League success helped increase their brand value by 27 per cent to an estimated £251m, although they lie fifth in the Brand [...]
England opt for Dowson over Hartley as skipper for Baa-Baas May 23, 2012 NORTHAMPTON No8 Phil Dowson is set to captain England for the first time against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday. Dowson, 30, has been handed the armband in the absence of regular skipper Chris Robshaw, one of several players on Premiership final duty the previous day. Despite only winning his first cap during this year’s [...]
