London 2012 Olympics: Call to ban sponsors from Olympic lanes - Daily Telegraph
The lanes were created to avoid the chaos which beset the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, where competitors struggling to reach events on time after being stuck in heavy traffic.
Critics of the London arrangements fear that motorists will be caught in gridlock, although the restrictions have been watered down by Boris Johnson, the mayor.
The changes will see the lanes suspended between the Olympics and Paralympics, ditching the original proposals which would have seen them in force for three months over the summer.
London Welsh not eligible for Premiership promotion - BBC News
The Rugby Football Union has deemed that London Welsh will not be eligible for promotion to the Premiership.
A report said the Exiles had not achieved the minimum standards criteria for entry into the top flight.
An RFU statement said: "The independent auditors identified various failures, including not having Primacy of Tenure at their nominated ground."
Welsh have the right to appeal but the decision effectively safeguards Newcastle's Premiership status.
The Richmond-based outfit expressed "grave disappointment" in a statement and confirmed they will be "exploring all possible avenues off the pitch" to gain promotion if they win their two-legged Championship final.
For now it appears that Newcastle's new director of rugby Dean Richards will take over a Premiership club, three years after the so-called 'bloodgate' scandal, because, although Falcons finished bottom of the table this season, the other Championship finalists Cornish Pirates did not apply to join the top flight.
A Falcons statement read: "The club would like to take this opportunity to thank fans across the region for their continued support as the Falcons embark on an exciting new era under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards."
And commercial director Duncan Edward went on to say: "To be given the lifeline of playing in the Aviva Premiership next season and keeping top-class rugby in the region is unbelievable."
The Exiles were forced to look for alternate venues with a capacity over 10,000 because their home ground, Old Deer Park, is too small under the Premiership's regulations.
The club will play the second leg of their play-off final against Cornish Pirates at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium next week and, following the announcement that they were not eligible, confirmed "a firm binding agreement, subject only to promotion, has already been concluded with Kassam Stadium" for next season.
But the audit findings highlighted the primacy of tenure issue as a key stumbling block.
An RFU statement added: "This states that a club must demonstrate that they can host home fixtures at the time stipulated by Premiership Rugby and/or the host broadcaster."
This season four Premiership sides have played home fixtures at football grounds which they share: London Irish, Sale, Saracens and Wasps - a fact emphasised in London Welsh's response.
"The club [London Welsh] has already sought clarification on this point, the detailed reasoning behind why primacy of tenure was not satisfied (among other things) having not yet been given by the RFU," a statement read.
"The club also notes that if promoted it would share its ground with a club from the FA, in common with other Premiership clubs.
"It is not clear why an exception made in the case of at least four top-flight clubs might not now be extended to a fifth."
London mayor announces housing board members - InsideHousing
Homes for London board members:
• Nick Salisbury, former head of structured finance for the Barclays corporate bank property
• Mike Youkee, former head of housing at Quintain and former joint chief executive of the Greenwich Peninsula project
• Charmaine Young CBE, outgoing director of developer St George
• Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing
• Councillor Stephen Carr, leader of Bromley Council
• Councillor Chris Roberts, leader of Greenwich Council
London close: Stocks sink on Greek exit speculation - Life Style Extra
- BoE policy makers 'finely balanced' on more QE
- CBO warns of US recession
The FTSE 100 sunk to its lowest levels of the day by the end of trade on Wednesday as investors looked ahead to this evening's EU summit with caution as speculation increases over a Greek exit from the Eurozone.
International pressure has been mounting on Eurozone leaders to take quick action to stave off the recession that threatens the region. The European Council is holding an informal dinner Wednesday evening at 18:00 London time, where the members are expected to discuss both the situation in Greece and measures to increase growth.
Former Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has said that although a Greek exit is unlikely, "it cannot be excluded that preparations are being made to contain the potential consequences" of such a scenario. He later clarified that he has no specific knowledge of any countries of institutions making contingency plans but could not "exclude the possibility".
According to an article by Reuters this afternoon, three officials of the Eurogroup Working Group (EWG) have said that countries should be planning for a Greek exit. "The EWG agreed that each Eurozone country should prepare a contingency plan, individually, for the potential consequences of a Greek exit from the euro," one official said. Germany's Bundesbank has said that a withdrawal from the single currency would be "considerable but manageable".
Gloomy comments from the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) were also dampening the mood today. The CBO warned of a risk of recession for the world's largest economy in 2013 if the Bush-era tax reductions were allowed to expire at the same time as spending cuts come into effect. It said that the US economy could contract by 1.3% in the first half of next year as the government falls off a "fiscal cliff".
UK economy
In domestic news, the Bank of England's top decision makers indicated that more of them were on the verge of voting to increase stimulus measures at their lasting meeting. While the Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-to-1 to keep the Bank's quantitative easing programme steady at 325bn, the minutes of the meeting showed that "for several members, the decision not to expand the asset purchase programme at this meeting was finely balanced".
UK retail sales registered their biggest monthly fall in April, with fuel sales tailing off dramatically after the panic buying in March, when motorists were encouraged by the government to stock up on petrol.
FTSE 100: Miners bear the brunt of risk aversion
The blue-chip miners were dominating the fallers list on the Footsie as metals prices dropped on concerns that the Chinese economy may be affected greatly by Greece leaving the euro: investment bank China International Capital Corp said today that the world's second-largest economy could see its lowest levels of growth in more than two decades in this scenario. Mining peers Vedanta Resources, Kazakhmys, Polymetal, Xstrata, Glencore, Fresnillo, Rio Tinto, and Antofagasta were all suffering heavy losses.
Financials were also unwanted due to risk aversion. Barclays was out of favour after it announced the pricing details of the open offer part of its recently announced sale of its stake in US wealth management giant Blackrock. Meanwhile, there were rumours that the lender could be thinking about a shake-up in Italy, which could involve the sale of branches or a restructuring. Sector peers RBS, Lloyds and HSBC also finished lower.
Iconic British luxury brand Burberry dropped despite reporting solid profit growth in the year ended March 31st. Adjusted profit before tax increased by 26% from 298m to 376m, broadly in line with estimates. Analysts at Investec said this morning that bears make "take issue" today given the lack of upgrades following the results.
There were only a few stocks that finished with their head above water today: British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) rose after the Competition Commission announced that it was no longer concerned that 'Sky Movies' has an unfair advantage over its competitors; while Smith & Nephew was benefiting from renewed bid speculation.
FTSE 250: LSE falls after Italian banks sell up
Italian banks UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo have announced that they have sold their combined 11.5% stake of market operator London Stock Exchange (LSE), causing shares to take a tumble today. The banks made the transaction via an "accelerated bookbuild" at 960p per share, a discount to Tuesday's closing price.
Second-tier miners were firmly lower, like their FTSE 100 counterparts - Ferrexpo, Petropavlovsk and Avocet registered significant losses by the close. Aquarius Platinum was also under pressure due to the news of a fire at its Mimosa mine in Zimbabwe. "At this stage, the extent of the damage and impact on production cannot be ascertained," Aquarius said.
Buses and trains operator FirstGroup was a high riser after saying that it is to shake up its UK bus operations to focus on those areas that offer the greatest potential for growth. The group announced full-year results for the year to the end of March that were slightly ahead of expectations.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 594.50p +0.42%
British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY) 693.00p +0.36%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 241.30p +0.04%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Vedanta Resources (VED) 951.50p -9.12%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 679.50p -7.86%
Man Group (EMG) 73.10p -5.86%
Polymetal International (POLY) 794.00p -5.42%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,312.00p -5.41%
Aviva (AV.) 263.90p -5.14%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 1,337.00p -5.04%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,790.50p -4.97%
Glencore International (GLEN) 343.65p -4.96%
Xstrata (XTA) 926.20p -4.80%
FTSE 250 - Risers
FirstGroup (FGP) 220.10p +7.42%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 107.80p +5.89%
COLT Group SA (COLT) 118.70p +5.14%
Great Portland Estates (GPOR) 392.90p +2.80%
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 128.80p +2.79%
Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 160.80p +2.42%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 157.30p +2.28%
KCOM Group (KCOM) 69.00p +2.22%
Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,725.00p +2.14%
Lamprell (LAM) 103.00p +1.98%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 204.40p -10.82%
Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 74.80p -10.10%
Petropavlovsk (POG) 380.50p -9.10%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 947.00p -7.25%
Essar Energy (ESSR) 112.80p -6.70%
Kenmare Resources (KMR) 41.39p -6.48%
Avocet Mining (AVM) 143.50p -6.45%
New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 316.30p -6.42%
Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 146.90p -6.25%
Lonmin (LMI) 736.00p -6.18%
BC
London 2012 Olympics torch passes over Clifton Suspension Bridge - Daily Telegraph
The Grade I listed structure, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was opened in 1864 and is considered to be the symbol of the city of Bristol.
TBWA\London Wins Global Four Seasons Account - CNW Group
LONDON, May 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the premier luxury brand in travel, today named TBWA as its global creative agency network, with TBWA\London as hub agency, supported by TBWA\Hong Kong and TBWA\Chiat\Day, New York.
The agency's remit will cover all marketing communications – from global brand advertising, to local property-level campaigns and digital, CRM and experiential marketing. TBWA\London will be partnering with Four Seasons to develop a global strategic communications platform to further cement Four Seasons as the world's leader in luxury hospitality.
The pitch process was handled by AAR London and was the result of an extensive global search.
TBWA\London president, Robert Harwood-Matthews, said: "Four Seasons has a truly iconic brand and we have been given this opportunity to propel it into the future with innovative marketing that will continue to set it apart in the crowded luxury hotel and resort marketplace."
Susan Helstab, executive vice president marketing, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, said: "The search for a new agency partner was one that we undertook with a great degree of care and rigour. Our new partner had to demonstrate the highest degree of strategic thinking, an ability to understand our business and a spirit of innovation and drive for excellence that matches our own. TBWA fit on every measure and we are delighted to begin this new partnership with TBWA across every aspect our global business."
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is based in Toronto, Canada and operates across regional hubs to cover all major markets. TBWA\London will lead the global account, with TBWA offices in Hong Kong and New York providing support in their respective regions.
About TBWA\London
Headed up by President, Robert Harwood Matthews, TBWA\London is led by brand leaders who excel at creating teams with diverse and specialist talents to produce truly collaborative work. TBWA\London's clients include Apple, Aquafresh, GSK, Nissan, GAME, Absolut, EA Games. TBWA lives, breathes and works by Disruption, a convention-busting strategy that strives to outperform the rest of the marketplace through breaking the norm. The media arts approach to creative development drives brand activity across paid, earned, created and owned media to produce an ambitious and creative culture. It is a philosophy that puts all the ways in which a brand connects at the very centre of what TBWA\London stands for.
About TBWA Worldwide
TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) creates Disruptive ideas expressed through Media Arts for global clients, including ABSOLUT, Accenture, adidas, Apple, Energizer, GSK, Henkel, Infiniti, McDonald's, Michelin, Nissan, Pernod Ricard, Pfizer, Roche, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore Airlines and Visa. TBWA is ranked as a Top-Ten worldwide advertising agency, and was recognized by Advertising Age in 2010 as the "Best International Network of the Decade." TBWA has 274 offices in 100 countries, and over 11,000 employees worldwide.
TBWA is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalised 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees – people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 86 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding. For more information on Four Seasons, visit press.fourseasons.com
Elizabeth Pizzinato
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
voice: 1 (416) 441-4335
e-mail: epizzinato@fourseasons.com
SOURCE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
FBI are not worried by London 2012 security, insists NYPD chief - Daily Mail
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New York's police chief says he is impressed with security planning for this summer's London Olympics, rejecting suggestions that US officials were concerned about arrangements for the Games.
Commissioner Raymond Kelly said London's police and security planning was far more comprehensive and organised than had been the case for the Atlanta games in 1996, when he was personally involved in a federal government role.
'It seems they really have a handle on just about any contingency that might take place,' Kelly said in London during a trip to meet Olympic security chiefs, senior London police and officials at MI5 domestic security agency.
'We've been universally very much impressed with everything we've seen. As far as I can see they have done an excellent job preparing all of their forces.'
No concerns: Raymond Kelly has dismissed security fears
Last November, the United States denied that there had been a diplomatic row over the Olympic security planning, following a newspaper claim that 1,000 agents including some 500 from the FBI, would be sent to protect US athletes and officials.
Chris Allison, Britain's national Olympic security coordinator, said the claim was 'rubbish' and that the reported FBI contingent had been grossly exaggerated.
'I think the FBI role is a supportive one. I don't think they're here with specific concerns,' Kelly said, dismissing the idea that the London police needed their assistance.
He added than rather than lecturing the British, his visit had been a learning one.
'We were takers rather than givers, put it that way,' he commented.
Allison and other senior British security figures have said protests and public order issues rather than al-Qaeda and international terrorism were the most likely threats to the Games.
Last year, Britain suffered its worst rioting in decades and there have been high-profile anti-capitalist protests in London, some inspired by New York's Occupy Wall Street moment.
Kelly said he had discussed the riots with his London counterparts and it was an issue that they had factored in, with plans for a rapid mobilisation to deal with any unexpected events.
'Will there be demonstrations, will there be protests of some sort? Sure. That's a given in this day and age. It's something that happens in New York and London literally everyday,' Kelly said.
'But the Met is well experienced. They're well prepared to handle it.'
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