Pearl’s creditors set to reject deal on suspended payments January 6, 2010 PEARL Group’s bondholders plan to reject a deal that the insurer hoped would end a bitter dispute over suspended interest repayments. The firm, founded by pizza entrepreneur Hugh Osmond, suspended interest payments on £500m of its bonds last year, sparking outrage from bondholders. Pearl has tabled a deal offering to buy back £100m of the [...]
Top UK banker at Morgan Stanley quits January 6, 2010 ONE of Morgan Stanley’s top London bankers has quit the firm just days after new chief executive James Gorman took over at the US bank. London-based John Hyman, co-head of global capital markets, left the firm two weeks ago for personal reasons, and his departure was revealed in an internal conference call on Monday. It [...]
UK and European markets start year in the red January 4, 2010 UK and European stock markets are set to start the year in the red, after ending 2009 close to their highs of the year. GFT is quoting the FTSE 100 index to open down as much as 39 points from Friday’s close, at a level of 5,373. The German DAX is also expected to start [...]
United dumped out by Leeds January 4, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson risked further punishment by criticising referee Chris Foy following his side’s shock FA Cup elimination by League One Leeds United. A first-half goal from Jermaine Beckford was enough to inflict Ferguson’s first FA Cup defeat to lower league opposition, and his maiden exit at this stage of the competition, [...]
Classy Kallis rescues SA as England strike early January 4, 2010 BATSMAN Jacques Kallis’s 33rd Test century helped steer South Africa to 279-6 after England had the hosts struggling at 127-5 on day one of the third Test in Cape Town. Kallis was left unbeaten on 108 at the close after sharing an 89-run stand with keeper Mark Boucher (51) for the sixth wicket. England bowlers [...]
Wasps boss Hanks adds to chorus of criticism aimed at top-flight referees January 4, 2010 WASPS boss Tony Hanks added his voice to criticism of Premiership refereeing after seeing his side’s play-off hopes dented by a 12-6 home defeat to Newcastle. Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth kicked four penalties to earn them a first win at Adams Park in nine attempts, with Mark van Gisbergen and Dave Walder scoring with the [...]
We’ll beat America, Tiger or no Tiger, boasts Monty January 4, 2010 EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has warned America that he expects to win back the trophy this year, regardless of whether world No1 Tiger Woods plays. Fourteen-time Major winner Woods is not sure to feature at Celtic Manor in October, having withdrawn from the game indefinitely following revelations about his infidelity. “A lot depends [...]
Sturridge brace propels Blues progress January 4, 2010 Chelsea 5 Watford 0 CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti backed Daniel Sturridge to fill the void left by Didier Drogba after the teenager’s brace helped the FA Cup holders set up a fourth-round tie with Preston. Sturridge scored in each half to press his claims for a place while Drogba, who has scored 19 goals this [...]
Gunners dig deep to avoid a Hammering January 4, 2010 West Ham 1 Arsenal 2 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he wants to strengthen his squad this month after seeing the Gunners given a scare before reaching the FA Cup fourth round. Wales starlet Aaron Ramsey and Croatia striker Eduardo struck within five second-half minutes to save Wenger’s men, who looked to be heading out [...]
RFU chief Andrew hits back at Saracens’ Venter January 4, 2010 ELITE rugby chief Rob Andrew has leapt to the defence of Premiership referees after Saracens boss Brendan Venter’s criticism of current standards of officiating. The South African could be charged for bringing the game into disrepute following comments made about the referee after Saracens’ 22-15 defeat to Leicester on Saturday. Venter was unhappy with David [...]