Russia’s Sibir Energy races towards FTSE July 8, 2008 London-listed mid-sized Russian oil company Sibir Energy said yesterday its full-year pre-tax profit trebled to $344m (£172m) due to higher output at its Siberian unit and strong margins from refining and retail. Sibir said its crude oil production rose 80 per cent in the year to 17.8 million barrels. Most of the output, 15.3 million [...]
Ross has found form at just the right time July 8, 2008 For several years now, I’ve been monitoring the progress of a young man who I always felt had the potential of becoming a future major champion. Playing from Wentworth, down the road from me, Ross Fisher caught the eye from a very young age, but has never quite had the breaks needed to force his [...]
Federer wary of Safin threat as he goes in search of title number six July 4, 2008 Roger Federer admits he is wary of semi-final opponent Marat Safin, describing the Russian’s lowly ranking as “ridiculous”. Safin is ranked as low as 75th in the world but has discovered the best grass court form of his career after beating No3 seed Novak Djokovic on route to a place in the last four. And [...]
Take Safin to start well, but be Fed up July 4, 2008 It’s easy to predict that Roger Federer will beat Marat Safin in the Wimbledon semi-final today, and is all set to clash with Rafa Nadal in the final. But there might still be some value out there if you look for it. Looking at the semi-final between Federer and Russian maverick Safin, better have an [...]
Federer routs Ancic to march into semis July 3, 2008 Defending champion Roger Federer continued his serene progress towards a sixth successive Wimbledon title with a quarterfinal stroll against Mario Ancic. Croatia’s Ancic, the last player to beat Federer on grass, in 2002, failed to earn a single break point as the world No1 cruised into the last four, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. It was another [...]
French jeweller who loves the Queen sees fine times ahead for Cartier July 2, 2008 Luxury goods maker’s man in London says that the market is doing just fine, writes Zoe Strimpel Arnuad Bamberger, the head of Cartier UK, is not your typical Frenchman. He loves the Queen, has more British than European friends, and loves nothing better than a good polo match well attended by tweedy toffs. Indeed, under [...]
Determined Venus looks for revenge July 2, 2008 Venus Williams will be looking to gain sweet revenge on sister Serena should they be paired in Saturday’s singles final at SW19. The four-times champion has suffered defeat to her younger sibling in both their previous final meetings, in 2002 and 2003. But she moved one step closer to securing another family final yesterday with [...]
Six-star hotel in City July 2, 2008 Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin is set to transform a landmark City building into London’s first six-star hotel. Chernukhin, a former Russian Deputy Finance Minister, was yesterday granted planning permission to redevelop the former Midland Bank headquarters – the imposing Grade 1 listed building situated on Poultry behind the Bank of England – into a luxury [...]
Williams sisters eyeing a family affair as Jankovic crashes to shock defeat July 1, 2008 The Williams sisters are lining up a third singles final showdown after No2 seed Jelena Jankovic joined the list of high-profile casualties at Wimbledon. The Serb, clearly struggling with a knee injury, collapsed to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn to leave the quarter-finals without any of the top four seeds for the [...]
The Power Struggle November 3, 2005 The fate of Battersea’s famous structure is still far from certain, reports Robin Marriott To the Chelsea residents on the north side of the Thames, Battersea Power Station stands out like a monument to a bygone era. The four chimneys no longer emit smoke and the days when it generated electricity must seem as distant [...]