IT’S DAY 334 of 2015

AROUND 334 species of marsupials live across the Americas and Australia, including lesser-known numbats, bettongs, bandicoots and quolls. AT LEAST 334 million people suffer from asthma across the globe. AMID explosions and bullets, 334 hostages died in School No 1 in Beslan, a small town in Russia’s North Ossetia, in September 2004 after Chechen militants held 1,100 people captive for two days. ALEXANDER the Great led a mighty army to conquer Persia in 334 BC, triumphantly thrusting a spear into the soil as he crossed the Hellespont from Europe to Asia. THOSE wishing to go up Big Ben must climb the 334 spiral steps to the top — there is no lift. Completed in 1858, it is only open to UK residents, who have to apply to their MP.