Boston Dynamics’ eerily man-like Atlas robot can walk, lift – and stand up to human bullies February 24, 2016 Remember Boston Dynamics' dystopian Christmas reindeer? Now the company has unveiled its latest futuristic offering – and it's so eerily human-like, it can stand up to bullies. A video released by Boston Dynamics showed its 5'9" Atlas robot opening a door, lifting boxes and wandering through a snow-blanketed wood, a la Snow White. In a move its team [...]
Etsy’s share price surges after reporting strong revenue growth despite an earnings loss February 23, 2016 Quirky online marketplace Etsy reported revenue just over expectations, as it announced the number of its active buyers and sellers has surged. Etsy's share price jumped over 17 per cent in after-hours trading on the news, but had closed seven per cent lower ahead of the results. Revenue for the fourth quarter was reported at $87.9m (£62.7m), [...]
Beckham urges United to give Van Gaal more time but also calls for Mourinho’s Premier League return February 23, 2016 Former England skipper David Beckham believes under-fire boss Louis van Gaal should be given more time by his old club Manchester United but also wants to see Jose Mourinho back in the Premier League as soon as possible. Van Gaal has overseen a turbulent campaign at Old Trafford which sees fifth-placed United currently six points [...]
Most complained about ads of the year: Moneysupermarket.com’s hotpants and heels-wearing Dave caused more offense than Protein World’s “beach body ready” London Underground posters February 23, 2016 A man strutting down the street in hotpants and heels was more outrageous than revealing that Santa isn't real and telling women to be "bikini body ready". A Moneysupermarket advert which featured the booty-shaking character named Dave and strapline "you're so money supermarket" was the most complained about ad of last year, it's been revealed. It received 1,500 complaints from [...]
Primark parent Associated British Foods says half year figures will be better than expected as currency headaches lift February 22, 2016 Primark parent company Associated British Foods has said its half year results should come in slightly better than expected, as currency woes have partially lifted. The group said it expected "some progress" in adjusted operating profit for the six months to 27 February, but said adjusted earnings per share would come in slightly lower – a [...]
What Kanye West got wrong about social selling February 22, 2016 Who couldn’t use an extra billion dollars? I’m sure many people checking their bank balance after the Christmas season could do with the extra cash. Apparently Kanye West had the same thought last week when he asked Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for that amount via Twitter. While it seems unlikely that it will be a [...]
Amazon to create 500 new UK jobs as it opens giant distribution depot in Coalville, Leicestershire – right in the middle of the UK February 19, 2016 When the Forth bridge was closed just before Christmas because of high winds, Scots joked that one of Amazon's UK distributions centre was north of it. But Santa's elves need worry no more, after Amazon announced the impending opening of a giant, 1m sq ft, distribution warehouse in Coalville, Leicestershire, this autumn. Coalville, just FYI, is smack-bang in the centre of [...]
Credit cards at the ready: UK retail sales jump in January February 19, 2016 The UK's consumers put themselves into a buying frenzy in January, if official retail figures are anything to go by, with sales increasing 5.2 per cent on last year. And it seems Christmas was but a blip on consumers' radars: the quantity bought in the retail industry increased 2.3 per cent compared with December – [...]
Racing betting: Flemenstar has the class to take Ascot Chase February 18, 2016 Saturday's Ascot Chase (3.35pm) has been won by some top class chasers over the years, including Kauto Star back in 2008. It’s a Grade One event, but this year’s renewal doesn’t look the strongest on paper. Silviniaco Conti would have been a very short price if we turned the clock back 12 months, but he [...]
Fifa is poised to elect Sepp Blatter’s replacement, but don’t hold your breath for real reform February 18, 2016 Ever since the long arm of the FBI swept into Zurich’s plush hotels to arrest high-ranking Fifa officials nine months ago, the house has come crashing down on Sepp Blatter and many of his cronies. With president Blatter and Michel Platini, his counterpart at European confederation Uefa, all but banished from the game after Fifa’s [...]