Royal reception
— The first visit to Ireland by a British monarch in 100 years has focused attention on the last, by George V on his coronation tour in July 1911. He remarked on the warmth of his reception, even though this was just five years before the Easter Rising.
— One visit that went less well, at least behind the scenes, was that of Victoria in 1900. The Admiralty lost the royal yacht, believing it to be in Dublin when it was off the south coast of England. And a wooden pier at Kingstown Harbour was completed with minutes to spare, and was ‘most unsatisfactory’ according to the Ministry of Public Works, which also complained about the cost of its decorations.
Years of the panda
Ming Ming, the world’s oldest panda, has died aged 34, more than twice a panda’s natural lifespan in the wild. Here are some animals that lived longer:
Lin Wang, elephant, d. 2003. Age at death: 86
Jeanne Calment, woman, d. 1997. Age at death: 122
Hanako, coi fish, d. 1977. Age at death: 226
Adwaila Aldabra, tortoise, d. 2006. Age at death: 255
Unamed quahog clam, d. 2007. Age at death: 405–410
An unnamed Chinahyra antarctica sponge was still going strong in 2010, when its age was estimated at 1550.
Aide memoire
Liam Fox has objected to the government’s pledge to donate 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to aid projects. The idea that rich countries should give this amount dates back to a 1970 UN resolution. These were the amounts given in 2009:
Sweden 1.12%
Norway 1.06%
UK 0.52%
France 0.46%
Germany 0.35%
Canada 0.3%
US 0.2%
Source: UNstats
Emission creep
The government promises to cut Britain’s carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2027. There are two ways to measure a country’s carbon emissions: the total emissions that occur in the country, and the total created worldwide to fuel consumption there.
— % change 1990-2006 —
Consumption Production
+30 UK -3
+43 USA +17
+110 China +168
+23 Germany -13
+45 France +6
Source: Policy Exchange
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