This graphene and spider silk mixture is so strong it could be used to catch falling planes May 6, 2015 What happens if you spray unsuspecting spiders with graphene, the world's strongest artificial material? They spin ultra-strong silk webs, an Italian scientist has discovered. Nicola Pugno from the University of Trento wanted to combine natural and man-made strength to create a material with record-breaking properties, and his wish was granted. He applied “aqueous dispersions” [...]
Skype was refused a trademark as it sounds too much like Sky May 6, 2015 It's not hard to tell the difference between Skype and Sky. One's a Microsoft-owned text, voice and video messaging service, the other's a Rupert Murdoch-owned television, broadband and telephone provider. But yesterday judges at the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg said the public could be confused by the two, as Skype's name and [...]
Ex-Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy’s investment firm eyes New Look bid with China’s CDH May 5, 2015 The investment firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), which names supermarket supremo Sir Terry Leahy among its advisers, is assembling a bid for high street fashion chain New Look, according to reports. The private equity firm, which former Tesco boss Leahy joined in 2011, has held talks with Chinese group CDH to mount a bid for [...]
Earning records set to tumble in fight of century April 30, 2015 SPORTING history will be made tomorrow night when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao face off in the richest boxing match of all time. The welterweight superfight is expected to set new records for revenue, with £195m likely to be generated in pay-per-view sales in North America, while international broadcast rights are expected to fetch a [...]
Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao: Revenue, prize money, earnings, pay-per-view and all the figures behind the richest fight in boxing history April 30, 2015 Sporting history will be made this weekend when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao duck under the ropes and prepare to face off in what is expected to be the richest boxing match of all time. When Michael Buffer’s unmistakable voice introduces the two fighters into the MGM Grand arena, the audience will be explicitly reminded [...]
Crossrail’s first development opens in Canary Wharf – we get a first glimpse April 30, 2015 After the endless road closures, building works and general disruption, this weekend people will get their first glimpse of Crossrail, when Crossrail Place, the building housing Canary Wharf's station, opens to the public. As well as the station, the seven-storey building is due to house shops, restaurants, a gym and a cinema. At the top [...]
Question Time election leaders special 2015: When is it, how can I watch, what’s the format, is the BBC audience biased? April 30, 2015 Tonight is the last set-piece TV event of the General Election for the three main party leaders. In a Question Time special David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will face the public in a final push to change minds before polling day. The last TV leaders' debate failed to shift the polls significantly [...]
Tesco moves £90m media account to WPP’s Mediacom ending 20 years with IPG’s Initiative April 30, 2015 Tesco boss Dave Lewis has done some more kitchen-sinking, ditching the company that has been in charge of placing its advertising for the last 20 years. The beleaguered supermarket has switched its media planning and buying account – worth £90m a year – to WPP's Mediacom from IPG's Initiative after a review, MediaWeek reports. It's [...]
Out on the tiles: Italian mosaic experts Bisazza on how the ancient artform has survived the millennia April 30, 2015 As passengers disembark at Gatwick’s South Terminal and make their way down ramps to the luggage carousel, they’re met by two giant portraits of the Queen. In one, piercing blue eyes stare out of a youthful, newly-coronated face, while the other is of a plumper, cheerier disposition. Everyone fixates on them, tourists and homecomers alike, [...]
Sky high: Introducing the most expensive homes in the world April 30, 2015 For the super rich, a trophy home isn’t simply a place to live, it’s a savvy investment; the discreet market in prestigious properties is booming and they’re selling for record-breaking prices. The cities that are home to these super-luxe homes also get an ego boost, as their ability to attract some of the wealthiest individuals [...]