London Stock Exchange becomes takeover target
The London Stock Exchange has become a takeover target after its proposed merger with Canadian rival TMX was ditched. The Toronto-based group indicated it was unlikely to win the necessary two-thirds support from its shareholders. The collapse of the deal…
US and 11 other countries reach landmark Pacific trade pact
Trade ministers from 12 countries announced the largest trade-liberalizing pact in a generation on Monday. In a press conference in Atlanta, trade ministers from the US, Australia and Japan called the the Trans-Pacific Partnership an “ambitious” and “challenging” negotiation that…
The Kronplatz – plan de corones holiday region in winter
On arrival, every guest will receive a travel ticket from their host (where the host is a member of the local Tourist Association). The HOLIDAY PASS entitles guests to use all public transport throughout the whole of South Tyrol. This…
Best slopes are above 2,000m in Méribel
There has been a lack of significant new snow in the Alps but existing snow has held well in the relatively cold conditions. Last night 5cm of new snow was fairly widespread, however, up to 45cm of new snow is…
Watch extracts from the Scottish Ensemble and Andersson Dance’s Goldberg Variations
Goldberg Variations – tenary patterns for insomnia is a collaboration between Glasgow-based string orchestra Scottish Ensemble and Swedish-based contemporary dance company Andersson Dance. 11 musicians and five dancers have created a new interpretation of Bach’s keyboard work in which both…
Snow Climbing Mount Fuji
Climbing Mount Fuji (3776 meters), Japan’s highest and most prominent mountain, can make for lifelong memories. The mountain itself may look more attractive from afar than from close up, but the views on clear days and the experience of climbing…
Summer prawn salad
This is a lovely fresh, crunchy salad with a hint of spice. You can substitute the prawns with crayfish meat, which is delicious and sweet, and should be cheaper too. Good delis and fishmongers stock it: opt for fresh UK-caught…
New DNA test for embryos could boost IVF success rates
A test that checks for abnormal amounts of DNA in IVF embryos has raised pregnancy rates at US fertility clinics that have started to offer the procedure. Scientists in Oxford who helped develop the test claim it can boost the…
Renewable electricity overtakes coal for first time in UK
Britain generated more of its electricity from renewable sources than from burning coal for the first time in the second quarter of 2015, as more wind and solar farms were built. A record high of 25.3 per cent of the…
RHS Sunflower seed giveaway
April 14-20 is National Gardening Week, the RHS’ annual attempt to get us off the sofa and onto the beds with a series of events and initiatives. It has extra oomph because 2014 is also the 50th anniversary of Britain…
UK construction growth bolsters economic recovery hopes
Britain’s construction industry grew at the fastest pace in nearly a year in February, bolstering expectations that the UK will escape a double dip recession. February data from economic research firm Markit signalled a solid rise in construction output, extending…
‘Stem rust’ fungus threatens global wheat harvest
The world’s leading crop scientists issued a stark warning that a deadly airborne fungus could devastate wheat harvests in poor countries and lead to famines and civil unrest over significant regions of central Asia and Africa. Ug99 — so called…