Knightley fails to lift an unconvincing Karenina September 6, 2012 FILM DREDD Cert 18 | By Alex Dymoke **** We are just two minutes into this bleak, ultra-violent comic book adaptation when our helmeted anti-hero has blasted a flare into his criminal adversary’s mouth, burning and exploding his head from the inside. The 18-rated Dredd declines the family friendly middle-market targeted by most comic-book franchises. [...]
Roddick retires on Del Potro defeat as Sharapova soars into US Open semi finals September 5, 2012 ARGENTINA’S Juan Martin del Potro last night ended the career of Andy Roddick with a hard-fought four set victory in the quarter-finals of the US Open. That Roddick retired at the scene of his finest hour – Arthur Ashe Stadium where he won the 2003 grand slam title – was perhaps rather fitting but despite [...]
Gazprom gearing up to fight EU competition probe into gas sales September 5, 2012 RUSSIA’S Gazprom said yesterday it was ready to talk after the European Union launched a competition probe into its gas sales, but was armed with legal and political reasons why the EU should back off. The European Commission launched the probe on Tuesday into suspicions that Gazprom, more than 50 per cent held by the [...]
Polymetal looks for partnership September 5, 2012 Polymetal yesterday said it was looking for a joint venture partner to explore its Tamunier project in Russia, after some disappointing exploration results. It said it had found some gold in 50m tonnes of ore, but the project did not fit with the company’s strategy of looking at higher-grade assets, so it would consider a [...]
London gains Russian listings in IPO drought September 4, 2012 TWO MORE Russian firms yesterday announced plans to list in London, defying the poor funding environment. Mobile phone operator MegaFon is planning a 20 per cent float, in an IPO that could be worth up to £2.5bn. The firm, which was taken over by Alisher Usmanov in April, has asked regulators for permission to list. [...]
Hope for new floats a welcome ray of sunlight amid the clouds September 4, 2012 THE Russian bear gave the London IPO market a little bullish news yesterday, with mobile phone heavyweight MegaFon and lender Promsvyazbank seeking regulatory permission to pursue listings here. Both firms have been mentioned in connection with possible London listings before, but given the current economic headwinds it is reassuring to see signs that both firms [...]
Gazprom faces anti-competition probe September 4, 2012 The European Commission is investigating Russian energy giant Gazprom over claims it might be hindering competition in EU gas markets. The Commission believes Gazprom might be “abusing its dominant market position” in central and eastern Europe by hindering the free flow of gas and preventing the diversification of supply of gas. It added Gazprom “may [...]
Britain can finally make the dash for gas with Paterson September 4, 2012 DAVID Cameron has promised to end his government’s “dithering” and “paralysis”. As part of this, yesterday’s reshuffle was intended to kick-start new initiatives for reviving Britain’s flagging economy. One of the key political battle grounds in coming months will be the growing divergence between an outdated green agenda and a new push for environmental deregulation [...]
A punch drunk for Russo-love September 3, 2012 City A.M.’s resident cocktail expert THANKFULLY, long gone are the days when people in the capital sucked on sickening Piña Coladas. No half-decent bar would dare put one on the menu. And we have one man to thank for this: Dick Bradsell. Bradsell is the inventor of some modern classics. The Bramble – a delicious [...]
City Moves Who’s switching jobs September 2, 2012 Post Office The mail operator has announced that Sue Barton is to join the executive committee as strategy director. Barton’s experience includes extensive time within postal consultancy at Accenture, where she has worked with many of the leading international postal organisations providing support and advice. Laxfield Capital The debt origination and loan manager has announced [...]