WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING
FINANCIAL TIMES
NEW SFO BOSS VOWS TO STAY RELEVANT
The incoming director of the Serious Fraud Office has promised to pursue a more aggressive crime-fighting strategy, saying he will investigate “significant strategic targets” suspected of committing the most complex financial crime and overseas corruption.
INVESTORS TURN HEAT ON MAN CHIEF
Leading shareholders of Man Group, Europe’s biggest hedge fund manager, have warned Peter Clarke, chief executive, he must revive the company’s fortunes in the coming months or face calls to step down. Top 10 institutional investors in the FTSE-listed company said they had given Mr Clarke a “window” in which to bolster Man’s ailing share price, which hit an 11-year low this month.
ARGENTINIAN OIL BOSS SOLD SHARES BEFORE NATIONALISATION
The head of Repsol in Argentina sold shares in the Spanish oil group ahead of Buenos Aires nationalising its YPF subsidiary. Antonio Gomis sold 9,424 shares in the company in November last year. Repsol said Mr Gomis had acted lawfully.
THE TIMES
BT PUTS PHONE BOXES UP FOR SALE
The public has a chance to obtain a piece of classic British design as BT launches a sale of its iconic red phone boxes — yours for a mere £1,950. The number of phone calls from payphones has dropped 80 per cent in the past five years.
BARCLAYS BANKROLLED FALLEN TYCOON
The High Court heard how Derek Quinlan, the Irish businessman who masterminded a takeover of the Savoy Group, was forced to accept a €500,000 handout from the Barclay brothers after the financial collapse.
The Daily Telegraph
FALKLANDS OIL FIRM GIVEN ULTIMATUM
Argentina has vowed to press criminal and civil charges on British oil companies exploring off the Falkland Islands if they do not “justify their actions” by a May 2 deadline. It is the latest escalation of rhetoric over the disputed islands.
WILLIE WALSH WANTS SHORTER QUEUES
Aviation boss Willie Walsh is demanding “urgent” action to tackle the chaos at Britain’s borders, warning the country is losing out on billions of pounds in investment and jobs due to delays.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
CHINA COMES TO EUROPE
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Russia yesterday on a trip that will include Hungary and Belgium, while Premier Wen Jiabao is still on his own European tour, signaling unusual attention from Beijing on a region deeply mired in financial woes and political uncertainties.
GREEN CLOUDS SHOCK MOSCOW
Moscow officials assured residents that green-colored clouds that appeared over the city yesterday were only pollen, and not the result of an industrial accident.