Imperial grows despite drop in cigarette sales July 24, 2012 IMPERIAL Tobacco yesterday announced improved revenues, despite sales volumes falling as recession-hit Europeans reduce their tobacco consumption. Price rises for its premium brands enabled net revenue to increase by three per cent for the nine months to the end of June, even though the amount of tobacco it sold fell by three per cent during [...]
UK economy hit by fresh blows August 1, 2012 THE UK’S recession looks set to deepen even further after manufacturing output fell in July at its fastest rate for more than three years, according to an influential survey published yesterday. It came as fears mounted that the Olympics are failing to deliver the boost that some economists had hoped for – and in fact are [...]
All the West End wonders July 5, 2012 CHARIOTS OF FIRE Celebrate one of this country’s greatest ever sporting achievements this summer as Chariots of Fire, a new play, lights up the West End at the Gielgud Theatre. Adapted from the Oscar-winning movie, and featuring the original Vangelis score, this is a moving tale of rivalry, and determination in the face of prejudice [...]
Stagecoach profits dented by rail unit June 26, 2012 British bus and rail operator Stagecoach reported a slight fall in full-year profit after its UK rail business delivered a worse-than-expected performance. Scotland-based Stagecoach said its pretax profit for the year to the end of April fell 1.5 per cent to £202.5m on revenues 8.4 per cent higher at £2.59bn. “This reduction was principally due [...]
Work up a sweat and prepare for a challenge in this Egyptian paradise October 28, 2012 REMEMBER that week back in August, the one just after the Olympics when it wasn’t dark by 5pm? The Eurozone crisis had gone on its summer holidays and the whole of London — starry eyed with Team GB’s success — was convinced that being an Olympian was the best job ever. I do. Partly because [...]
Work up a sweat and prepare for a challenge in this Egyptian paradise October 28, 2012 REMEMBER that week back in August, the one just after the Olympics when it wasn’t dark by 5pm? The Eurozone crisis had gone on its summer holidays and the whole of London — starry eyed with Team GB’s success — was convinced that being an Olympian was the best job ever. I do. Partly because [...]
Moyes in frame as Redknapp leaves Spurs June 13, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp’s reign came to an abrupt end last night. Redknapp and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had been due to meet in an attempt to resolve increasingly tense discussions over a new contract. But rather than mend his differences with the north London club’s hierarchy, Redknapp has parted company with them, despite a [...]
Can London halt rise of Manchester? August 16, 2012 THE crucial question this season surrounds whether the two Manchester clubs, United and the champions City, can truly be challenged. It’s difficult to see that happening, but I am very interested in seeing how Chelsea evolve. Before it became clear that Robin van Persie was going to leave Arsenal, they would have been rivals too, [...]
England pair best in world, says Pietersen May 22, 2012 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has hailed team-mates Stuart Broad and James Anderson as the most devastating new-ball pairing in world cricket. Broad and Anderson took 14 scalps between them as England beat West Indies by five wickets in the first Test at Lord’s, which ended on Monday. “Our bowlers are a fantastic unit. To get [...]
Squad rotation in Test cricket is here to stay June 5, 2012 ENGLAND’S top fast bowler James Anderson is understandably frustrated at being rested for tomorrow’s third Test against West Indies. He’s bowling beautifully and I would have selected him – but this kind of rotation is set to become common in first-class cricket. In football the story is familiar; you hear of players like Wayne Rooney [...]