As usual, the last word falls to the great Pele: "the Maracana is a special place for all Brazilians, but especially for me."

Managing wear and tear may not be as complicated as it looks, for the last five items on Dr de Grey’s list seem to be linked by a single word: oxidation.

As the Steve Irwin approached the equator last week, word that Japan would be sending a strengthened whaling fleet to Antarctica next month reached the bridge of the old Aberdeen-built customs vessel.