Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Soccer Sep 30, 2013
Suarez hits double on return to league action
Luis Suarez returned to the Premier League in explosive fashion on Sunday, teaming up with strike partner Daniel Sturridge to propel Liverpool to a 3-1 win at Sunderland that inflicted more misery on the division’s managerless bottom team. Liverpool climbed to second place in ...
Soccer Sep 29, 2013
Manchester clubs go down; Arsenal wins
The two Manchester clubs slumped to shock defeats and Arsenal moved two points clear with a win at Swansea on Saturday, extending the unpredictable start to the English Premier League. Five months after capturing a 20th English title, Manchester United is languishing in 12th ...
Soccer Aug 17, 2013
Emotional return awaits Mourinho with Chelsea
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the Premier League title race will be more open than ever ahead of his long-awaited return in Sunday’s season opener against Hull. Mourinho will be back in the Stamford Bridge dugout for the visit of Steve Bruce’s newly-promoted team, ...
Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Aug 16, 2013
Chelsea, Man City start as favorites
by Christopher Davies
We know the short list from which the Premier League champion will come. It’s been the same for the last four years and shows little sign of changing. Money talks and those talking loudest are Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United with Arsenal and ...
Soccer | PREMIER REPORT May 18, 2013
Beckham's impact was immense
by Christopher Davies
The England coach was pulling away after a training session when suddenly David Beckham asked the driver to stop. Beckham stepped out of the coach and signed autographs for two fans he had missed earlier. Sometimes it is the small things that define a ...
Soccer May 5, 2013
Wenger says he plans to remain with Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has no intention of leaving Arsenal before his current contract expires, he said on Friday and indicated he could yet stay with the club beyond 2014. The 63-year-old Frenchman, the Gunners’ manager since 1996, has recently been linked to a move to ...
Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Apr 13, 2013
Man City better off keeping Mancini
by Christopher Davies
According to some reports, Manchester City has lined up various replacements should Roberto Mancini be fired this summer. This, of course, presupposes the club’s power brokers have met to discuss possible successors in case they decide to fire the Italian. Apart from this unlikely ...
World Apr 8, 2013
Pilgrims see only the good in Mussolini
by Tom Kington
Behind the counter, amid the Mussolini clocks, swastika badges, fascist recipe books and busts of Hitler, Benizzi Ferrini has hung a T-shirt featuring the face of Paolo Di Canio. “When Paolo gave his salute on the pitch it was a gesture from the heart, ...
Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Apr 6, 2013
Di Canio hiring destined for disaster
by Christopher Davies
Blunderland FC is searching for a new manager. Chairman Ellis Long heads a board meeting. Long: “How about Paolo di Canio?” One stunned director almost spits out a mouthful of coffee. “Mr. Chairman, di Canio has never managed higher than League One and his, ...
Sports | PREMIER REPORT Mar 16, 2013
Stakes high in Aston Villa-QPR battle
by Christopher Davies
Two in-form teams go head-to-head Saturday in a game that will go a long way to deciding the Premier League fate of Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. Despite the specter of relegation that hovers over both clubs, each approaches the showdown in a ...
Soccer | PREMIER REPORT Feb 23, 2013
Wenger getting diminishing returns
by Christopher Davies
The case for the prosecution is now stronger than that put by the defense. The English media have been reluctant to criticize Arsene Wenger because no manager has been more helpful during the 16 years he has been in charge at Arsenal, yet as ...