As recession bites, enticing golf’s big names is a luxury Spain can no longer afford, says David Henry

Denis Lynch has Lantinus and All Inclusive to choose from in the first round of tomorrow’s Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar, though yesterday he had yet to decide which horse to use.

Ireland’s financial fall from grace has seen the capital named as one of the three worst performing metropolitan economies in the world.

A COMPANY has brought High Court proceedings arising from an alleged deal in which €30m, plus fees, was raised from about 110 Irish and British investors in 2006 and 2007 for purchase of a block of apartments in Shanghai, China.

Next season’s European Tour – starting in South Africa on Thursday – will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments, including six new ones, and will once again culminate in the Dubai World Championship.

SHANE LOWRY is aiming high. The Irish Open champion announced his decision to turn professional yesterday and has already targeted a place in the elite field for the inaugural $10m Dubai World Championship in November.

THE IDA will shortly open a new office in India, with a view to increasing the amount of Indian investment coming into Ireland.

A special torch taken around Ireland in support of the country’s Special Olympics athletes will complete its tour in Dublin today.

The Spice Girls unveiled a new grown-up look today as they announced extra dates for their reunion tour.

Campaigning rocker Bob Geldof has branded Al Gore's forthcoming Live Earth concert as "just an enormous pop concert" - and lacking any concrete measures to fight global warming.

Almost €2m in public money is to be spent on promoting equestrian sport this year, the Government announced today.

SPECIAL Olympics Ireland hopes to kickstart its Support an Athlete campaign by raising €5 million.

Special Olympics Ireland hopes to kickstart its Support An Athlete campaign today by raising €5m.

Virgin and EasyJet are to team up with an Asian airline to create the world's first budget global network.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson had an offer of honorary citizenship withdrawn by authorities in Shanghai, China, after they delved into his murky past.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON is hopeful that a recent run of good form will culminate in a serious challenge for this week’s inaugural HSBC Championship at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China.

Jackie Chan has decided to quit California for good to make China his home base.

A Japanese magnetically levitated train broke its own world speed record today when engineers sent it hurtling 347 mph down a test track west of Tokyo.

US President George W Bush has paid tribute to two servicemen who have died in a helicopter accident in Pakistan.