Table of contents for 381 in The Week Junior

Huge protests and strikes (when people refuse to work) have broken out in Israel after the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, sacked his defence minister. He did this after the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, spoke out against unpopular plans that Netanyahu was hoping to introduce. Netanyahu has now decided to delay his plans. What changes does Netanyahu want? The plans would affect the Israeli Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Israel and it makes important decisions on laws being passed by the government. The changes would allow the government to have more control over who is chosen to be a member of the court. They would also limit the court’s power to stop certain laws from being passed. Netanyahu said his plans would make power more balanced between the…

THE PICKLES FAMILY At the age of 90, a type of very rare tortoise has become a father to three babies. Mr Pickles, a radiated tortoise, and his partner, 53-year-old Mrs Pickles, recently welcomed their tortoise hatchlings, called Dill, Gherkin and Jalapeño, at Houston Zoo in the US. A LEGO SUPERFAN Luke Harrison, 13, from Cumbria, England, has been named the UK’s best young Lego builder. Finalists were chosen from regional contests in Birmingham and Manchester. Harrison made a model of Manchester’s iFLY Skydiving Centre being attacked by Birmingham’s bull mascot. The model is now on display in Manchester. A LOCAL MUSEUM Norwich Castle Museum has been given a prehistoric gold ring by a generous metal detectorist. It was found in Norfolk, England, and dates back to the Bronze Age…

England and the UK have had monarchies for more than 1,000 years. Scotland (which was a separate country until 1707) also had its own monarchy. A recent poll showed that more than a third of people in the UK – particularly those aged 18 to 24 – feel negatively about the system. Anti-royalists want to hold a referendum that would let the public vote on whether to keep the monarchy or not. The monarchy is hereditary (it passes from generation to generation) and many people think it is unfair that the royal family is wealthy and privileged by birth. The monarch has no political power but they do have symbolic duties, such as approving laws and representing the UK. Do you think having a king or queen is a good…

Lords-and-ladies is a plant that grows in the shade of woodlands and hedgerows across the UK. It flowers in April and May. Look out for a pale green leaf-like hood around a purple or yellow spadix, which is the name for a spike of tiny flowers on a fleshy stem. This releases a smell like wee that is designed to attract flies, which are then trapped beneath tiny hairs by the female flowers. If the flies have visited another lords-and-ladies plant, they will spread the pollen. At night, male flowers (above the female ones) will release pollen onto the flies and the hairs will wither, releasing the flies so they are free to pollinate other plants. All parts of lords-and-ladies can be toxic to humans, so be careful not to…

Zebra sharks A new organisation called ReShark is raising zebra sharks in captivity. It aims to release 500 of them into the wild in Indonesia to try to save the species from extinction. This is the first programme of its kind for sharks. If it works, ReShark hopes to do the same with other sea species. UK cats A charity called Cats Protection has found that one in five of the cats it is taking care of has been handed in to a shelter because the owners couldn’t afford to keep it. The charity is looking for volunteers to spend time with the young cats and cuddle them so they get used to people.…

The US Space agency NASA has revealed a new space suit, the first new design in 40 years. Astronauts will wear it on the next Artemis mission, which is due to land near the Moon’s south pole in 2025. A company called Axiom Space has designed the suit. The prototype (a test version) comes in a dark grey material but the final suit will be white, to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures by reflecting light off them. At the launch event in Houston, US, Axiom Space engineer Jim Stein wore the suit. He knelt down and squatted to show how flexible it is. Astronauts will have to perform tasks like gathering up Moon rocks, so they need to be able to move freely. The suit is warmer than NASA’s previous…

Harry Kane In a 2-1 win against Italy, the footballer scored his 54th international goal to make him the record scorer for the England men’s team. Cambridge rowing team The women’s and men’s teams from Cambridge University beat Oxford University’s teams in the Boat Race in London. Mumbai Indians They won the first Women’s Premier League cricket competition, in India. London Lions and Caledonia Gladiators The London Lions beat Leicester Riders 81-70 to win the Women’s British Basketball League. In the men’s final, Caledonia Gladiators beat Cheshire Phoenix 73-70.…

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a knight in medieval Wales, then visit Beaumaris Castle’s Easter Eggstravaganza in Anglesey, Wales, on 9 and 10 April. You can discover how knights prepared for battle, including how they put on their armour and used heavy weapons. There is also a circus workshop, an archery display and gruesome dungeon stories told by a spooky character. You can also join in the Easter egg hunt (there is one on both days). In Scotland, the V&A Dundee is hosting an exhibition called Tartan, about one of the world’s best-known patterns, which has been a symbol of Scotland for centuries. The exhibition features a fantastic collection of 300 tartan objects from more than 80 sources around the world including fashion companies like Chanel…

One Zoo Three – OZT goes wild in Britain Available now on CBBC The Whitnall brothers are on a mission to show some of the wonderful wildlife of Britain and the conservation efforts to protect our native species. You can also put some of their eco-hacks to the test at home. Mummies In cinemas from 31 March Follow three Egyptian mummies on a fun adventure to present-day London. The trio and their pet baby crocodile embark on a quest to reclaim a precious stolen ring belonging to the Egyptian royal family.…

by LD Lapinski (Hachette Children’s Books) Jamie Rambeau is a happy 11-year-old who loves hanging out with best friends Daisy and Ash. “We’re like one person who’s been split into three,” says Jamie. “Together we form a perfect shape.” However, when the three friends start Year Six and begin to think about secondary schools, it becomes clear they will soon be separating. Daisy will go to Queen Elizabeth’s High School for Girls and Ash will start at St Joseph’s Academy for Boys. Jamie won’t fit in at either school, so the three friends decide to take matters into their own hands and do something about it. This story for older readers (aged 11+), told in Jamie’s own voice, celebrates the power of protest and demonstrates the importance of standing up…

Lots of people would like to go skiing. It’s difficult to do because you need to be on snowy slopes or at an artificial ski centre. Skiing can also be expensive. There is a cheaper version, though: the fun sport of roller skiing. In roller skiing you wear ski boots attached to short skis that have a wheel at the front and back. With the help of a pole in each hand, you move along a smooth off-road route, such as a cycle lane or a tarmac surface in a park. People of all ages can practise roller skiing all year round. Some skiers do it for fun alongside friends or families; others enter races to complete a roller skiing course in the quickest time. The sport was created in…

Crossword Read the clues carefully and write the answers into the grid. ACROSS 1 Cable, thick string (4) 3 Man-eating fishes (6) 8 Door for a feline pet (3,4) 9 Frozen water (3) 10 Multi-storied building (5,5) 13 Spice grinder (6,4) 17 Harry Potter’s Hedwig (3) 18 Part of the foot (7) 19 Bird that gobbles (6) 20 Group of sports players (4) DOWN 1 Boulder (4) 2 Garden terrace (5) 4 Jump on one leg (3) 5 Horned African animal (5) 6 Furtive, sly (6) 7 Arm of a jacket (6) 11 ___ car, dodgem (6) 12 Brussels ___, green vegetable (6) 14 ___ bear, Arctic animal (5) 15 Go away, depart (5) 16 Miserable (4) 18 Golf-ball stand (3) Number tower Place a number in every circle to…

I have to announce some news that has us bursting with pride – our friends over at Fun Kids (who work with us on The Week Junior Show) have been nominated for the Radio Times Moment of the Year for their totally brilliant, literally out-of-this-world Fun Kids’ Mission Transmission. This was the first radio programme ever sent into deep space. It featured lots of children’s voices broadcasting to possible aliens out there. The award is voted for by the public so we are cheering them on. While I am celebrating achievements, I have to mention your photographs on page 16. They are fantastic! Thank you for sending them in – we look at every one and we love seeing what you are up to. There’s a slightly odder achievement on…

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 the magazine and digital editions. 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.…

Teacher’s name: Rocco School: The King Alfred School, London “Rocco is an amazing teacher because he teaches us so much and with style. He is also outstanding at cooking and is always up for a good laugh. He treats others with kindness and respect and creates fun out of something dull.”Daisy 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 country has been named the world’s happiest? □ a) Iceland □ b) Denmark □ c) Finland 2 True or false? Visitors can only wear socks to walk on the floor where King Charles III will be crowned. □ True □ False 3 Marion Island is part of which country? ______________________ 4 Which king of England was executed in 1649? □ a) King Charles I □ b) King Charles II □ c) King Charles III 5 True or false? The first children’s TV shows on the BBC featured a puppet called Button the Bear. □ True □ False 6 Which very expensive edible fungi grows mostly in northern Italy? ________________ 7 Who was the first cartoon character to appear on a US postage stamp? □ a) Mickey Mouse □…

For the first time ever, Piccadilly Circus in London has been lit up to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which started on 22 March. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, switched on the display, which spells out “Happy Ramadan”, and lots of people gathered to mark the special occasion. Ramadan lasts for 30 days. During this time, many Muslims (people who follow the religion of Islam) around the world don’t eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset. This is called fasting, and it is believed to bring people closer to Allah, or God. People also pray, read the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam) and help others. The end of Ramadan is marked with a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr, when people thank Allah and give children presents. The…

On 28 March, Humza Yousaf was named as Scotland’s First Minister, after becoming the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on 27 March. What happened? On 15 February, the previous First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she was stepping down as leader of the SNP. Sturgeon was the longest serving First Minister of Scotland. The First Minister is the head of the Scottish government. The SNP leadership contest had three candidates: Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan. Around 50,000 SNP party members voted for the candidate they wanted to lead the party. Yousaf won 52% of the votes. Then Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted on who should be First Minister. Yousaf won. Who is Humza Yousaf? Yousaf is the first person of South Asian heritage to be…

Acting is joyfulness, says Nina Wadia, who plays Joy in the current CBBC comedy show Danny and Mick. It has been the most fun she has had in her career, she tells The Week Junior. “It allows me to be a kid again.” The show uses slapstick comedy, a type of acting that involves exaggerated physical movement and pranks. Joy is the head of the leisure centre where Danny and Mick work. She’s “show-offy, mean and bossy,” says Wadia – the character that the audience loves to hate. Does she mind? “It’s the greatest compliment when someone tells me they throw something at the TV when I come on,” she says, because it means she has done a good job. Wadia studied acting at drama school, where she learnt that…

Fungi often appear naturally around trees, but a new study has found that growing edible mushrooms in forests on purpose could be a good way to provide healthy food for millions of people – and help the environment too. Fungi are living things that feed on organic matter, such as dead plants. Mushrooms, mould and yeast are all types of fungi. Paul Thomas and Alistair Jump, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, spent two years studying edible fungi (types that can be safely eaten) that grow alongside trees. The pair discovered that while they are growing, fungi remove carbon dioxide (a type of gas) from the air and store it in the soil. This is good for the planet, because too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one…

A new report by the United Nations (UN) says that urgent action is needed to avoid environmental disaster. The UN is an organisation of 193 countries that work together on the challenges that face the world. The report says that an important global goal for slowing climate change is likely to be missed unless more urgent action is taken. Many countries have already agreed to try to stop average global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5°C. However, the UN report points out that the world has already warmed by 1.1°C and is likely to pass 1.5°C some time in the 2030s. It’s not all bad news, though. The report’s authors say that improvements can be achieved quite quickly. They are asking governments to push on with their plans to…

Swimming is really important to penguins because it allows them to hunt for fish. Penguins don’t breathe underwater when they’re swimming – they actually hold their breath. Our penguins at London Zoo, which are Humboldt penguins, can hold their breath for around seven minutes. They do this while diving to depths of about 150 metres. 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…

Scientists at Columbia University in the US have created some delicious cheesecake slices – using a 3D printer. 3D printing was first tested in 1981. It is a technique that creates a solid 3D structure based on a digital design from a computer. The computer creates instructions for the printer by digitally dividing up the 3D object into horizontal sections. The printer then creates these layers in real life, one by one, on top of each other, out of materials such as plastic. As the layers build up, they form the object. To create the cheesecake slices, instead of plastic the scientists used seven food ingredients: biscuit paste, peanut butter, strawberry jam, Nutella, banana purée, cherry syrup and icing. They mashed bananas with a fork to create the purée, and…

YOUR PHOTOS Email photos you have taken to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If your photo is printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Photos could be of buildings, pets, nature or anything you find interesting.…

Imagine if you only felt so-called positive feelings, like excitement, joy, peace and safety. It might sound great but it’s unrealistic. Being human means we experience all sorts of emotions, even ones that feel painful or uncomfortable (like anger, fear and sadness). Accepting these feelings is important and can improve your wellbeing. Notice uncomfortable feelings When you accept that difficult emotions are normal and temporary (they come and go, and will not last forever), you’re often more able to cope with them. Psychologists are people who study the mind and human behaviour. They’ve found that people who allow themselves to feel a range of emotions, including painful ones, are often more at peace than people who try to avoid or push uncomfortable feelings away. By noticing tricky feelings and allowing…

Some games can be stressful but others are designed to help players relax, while still testing your brain’s puzzle-solving abilities. Linea: An Innerlight Game is one of them. It’s a new game for iPhone and Android phones, which you play by drawing a line of light with your finger on the screen. It’s a bit like pen-and-paper maze puzzles, where you have to find the best route from start to finish. Except here, instead of mazes, you’re tracing your way through colourful houses and buildings and scenery, such as forests. Linea isn’t just about puzzles, though. It’s also about telling a story, with more lines to read every time you complete a puzzle and start a new chapter. As you play, the tale is gradually revealed. Along the way you…

What’s your favourite weekend activity? I love bird-watching and feeding the birds. There’s a bunch of robins in the forest near my house that are very tame and will eat out of your hand if you’re still and quiet enough. I’d like to write a story about them one day. What gave you the idea to write this book? I wanted to show the power of friendship and the joy of celebrating who we are. We can all think of a time when we’ve felt like we don’t fit in, and I know we always want to help support our friends – even when taking on the grown-ups! What advice would you give your 10-year-old self? The best friends are the ones who stick with you and support you, no…

How can I try it? Ask a parent or guardian to help you look online for a roller ski club or a beginners’ event near you. The London Region Nordic Ski Club (londonnordic.org.uk) has lots of helpful information and roller skiing videos to watch. What equipment do I need? There’s quite a lot of kit but when you start out, you can hire the equipment you need from the roller ski club. As well as boots, skis and poles, you will also wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. It’s a great off-road activity and an instructor will teach you all you need to know to get you rolling.…

“The other day I was wondering whether all of my 60 The Week Junior mags would be taller than me or not. I gave it a try and they were much taller.”Daisy “We love your paper and podcast. Here’s a picture of me making my favourite food for the first time. Sushi. My family loved it.”Theo “I have type 1 diabetes and I wanted to do something special to raise money for a cure. I set up a nail bar outside my house and raised £1,100 for Diabetes UK.”Alice…

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 you think there should be live-action remakes… “It brings old, fun and enjoyable stories to life.” “I think that it is a big hassle to make new films. You can do different things with it.” “For some things yes and for others no.” “If there are live-action remakes, they can make films more funny and exciting!” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

The construction of Digbeth Loc Studios, a new television and film studio in Birmingham, is expected to bring 700 jobs to the city. The studio is being set up by award-winning film and TV writer Steven Knight. Alongside producing films and the BBC’s MasterChef series, the studios will offer training in different jobs for local residents. Birmingham council’s Ian Ward said that “the value of film and TV locating in a city should not be underestimated”.…

Ireland Government pays for books Parents of primary school children in Ireland will not have to pay for school books from September. The government will give schools £84 per pupil so that 3,230 schools can provide reading and exercise books for 558,000 children. It is the first time the government has paid for free books for every primary school pupil and it will save families money. Mississippi and Alabama, US Tornado hits southern US President Joe Biden has promised to help communities in Mississippi and Alabama who were hit by a tornado (a powerful storm with spinning air). At least 26 people died and many were injured as winds of up to 166 miles per hour destroyed homes, lifted cars into the air and broke power lines. People have been…

Raccoon dog Raccoon dogs are from the Canidae family, related to foxes and wolves. A scientist found raccoon dog DNA (a chemical that carries information about a living thing) in tests taken in a market in Wuhan, China, where many people think Covid-19 first appeared. This could mean that raccoon dogs were part of starting the pandemic. Seventoeightyears Woodedareasclosetomarshes and ponds in East Asia. They have also been introduced to Europe. 5065centimetres long and up to 10 kilograms. Birdsfruitsinsects, nuts, plants and rodents. Raccoondogsaretheonly members of the familytohibernatesleep for most of the winter).…

In 1923, the story of one of the most famous film studios in Hollywood began. Today, Warner Brothers studios is a huge business that makes comedy, fantasy and animation films. It is home to brilliant film series including Harry Potter, Lego and the Looney Tunes. To celebrate a century of the studio’s amazing work, let’s go back to where it all began. Four brothers From the beginning of their careers, Albert, Harry, Jack and Samuel Warner were passionate about film. They travelled around Ohio and Pennsylvania in the US, showing moving pictures (movies). Soon enough, they had their own cinemas, and in 1913 they started to make their own films. A few years later, they moved production to Hollywood – the glamorous home of filmmaking. They finally set up their…

On 25 March, the women’s Six Nations rugby competition started with England enjoying a big win over Scotland by 58 points to seven. The Six Nations is played each year between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The teams all play each other once and the final games take place on 29 April. England are the current champions and they beat Scotland in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,053 fans in Newcastle, England. Marlie Packer scored three tries for England. A try is worth five points and is made when the ball is placed on the ground beyond the opponent’s goal line. In the other matches, Wales beat Ireland 31-5 and France defeated Italy 22-12. A team gets four points for winning a match, two points for a…

Mae Muller, a singer from north London, has been chosen to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. This is an international music competition featuring singers from 37 countries all over Europe and beyond. The tickets for this year’s final, which will take place in Liverpool, sold out in just 36 minutes. Muller has been writing music for six years and will compete at Eurovision with her track called I Wrote a Song. She’s the first woman to represent the UK since 2018. The team who chose her said that they fell in love with her charisma and strong voice when they first met her. Muller said, “To compete in such a massive music competition is simply brilliant.” Last year, the UK came second with Sam Ryder’s performance…

Albi the Glowing Cow Boy by Georgia Byng. Illustrated by Angela Cogo (UCLan Publishing) On a quiet farm, in frosty moonlight, a calf called Albi is born. A boy called Rufus lives nearby. Soon, Albi and Rufus embark on an incredible journey – but why are the two so deeply connected and how can they each find what they are searching for? The Boy Who Saved a Bear by Nizrana Farook (Nosy Crow) Nuwan works at a library delivering books, but when he unexpectedly crosses the path of a dangerous gang of thieves, he must go on the run. Hiding deep in a cave, he realises he’s not alone – he’s sharing his refuge with a terrifying bear. This unlikely pair become friends and are soon working together to stop…

Name: Harriet Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson Sad, fun, captivating, inspiring. “Hetty tries to find her mother while struggling to adjust to life at the foundling hospital.” YOUR TURN Email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If your review is printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Tell us what you liked about the book and why you’d recommend it to others, and 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 www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Holly King-Mand is a writer and presenter who champions literacy (the ability to read and write). She inspired thousands of children to practise and enjoy writing during the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to her live and interactive online classes. Parents and guardians can find out more about these at hollysclassroom.com This week, we are exploring how to write in different genres, which is another word for “type”. When you’re thinking about a new story, consider writing it to fit a genre. Genres each have their own style, which can bring intrigue and interest to your stories. Here are four of the more popular story genres for you to play with. Try the ones you usually avoid too – you might find you like them after all. 1 Fantasy The fantasy genre…

The BBC’s new Let It Grow campaign is about turning boring spaces into wild, colourful places through the magic of gardening. Anyone can transform whatever space is available, such as window ledges. The Let It Grow campaign sprang to life on Blue Peter on 31 March (CBBC and iPlayer), and on the CBBC website you’ll find lots of brilliant activities. You can win Blue Peter Green Badges for gardening and sustainability efforts, and Blue Peter will send free sunflower seeds to the first children who apply. A new garden will also be unveiled at RHS Bridgewater in Manchester, England. To find out more, have a look at bbc.co.uk/grow…