WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 16, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES NATIONAL EXPRESS IN DEBT TALKSNational Express is in talks with bankers to renegotiate terms on part of its £1.2bn debt amid fears that the bus and rail operator will breach loan conditions in December. The group is expected to pass a key test of whether it is meeting the terms of its debt [...]
Ashley’s new bargain basement June 14, 2009 Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has set up a £1 shop in the former Burberry headquarters in London’s West End, despite budget retailer TK Maxx being blocked from opening nearby. The former up-market building is now plastered with “sports clearance” signs. It is believed Ashley’s Sports Direct chain is using the store to clear old [...]
Sri Lankans end gallant Irish charge June 14, 2009 MUCH-FANCIED Sri Lanka took another leap towards the World Twenty20 semi-finals but were given the fright of their lives by plucky Ireland at Lord’s. The Irish were thrashed by 83 runs by New Zealand on Friday and many believed the in-form Sri Lankans would inflict similar damage. But seamer Alex Cusack returned excellent figures of [...]
From Russia with laughs June 11, 2009 TheatreTHE CHERRY ORCHARDThe Old VicTHIS new production by Sam Mendes is one half of a double bill under the title of The Bridge Project, conceived by Mendes and Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey to bring together an Anglo-American company touring two productions at once. The other show is Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale. It might [...]
Smith declares an end to his feud with Pietersen June 10, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA captain Graeme Smith insists his rift with England batsman Kevin Pietersen is a thing of the past as the two nations prepare to lock horns in the World Twenty20. Opener Smith has publicly criticised Pietersen in the past, prompting the England ace to brand him an “absolute muppet” in his autobiography. Now, however, [...]
Terry urges Chelsea to net Pato as Pirlo drops Blues hint June 10, 2009 CAPTAIN John Terry yesterday urged Chelsea to do what it takes to bring AC Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato to Stamford Bridge. The 19-year-old has admitted he would be interested in a move to west London, following the tracks of his former Rossoneri mentor Carlo Ancelotti. Pato is believed to be unsettled by fellow Kaka’s world [...]
West Ham taken over by Icelandic banks as Gudmundsson era ends June 8, 2009 WEST HAM’S new owners CB Holding have reassured fans that manager Gianfranco Zola and assistant Steve Clarke are going nowhere. And the asset management company – made up of several Icelandic banks – insist Zola will be given money to spend this summer. CB Holding acquired the Premier League club yesterday in a takeover estimated [...]
Network Rail bosses set to get bonuses June 3, 2009 RAIL OPERATOR Network Rail said yesterday it would pay its executives bonuses, despite a furore over pay in blue chip companies, and a possible licence breach at the company. Directors will share £1m between them as the rail regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), investigates claims of a licence breach on its west coast [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 2, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMESCARLSBERG SEEKS TO EXTEND REACH IN ASIACarlsberg, the Danish brewer, is planning further expansion in Asia to help reduce its substantial exposure to the volatile Russian beer market. “We do see Asia as being a place to expand and invest in,” Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen, chief executive, told the Financial Times in an interview. He [...]
OUT OF OFFICE June 2, 2009 SISTER ACT AT THE PALLADIUMWhoopi Goldberg, star of the 1992 hit comedy Sister Act, has produced the new production of the singing nuns-in-habits taking the West End by storm (just in case it needed another musical). American actress Patina Miller has taken the baton from Ms Goldberg in this production as its star; with Sheila [...]