Sindy Column...

Nobody is taking the word of God's bank as gospel any more. Who'd have thought it? For this week's column, click here.

Spending ... you've been married too long

Bored of televised debates on Government spending? As ever, in America, they do things bigger and better. Here's CNBC anchor Rick Santelli - notorious for his on-air rants - having a go at Steve Liesman who is a, er, CNBC colleague:

Knowing FA about the FA

More on Virgin Atlantic and its puzzling efforts to suck up to the England football team.

After being kept waiting with other England fans flying home from Johannesburg as the airline prioritised the players' charter flight (see below), my eye's caught by Virgin's woeful effort to ingratiate itself with the team's supporters.

One of the onboard telly channels is currently showing the 1966 World Cup final and the inflight magazine's teaser to potential viewers drones: "All together now: 'Some of the crowd on the pitch. They think it's all over...'."

Oh dear. That's England's most famous footballing quote and Virgin's marketing amateurs can't even get that right. Such perfect partners for the FA.

Virgin on the offensive

Is Virgin Atlantic attempting to make British Airways look like a customer-focused airline? There's a queue of disgruntled England fans forming at Johannesburg airport who chippy Virgin staff are making wait for an hour to check-in for their delayed flight home.
No such problems for the alternative Virgin charter flight back to Heathrow, which just happens to be carrying the England team. Personally, I'd leave that useless shower in Departures.

The Fagan twist

I've been meaning to write about Neil Fagan, the City lawyer who, a court is hearing, had his face slashed by his mistress during a drug-fuelled S&M session at the Waldorf Hilton hotel.

When he was a partner at Lovells and advising Trinity Mirror, Fagan carried out the internal investigation at The Mirror into the City Slickers scandal - even giving evidence which observers thought notable for its "high, moral tone". What goes around, comes around.

Sindy Column...

For this week's column (again from South Africa) click here.

Mahut and Isner odds on for an advertising deal

With Nicolas Mahut and John Isner locked at 59 games all in the final set at Wimbledon, it seems more likely that an advertising deal will arrive before a conclusion to the Court 18 match.

Inevitably, bookmaker Bodog is already offering odds on Isner, Mahut or both being used in a commercial by end of 2010. They are:

Fitness Centre Chain 7/2
The Rabbit (better than any man, however long he may last) 5/1
Red Bull 6/1

Hummer 8/1

Andrex (soft, strong & very long) 10/1
Viagra 12/1
Duracell 16/1
Long Life/UHT Milk brand 25/1
BP (it never stops) 100/1

(ok, that's enough - Ed.).