HSBC to unveil pay packages for its top eight executives February 26, 2012 HSBC will become the first bank to disclose the pay packages of its top eight executives when it unveils its annual results for 2011 today. The bank will be the first to comply with new proposals being put forward by the Treasury, which would see each bank provide pay details of the eight top executives [...]
Banks line up for more cheap cash as ECB offers new loans February 26, 2012 BANKS are set to line up for more easy money on Wednesday when the European Central Bank offers an unlimited volume of cheap loans for the second time in as many months. Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland have both said they are attracted by the so-called three-year Long-Term Refinancing Operation (LTRO) because [...]
BT looking to launch a new music player February 26, 2012 BT is considering launching its own music service, putting it in direct competition with the likes of Apple’s iTunes and Spotify. A BT spokesperson said, “We’re keen to launch a music service this year, but the business model has to make sense.” He declined to comment on the nature of the product or its expected [...]
Powder rules on the mountains of Japan February 26, 2012 SKIING in Japan has been on the radar of dedicated powder seekers for a number of years. The snow that falls upon Japan’s resorts has to be some of the best in the world; it is light, dry and very often chest deep. Now that word has leaked out about Japan’s fantastic skiing opportunities – [...]
The buzz is coming back to Monaco February 23, 2012 IN its 1950s heyday, Monaco was a place of high European glamour and refinement, reigned over by Grace Kelly. Very much the rich – and royal – man’s St Tropez, it is now known more for its oligarch traffic jams, Formula One racing, casinos and cruise ship embarkation point. But a range of tax breaks [...]
Carling Cup looks to be Anfield-bound February 23, 2012 CARDIFF CITY vs LIVERPOOL SUNDAY – 4.00PM BBC ONE ENGLAND might be on drought watch at the moment, but one of the country’s most high profile dry spells looks set to come to an end this weekend. The last time Liverpool won a major trophy, Steve Finnan, Djibril Cisse, Jan Kromkamp, Djimi Traore and Fernando [...]
CAR TALK February 21, 2012 FORD’S FIESTA-SIZED B-MAX Will Ford’s new B-MAX be the cleverest little car this year? The new Fiesta-sized MPV has its central body B-pillars incorporated into the doors so there’s a 1.5m long opening on either side of the car. Easy to get in and out of and you should be able to load large items [...]
Get fit while the sun shines February 20, 2012 Two days without February’s usual inclement weather should have been enough to rouse from hibernation the part of your brain that craves exercise. Escape the tedium of the gym with these get-fit options that take advantage of the weather – while it lasts. TOUGH MUDDER Run by the special forces, Tough Mudder is an insane [...]
Desert island dream in remotest Philippines February 19, 2012 AS the plane rumbles along from Manila to Busuanga in the Palawan peninsula in the Philippines, the smiling stewardess at the front starts playing a game of “Show and Tell” to an enraptured audience, in the absence of TVs to divert us. First person to hold up a… pen, wins a thermos flask. Next person [...]
Wiggins wins Algarve finale February 19, 2012 Britain’s Bradley Wiggins won the final stage time trial in the Tour of Algarve yesterday as Team Sky colleague Richie Porte claimed the overall title. Wiggins beat Germany’s Tony Martin in the 26km stage as he stepped up preparations for his dual summer targets, the Tour de France title and Olympic gold in London.