Is a new plate boundary forming?

Scientists believe that the series of huge earthquakes to strike off Sumatra this year might be singling the break up of the Indo-Australian plate. The process may have started 10 million years ago and may take millions of year to finish.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19732681

UK Flooding Causes Misery

Continued rainfall in the UK is causing misery for thousands. The most intense September storm in 30 years has triggered 50 flood warnings. The River Ouse flowing into York is causing particularly problems and paeaked at over 5 metres above its normal level. Even though the worst of the rain has now stopped, rain will still run off the mountains into the rivers for days to come.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19739732

Ageing China

Because of its anti-natlist one child policy and increasing life expectancy China is expected to have an ageing population in the future. By 2050 it is estimated that one third of all Chinese will be over the age of 65. With this ageing population China will face similar problems to countries like Japan are facing today e.g. shortage of workers, higher pension costs and rising medical bills.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19630110

Volcanoes Erupt in Central America

Two volcanoes have erupted in Central America over the last week. Central America is known as a hazard hotspot and regularly suffers from earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, flooding and landslides. The latest volcanoes have erupted in Guatemala and Nicaragua. In Guatemala, Fuego situated near the historical tourist town of Antigua erupted sending lava down its sides and rocks up to 1km into the air. The biggest eruption since 1999 has forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. In Nicaragua the San Cristobal Volcano erupted on Sunday sending ash and debris 4km into the air. So far 3,000 people have been evacuated from Nicaragua's tallest mountains and one of its most active volcanoes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19594481

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19533933

Global Child Mortality Falls

The UN's childrens agency UNICEF have said that child mortality has fallen significantly over the last 20 years. In 1990 about 12 million children died before the age of 5, compared to 6.9 million. The UN say reductions have been made because of development in poorer countries as well as things like targetted immunisation and breast-feeding campaigns.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19581433

Bad Weather Costs Rural Areas

Despite the UK hosting the Olympic Games the bad weather experienced during the summer is believed to have cost rural businesses at least £1 billion. The wettest summer for 100 years meant that less people visited stately homes, campsites and other outdoor attractions. The wet weather has also reduced many crop yields, increased the amount needed to be spent on feed and damaged the hooves of many cattle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19521845

Humans Damaging Desert Ecosystems

Research has shown that humans are having a negative impact on arid areas and reducing their biodiversity. Research has shown that overgrazing, fires, tourism, the introduction of alien species, poaching and logging have all combined to cause extinctions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19466470

Melting Ice Increases Global Warming

Scientists believe that melting ice is drastically increasing global warming. Sea ice has roughly halved over the last 20 years. The impact of this, is that more incoming solar radiation is now being absorbed by the sea which has a much lower albedo than white ice or snow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19496674

McDonald's furthers Glocalisation efforts in India

McDonald's has just opened its first ever vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant has been opened in India where both local Hindus and Muslims can eat vegetarian food. McDonald's is increasingly adapting to local markets in order to gain a greater share of the market. McDonald's is currentlky poorly represented in India, so it is hoped that vegetarian restaurants will increase their market share.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19479013