Mandelson wins costs from MAG June 23, 2009 Business secretary Lord Mandelson has succeeded in a bid to reclaim legal costs from the Merger Action Group (MAG), which launched an unsuccessful legal bid to prevent the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB. The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) awarded the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Berr), £35,000 in costs, but rejected a [...]
Even neutral news from the Fed will boost the greenback June 23, 2009 FEDERAL RESERVE Chairman Ben Bernanke and the rest of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) have an unenviable job today as they discuss the next steps for US monetary policy against the backdrop of improving global conditions – the decision is due at 7.15pm this evening Since the committee last met on 28-29 April, the [...]
US firms face votes on pay June 10, 2009 US TREASURY secretary Timothy Geithner has promised new laws to force listed firms to put the pay packages of top executives to shareholder votes, although the results will not be binding. Geithner said shareholder-owned firms will have to hold “say on pay” votes over pay packages, following the public fury over so-called “fat cat” bonuses [...]
ABI: there is still faith in City bosses June 8, 2009 PUBLIC fury over the financial crisis and “fat cat” bonuses has failed to derail confidence in bosses at the City’s major companies, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) will claim today at its biennial conference. The ABI will unveil the results of a major national survey on economic sentiment suggesting that the majority of people [...]
Bruce hopes to silence doubters June 3, 2009 FOOTBALL: Tynesider Steve Bruce says he hopes to win over his Wearside doubters after finally being confirmed as Sunderland manager yesterday. Bruce, a lifelong Newcastle fan, received a mixed welcome at the club after the Black Cats agreed a £3m compensation package with Wigan. Bruce said: “It’s results on the pitch that matter. I hope [...]
City banks need same checks as MPs’ expenses May 31, 2009 Over the last few weeks, I suspect that the revelations about MPs’ expenses have shocked, disappointed and – in some cases – amused you. The tabloids have had a field day, as have the broadsheets, in particular, the Daily Telegraph. The paper has delighted in writing its front-page headlines in font so huge it is [...]
Howard’s way wasn’t good enough for Sir Alan May 27, 2009 PICTURE the scene: Sir Alan, curtains drawn, feet up, one hand in a family pack of Monster Munch, the other flicking between home shopping channels, looking for a pair of diamonique earrings for his good lady wife. Yes, this week, he got his teams time on some sub-QVC teleshopping channel, shifting tomorrow’s charity shop donations [...]
How to keep yourself young and healthy while soaking up the rays May 18, 2009 IT’S all too tempting to run joyfully to the beach or pool without a minute’s delay upon rocking up at your sun-drenched destination. But the glee of having escaped the damp squib of a British summer can distract you from the very pressing matter of your suncare. Those moments of joy at feeling warmth and [...]
Froth and love in a wonderful, light romance May 14, 2009 TheatreDUET FOR ONEVaudeville TheatreDUET for One provides us with what must be one of the West End’s most poignant performances in recent times, in the shape of Juliet Stevenson’s musician whose career has been curtailed by multiple sclerosis. It is a masterclass in control, nuance and subtle physicality, without ever seeming anything other than entirely [...]
A CONSERVATORY IS THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY THE SUMMER May 14, 2009 WITH a rare hot summer on the way, making use of your outdoor space this year will be a priority for anyone with a garden and a bit of an itch to renovate. Enter the conservatory. Banish thoughts of hyacinth-filled, musty rooms belonging to ladies with cats or ageing parents. They are an increasingly sleek [...]