Table of contents for 449 in The Week Junior

On 13 July, Donald Trump survived an attack by a gunman while he was giving a speech to a big crowd in Pennsylvania, US. Trump is hoping to be elected president of the US again this November. What happened at the rally? Trump, who was US president between 2017 and 2021, was speaking at a gathering of his supporters called a rally (see panel). Several shots were fired; a bullet hit Trump’s ear and he ducked to the ground. Trump was quickly surrounded and protected by members of the US Secret Service, a government agency that provides security at important events. Trump raised his fist in the air and repeated the word “fight” before the agents helped him off the stage to safety. One person at the rally was killed…

For many people, mobile phones have become an important part of everyday life. A headteacher at a school in Eastbourne, England, recently asked adults collecting their children at the end of the day to put their phones away. He said that pupils often leave their classrooms feeling excited to be picked up from school, “only to find their adult on their phone”. He said he didn’t question the parents’ love but he wanted to bring “the joy of conversation back into the community”. The request had a positive response from most of the grown-ups, but some disagreed. One person said that having their phones out helps people keep on top of their busy lives while they are waiting for their children to leave class. What do you think? Should adults…

On 29 June, 10 teams took part in a charity challenge called The Push. Each team was led by a wheelchair user with a spinal cord injury (damage to the long cord that connects your brain to the bottom of your back). They went up the tallest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Nine-year-old cancer survivor and wheelchair user Ted, from Sutton Coldfield, England, led the fastest team, raising over £5,000 for the charity Back Up. It was Ted’s third time on the challenge. Ted told The Week Junior, “I was really happy we were the fastest team, it’s the highlight of my year!”…

Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova have been crowned Wimbledon singles tennis champions. Alcaraz won the men’s event for the second year in a row and Krejcikova became women’s champion for the first time. The tournament is held in London and matches are played on grass. Alcaraz, who is from Spain, beat Serbia’s Novak Djokovic by three sets to zero on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. The 21-year-old also defeated Djokovic in last year’s final to win the Grand Slam event. The tennis Grand Slams are the four most important championships: the Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz won the French Open this year and the US Open in 2022. Krejcikova, from the Czech Republic, was playing against Jasmine Paolini from Italy. Neither had played in a Wimbledon singles final…

One hundred years on from the last Paris Olympics, a new exhibition explores how France’s capital city shaped the future of the Olympic Games. The exhibition, Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body, is at the Fitzwilliam Museum, in Cambridge, England. The exhibition features paintings, photos, posters and sculptures to show how the 1924 Olympics changed people’s attitudes and inspired creativity. Many famous artists at the time were interested in sport and the human body. These include Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera and Natalia Goncharova, some of whose artworks are on display. Items on show include football boots worn by Jose Andrade, whose Uruguay team won the Olympic football competition in 1924 and 1928. The University of Cambridge’s Christopher Young told The Week Junior about another item: a letter from William…

by The Horne Section (Puffin Books) Music is all around us. In this entertaining new book, comedy jazz band The Horne Section take readers into the fascinating world of sound and music. You’ll find funny tales, absurd history, astonishing facts, inspiring quotations, and lots of information about how music notation works; as well as different instruments and musical styles, and what goes on inside a recording studio. There are also jokes, song lyrics, quizzes and challenges, to encourage you to have a go at making your own music, in lots of different fun, experimental and unexpected ways. Whether you’re already a fan of music and know how to play an instrument, or you’re a complete beginner, this is a fun read that proves just how silly, strange and spectacular the…

How would you describe your favourite wild animal or a magical moment you’ve had in nature? To celebrate the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s 60th birthday, you are invited to tell your story for a new competition. Your entry can be a real experience or an imagined one, but it must be believable and take place in Scotland. You could write a short story, a poem, a letter or even words to a song; just make sure it’s no longer than 1,000 words. Send in your entry by 31 August for a chance to win a prize bundle including a trail camera to capture more natural wonders. Find out more at tinyurl.com/TWJ-scotwildword…

BRITAIN’S OLDEST CHALK FIGURE In Oxfordshire, England, a 3,000-year-old chalk figure, the Uffington White Horse, has been restored by a team of experts. They cut back grass around the head and neck of the horse and rearranged some of the top layer of chalk to make its outline bolder. CHINESE PANGOLINS Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic has welcomed its second Chinese pangolin in two years. Hunted for their scales and meat, the animals are critically endangered. The new pangolin joins her sister Cone, born last year. The animals are difficult to breed in captivity but the baby is said to be doing well and putting on weight. A YOUNG COXSWAIN On 22 June, Becky Cannon became the youngest female coxswain for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Ramsgate,…

When he was younger, 16-year-old Ash Goldsmith loved looking at the stars. In Year 7 he joined his school’s astronomy club and his passion for space grew. Goldsmith, from the Wirral, England, is one of the winners of the Viasat Beyond: Space competition. Pupils in Years 12 and 13 sent in their ideas to help space sustainability (causing little or no damage to the environment). Floating around Earth there are millions of pieces of junk, including some that come from satellite launchers. Ash’s idea was for a “housekeeping” satellite that would repair, refuel or upgrade existing satellites so they last longer, making them less likely to become space junk. “It’s very important for space to stay sustainable,” Goldsmith told The Week Junior, “because if we don’t keep it sustainable, we…

Many animals, and even humans, end up airborne (with their feet totally off the ground) for short periods when they move quickly. In larger animals, this is less common. Elephants, for example, never completely leave the ground. However, a new study says that the famously heavy hippopotamus “takes flight” when it runs. Despite their size, some hippos have been recorded reaching speeds of nearly 20 miles per hour, but there have been no studies that show if they become airborne. Researcher Emily Pringle went to Flamingo Land Resort, a zoo and theme park in North Yorkshire, England. She collected video footage of hippos there, recording them moving around in their enclosure during the day. The study also looked at internet video footage of wild hippos. In total, the researchers looked…

Baby otters The UK Wild Otter Trust has revealed plans to build a hospital to help otter cubs. The charity, based in Devon, England, has rescued 19 cubs so far this year but needs more space to treat the animals. Orphaned cubs are usually looked after for a year before they are released back into the wild. Key Largo tree cactus Rising sea levels have caused the Key Largo tree cactus to go extinct in the US state of Florida. Salty sea water got into fresh water areas where the tree grows, so the last few stems were moved into a greenhouse to keep them alive. The trees also grow on some Caribbean islands.…

Around 10,500 athletes are gearing up to compete across lots of different sports. Millions of fans will also be cheering on the competitors. The history of the Games The first known Olympic Games took place 2,800 years ago, in 776BC, at Olympia in southern Greece. To begin with, the Games were held in honour of Zeus, the king of the gods in the ancient Greek religion. Some early Olympic sports, including sprinting and the javelin (throwing a spear), are still events today. Others, such as racing in chariots (two-wheeled vehicles pulled by horses), were dropped long ago. The Romans – who once ruled Greece – banned the Olympics in AD393. It was more than 1,500 years before the Games returned; the first modern Olympics took place in Athens, the capital…

A company in the US has developed a spread that’s like butter but is made from carbon dioxide instead of milk. Carbon dioxide is a gas found naturally in the air. When there is too much of it in the atmosphere, it can add to global warming. Butter is made from the fat in milk or cream from farm animals. However, farming animals accounts for about 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, pushing up temperatures. There are plant-based alternatives to butter but the ingredients need space to grow and, in some parts of the world, trees are cut down to make room for fields. Trees help absorb greenhouse gases. A company called Savor wanted to create a planet-friendly spread. Fats like…

Ayaka Furue The golfer from Japan won the Evian Championship, which is one of the five important trophies in women’s golf. Argentina men’s football team Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, won the Copa America by defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final in Miami, US. Rhasidat Adeleke At the Diamond League in Monaco, Adeleke won the women’s 400 metres. It’s the first time the Irish athlete has been a Diamond League winner. Elisa Longo Borghini Italian cyclist Borghini finished 21 seconds ahead of Belgian cyclist Lotte Kopecky to win the Women’s Giro d’Italia.…

Funniest joke? Why did the man fall down the well? Because he couldn’t see that well. Who’s the loudest in the band? Mark, the saxophonist, is the loudest with his mouth, his instrument and his shirts. Why is music important to you? Music makes dancing much easier, ice-skating more fun and sandwiches a little bit tastier. Favourite musical fact? Cows produce more milk when listening to music, as long as the music is quite calm. What started your love for music? When Ben (the drummer) and I were at primary school, we would listen to a Queen album on my dad’s record player for up to six hours at a time. The internet hadn’t yet been invented. How does writing a book differ from writing lyrics/songs? When you write a…

Not everyone can be an Olympian but if this summer’s Olympic Games fire up your excitement around athletics and other sports, there are a fair few games that you may enjoy. New for this year’s Paris games is Olympics Go! Paris 2024, the official mobile game for this year’s Olympics, which is out for Android and Apple phones as well as PCs. It’s not your average sports game, though. You can compete in several Olympic events, from swimming and archery to fencing and – a new event in the Games this year – breaking (also known as breakdancing). However, it’s also a city-management game where you upgrade stadiums and build shops and cafés – something real-world athletes don’t have to worry about. For something a bit sillier – but still…

A team of engineers in the Netherlands have built the world’s longest bicycle. Ivan Schalk said he had been dreaming of breaking the record since reading a Guinness World Records book as a child. Schalk started the project six years ago and put together a team of eight people from his home village of Prinsenbeek. To win the record, two members of the team (one steering, the other pedalling at the back) rode the 55.16 metre bike for 100 metres. Schalk’s creation beat the previous record, set in 2020, of 47.5 metres. By adding more pedals and using more riders, the team also broke the record for the longest tandem (a bicycle for more than one person). The record-breaking bicycle will now go on display at the Prinsenbeek local history…

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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 you whether ice cream in a cone is better than a cup… “Yes, a cone is better because you can eat it after and this means no waste!” “No, you can have more scoops in a cup.” “Yes, the cone gives a satisfying crunch and a delicious addition.” “No, in a cone it will fall out.” “The ice cream tastes the exact same way.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here. If you’ve enjoyed this issue, why not listen to our podcast, The…

In September, nine-year-old chess player Bodhana Sivanandan is set to become the youngest person to represent England internationally in a sporting competition. This month she found out that she will play in the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad, a worldwide chess event. Bodhana has been playing chess since she was five, when a family friend gave her a chess board. Her skills improved rapidly and in 2022 she became England’s first world youth chess champion in 25 years. Bodhana told the BBC her best advice for beginners is, “If you lose a game, you should try and learn from it.”…

These long, low creatures are not easy to spot. However, at this time of year you might spy a female stoat hunting for food for her babies (called kits). Stoats like open countryside and dry stone walls (ones made of stacked stones) and they live all over the UK. They are a member of the mustelid family, which includes badgers, otters and weasels. Stoats grow up to 40 centimetres long and have a long, thin brown body and cream underside. Their tail has a bushy black tip and is the best way to tell them apart from weasels (which have a short brown tail). It’s thought that they use their tail to distract predators. Stoats can turn white in winter, except for the tail tip. As hunters, they can catch…

Blue-winged teals have been spotted trying to breed in the UK for the first time. The ducks were observed at the Tophill Low Nature Reserve in Yorkshire, England. Although their breeding wasn’t a success, staff at the nature reserve hope they will try again next year. ● LIFESPAN: 10–17 years. ● HABITAT: Grasslands and wetlands in North, Central and South America. ● SIZE: 35–40 centimetres long, with a wingspan of 56–62 centimetres. ● DIET: Clams, insects, plants and seeds. ● FUN FACT: The birds find a partner and form pairs that last for one breeding season only.…

A team of scientists in South Africa have discovered the world’s oldest active termite mounds (a home for ant-like insects called termites). The mounds are in Namaqualand, a very dry region in South Africa, and are home to southern harvester termites. The biggest mounds are around 30 metres wide and go as deep as three metres underground. Scientists from Stellenbosch University in South Africa studied samples from the termite mounds using a process called radiocarbon dating (see panel). This revealed that they are between 34,000 and 13,000 years old, making them the oldest active termite mounds in the world. Before, it was thought that the oldest were a group of 4,000-year-old mounds in Brazil. One of the scientists, Michele Francis, said that the mounds were like a termite “apartment complex”…

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Warm sunny days make you want to spend hours outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. Knowing how to take care of yourself means you can enjoy the sunshine. Everyone needs some sunshine It’s easier to feel happier when the Sun is shining. The bright light and warmth makes you feel good when you’re out and about. As well as sunlight boosting your mood, doctors say it tops up levels of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is good for your bones, muscles and teeth. However, too much sunshine without proper protection can hurt your skin and make you unwell. The Sun’s rays are strongest in summer and everyone needs to protect themselves. Stay safe in the sun There are simple ways to keep yourself safe and well in…

Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith (Chicken House) Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning a gold medal but training is going to be tough, even with the help of her friends. Can Pearl achieve her dream? This tale of friendship and bravery set in the world of competitive gymnastics has been written by former Olympic fencer and Commonwealth gold medal winner Eloise Smith. Tennis Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (Puffin Books) In this classic sports story, Nicky Heath is determined to beat her brothers and sisters to become a tennis champion. Succeeding won’t be easy, though, and Nicky soon finds she has challenges to face, both on and off the court. Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder by Bali Rai. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan (Barrington Stoke) When Bobby spots a lonely old…

If you’re feeling the summer heat, or even if you aren’t (it’s always good to be prepared), why not make some delicious ice lollies? This recipe uses just a few ingredients but promises full fruity flavours and total refreshment. Delicious summer strawberries and creamy yoghurt are the perfect cooling combination. It takes just 10 minutes to whip up the mixture but you’ll need a little bit of patience after that – they take a few hours to freeze before you can enjoy them. The beauty of this recipe is that you can adapt it and use whatever fruit you have to make your own cool creations. What you need ● 150g strawberries● 90g caster sugar● 1 tsp vanilla extract● 500g tub low-fat natural yoghurt● 100g white chocolate, melted● 60g sugar…

This issue is absolutely packed with sports. With a report on the men’s Euros (page 3) and a round-up of the Wimbledon tennis tournament (page 18), it was quite a squeeze to fit it all in alongside the countdown to perhaps the biggest sports event in the world, the Summer Olympics in Paris. We’ve tracked down all sorts of information about the Games – including the Week in History (page 4) about the first Special Olympics; the upcoming Games in Paris (page 12); an exhibition that looks back at the last time Paris hosted the Olympics in 1924 (page 20); and some Olympic-themed video games (page 24). You’ll find five brilliant books about sports on page 22, and even our That’s Unbelievable section (page 27) has some strange events, including…

Teacher’s name: Miss Nugent School: Our Lady of the Missions Primary, Thornliebank, Scotland ‘’I am nominating Miss Nugent as she is the most amazing teacher ever and the best! Just like her hero, Taylor Swift, she has the “magic touch”. She can make everything fun, even maths! She is kind, very funny and the most caring person. I love going to school because of her.’’ Annie 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 Which birthday did Spanish football player Lamine Yamal celebrate the day before the Euros final? ⬜ a) 15th ⬜ b) 16th ⬜ c) 17th 2 True or false? The UK’s sugar tax on drinks was announced in 2016. ⬜ True ⬜ False 3 In which country has a new rule been passed to encourage laughter? ____________________________ 4 When were smartphones banned in schools in Italy? ⬜ a) 1997 ⬜ b) 2007 ⬜ c) 2017 5 True or false? The tallest mountain in Wales is Scafell Pike. ⬜ True ⬜ False 6 How many kilograms of grass can a hippo eat in a single night? ____________________________ 7 Who was the first female Olympic champion? ⬜ a) Charlotte Cooper ⬜ b) Simone Biles ⬜ c) Sky Brown 8 True or false?…