#London2012 #Olympics budget – an annotated graphic

As the front cover of one of the UK’s red-top national newspapers informs us today, there are but 95 days or so left until the London 2012 Olympic games begin.

As any good party planner will tell you, it behoves one to keep a watchful eye on costs. It seems that the UK government could have done with reining in its spending a little before inviting the world to join it in celebration, with the revelation that the 2005 estimated budget of £2.4 billion has spiralled – as a government’s estimated costs are typically wont to do – to a final budget of £11.3 billion.

This helpful graphic breaks down the costs and source of the money.

Click on the graphic for an expanded view.

London'€™s soaring Olympic budget

#Nuclear industry recovers after #Fukushima – an annotated graphic

After the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, several major nations – including Germany, Belgium and Italy – vowed to quit atomic energy.

One year later, 44 of the world’s nations – including 18 previously non-nuclear countries – propose building over 540 new reactors.

Click on the graphic for an expanded view.

Nuclear industry’s international recovery

Magnetic soap to clean up #oil spills – an annotated graphic

In the current issue of E&T magazine, we report on how scientists working on engendering simple soap with new properties may have uncovered vast new potential for advanced cleaning.

A University of Bristol team has dissolved iron in liquid surfactant to create a soap that can be controlled by magnets. The discovery could be used to create cleaning products that can be removed after application and used in the recovery of oil spills at sea.

Click on the graphic for an expanded view.

Magnetic soap could clear oil spills

#Embraer enters global defence market – an annotated graphic

While we’re on the subject of global defence spending, it seems opportune to reflect on Brazil’s Embraer entering the global defence market.

Its KC-390 military tanker and transport aircraft is being built in partnership with international suppliers and will go head-to-head for sales with Europe’s Airbus A400 and Lockheed Martin’s C-130 Hercules.

Click on the graphic for an expanded view.

Embraer enters global defence market

 

Asia overtakes Europe in defence spending – an annotated graphic

Asian defence spending is set to exceed that of Europe as EU nations slash military budgets while China plans to boost spending by 11 per cent in 2012, pushing it above $100bn for the first time.

Click on the graphic for an expanded view.

Asia overtakes Europe in defence spending