Enel sees OGK-5 EBITDA rising in coming years

July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

July 6 (Reuters) – Russian power producer OGK-5 (OGKE.MM) will likely see EBITDA at 471 million euros ($632 million) in 2011, controlling shareholder Enel (ENEI.MI) said in a presentation on Tuesday.

Italy’s Enel, which has 55.86 percent stake in OGK-5, also forecast that the Russian company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation would rise to 1.077 billion euros in 2014.

In 2009, OGK-5 has an EBITDA of 7.74 billion roubles ($248 million). [ID:nLDE62E1DF] (Reporting by John Bowker; Writing by Toni Vorobyova; editing by Dmitry Sergeyev)

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EU draft sees private debt as parameter-Italy formin

June 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

June 17 (Reuters) – A European Union draft document foresees the inclusion of private debt among parameters for the stability pact, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters on Thursday. “The reference to private debt was inserted into this morning’s document,” Frattini said. “The biggest resistance was expressed by Germany which has a very large private debt, but no other country so far has voiced such strong concern,” Frattini added.

(Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri, writing by Jo Winterbottom)

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Slovakia’s Skrtel trains away from squad

June 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Slovakia’s key World Cup defender Martin Skrtel trained on his own on Wednesday as part of his recovery from an injured ankle but said he expected to be fit for their World Cup opener.

Sports

The 25-year-old Liverpool defender, who limped off during a friendly match against Costa Rica on Saturday, told Reuters his ankle was still swollen but he hoped to resume full training shortly.

“It’s still swollen but it’s getting better each day,” he said, shouting over the sound of vuvuzela trumpet blasts from the local fans who watched Slovakia’s first training session in the country at a small stadium in Pretoria.

“In the morning I’ll be training with a personal coach and after that I hope to train with the team. We’re a little bit tired after the traveling but we should be fine by tomorrow.”

Skrtel, who is competing at his first World Cup, has become a key member of the Slovak team due to his aggressive tackling and quick pace, but his season has been hampered by injury after he broke a bone in his foot earlier this year.

On Wednesday he trained away from the rest of the squad and with a personal coach, working on upper and lower body strength and lunging on his ankle, but was also joking around and squirting water at nearby coaches.

Slovakia, competing at their first World Cup, face New Zealand on Tuesday, Paraguay on Sunday and Italy next Thursday.

(Editing by Michael Holden)

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Stosur stunned by first Grand Slam final after recovering from career ending illness

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Paris, June 4(ANI): French Open finalist Samantha Stosur insists that she never imagined that she would reach a Grand Slam Final when she was battling a career ending illness three years ago.

Stosur’s stunning success in Paris is a world away from 2007, when Lyme disease kept her out for 10 months.

“When I was out, I never let myself doubt the fact that I would return. Obviously, I had no idea what was going to happen,” The Daily Express quoted Stosur, as saying.

“I’d never wish to go through any of that ever again, but, in hindsight, who knows what it actually did for me? Since then, I”ve had the best time of my career, best results, and I”m playing the best.”

“So maybe, looking back, taking all that time out was a good thing, but, obviously, when I was in it, I didn”t see it like that at all,” she added.

She further said that the illness gave her a new perspective on what she was able to do and how much she loved playing tennis.

“So without walking away, maybe I wouldn”t have seen that and then really thought, ‘Okay, when I come back I”m going to make the most of every chance every day and see how good I can get and just try and become the best player I could be’,” Stosur said.

The 26-year-old has had a remarkable run at the French Open so far, defeating four-time champion Justine Henin, World No. 1 Serena Williams and former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic to make it to the final.

She will now play Italy’s Francesca Schiavone in what will be both women’s maiden Grand Slam finals. (ANI)

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UniCredit CEO: bank-funded bailouts impossible

June 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

June 1 (Reuters) – A bank-funded bailout scheme to insure against future systemic bank crises is impossible to fund because it would overstretch banks, UniCredit (CRDI.MI) Chief Executive Alessandro Profumo said in Vienna on Tuesday.

Financials

Profumo, whose bank is the biggest lender in Italy and in emerging Europe, told a conference hosted by Austria’s central bank that instead of preemptively raising funds for future bailouts, supervisors should become stronger and more intrusive.

“I understand the problem of sequential bailouts by governments, but I question if full insurance of systemic risk is manageable in terms of cost for the banking system,” Profumo said.

He said that he would rather accept stronger supervision than higher capital requirements: “There has been an incredible lack of regulation but also of supervision,” he said. “It is necessary to have stronger, more intrusive supervision.” (Reporting by Boris Groendahl; editing by Jason Webb)

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Italy deplores killing of civilians on flotilla

June 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

May 31 (Reuters) – Italy on Monday condemned the killing of civilians during Israel’s storming of an aid flotilla bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip as “very grave” and asked for an EU investigation to ascertain the facts.

“I deplore in the strongest terms the killing of civilians. This is certainly a grave act,” said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

Referring to the European Commission, he said it was “indispensable that there be an inquest to ascertain the facts, which are still not clear.”

He also said he had asked the Israeli ambassador for clarification and hoped that it would not hurt efforts on the part of Israel and Turkey to cooperate in the search for Middle East peace.

(Editing by Samia Nakhoul)

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Kirilenko shows champion Kuznetsova the exit

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was beaten 6-3 2-6 6-4 by fellow Russian and 30th seed Maria Kirilenko at the French Open on Friday.

Two days after saving four match points in the second round against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic, Kuznetsova found herself in a similar hole but this time there was no escape.

Kuznetsova, who beat Dinara Safina to win the title for the first time last year, hung on grimly by saving two match points but Kirilenko converted at the third time of asking when Kuznetsova prodded a backhand into the tramlines.

Kirilenko will face Italy’s Francesca Schiavone in the fourth round.

(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Wozniacki breezes into French Open third round

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dane Caroline Wozniacki eased into the third round of the French Open with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Italy’s Tathiana Garbin on Wednesday.

Third seed Wozniacki was rarely troubled on Court Suzanne Lenglen by the world number 56 and relied on her forehand to break five times in a one-sided contest.

She wrapped up the win after 68 minutes when Garbin fired a forehand long.

Wozniacki will next face Romanian 31st seed Alexandra Dulgheru for a place in the fourth round.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Miles Evans.

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Brazil takes top ranking into World Cup; Spain 2nd

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brazil will head to the World Cup as the number one team, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

The five-time world champion retained top spot ahead of European champion Spain in Wednesday’s release of the final monthly rankings before the June 11 World Cup kickoff.

Portugal is third followed by the Netherlands and world champion Italy. Germany is sixth, edging Argentina and England.

France moves up one to No. 9, trading places with Croatia which did not qualify for the World Cup.

The United States at No. 14 heads the three World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF.

Cameroon at No. 19 is best of the six African World Cup teams, and No. 20 Australia leads Asia’s four qualifiers.

Host South Africa is No. 83, and No. 105 North Korea is the lowest-ranked qualifier.

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Brazil top rankings, South Africa jump seven places

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brazil remained top of the latest FIFA rankings on Wednesday while World Cup hosts South Africa jumped seven places after winning two friendly matches.

There were no changes in the top five with Brazil followed by Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy. South Africa moved from 90th to 83rd after wins over Jamaica and Thailand.

The top ten includes one team, Croatia, who did not qualify for the World Cup. The lowest-ranked of the 32 World Cup finalists are North Korea who climbed one place to 105th. (Reporting by Brian Homewood in Berne)

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Wozniacki shrugs off injury to waltz through in Paris

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Danish third seed Caroline Wozniacki showed no signs of her recent injury troubles with a 6-0 6-3 demolition of Russia’s Alla Kudryavsteva in the French Open first round on Monday.

The U.S Open runner-up burst out of the blocks and wrapped up the first set in just 25 minutes under the blazing sun on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Kudryavtseva, the world number 78, stopped the rot by winning the eighth game and had the audacity to break for a 2-1 lead before Wozniacki, 19, restored order, making the decisive break in game eight for a 5-3 lead.

She sealed the win after an hour and nine minutes when the Russian netted a backhand service return. She now plays Germany’s Kristina Barrois or Italy’s Tathiana Garbin for a place in the third round. (Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Bird stalls Mexico’s flight to Wembley warm-up

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mexico’s World Cup squad endured a three-hour delay in Germany after a bird crashed into the windscreen of the plane due to take them to London for a World Cup warm-up match against England.

The Wembley friendly on Monday (1830 GMT) is the first of four Mexico are playing in Europe before going to the finals in South Africa where they meet the host team in the opening match on June 11 in Johannesburg.

“A bird crashed into the windscreen of the plane due to pick up the national team in Nuremberg as it was landing, without any consequences, but regulations stipulate the aircraft had to be checked before being boarded to fly to England,” the Mexican Football Federation said in a statement on Sunday.

Mexico also meet Netherlands on Wednesday, Gambia next Sunday and Italy on June 3.

(Reporting by Carlos Calvo; Editing by Peter Rutherford; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Lorenzo storms to victory in French MotoGP

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo won the French MotoGP at Le Mans on Sunday to extend his world championship lead.

Lorenzo finished 5.67 seconds ahead of his Yamaha team mate and world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy with Italian Andrea Dovizioso third on a Honda.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Capello keen to stay on as England coach

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Fabio Capello wants to continue as England coach through to the 2012 European Championships, the Italian said as he prepares for next month’s World Cup finals.

“I see my name in a lot of newspapers in Spain, in Italy,” Capello was quoted in Britain’s Sunday newspapers.

“I am happy here with the FA. I like this job, I like this country, I don’t think about the future.

“I have a contract with the FA, my contract will finish whenever, whatever happens unless the FA decide to sack me.”

The 63-year-old has transformed England since taking over after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, winning 16 of the 22 games under his command.

England qualified easily for next month’s showpiece in South Africa and Capello is in confident mood as England prepare for their high-altitude training camp in Austria.

“Now we are arriving at the most important moment. I understand the pressure, the confidence of the country in this team and it is really exciting. I am very focused,” he said.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Real-life ‘Juliets’ answering ‘Romeos’ letters get a reel makeover

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): New film ”Letters to Juliet” is based on folks who reply to letters written to Shakespeare’s fictional heroine by lovelorn ‘Romeos’ across the world.

The volunteers, in Italy, who respond to sack load of letters written by people seeking advice on relationship, are popularly known as “Juliet”s Secretaries”.

The tradition has continued for the past half a century. The scribes work in an upstairs office overlooking the Verona balcony on which Juliet supposedly stood, when Romeo wooed her.

“Almost all of the letters contain the phrase, ”Juliet, I can only tell you. Only you can help me. Even if she is a literary figure, she has become real,” the Telegraph quoted Giovanna Tamassia, who has been working as ‘Juliet’s secretary’ for past 16 years, as saying.

The new film, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried, has been inspired by these volunteers.

The plot revolves around a young American tourist, Seyfried, who meets the volunteers who respond to the letters.

The film will hit screens in the UK on June 9. (ANI)

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Genoa v AC Milan to be played behind closed doors

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Genoa’s Serie A home match with AC Milan on Sunday will be played behind closed doors after local authorities had a late change of heart about possible violence.

Italy’s anti-hooligan body initially said Milan followers would be able to visit Genoa for the first time since a home fan was killed during trouble between the two sets of supporters 15 years ago.

However, Genoa’s website (www.genoacfc.it) said city officials had now decided to ban all fans following threats of potential violence from some supporters.

(Reporting by Mark Meadows, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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French are the world””s biggest whiners!

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 8 (ANI): French people have emerged as the world’s biggest whiners in a recent poll.

The survey by Opinionway showed that 72 percent of French people think they complain more than any other nation – making them world leaders at griping.

Twenty-five percent said they actually found it relaxing, reports News.com.au.

Only 17 percent thought Italy whined more and Americans—who are famous for not putting up with poor service—notched up just four percent.

And Brits received only three percent votes.

Only six percent of French people said they could always resist complaining.

At 31 percent, the biggest cause of grumbles, was boyfriends, revealed the study. (ANI)

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Schumacher’s ex-boss writes off his chances of a glorious comeback

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 5 (ANI): Seven times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher’s former team boss has written off his chances of making a glorious comeback.

Ex-Renault chief Flavio Briatore, under whom Schumacher drove at Benetton, said that there is no way he will recapture his glory.

Asked if he expected Schumacher to improve during the season, Briatore said: “On the contrary, I think it will be harder and harder for him.”

“I don’t know how he can recover. The competition is so fierce. He made the decision to return without thinking that, in four years, the cars and tyres have changed massively,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Schumacher has been outraced by Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and has finished a dismal 10th during the last race in China.

“I’ve always said it would be difficult for him to stay ahead of Rosberg. You can’t come back in such a competitive sport after four or five years. Alain Prost did, but only one season had gone by,” Briatore told Italy’s Autosprint magazine.

“Today, Michael has found some tough customers because in F1 there have never been drivers as good as this year. There’s Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel, Rosberg…” (ANI)

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Mancini asks ‘unhappy’ Tevez to quit Man City

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 30 (ANI): Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini has asked his ace striker Carlos Tevez to leave the club if he is unhappy.

Tevez admitted in a recent interview he was unimpressed with the strict training regime introduced under Mancini.

That alerted top European clubs like Real Madrid and led to reports the striker could leave if City fails to secure the Champions League football next term.

Mancini does not feel there is a major problem but told Tevez to take the Blues into the top four, and then come and talk to him about his future, The Sun reports.

Mancini said: “If a top player is not happy to stay here, it’s better to go to another team. This is the same for Tevez, for Manu Adebayor, for me, everyone. It is important that, when a manager or player works in a team, he must be happy to work in this team.

“It’s not good for the club, squad or the player if he is not happy. I don’t know if Tevez is unhappy but he must be content because we have to play three important games.”

“I think he’s happy as he’s worked very well the last two weeks. I hope he can score three or four goals in the next three games and then we can decide if he has a problem,” mancini added.

Craig Bellamy is another City star who has been reported to be eyeing the Eastlands exit door this summer.

“If a player is not happy, it’s better to change squads. That goes for England or Italy,” Mancini said.

The former Inter Milan chief was surprised by Tevez’s complaints about the double training sessions he introduced following his arrival in December. (ANI)

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US edges past Russia to reach Fed Cup final

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Alabama, April 26 — The United States advanced to a Fed Cup final rematch with defending champion Italy on Sunday with a dramatic 3-2 semifinal victory over Russia.

The Americans were without Serena and Venus Williams, both absent because of leg injuries.

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