'Lift off!' for Britain's answer to Iron Man
Aniso and Fatima 5M (10/05/19)
A real-life 'Iron Man' suit has been constructed by a British inventor named Richard Browning.
Inspired by the Marvel comic superhero Iron Man, Richard flew in a circle and hovered a short distance from the ground using thrusters attached to his arms and back, with mini jet engines on his hands! The suit is capable of flying for around 10 minutes.
This piece of technology, which has only been seen in comic books or science fiction before, proves that human-flight technology is very close.
“The whole journey was about trying and failing, and learning from that,” said the incredible inventor.
See the suit in action: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/28/richard-browning-jet-powered-suit-iron-man-british-inventor
New Zealand mosque attack
Aisha 4R (10/05/19)
On Friday 15th of March, in New Zealand, there was an attack on two mosques. More than 50 people died including children and parents! The person that killed them escaped but luckily the police caught him soon after. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described it as a terrorist attack and one of New Zealand's "darkest days".
Lots of people prayed for those who had been killed and they even stopped sports matches as a sign of respect. It was heart-breaking for everyone and, to show respect, many non-Muslims even wore headscarves and hats.
Someone was so sad that he made a song about this terrible tragedy called 'Hello Brother!' to remember all the people who have died. So please pay your respects to the people who died in the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Follow the link to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxOj_YgpPUc
'Ice tsunami' strikes Canada
Fatima 4H (09/05/19)
In Canada, there was a dramatic ice wave along the Niagara river. Ice mounds about 25 to 30 feet high also came ashore, piling up on houses. A 77-year-old lady was injured during this alarming event.
Police took some amazing footage of this terrific but terrifying ice wave: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-47364937/ice-wave-caused-by-strong-winds-in-canada It caused chaos by blocking cars that tried to get past on their way to work and other places.
The heavy winds and startling weather are being blamed for this nightmare of nature. Police have been searching in case anyone has else has been injured or trapped in the big chunks of ice throughout the ice wave.
More footage of this phenomenal weather event: https://www.reuters.com/video/2013/05/12/ice-wave-strikes-canada?videoId=242747412
Britain's most allergic boy
Umaymah 5M (29/03/19)
Do you have an allergy? Well an unfortunate schoolboy has more serious allergies that you could ever think of! 7 year-old Callum Newman has an astounding 28!
He’s allergic to many nuts, most fruits and even some cats and dogs! How would you feel if you were allergic to things like that?
However, Callum is also lucky because he has his medi-kit. It holds all his medicine and saved his life last year after he had a severe allergic reaction to an ice cream. Phew!
His mother, Nathalie, is very vigilant about which foods are safe for her son. She said: "All labels need to be checked and when eating out we make sure the right questions are asked to ensure food is safe."
Well, to make Callum happy, his mum has now made him his own allergen-free chocolate spread! Can I have some?
Why are India and Pakistan fighting?
Umar 6S and Umaymah 5M (22/03/19)
As some of you may know, India and Pakistan are fighting over a place called Kashmir. You might be thinking why they are fighting only for a small territory like Kashmir. Well then, let’s explain…
India and Pakistan both claimed Kashmir a long time ago. This caused tension between the two countries. A while later (1846), they agreed that the ruler of Kashmir that had to decide which country should rule. Hari Singh chose India but once again fighting broke out.
Both countries still claim that the whole piece of land is theirs but they now have some of the land each. China also owns a small part of the territory. Since the two countries split in two following their independence from Britain in 1947, there have been three wars over Kashmir. Pakistan want to claim the land because the majority of the area is Muslim (like in Pakistan).
In 2018 alone, over 500 people were killed in the fighting! Recently, Pakistan shot down a plane and caught two Indian pilots. It was reported that a wounded pilot was sent to hospital and one was imprisoned. However, the pilots were set free. Pakistan has since stated that they want to make peace with India and they don’t have any intentions of war.
Both countries have nuclear weapon capabilities, which could be very dangerous for everyone living in the region. The only thing we can do know is pray to God to make peace between the two nations.
Read the Newsround guide to Kashmir: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4330000/newsid_4330400/4330418.stm
Poop problem!
Umaymah 5M (22/03/19)
Do you have a dog? Do you clean up after it? Yes, this might seem like a weird question. We are asking because many parks are getting flooded by poo!
Local parks have been covered by poo from dogs galore! This is a serious problem for our parks and public spaces. Unless you want to have your shoe covered in poop, then you should use the recently invented poop-bag dispenser (made from a recycled bottle).
An 11-year-old girl from Derby, called Ivy Meager, was tired of the amount of poo in her town. She and her mother have made poop-bag dispensers from old plastic bottles. She then sticks them to lamp-posts in places where people walk their dogs. Why not follow her example so you can fulfil her dream of a poop-free world!
Find out more: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/swadlincote-dog-poo-bag-dispensers-2563649
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Tanisha 5M (15/3/19)
Saint Patrick's Day is on March 17th, which this year falls on a Sunday. There will be a colourful and musical parade through Birmingham city centre this weekend, as people dress in green clothes to commemorate the special day.
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated all around the world by many thousands of people. It is an annual celebration of Irish history and culture.
The shamrock is the national symbol of Ireland. It is a three-leaf clover which means faith. Four-leaf clovers are considered to be very lucky, so check your garden!
Find out more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/43441325
Why would people eat insects?
Sarah 5M (13/3/19)
Some people really love to munch on insects!
In some countries, people eat insects because they say that it is healthy and contains important nutrients like calcium. There are nearly 2,000 edible insect species on earth and over 2 billion people already eat them.
People across Africa, South America and parts of Asia choose to dine on bugs because many insect-based recipes taste delicious and it does not cost them a lot of money.
Now the U.N. (United Nations) has urged people from other countries, including Britain, to try ‘insect cuisine’. This could help us to protect the environment from intensive farming for beef and lamb.
So why not try one of these yummy bug recipes?
Cricket Cake
2 ¼ cups of plain flour; 1tsp baking soda; 1tsp salt; 1cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup caster sugar; ¾ cup brown sugar; 1tsp vanilla; 2 eggs;
12 ounces chocolate chips; 1 cup chopped mixed nuts (optional); ½ cup dry- roasted crickets.
How to make it
Pre-heat the oven to 190C. Mix together butter, all the sugar, the vanilla and beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs and then slowly add flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in the nuts, insects and chocolate chips. Place rounded teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto a greased baking tray and put in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
Bee sandwich
Bee larvae; 1 egg white; 1tsp butter; ¼ tsp honey; 1 tomato; 1 leaf of lettuce; 2 slices of bread; 1 pinch of salt.
How to make it
Fry the bee larvae in the butter, salt and honey (don’t overdo the honey). Once the larvae are a gold/brown colour and crisp on the edges then remove from the heat and the batter. In a separate bowl mix with the egg-white to bind the larvae together, then return to the batter and press into a small burger shape. When the larvae is firm place it on top of your other ingredients and enjoy. Or serve to your family and see what happens…
Find out more about edible insects: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130514-edible-insects-entomophagy-science-food-bugs-beetles/
Should crisp packets be plastic-free?
Tanisha 5M (8/3/19)
In our local area you must have seen crisp packets littering the environment. You might think these crisp packets are made out of foil but they are really made out of plastic. This is a serious problem because this plastic is much harder to recycle.
Recently, many people have been campaigning to make crisp packets recyclable. Over 300,000 people protested by posting packets into postboxes.
Walkers have since started a new recycling scheme which will change what will happen to our used crisp packets. They are changing the material the packets are made of and now they plan to turn them into watering cans, park benches and even fence posts.
We hope that other companies will follow this example in the future. Well done Walkers!
Find out more about their recycling scheme: https://www.walkers.co.uk/recycle
Red Nose Day!
Aisha 4R (6/3/19)
At Somerville Primary School we have been selling some highly-coveted red noses to raise money for charity. If you’re lucky, you can get the RARE one that is green or you can get the one that is ULTRA RARE…an old man (if you turn it over it will turn into an old lady!)
Red Nose Day is a day where you can wear red clothes (and noses) to school and much more. It is on Friday 15th March 2019. Schools and nurseries helped raise over £5 million last Red Nose Day, so 'Keep Calm, its Red Nose Day'!
Find out more: https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday
An amazing discovery of a spike-necked dinosaur has been unearthed!
Umar 6S (1/3/19)
Archaeologists have discovered a 14-million-year old fossil of the Bajadasaurus Pronuspinax. It was discovered in Patagonia, South America in 2013. This spiky guy was finally revealed to the world on 4 February 2019.
Researchers believe that this was a plant-eating dinosaur and it used it incredibly large spikes as self-defence. Due to this phenomenal discovery, scientists are now learning more about the history of the evolution of dinosaurs.
Are Aliens trying to talk to us???
Umar 6S (15/2/19)
Scientists have picked up mysterious signals from a galaxy 1.5 billion light years away from a telescope in Canada. The precise cause of the blasts of radio waves is unidentified but there are a number of theories about what could be causing them.
These include: exploding stars, stars with strong magnetic fields, stars merging and even some form of alien spaceship!
Canada's CHIME radio telescope detected 13 fast radio bursts (known as FRBs) and it heard a very unusual repeating signal, coming from over one billion light years away. The flashes only last for a millisecond and has the same amount of energy as the sun produces in a year!
Now scientists hope that this new discovery will allow them to answer the mystery of what happens in deep space. Are aliens trying to talk to us?
Schools shut due to pollution problems
Tanisha 5M (8/2/19)
More than 400 schools in Thailand have been closed to protect the children from air pollution. Some of the reasons are: traffic exhaust fumes, construction works, smoke and several more.
The Thai government tried to clear the air (by creating artificial rain clouds!) but has failed. Air pollution is an increasing problem in the UK too, so a new ‘Clean Air Strategy’ was launched last month.
What do you think we could do to prevent our air from becoming polluted?
Find out more about how pollution is being tackled in the UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/46860947
Can slime last 100,000,000 years?
Umar 6S (7/2/19)
Can slime last for 100 million years? Yes!
Scientists have discovered the fossil of an ancient hagfish with traces of its slime still preserved. The hagfish is a spineless creature that lives at the bottom of the ocean. It has been around for 500 million years and looks a bit like a swimming sausage!
The hagfish has no bones (including teeth) so the only way it can defend itself is letting out slime. Once a shark tried to attack a hagfish but once the shark bites the hagfish the shark comes out with slime covering their mouth and gills, which forces it to go or suffocate.
Fun facts about the Hagfish:
• A bit like Doctor Who, the hagfish has more than one heart. In fact, it has four hearts!
• It also has twice as much blood in its body as other fish.
• It's known as 'the scavenger of the sea' because it sometimes feeds on whale carcasses.
• The hagfish can literally tie itself in knots. It uses its knot tying ability to help bite through tough flesh.
• It absorbs some of its food straight through its skin.
• The hagfish’s slime is so strong and stretchy that scientists believe it could be turned into tights, athletic wear or even bulletproof vests in the future!
Watch this spellbinding clip of Hagfish vs Shark: https://youtu.be/Bta18FdkVcA
POMME DE TERROR!
Rayyan 6S (7/2/19)
Two French yellow vest protestors have been jailed for two years after police caught them with bazooka-sized potato guns capable of firing a whole spud! The dangerous devices, which consist of a long hollow tube capable of shooting out potatoes, were discovered at the home of one of the men in Beziers – southern France.
Gendarmerie (French police) claimed that the “potato launchers” were potentially deadly. These weapons were made by hand – each and every one of them.
Lego puts Mr Tortoise on the road again!
By Zargaam 6S
A poor, helpless tortoise, which was unfortunately run over by a car, is now finally mobile again thanks to the ingenious invention of a Lego wheelchair for tortoises.
Scientists had doubted their ability to help tortoises walk again, so they have recently been thinking about different ways to help them back into action after incidents such as being run over and falling off cliffs!
Dr Ellen Bronson, the designer of this incredible invention, says she is “very proud” of her creation.
To find out more, follow the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-45673201/tortoise-saved-by-lego-wheelchair
Slide fall mayhem!
By Umar 6S
Eight young children fell from a large, inflatable slide during a recent fireworks display in Woking, Surrey.
All of them were reported to hospital with minor injuries and only seven have been discharged. We don’t know anything yet about the eighth child who is still in hospital. Many parents and people of the public were very upset to see such an enjoyable event being this dangerous.
Because of this accident, the slide has been deflated and the whole park has been closed to the public. Everybody is glad that the fall didn’t cause serious injuries. People think the slide wasn’t safe enough to go on as it was up to 9 metres tall and was very crowded according to the people who were there. A parent who attended the firework display has said that he saw 20 people on the slide and that was "far too many."
Joe Mercer, the owner of this slide, has announced that it had up-to-date certificates which means the slide should be perfectly safe. The police are now making further investigations to see how so many children fell from the slide, though no-one has yet been arrested.
To find out more, follow the link: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/woking-fireworks-inflatable-slide-accident-seven-of-eight-children-discharged-from-hospital-a3980221.html
£500m boost for Birmingham Airport
By Sahl 6S
Birmingham Airport has revealed plans for a £500 million investment over the next 15 years which will increase its capacity by five million passengers a year!
The Airport's chief executive stated: "Over the next 15 years, we will expand and significantly improve the airport to maximise our potential by investing £500 million."
There will be a mezzanine floor, new retail and restaurant units, more toilets and new seating. Additionally, the ground floor check-in area will have more self service desks, the latest bag drop technology and a brand new arrivals section will be created.
There will also be 11 additional aircraft stands and better public transport and road access for passengers, helping to increase passenger numbers to 18 million people by the year 2033.
Birmingham Airport, which is the UK's seventh largest, claimed the investment would raise its contribution to the local economy from £1.5 billion to £2.1 billion a year and take employment up to 34,000 jobs by 2033.
Its new master plan (named 'The Midlands Gateway to the World') was launched earlier this month.
Freedom of speech or freedom to hurt?
By Rahim 6J
On the evening of November 5th, while everyone was celebrating Bonfire Night, a group of men decided to place a model of Grenfell Tower on a bonfire, setting it into flames. This model showed silhouettes of children in distress in the windows and even tied to pieces of dangling thread, as if they were falling from the building. As they were recording this video, it could be heard that the men were using xenophobic language (offensive to people from other countries and cultural backgrounds) and also roaring with laughter.
Their video has been shared widely on social media sites, being viewed by thousands of people worldwide. The Justice4Grenfell campaign group said the video "caused great alarm and distress."
A subsequent police investigation caused the men responsible for these hurtful actions to finally turn themselves in to a police station in London and all six were placed under arrest.
Some people argued that the men's offensive behaviour demonstrated their right to freedom of speech. But does freedom of speech also mean freedom to hurt?
To find out more, follow the link: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/06/grenfell-bonfire-video-police-search-house-as-five-men-questioned
Dwarf planet discovery!
By Fahad and Hussein 6S
Scientists have discovered a new dwarf planet in the outermost reaches of our solar system.
Astronomers using a eight metre telescope in Hawaii, USA, found the new dwarf planet beyond Neptune. The orbit of this dwarf planet (officially called 2015 TG387) seems to be influenced by the gravity of a much bigger object. There is some speculation this object could be the mysterious 'Planet Nine'!
It has taken scientists three years carefully studying the data from this telescope to confirm that the object, known as The Goblin, is a dwarf world, which is probably about 300 kilometres wide.
To find out more, follow the link: https://inews.co.uk/news/science/dwarf-planet-discovered-new-the-golbin-explained/
New member of the royal family
By Umar 6S
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting an exciting new arrival. The news came from Kensington Palace via a social media message. Meghan and Harry have recently been on an official trip to Australia and Fiji; the royal couple got married just a few months ago, in May 2018.
The new baby will be seventh in line to the throne, right after his dad – Prince Harry – three cousins, Prince William and his grandfather, Prince Charles. It is predicted that the baby will arrive next spring.
It is also predicted that they might be expecting twins! Amazingly, this would mark the first time in 600 years that the monarchy would welcome baby twins. People say this would be a wonderful gift to the much-missed Princess Diana and hopes are high that the twins will be a boy and a girl.
Ultimate UFC match of all time!
By Mohammed 6S
One of the most intense matches in the entire history of UFC, McGregor vs Khabib was an incredible spectacle.
Conor McGregor achieved some takedowns in the first round but in the second, it was ‘Khabib Time’. The unbeaten Khabib went for the legs and takedowns on McGregor but, when Conor tried to go for an uppercut, Khabib dodged it and landed a solid punch on McGregor’s face.
In the fourth round, McGregor and Khabib tackled each other to the ground. Khabib then jumped up quicker than the Irish fighter and got him in a headlock; strangling Conor until he tapped out of the match for a couple of seconds to catch his breath!
After the match ended, Khabib claimed his badge and McGregor left the ring frustrated. As McGregor left the ring, he was rumoured to have said something about Khabib’s family or religion.
In a dramatic reaction, Khabib’s bodyguards jumped onto McGregor. Then McGregor’s bodyguards began trying to attack his opponent, so Khabib’s manager jumped into the fight and it all went crazy! The security guards could not stop the fight because they were stuck in the crowd, further back.
A few days later, McGregor offered to have a rematch with Khabib because he claimed he had cheated. However, Khabib does not appear to be interested in the rematch as he already has his hands full…. He has now challenged unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.
Indonesia Earthquake!
by Abdul Wahab and Yahya 6S
A terrible earthquake took place on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia last week. It took many lives away from families and hundreds of other injuries occurred.
The strong earthquake (7.5 on the Richter scale) caused a tsunami which also wrecked homes and buildings. Many people are still missing.
Under the rubble and buildings people were trapped and couldn’t breathe. Sadly, many of the trapped people died as more earthquakes continued to happen. These unfortunate Indonesian people could not survive without food or water so rescuers worked throughout the night to save them.
To find out more, follow the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/45698348
99.99% of plastic in the world's oceans 'hidden out of sight'
by Zahara 6B
Computer models show more than 246,000 tons of plastic is on the ocean surface but a shocking amount of 393 million tons of plastic is within our sea beds.
Scientists have said that the number of plastic waste hidden beneath the ocean’s surface has increased over the years. Researchers from Newcastle University have found that most types of plastic sink underwater and the growth of plastic in the ocean is now growing faster than the growth of algae. Calculations show that between five and 36 million tons a year is being deposited in the sediment every year. The government will hold a meeting with the UN to launch a campaign for the ocean’s protection to be increased by 30% by year 2030.
Remember to help clean the oceans and put your rubbish where it belongs!
Sport Shorts!
by Oueyess 6T
Football: Raheem Sterling is set for fresh contract talks. Manchester City want to a agree a deal to keep the England striker before he could leave in another 12 months.
On Friday, City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters: "It's well known we're delighted with him and would like him to continue. My club knows my opinion and we share that."
Boxing: Anthony Joshua made it his 22nd win after knocking out Alexander Povetkin. Now Antony Joshua says : "I am ready to fight Tyson Fury at his best."
Football: Did you know? James Milner's father's 'dislike' of Man United saw the Liverpool midfielder banned from wearing red when he was a child. Now he wears the red of Liverpool!
Hurricane Florence Strikes
by Maryam 6J
On Monday 17th September 2018 Hurricane Florence finished in North Carolina . Over 31 people are said to have died and 24 deaths were confirmed.
Although it was downgraded to a category two tropical storm this was still a very serious disaster. The rivers had reached major flood levels and threatening grey clouds hung in the sky and deposited months worth of rain in just a few days.
Is global warming to blame?
To find out more, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/45481511
Slime, slime and more slime!
By Ummaya 6J
Slime. Everyone loves it. It’s fun, its great; it’s one of the most famous crazes, but is it really that safe?
I know you’re asking: ‘How can something like that be unsafe?’ Well, if you’re one of the people who think boron {a poisonous substance when it touches your skin} is just another slime ingredient then go google it and you’ll be shocked at what you find!
It can cause sickening nausea and other harmful symptoms. Now, I’m not saying for you to throw all your precious slime away - superstore slimes are generally ok - but be extra careful to check for boron when buying cut-price slimes!
To find out more, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44852913
‘Robo-trousers’ can change the world!
By Zargaam 6S
Robo-trousers which help people stand up, walk upstairs and get out and about without wheelchairs are being designed by British scientists in a government-funded scheme to help the elderly and disabled to stay mobile.
The University of Bristol is developing ‘smart trousers’ with artificial muscles which can give frail people bionic strength, so they can live independently for longer.
This project has been dubbed ‘The Right Trousers’ by scientists, in reference to the hilarious Wallace and Gromit animation ‘The Wrong Trousers’, in which Wallace constructs a pair of calamitous cyber-slacks!
To find out more, visit: https://therighttrousers.com/
