The Front Pages
This morning’s Irish Independent reports that a foreign property company co-owned by disgraced ex-chief executive Sean FitzPatrick received a loan extension worth £2.6m from Anglo Irish Bank on the day it nationalised.
With its headline reading ‘FitzPatrick company got new loan on day Anglo nationalised’, the Independent goes on to mention that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has stated he was completely unaware of FitzPatrick’s loan, whilst Anglo declined to comment to the broadsheet, citing customer confidentiality.
The Independent’s headline isn’t to be found on the Irish Times front page, whose headline reads ‘Savings to be achieved through cuts not taxes, says Cowen’, after Taoiseach Brian Cowen indicated yesterday that upcoming budget savings will be achieved through expenditure cuts rather than the introduction of any new taxes.
According to Cowen, of the €3bn required savings this year, €1bn is to come from the capital programme, with the remaining €2bn not to stem from taxes, though he hastened to add that “at the end of the day it will be a matter for the Minister of Finance to decide on any taxation matterâ€.
Tales from the Tabs
‘The cow wash: How automatic brushing machine can improve milk production’
A giant car wash for cows? What sounds like an ‘udderly’ ridiculous idea is on its way to the UK, have sold 30,000 cow washes in its native Sweden.
According to designers DeLaval, cows love the feeling of getting brushed, so much so that it can boost milk production by 3.5%. According to a recent US study, the brush resulted in better animal health and increased blood circulation.
A spokesperson for DeLaval told the Daily Mail that ‘The swinging cow brush is a self-grooming device that keeps cows happier, healthier, and more productive.
‘It is very popular among dairy farmers. Cows using the swinging cow brush are cleaner, calmer, and therefore more balanced.
The Sports Pages
Roy Hodgson is set to continue his hunt for ex-Chelsea players this summer, by turning his attention to signing Manchester City left-bank Wayne Bridge. Bridge’s Eastlands future is under the threat after the impending £17m signing of Serbian international left-back Aleksandar Kolarov (Daily Mirror).
West Ham are also apparently in pole position to sign Liverpool target Loic Remy. The Hammers have made an improved £13m bid to French side Nice for the profilic 23-year-old (Daily Mail).
In other London club news, Tottenham are keen to bring in transfer-listed Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy on a season-long loan (Daily Mail), whilst Spurs are also moving closer to snapping up Real Madrid legend Raul on a free transfer (The Sun).
Finally, after receiving an offer for their keeper Martin Fulop from Ipswich Town, Sunderland are to turn their attention to Portsmouth shot-stopper David James (Daily Mail). The England international has recently attracted the interest of Fulham and Celtic.
