Innholdsfortegnelse for 206 i The Week Junior

Large parts of Venice are underwater after three huge floods submerged the city in a week. The floods are among the worst the northern Italian city has experienced since records began, more than 100 years ago. What happened? On 12 November, Venice, which is built on a group of more than 100 islands in a lagoon (a stretch of water separated from the sea by a sandbank), flooded. The water reached around 1.87 metres high, the second-highest level ever recorded. More than 80% of the city was affected. The city stayed flooded for a week and, at the time The Week Junior went to press, many streets in Venice were still underwater. Why did Venice flood? Venice floods every year. This happens at acqua alta (high water), which is when…

26 November 1922 Tutankhamun’s tomb is discovered On 26 November 1922, Howard Carter discovered the entrance to Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt. Tutankhamun became a pharaoh (the ancient Egyptian equivalent of a king) at the age of nine in 1333BC, and died aged 19. Carter had been searching for the tomb in the Valley of the Kings – a royal burial ground for pharaohs. Inside the tomb, Carter found the well-preserved mummy of Tutankhamun, jewellery and gold. It was one of the most spectacular finds of the 20th century.…

When she was six, Nikki Lilly was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM). An AVM is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. It causes swelling, pain and life-threatening bleeding. It can lead to physical differences and, as a result of the condition, one side of Lilly’s face looks different to the other. At the age of eight, she started making YouTube videos to raise awareness of the life-threatening condition. Since then she has made videos about lots of topics, including cyber-bullying and mental health, in order to help other young people. Lilly is also a baker, and in 2016 she made her television debut on CBBC’s Junior Bake Off, which she won. She has been the subject of two documentaries and now presents her own show called Nikki Lilly Meets,…

A species of animal that looks like a cross between a mouse and a deer, which was thought to be extinct, has been filmed in Vietnam. It is the first time the rabbit-sized animal has been recorded in almost 30 years. The silver-backed chevrotain is also called the Vietnamese mouse deer, although it is neither a mouse nor a deer. It is actually the smallest of a group of ungulates, which is the name for mammals with hooves. Deer, pigs, cows and horses are all types of ungulate. The creature was filmed on remote cameras that had been set up by An Nguyen, a scientist at Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), a US-based wildlife charity. GWC keeps a list of the 25 “most wanted” lost species – animals that have not…

Hedgehogs Seventy injured hedgehogs have been rescued from severe floods in Nottinghamshire. The animals were saved by RSPCA officials when rising waters forced people to evacuate a hedgehog centre in Retford. Five hibernating hedgehogs had already been saved by the centre’s manager. Brazil’s marine life Hundreds of miles of mangroves and coral reefs along Brazil’s coast have been affected by an oil spill. Around 4,200 tonnes of oil have been cleared up as part of a major operation by the Brazilian navy, but experts worry that the oil might affect wildlife, including whales, for a long time to come.…

This week a very special book has its 160th anniversary. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, by Charles Darwin, may not be the most thrilling title, but it contains an idea that changed the way we think about the natural world. Published on 24 November 1859, On the Origin of Species says that living things are capable of changing their characteristics over time, to adapt to their environment. We call this idea evolution. Who was Charles Darwin? Born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, Darwin’s main interests as a boy were riding horses, hunting and shooting. He also enjoyed collecting all sorts of things, including insects and minerals. His teachers thought that he was wasting his time,…

Fossils discovered in southern Germany suggest that humans’ special ability to walk upright on two legs might have evolved millions of years earlier than we thought. Humans’ closest animal relatives are chimpanzees. The last ancestor that humans and chimps shared was a type of ape that lived in Africa between six and eight million years ago. After this, chimps and humans began to evolve separately. It was always assumed that our ancestors, called hominins, only started to walk upright after they’d split from chimps. However, researchers working in Bavaria in southern Germany have uncovered the bones of a much older extinct ape, from around 12 million years ago, whose legs and feet are so similar to ours that scientists think it stood upright exactly like us. The ape, named Danuvius…

“My grandad lives a long way from us, and he said how much better he feels when we visit. He said that his friends don’t have anyone young around and are lonely, so I thought there might be others who feel the same. I visit some local care homes where older people live. It’s great being able to spend time doing something rewarding for both of you. You get to learn and have fun, and meet people with all sorts of backgrounds. If you make someone else’s day, you make your own day too!” DID YOU KNOW? Studies have shown that volunteering helps your mental health, your physical health and can help you live longer.…

There is an old saying that before we taste our food, we eat it with our eyes. This means that when we see something that looks delicious, it makes us want to eat it and the food can actually taste better. There are several scientific studies that back up this claim. In one experiment people were served steak and chips under a special light. When the light was turned off, the diners saw that the meat was dyed blue and the chips were green. When they saw these colours they lost their appetite and some said they felt ill. This is because sight is one of our most powerful senses. That’s why food photography is so important. If you run a restaurant or are writing a cookbook and you use…

Redwings is the UK’s largest horse sanctuary. It began with the rescue of one pony, which inspired the creation of the charity in 1984. Today, Redwings strives to provide a place of safety to horses and donkeys in need. It works to educate future generations about animal welfare and rehome animals that can go on to live fulfilling lives beyond Redwings sanctuaries. Its centres can be found in Essex, Norfolk, Scotland and Warwickshire. To find out more about its work, visit redwings.org.uk…

Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please ensure you include your full name and address so that we can send you one of our Roving Reporter badges if your contribution makes it onto the page. We will only use the details you provide to arrange delivery of badges, and we will not share them with anyone else. By submitting your reports and pictures, you give consent to The Week Junior to print them in the magazine and digital editions. Please get your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.…

In the 10th century, Venice became an important port and a link for trade between Europe and Asia. The influences of different cultures have made it popular with tourists for hundreds of years. It is famous for its architecture, canals and art. Venice has been granted world heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO describes Venice as “an architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world’s greatest artists.”…

A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP A surprising friendship has been sparked between two farm animals – a hen and a donkey – at Greenacres Riding Centre in Torranyard, Scotland. Farm owner Andie Millar posted clips of the peculiar pair on social media. In the videos, a rescue hen called Wee Hen is perching on the back of Winnie the donkey. Millar says Wee Hen does this to keep her feet off the ground in the cold weather. A CRACKING CRICKET PLAYER Fifteen-year-old Shafali Verma has become the youngest Indian to score a half-century in an international cricket match (a half-century is 50 runs by a single batter). She broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record from 30 years ago. Tendulkar was 16 years and 214 days old when he scored his first half-century in 1989.…

A medieval building from around the 1450s has been discovered under public toilets in Cardiff. Archaeologists (people who study evidence of past human activity revealed from under the ground) made the find in Llandaff as part of a dig involving around 200 school students. Items found on the site included something known as a jeton – a coin-like disc thought to have been made in Paris in the early 1300s – as well as a fireplace and floor tiles.…

What you need to know ● A business owner in York has announced that her shop will no longer play modern Christmas songs, in order to help improve happiness levels among members of staff. ● York Gin’s director, Emma Godivala, said that any festive tune released after the 1960s would be banned from the shop. ● Godivala said hearing these songs on a constant loop from mid-November could ruin Christmas for her workers. ● She mentioned Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You and Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody as two of the worst festive tunes. There are several signs that Christmas is on its way, but one of the biggest has to be the music. On the radio, in shops, on TV – there’s no escaping it. From…

This eco tip was suggested by a reader called Annabel, who is aged 11. She pointed out that house plants can have a really positive effect on the air in your home. Not only do the plants produce oxygen, which makes breathing easier, they also filter chemicals called volatile organic compound (VOCs). VOCs can be found in air fresheners, fabrics, paints and other everyday objects. Some can lead to illnesses like dizziness or allergies, so it’s a good idea to get rid of them. Having a couple of potted plants helps to reduce VOCs and makes the air fresher to breathe. As Annabel says, “Let’s save the environment step by step, even in our own houses!” WOW! The world’s oldest potted plant is a cycad from South Africa. It was…

Every second, there are about 44 lightning strikes happening around the world – that adds up to more than 3.8 million each day. A flash of lightning is an enormous spark of electricity rushing between storm clouds and the ground. When lightning zips through the air it heats it to about to five times the temperature of the surface of the Sun. Not only can lightning cause injuries and deaths, it can also spark wildfires, damage electrical power lines and interfere with electric circuits and phone networks. Although weather forecasters warn us that a thunderstorm will happen on a particular day, they can’t predict exactly when and where lightning will strike. Now, computer scientists in Switzerland have used artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the problem. AI is when a computer…

Arsenal Women They beat north London rivals Tottenham Women 2-0 in front of 38,262 fans, which is a record for the Women’s Super League football competition. Max Verstappen The Red Bull Formula One racing driver won the Brazilian Grand Prix. Britain’s Lewis Hamilton came seventh. Stefanos Tsitsipas The Greek tennis player won the ATP Finals in London, one of the biggest competitions of the year, after beating Dominic Thiem. Gerwyn Price At the Grand Slam of Darts final, the Welshman beat Peter Wright 16-6 to take the title for the second year in a row.…

Would you like to be invisible? Yes. I could do things and go places without being discovered, which would be most interesting – but for how long, I’m not sure. Can you speak any other languages? No. It has taken me long enough to master English. What would your job be if you weren’t an author? This is my dream job! When I was small I told myself stories but, because I am dyslexic, I couldn’t write them down. I would tell them to myself again and again until I could make my heart beat faster, make myself cry or feel I could conquer the world. What did you want to do when you were younger? To work in the theatre, which I did. I was a set and costume…

A Man For All Seasons (1966) DVD, Blu-ray, Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play If you’ve been learning about the life of King Henry VIII in school, then this award-winning classic is well worth seeking out. It tells the story of Sir Thomas More, a friend of the King’s who became Lord High Chancellor of England, but who fell out with Henry because of religious differences. The film features several famous actors of the time – look for an early appearance in it by John Hurt, whom you may remember played the War Doctor in Doctor Who. THE BIG WINNER The film won six Oscars – it was judged to be the best film of 1966 and also won for best director and actor.…

Have you ever helped out at a school bake sale, visited a nearby care home or cleared up litter at your local park? Then congratulations, you’re already a volunteer. Volunteering simply means doing a good deed and giving your time to help without being paid. There are countless ways in which you can volunteer, whether that’s helping at your local animal shelter, spending an hour at a care home for elderly people or simply walking around your neighbourhood with a bin bag and picking up pieces of rubbish. All of these things will help improve your environment or the lives of those around you. “Volunteering is when you choose to give up some of your time to help other people for free,” says Linda Fenn, head of volunteering at the…

For a chance to win, visit pinkladyapples.co.uk/competitions/pink-lady-snap-it and fill in the online form before midnight on Wednesday 19 December 2019. Thirty winners will be picked at random by Pink Lady®. Fifteen winners will be invited to a workshop on 18 January 2020 in central London and another 15 will be invited to the same workshop on 19 January 2020. Cameras won’t be provided, but David Loftus and Barney Harwood can teach you using your own smartphone or camera. For competition terms and conditions, visit pinkladyapples.co.uk/terms-conditions Further details about how we manage the data you provide can be found at pinkladyapples.co.uk/privacy-cookie-policy…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Parmiter School: Kemble Primary School, Gloucestershire “I would like my teacher Mrs Parmiter to be teacher of the week because she encourages me to challenge myself in harder things, she is also very kind.” Amelie If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll sendyourschoolthreefreeissuesof The Week Junior. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

Pesky poppy-pinching pigeon A pigeon has been photographed stealing artificial poppies from a war memorial in Australia’s capital, Canberra. The bird used the red flowers to build a nest high up in the building on a ledge by a stained-glass window. The poppies were on display in the building to mark Remembrance Day, which was on 11 November, and is a day to remember people who have died during wars and conflicts since 1914. Real OR Rubbish? University accepts peanut butter and jam as payment for fines A university in the US has said anyone fined for parking in the wrong place can pay off their fines with jars of peanut butter or jam instead of money. The University of Alaska said two 450-gram jars would count as $10 (£7.78),…

Now that you’ve read a bit more about it, tell us what you think by voting in our poll at theweekjunior.co.uk/polls. Vote YES if you think Christmas songs should be banned in shops, or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week. The aim of the Big debate page is to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively, in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on the page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties. The page is created in association with the English-Speaking Union, an educational charity helping young people discover their voice and realise their full potential. For more information, please see esu.org…

Angela Ryan Animal operations manager, ZSL London Zoo Keepers count the animals each morning as part of their daily routine. However, once a year they carry out a more official add-up, known as the annual stock-take, which takes a week to complete. Keepers must tick off every mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and invertebrate from a list of more than 700 species. Larger animals, such as our Asiatic lions, are easy to count, but the insects are a huge challenge! Enjoy unlimited visits to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, plus a host of other benefits with ZSL Membership. Find out more at zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership…

Have you ever noticed your hair stand up when you take off a woolly hat? As the hat rubs against your hair, the hat transfers tiny electrons, which have a negative electric charge. Negative charges repel each other, like similar poles of a magnet. As the electrons repel each other, they force the strands of hair away from each other, pushing them up. This is known as static electricity. These charges can also be released as little sparks when you touch, or get close to, other objects. Lightning is like these sparks – only much longer. Water droplets in storm clouds rub against each other, which creates charge. This builds up inside the cloud until it is so powerful it forces its way to the ground.…

Anew worm-like robot, called BILL-E (Bipedal Isotropic Lattice Locomoting Explorer) may become the builder of the future. Each BILL-E has a hinged body with a clasper at each end. The robot stands on one clasper and uses the other to lift and place building blocks next to each other, one by one. When ready, BILL-E climbs to a new location, navigating only by remembering how it placed the earlier blocks. BILL-Es may one day work together to build houses. Enjoy these stories? Find more in this month’s The Week Junior Science+Nature magazinesciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk…

Pocket Guide to Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals by Frances Dipper. Illustrated by Alice Pattulo (Frances Lincoln) This handy pocket-sized book includes information about all kinds of marine mammals, from killer whales and bottlenosed dolphins to narwhals and porpoises. The author is a natural history expert, and the text features lots of beautiful illustrations. The World of the Whale by Smriti Prasadam-Halls. Illustrated by Jonathan Woodward (Hachette Children’s Group) Dive into the world of the whale and find out more about the migrations, songs and family life of these mysterious and highly intelligent creatures. Learn about the dangers whales face from plastic, pollution and hunters – and the ways we can help to protect them. Atlas of Ocean Adventures by Emily Hawkins. Illustrated by Lucy Letherland (Wide Eyed Editions)…

The sky’s the limit Motocross rider Levi Sherwood shows off his skills in Auckland, New Zealand. Feeling chilly A snowy horse in the Black Forest, Germany. Feeding time A breeder provides water for his chickens in Heilongjiang, China. Winter wonderland A snowboarder jumps under a frozen waterfall in Ehrwald, Austria. Flying fish A bear tries to catch a leaping salmon in Alaska, US. Coming together Hindus observe the Rakher Upabash festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh.…

Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 5pm on 25 November, Channel 4 If you love arts and crafts, then this is the show for you. Each week, crafters from around the UK battle it out in a showdown of festive makes. In the first episode, the competitors have to produce the best-decorated tree, and there are ideas for things to make at home. Frozen 2 At cinemas nationwide In a year that has been full of great animated films, the best could be about to come. The characters from 2013’s much loved film are back, and previews of the film suggest there will be lots of magic, mysteries and, of course, snow. Sugar Rush Christmas Streaming on Netflix from 29 November Christmas brings lots of delicious treats, so it’s no surprise that Netflix’s…

How do I start? Talk to a parent, guardian or teacher. “You can organise your own bake sale at school or in your community to raise money for a good cause, or you can spread awareness by talking to people about the things they can do to help,” says Fenn. Can I volunteer with my family as well? If you’d like to volunteer with your family, check out this page from the BBC, which has opportunities from charities such as the National Trust and the RSPB: tinyurl.com/ TWJ-volunteering Which organisations can help? “The BHF works with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to help teenagers find volunteering opportunities, and many organisations, such as the Guides or Scouts, offer volunteering badges that you can earn by helping out locally or by finding…

On 30 June 1860, a furious public debate erupted at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The subject? A book that had gripped the nation since it was published the year before – Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. Darwin’s ideas were explosive – his theory of evolution infuriated many people who believed that all living things had been designed by God, rather than by natural processes. Biologist TH Huxley fiercely defended Darwin’s ideas against the Bishop of Oxford, Samuel Wilberforce. Wilberforce, trying to mock Huxley, challenged him to say if it was “through his grandfather or his grandmother that he claimed his descent from a monkey”. Huxley coolly replied that he “would much rather have a monkey for his grandfather than a man who could indulge in…

Nosy Crow, the children’s publisher, is running an exciting competition. It wants to hear from young Earth heroes who are protecting the environment. To enter, send in a short video from your class, finishing the statement : “I am an Earth Hero because...” The winning entry will be chosen based on your answer and enthusiasm, not your videography skills. The winner will attend an eco-power event with author Lily Dyu, as well as receiving a class set of books, including Lily Dyu’s Earth Heroes, and an Earth Heroes award. Find out how you can take part before the 31 December deadline at nosycrow.com/iamanearthhero/…

Follow The Week Junior on PopJam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the PopJam app from the App Store or Google Play. The hoiho penguin has won New Zealand’s Bird of the year competition. You said... “Congratulations, penguins!” “Aww so cute.” Scientists are trying to work out why Atlantic bluefin tuna have returned to the coast of Scotland. You said... “Climate change is my guess.” “Spooky... hopefully they can figure out why they came back.” “So cool, so mysterious.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

1 Which country is the only member of the UN not to have signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child? a) UK b) US c) China a ■ b ■ c ■ 2 True or false? The National Trust has started selling vegan cream teas. 3 Which city just celebrated its 500th birthday? 4 What has the owner of a shop in York decided to ban? a) Christmas lights b) Christmas songs c) Christmas trees a ■ b ■ c ■ 5 True or false? Singer Rod Stewart enjoys making model railways. 6 An experiment has begun in Australia to save which endangered animal? 7 Where was Charles Darwin born? a) Shrewsbury b) Kent c) Cambridge a ■ b ■ c ■ 8 True or false? Lake Maracaibo…