FTSE falls to lowest level since July October 20, 2005 The FTSE fell to its lowest level since July as fears about rising interest rates wiped out value on stock exchanges across Europe. It emerged yesterday that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep British interest rates at 4.5 per cent. Analysts said that this signalled a rate cut to coincide with November’s [...]
BA: Ryanair passengers ‘like freight’ October 20, 2005 British Airways boss Willie Walsh has shocked the airline industry with an attack on Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary. Walsh slammed the low-cost airline claiming that it treats its passengers worse than BA treats freight. In an interview with CityA.M. Walsh said: “I think we actually treat our freight better than he treats his passengers.” The [...]
OFT slams ‘too high’ Visa fees October 20, 2005 The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) stepped up its assault on British banks yesterday, announcing an in-depth inquiry into Visa fees. The investigation relates to so-called “interchange fees” which are levied by high street banks on retailers when they process Visa credit card transactions. In a related investigation into Mastercard fees, the OFT last month [...]
Rusedski out in Madrid October 19, 2005 Greg Rusedski was knocked out by Ivo Karlovic in the first round of the Madrid Masters yesterday — all three sets going to a tie-break. It was a disappointing and distracted performance from the British number two who allowed some poor line calls to affect his display. The first set went to serve but Rusedski [...]
Record return for King Henry October 19, 2005 Two goals for the returning Thierry Henry left Arsenal on the verge of qualification for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. The striker, not even sure of making the squad after returning from a groin injury, finished the match as the most prolific scorer in Arsenal’s illustrious history. Despite their domestic troubles, Arsene Wenger’s [...]
England need mental and physical strength October 19, 2005 I know summer doesn’t seem that distant a memory but in less than a week’s time England will be on their way to Pakistan for the first leg of their winter schedule. The fans, pundits but especially the players are still basking in the glory of winning back the Ashes and the national adulation that [...]
Bugatti Power October 19, 2005 Veyron keyed up for super speeds YES, YES, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes please can I have one?! This is the long-awaited Bugatti Veyron which has the most amazing statistics of any production car I’ve ever come across. Its engine is a massive eight litres, it has 16 cylinders, four turbos, and seven gears. [...]
Alas Sugar and Jones October 19, 2005 Sir Alan Sugar teamed up with Griff Rhys Jones to save the Hackney Empire. Now they have reunited to lay on a fundraising extravaganza involving teams from the Square Mile. Sir Alan Sugar and Griff Rhys Jones are an unlikely double act. One left school at 16 and, following a short stint as a civil [...]
Your friendly neighbours at the Barbican October 19, 2005 Residents of City apartment complex the Barbican are thinking of forming a vigilante group to take on the “Johnny foreigners” at the nearby YMCA. Their noisy antics have become the subject of heated exchanges in one of the chatrooms on www.barbicantalk.com. One of the more gung-ho residents, who calls himself Flangia, has even proposed the [...]
House prices to stay static October 19, 2005 John Watson, chief executive of Bellway, the housebuilder, yesterday dampened expectations of a significant increase in house prices between now and next summer. Commenting as the company delivered otherwise impressive annual results, he said: “My feeling is that it is right to assume nil house price inflation in our next financial year, which is to [...]
