India continues population boom
March 31, 2011
The results from India’s latest census are in and show a continued upwards trend in population growth up to 2011.
The Indian census takes place once every decade, with the last taking place in 2001. Since that time the results of the 2011 census, which actually started in 2010, show that the population of the country has risen by as much as 181 million, bringing the new population total for India to 1.21 billion.
India features the world’s second largest population for a single country, with roughly 17% of the world’s population based there. They are preceded only by China (nearly 20%) and followed by the United States (around 4.5%).
Warning issued in Tokyo over radiactive water
March 23, 2011
Officials have released a warning that the water in Tokyo may be contaminated by radiation from the stricken nuclear power plant to the point where it is unsafe for babies to drink it.
The Fukushima nuclear power plant has suffered several problems since being struck by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that caused a Tsunami on the 11th March 2011. Reactors have suffered near-meltdowns after repeated explosions and sporadic radiation leaks have taken place.
Officials claim the radiation levels in the water are as much as twice the safe level for infants to drink and are recommending that tap water isn’t given to those under 1 year of age.
London 2012 Olympics tickets now on sale
March 15, 2011
The London 2012 Olympics are now only 500 days away and to mark the date 6.6 million tickets for the event have now gone on sale.
To apply for tickets, simply go to the official London 2012 Olympics homepage and fill out the application form. There are six weeks from today to put in your application, after which time the tickets will be allocated out by ballot (if the event is over-subscribed).
The highest ticket price is set at over £2000, however, they go down to as low as £20 per ticket too. The website states there is no bias based on the application for tickets providing it is submitted in the 6-week period stated.
More blasts reported at Japanese power plant
March 14, 2011
Following on from the devastation caused by the recent earthquake that hit the coast of Japan, one of the nuclear power plants continues to deteriorate in stability.
The earthquake, which measured 8.9 on the Richter scale, triggered an explosion at the plant on Saturday, 12th February due to a build up of hydrogen. This occurred originally in the power plant’s No.1 reactor however, the No.3 reactor has also been struck by a similar blast caused by hydrogen gas build-up.
It is thought that the second explosion was a result of water levels in the coolant area of the reactor went below safe levels, causing the system to overheat, begin to melt and release the gases.
