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On 24 May, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to stop its military operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. What is the ICJ? The ICJ is the most senior legal court of the United Nations (UN). The UN is an organisation made up of most of the world’s countries and it works to tackle the world’s problems, such as war and climate change. Israel is a member of the UN. One of the ICJ’s roles is to settle legal disagreements between UN members. Part of the United Nations Charter, a document signed by UN member countries that lays out their rights and responsibilities, says that every member has to try to comply with (obey) the ICJ’s rulings. However, the ICJ has no way of forcing a…

When it was announced in 2019 that Avengers: Endgame was going to be three hours long, Marvel fans were worried about how they would be able to get through it at the cinema without needing the toilet. Some people shared spoiler-free tips to help others decide on the best time to nip to the loo. Although it was an epic film, some fans argued that three hours was just too long. A lengthy film requires you to focus on one thing for a long time, which can be tiring and possibly a bit boring. A shorter running time means people are less likely to get restless. However, others say time doesn’t matter if you’re being entertained and that shortening a film is like cutting a bit out of a book…

Neither a worm, nor a snake – the slow worm is a legless lizard. This means they have eyelids and can shed their tail to avoid being caught by predators (it even carries on moving for a bit after coming off). They can grow it back but it won’t detach again. Slow worms live all over Britain in moist, shaded areas, such as grassland, woodland edges and gardens. They grow up to 50 centimetres long and have smooth, golden-grey skin. After being in a hibernation-like state called brumation from October to March, slow worms are looking for a mate at this time of year. They take warmth from their surroundings, hanging out under logs and rocks or in compost heaps. Slow worms can live for more than 25 years.…

D-Day was a military operation that took place during the Second World War (1939–1945) and it was a very important day in the history of Europe. On that day, 6 June 1944, the Allies (a group of countries including the UK, the US, Canada, France and Australia) landed thousands of soldiers in France. Their job was to beat the German army and liberate Europe (set it free) from Nazi Germany. Why did D-Day happen? In 1940, Nazi Germany had invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and France. The leaders of the UK, the US and the Soviet Union (a country made up of Russia and its nearby neighbours) met to discuss how to beat Nazi Germany. In 1943, they had a plan: to land thousands of soldiers on the beaches of Normandy…

School children from all around England showed off their football skills recently in an exciting competition. They were part of the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup National Finals, played at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium. More than 50,000 children had competed since October in the earlier rounds of the event. The winners progressed through district, county and regional matches and the top 24 school teams reached the finals where they had the chance to become national champions. The event was organised by the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) with support from Pokémon – the company that makes computer games, trading cards and animated TV shows. Dovedale Primary School, from Merseyside, won the Under-11 Girls’ Cup. They beat Dulverton Primary School 4-0 in their final. The Under-11 Schools’ Cup was lifted by…

Next year it will be 200 years since the world’s first passenger train travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway, England, in 1825. It was pulled by Locomotion No.1, an engine designed by English engineer George Stephenson. The train carried 450 people, and 40,000 people gathered to watch the spectacle. It left from Shildon, in County Durham, England – the first place in the world to see a steam locomotive pull a train of passengers. It’s hard to imagine now, but the railways designed and built in Britain changed transport and travel across the world by making it easier and cheaper to transport people and goods. Today, Shildon is home to Locomotion, a railway museum that has recently had a makeover. It has just opened a new display, called New…

Growing up, Kiran Millwood Hargrave loved fantasy stories like Sabriel by Garth Nix and the Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin. Now, these stories have helped inspire her own series. In this, the first book of the Geomancer trilogy, we meet unlikely heroine Ysolda, who has grown up deep in the forest. Her life is turned upside down when a earthquake destroys her home and her beloved older sister Hari is kidnapped. Now, accompanied by her loyal sea-hawk, Nara, Ysolda must venture beyond the home she knows on a perilous rescue mission. The journey will lead her into strange new territories – and into striking a dangerous bargain with the powerful Wolf Queen. Can Ysolda save her sister? This spellbinding story is full of adventure, bravery, friendship and wild nature…

When Katherine Rundell started writing her fantasy novel Impossible Creatures, she wanted to create a world “where all the creatures of myth still live and breathe and thrive”. The captivating story of two children who set out on an adventure with magical creatures recently won her the children’s fiction prize and author of the year at the British Book Awards. Children’s author Jacqueline Wilson presented Rundell with the author of the year award, which Rundell says was a lovely moment for her. She remembers reading The Story of Tracy Beaker and Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson over and over again as a child. She told The Week Junior, “It was just such a delight both for me and my 10-year-old self to have Jacqueline Wilson say such incredibly kind things.”…

Well! We were all taken by surprise by Rishi Sunak’s announcement of the general election – just after we had gone to press. You can read our report on page 4. Over the next few weeks, we will explain how general elections work, how MPs are chosen, what they do and what the different political parties stand for. Although our readers can’t vote yet, there is plenty you can do to get involved. We’ll explain the issues that politicians are talking about and what happens next. Would you like to be a politician? We’ll be interviewing people working in politics, too, and asking them how they got started. It’s going to be a busy few weeks! Many people get into politics because they want to help others. They often start…

Calling all budding poets… Get creative with the Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation. Translate into English a published poem from any language for the Individual Youth Entry category; or translate a Portuguese poem for this year’s special Portuguese Spotlight category. Entry is free for under 18s, with the chance to have your work published and win cash prizes. Find full details at stephen-spender.org/stephen-spender-prize. The deadline for entries is 31 July, so you have a bit of time yet. Good luck!…

Teacher’s name: Alison Job: Home educator, Chesham, Buckinghamshire “Alison is the most amazing and special home-school teacher, because she always plans my school time to suit my needs on the day. I sometimes find life tricky, but she always makes schooling happy and fun, and helps me feel calm and safe. I feel so lucky to have Alison in my life; she is the best and most awesome teacher in the world.” Megan If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of 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…

1 How many judges does the International Court of Justice have? ⬜ a) 5 ⬜ b) 15 ⬜ c) 25 2 True or false? The UK general election is taking place on 4 August. ⬜ True ⬜ False 3 The Kabin Studio is a youth arts centre based in which Irish city? 4 What is the running time for The Super Mario Bros. Movie? ⬜ a) 39 minutes ⬜ b) 92 minutes ⬜ c) 141 minutes 5 True or false? The Climate Choir Movement has more than 700 singers in 14 Climate Choirs across the UK. ⬜ True ⬜ False 6 Which type of noisy insect recently kicked up such a racket that some people in the US called the police? 7 The Allies landed on how many Normandy beaches on D-Day?…

On 28 May, Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised the existence of Palestine. Palestine refers to an area in the Middle East and includes the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank (which both border Israel). Throughout the 20th century, people have argued over where the borders of Palestine and Israel should be. Simon Harris, Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister), said he wants to keep the “miracle of peace alive” and that a two-state solution – where Israel and Palestine exist as countries side by side – is the best way forward.…

A TOP DOG Coco is the Senedd’s (Welsh Parliament) Dog of the Year. Four dogs owned by politicians from other political parties were also in the running but the spaniel and her owner Jack Sargeant, who is in the Labour Party, impressed judges with their strong bond. RIDING A ROLLERCOASTER The tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the UK opened at Thorpe Park in England, on 24 May. Hyperia reaches a height of nearly 72 metres, has the tallest loop in Europe and runs at speeds of up to 81 miles per hour. Neil Poulter from Thorpe Park said that riders would feel, “like you’re slightly coming out of your seat”. YOUNG GAME MAKERS Project Pixel, a group of 25 students from the University of Sheffield, have created new mobile phone…

TV star and author Dermot O’Leary’s favourite advice for young people is inspired by an old ice hockey player whose attitude was to always give things a try. “Go for it, because what is the worst that can happen?” says O’Leary. “If you fail at one thing, you’ll succeed at another, so just keep going. Develop that attitude of being fearless.” “Fearless” is just how you’d describe the main character in O’Leary’s new book, Wings of Glory. In the book, O’Leary imagines a world where animals helped out during the Second World War (1939-1945). The story is told from the perspective of Linus, a brave swift (a type of small bird) with a big heart who joins the Royal Bird Force (or RBF). A few years ago, O’Leary was involved…

At the end of April, billions of periodical cicadas (a type of insect) began emerging from the ground in the US. This year is special because two specific groups – known as broods – have made their way to the surface at the same time, causing a high-pitched buzz so loud that some people called the police. This year Brood 19, which emerges every 13 years, and Brood 13, which pops up every 17 years, have appeared at the same time. The last time these broods appeared together was in 1803. There are also annual cicadas, which appear every year in the US as different broods emerge from the ground. The periodical cicadas are emerging in 17 of the 50 states in the US. Brood 19 is mostly found further…

Manchester United, Celtic & Rangers Women Manchester United won the FA Cup, Celtic claimed the Scottish Cup and Rangers won the Women’s Scottish Cup. Hannah Cockroft In the World Para Athletics Championships, Great Britain’s Cockroft won the T34 800 metres and 100 metres races. Barcelona Femeni They won the Women’s Champions League for the third time, beating Lyon 2-0 in the final. Josh Kerr & Keely Hodgkinson The British athletes won gold in the Diamond League in Oregon, US. Kerr took the one-mile race title and Hodgkinson finished first in the women’s 800 metres.…

How is this book different from others that you have written? It’s the first trilogy I’ve written, so you can expect high stakes and epic adventure. And IT HAS WOLVES! Do you enjoy spending time in nature? If I’m stuck for ideas, I go for a walk in the forest near our house. It’s hundreds of years old and there are gravestones dotted throughout, for keepers of the woods. What is your favourite writing spot? I love writing on the sofa with a cat or two next to me (but now I’m a bit older it hurts my back). What is the best gift you’ve ever received? I was gifted a necklace to mark writing the Geomancer trilogy. It looks like a standing stone and has a tiny ruby. Who…

“Far, far below, red liquid bubbled. Blood? Lava? Evil ketchup? None of the possibilities were good.” Rick Riordan, the author of Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase and Kane Chronicles, turns 60 years old this week. The Red Pyramid is the first book in the Kane Chronicles trilogy. It follows siblings Sadie and Carter Kane on a quest to rescue their father as they discover that the ancient Egyptian gods and myths are real – and that their family has a strange connection to a secret magical order.…

Buglife is devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates (animals with no backbone), as they are really important to a healthy planet and we couldn’t survive without them. The organisation works to save animals including bees, beetles, jellyfish and worms. People can help in many ways, including by leaving plants to grow a little bit untidy in their gardens, planting wildflowers for bees or creating mini ponds for dragonflies. To find out if there’s a Buglife project near you and to get involved, visit buglife.org.uk…

Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we can send you a Roving Reporter badge 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 magazine and digital editions, and mention on our podcast. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, accuracy and suitability. Ensure you have your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.…

We love hearing from you! It’s easy – just write a comment when you vote in our online Big Debate poll, or even record a voice note for The Week Junior Show. Last week we asked our readers whether pets should be allowed on flights… “Yes, they can help people who feel anxious on flights.” “No, if animals are locked up they might feel tense.” “Yes, pets are part of a family.” “No – they could easily stink the whole plane out.” “Yes, they can get lonely by us not being there.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

Researchers studying tracking data from greater spotted eagles say the birds have been avoiding flying over Ukraine since the country has been at war with Russia. ● LIFESPAN: Up to 20 years.● HABITAT: Lowland forests and wet habitats such as along rivers, bogs and lakes in Europe, Asia and Africa. ● SIZE: 63–75 centimetres.● DIET: Mainly water birds, frogs, lizards and snakes.● FUN FACT: The white spots on the eagle’s body gradually turn into bands as they reach adulthood.…

Engineers in the UK are going to build a new satellite designed to track space weather. “Space weather” is caused by what happens on the surface of the Sun and it can affect the whole solar system. The satellite, named Vigil, is part of a space weather forecasting mission run by the European Space Agency (ESA). It will be developed by a company called Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, England. The launch is set for 2031 and the ESA will use one of its Ariane 6 rockets to take Vigil into space, 93 million miles from Earth. It will be in a different position to other satellites, and this will provide scientists with a new view of the Sun’s behaviour. This will be especially useful for looking at “storms”…

Learning to think before you speak helps you to express yourself better. Besides improving your communication skills, it stops you saying things you might come to regret. Putting your foot in it If you’ve ever shared an embarrassing story about yourself or someone else or said something mean in the heat of the moment, you’ll know how easy it is to say things you wish you could take back. Research shows this is more likely to happen during an argument because our brains release chemicals when we’re stressed or upset that make it hard to manage our emotions. This can lead us to say and do things we regret. Thinking carefully before you speak gives you time to consider your words and the effect they’ll have before saying them out…

Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton (Scholastic) James loves dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey. He’s excited to be part of a choir performing at his teacher’s wedding but why does his father seem so uncomfortable with the plan? Meanwhile, James is coping with a school bully and feeling anxious about his elderly Nan. With so many worries, can James keep his sparkle and be himself? My Heart Is a Poem (Little Tiger Press) This beautiful book of poetry celebrates the full range of human emotions, such as excitement, sadness, anger and pride. Heartfelt poems by writers including John Agard, Joseph Coelho and Nikita Gill are accompanied by lovely illustrations from lots of talented artists, which bring these powerful poems to life. How to Be More Hedgehog by Anne-Marie Conway (UCLan Publishing)…

Name: Lilly Pages & Co: Tilly and the Bookwanderers Anna James “It was funny, mysterious and enjoyable. I would recommend this to readers who love the idea of time-travelling in books.” YOUR TURN Please email your book review to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it is printed in the magazine you will receive a Roving Reporter badge. Please describe the book in three words, what you liked about it and why you’d recommend it to others. Don’t forget to include your name and address.* *If you are the competition winner, we will only use the details you provide to contact you and arrange delivery of your competition prize. Further details about how we manage the data you provide can be found at futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Cats are famously good at landing on their feet if they fall, and happily that’s the case for the feline hero of Little Kitty, Big City, a new game for Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles, as well as PCs. It starts with the cat slipping off the ledge it’s snoozing on outside its owner’s flat, before landing safely in a rubbish bin in the street. From then on, your job is to help the lost cat find its way back home. It’s a long way up, though. In the game you take the cat on an adventure to build up its energy ready for the climb back to home. Or you could take a nap on a pile of fresh laundry. It can walk, jump, climb, slink close to the…

A woman from Liverpool, England, has set up a business turning old tea towels into dresses. Scarlett Hawkes started sewing when she was 14 and loved upcycling (reusing old items to create something new) clothes from her mum, but her first big success was when she turned a Heinz ketchup tea towel into a dress. “People absolutely loved it,” she says. Hawkes explains that she learned to sew using “YouTube and Google to teach myself”. Now, she turns second-hand tea towels into dresses, jackets and skirts. Customers can even send in their tea towels to be added into a new garment. “People enjoy the uniqueness of each item,” says Hawkes.…

“I enjoyed making these pompom bees from the magazine. It was tricky at first but I’m happy with how they turned out.” Jessie “I have started walking the North Downs Way. I walked the first 6.5 miles on the first day and have set myself the challenge to walk the whole 153 miles over the next six months.”Molly “I love reading the magazine every week and my cat Buddy does too. This is him reading all about the stag beetle.”Carla…