London, March 20 : Scientists have created a new material that is stronger than steel and stiffer than diamond, weighs little more than its volume in air, and could be the perfect artificial muscle for robots.

According to a report in New Scientist, scientists at the University of Texas, Dallas, US, developed the material.

"We've made a totally new type of artificial muscle that is able to provide performance characteristics that have not previously been obtained," said Ray Baughman, a materials scientist at the University of Texas, and co-developer of the new muscle.

London, March 20 : A major 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off the Tonga islands region has led local radio stations to issue a tsunami warning for Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the quake, which hit in early morning today, was centered 130 miles south-southeast of the Tongan capital Nuku'Alofa and 300 miles southeast of Ndoi Island, Fiji.

It struck at a depth of 6.2 miles, the US Geological Survey said.

London  - A British postmaster born in Sri Lanka has caused a stir by declaring that he will refuse to serve customers in his shop if they do not speak English.

Deva Kumarasiri, who came to Britain from Sri Lanka 18 years ago, runs the Sneinton Boulevard Post Office in Nottingham, central Britain.

"If somebody stands up and says 'sorry, I can't serve you if you can't speak English', then they'll think twice," he said.

London  - Britain's 2010 International Motor Show has been cancelled in view of "unprecedented challenges" faced by the motor industry in the current recession, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced Thursday.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the industry body said it had been difficult to commit carmakers to the event amid continuing economic uncertainty and plunging profits as a result of plummeting car sales.

London - Hull City manager Phil Brown was fined 2,500 pounds (3,600 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct by the Football Association on Thursday.

He admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to a touchline row with Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear during an FA Cup tie at St James' Park in January.

Both were sent to the stand by referee Phil Dowd. Kinnear is recovering from heart surgery and will have his case heard at a later date.

London, Mar. 19 : People in the UK are turning to simple pleasures, such as spending time in beautiful surroundings, to get them through the gloom of the recession, figures from the National Trust show today.

Faced with a barrage of bad news about the economy, and the need to find ways to make their money go further, more and more people are turning to buildings and gardens such as those owned by The National Trust.