Seeds of change

The Chelsea Flower Show opened in autumn for the first time, delayed thanks to the pandemic. The show has been cancelled before due to the world wars — during the second world war the site was used for an anti-aircraft gun emplacement. But it wasn’t always held in Chelsea. It began as the Royal Horticultural Society show in Chiswick, held from 1827 onwards. It moved to Kensington Gardens in 1861 when rival flower shows were attracting visitors away. In 1888 it moved to Temple Gardens, between Fleet Street and the Thames. It was first held in Chelsea — in a single marquee — in 1913.

Highly charged

Energy prices spiked. Which countries have the most expensive electricity for domestic customers (US cents per kWh)?

 
Germany 39
Bermuda 37
Denmark 34
Belgium, Portugal 32
Cayman Islands, Bahamas 31
Ireland, Japan 29
Barbados, Cyprus 28
UK, Italy 27
(Average global price is 14.2 US cents)
Source: electricrate.com

Sub totals

Who has got the biggest submarine fleet?

 
China 79
US 68
Russia 64
North Korea 36
Iran 29
South Korea 22
Japan 20
India 17
Turkey 12
Greece 11
UK 11
France 10
(Australia is 18th on the list with 6)
Source: globalfirepower.com

The road most travelled

An offshoot of Extinction Rebellion closed part of the M25. How much traffic does the road carry, and how does it compare with other crowded sections of motorway?

 
Average daily vehicle flow in 2017
M25 J18-19 (affected section) 179,643
M25 J14-15 (busiest section) 211,059
M60 J12-13 184,327
M1 J8-9 165,209
M6 J8-9 164,040
M42 J5-6 152,876
M4 J4-5 146,847
M8 J16-17 135,657
Source: roadtrafficstats.uk