'TV and football chiefs to crackdown on pubs showing games illegally'

TV and football chiefs have launched a crackdown on hundreds of Scottish pubs and clubs who draw in huge crowds by showing major games without paying a penny to the broadcasters. A joint investigation involving Sky TV, Setanta, the English premiership and the Scottish Premier League, whose games are only shown on Setanta, has already exposed 180 venues north of the Border that are showing matches while dodging fees of up to £15,000 a year. Investigators estimate that around 40 per cent of pubs and clubs that show live games are breaking the law, costing Sky, Setanta and the football authorities at least £3m a year in lost revenue. Law breakers were last night warned to stop or face the prospect of legal action. - Scotland On Sunday​

Eating red meat and drinking alcohol in even small quantities increases the risk of developing cancer, a group of world renowned scientists will warn this week. "The bad guys in terms of increasing your chances of getting cancer are alcohol, meat consumption and being seriously overweight," said one senior figure behind the major global report by the World Cancer Research Fund. "There's plenty of evidence showing that clearly meat is linked to cancer. Huge numbers of studies have shown that. Alcohol also increases your risk of cancer. Any alcohol above zero increases your risk of developing breast cancer and other cancers." - Observer​

Scottish & Newcastle is plotting to fund a solo bid for Carlsberg's stake in the two companies' Russian joint venture through a massive rights issue. Under the plan, S&N would also borrow against future cashflow of the venture. The proposal is one of a number of strategies being considered by the S&N board to fend off a bid for the brewer by Carlsberg and Dutch group Heineken. - Sunday Telegraph​

Carlsberg may have to find a further £1bn if it is to acquire brewery rival Scottish & Newcastle. Analysts say the 720p a share offer values S&N's half-stake in Baltic Beverages Holding, their Russian joint venture, at £3.4bn - a billion pounds short of its true worth. The figures will be seen as a vindication of S&N's claim that the Danes, together with Dutch giant Heineken, are trying to acquire BBH "on the cheap". - Scotland On Sunday​