Table of contents for April 2025 in The Primary Planet

Ahoy, TPPers! Time is flying! April is here, and in just a week or two you'll be winding down for Easter. And you don’t need me to tell you the speed with which May and June will come hurtling in! But for now, let’s stay in the present. Actually, let’s deal with the past for a quick moment. How did you enjoy the MoM project we revealed last month? I hope it caught your interest – it certainly blew my socks off when I first came across it. A salt cave quietly preserving the story of humanity for potentially millions of years? Now that is a discovery worth reading about! Speaking of the past, present and future, in this issue we’re turning our eyes to the stars as we mark…

U2 Make Music History – Again! They’ve been rocking the world’s biggest stage in Las Vegas for the past 18 months – and now Ireland’s legendary band U2 have been given one of music’s highest honours. The band were named Fellows of the Ivors Academy, a rare and special award for outstanding songwriting. They’re the first Irish artists ever to receive it! The timing couldn’t be better. U2 are just finishing up a record-breaking run of shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas – the world’s biggest spherical building, packed with 4D effects and mind-blowing screens, as featured in The Big Story in issue #126 of The Primary Planet. Fans have travelled from all over the world to see the band play live. Formed by four teenagers in Dublin in…

This month in history 30 years ago On this day, the UK National DNA Database was launched – the world’s first national DNA database. It holds samples from crime scenes and police suspects. By 2020, it had 5.6 million profiles, excluding duplicates. Samples from those who are not charged or convicted are deleted. There have been 820,000 matches to unsolved crimes since 2001. People’s skin or blood samples are also kept, linked to the database. Because DNA is inherited, the database can identify many others related to a database subject. 125 years ago On this day, the 1900 Paris Exposition world fair was opened. Nearly 50 million people visited it. It featured many innovations, including the world’s highest Ferris wheel (96-metre), a moving sidewalk, escalators, electric cars, diesel engines, talking…

Snow White Where: In cinemas from March 21Cert: PGStarring: Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Andrew Burnap as JonathanDirected by: Marc Webb The fairest of them all … returns to the big screen! Disney’s Snow White gets a fresh new look in this live-action remake of the much-loved 1937 classic. With stunning CGI visuals, magical musical numbers and a modern twist on the well-known tale of Good versus Evil, this modern take reimagines Snow White’s journey from a kind-hearted princess to a brave young woman who’s not afraid to stand up for what is right. While the Evil Queen remains as wicked as ever, Snow White must navigate an enchanted world filled with adventure, danger and mystery. For fans of Disney’s recent remakes –…

Maker: Mercedes-Benz GroupCountry: GermanyModel: Vision EQXXYear: 2022 Fuel: Electric Transmission: AutomaticTop speed: 140 km/h (limited)Horsepower: 241 hpMaterials: The Vision EQXX weighs just 1,755 kg, thanks to carbon-fibre doors, aluminium brake discs, a steel body structure and a single motor. Behind the Badge Mercedes-Benz is one of the oldest car makers in the world, tracing its roots back to the first automobile in 1886. Its famous three-pointed star inside a circle symbolises its dominance in land, sea and air transport. The company is credited with many ‘firsts’ – the first diesel-powered car (1930s), the first with fuel injection (1950s) and the first with anti-lock brakes (1970s). It is also a major force in Formula 1 racing. DID YOU KNOW? The interior of the EQXX is full of sustainable materials. The carpets…

Commander Kelly floated through the main chamber of the ISS, tablet in hand, checking off tasks for the day. It was a routine afternoon – until an alert flashed on the main screen. LOW POWER WARNING – SYSTEM CHECK REQUIRED! ‘That’s odd,’ she muttered, drifting towards the control panel. The station’s solar panels – the main source of the station’s power – had been working fine that morning. What had changed? Just then, one of her crewmates, Yari, appeared from the lab module. ‘Norah, did you adjust the power settings? The cooling system is acting weird, and warning lights are showing up all over the place.’ ‘Nope! But we’ve got a power dip somewhere. Come on, we'd better check the readings.’ The two studied the data. And it wasn't good…

TPP's Book of the Month Check out Being Autistic (and what that actually means) by Niamh Garvey, our book of the month for April. Title: Being Autistic (and what that actually means)Author: Nimah Garvey Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Year: 2024 Being Autistic (and what that actually means) is a brilliant celebration of what it means to be autistic, and the unique qualities neurodiversity brings to the world. Aimed at both those who are autistic and those who are not, this book introduces the reader to what it means to be autistic in a positive and realistic way. Being Autistic doesn’t hide from the challenges autism can bring, but it also shows the wonderful strengths and skills that people who are autistic have. Written by Niamh Garvey, an autistic author, and…

Sport Not to Be Missed This Month Highlighting the best sporting action taking place this month Leinster vs Harlequins Croke Park will be a sea of blue as Leinster look to book their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals. After three final defeats on the spin, they are desperate to go one better and lift the trophy for a fifth time. The Masters Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy have made excellent starts to 2025 and head to Augusta National with their sights set on the famous green jacket that is awarded to the winner. This is the only major McIlroy has yet to win – in fact, there has never been an Irish winner of The Masters. Republic of Ireland vs Greece The Girls in Green play Greece for the…

1. Who scored a controversial free-kick to earn Manchester United a 1-1 draw with Arsenal? 2. Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 1-0 thanks to a late goal from which player? 3. Aston Villa won 1-0 away to Brentford thanks to a goal from which former Bees striker? 4. Which Ireland international headed an injury-time equaliser for Everton against West Ham? 5. Arsenal edged their London derby with Chelsea thanks to a goal from which player? 6. There was also a London derby win for Fulham against Tottenham. Which Fulham player scored against his former club? 7. Who scored his first goal in 22 games in Manchester United’s 3-0 win away to Leicester? 8. Manchester United unveiled plans to build a new stadium beside Old Trafford. What will be the capacity…

AG MAG readers, welcome! It’s springtime, so we know just how flat out you are right now but, we’ve got to tell you – we think we’ve compiled a rather brilliant Issue #5 of your favourite farming magazine! Because this time of year is one of the busiest on the farm, that’s exactly what we’re focusing on in this month’s AG MAG. From the calving pens to the lambing sheds, there’s action happening in every corner – and no doubt you’re right there in the thick of it. Inside this issue you’ll find our no-nonsense guide to lambing season, perfect for young farmers who know their way around a ewe or two! We’re also shining an important spotlight on safety this season – especially around fast-growing livestock. With calves starting…

Welcome to The Safety Zone, in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The Safety Zone is an important part of AG MAG, bringing you the latest tips, news and events on farm safety. In this month’s Safety Zone, HSA Farm Inspector Róisín takes us through the dangers of handling livestock on farms. Animals grow quickly and, as they get bigger, they also get stronger. A playful nudge from a small calf might seem harmless, but a fully grown animal can knock you over or cause serious injury. Understanding how to behave around livestock – from keeping a safe distance to recognising warning signs – is key to staying safe on the farm. SAFETY AROUND ANIMALS LIVESTOCK GROW MORE QUICKLY THAN YOU Since early spring, you may have been…

Much less controversial than the last location, Seamie fooled no one this month. Choosing to hide behind an American football seemed like a good idea at the time but, as he himself admits, it wasn’t one of his best performances. However, like all wannabe champions, he's all set to dust himself down and go again. After this issue, he has only two more attempts to foil you this season. Can he do it now and bask in glory for May and June? Knowing all you hawk-eyes, I doubt it very much. But … you never know! If you find him, log on to www.theprimaryplanet.ie/competitions (or scan the QR code) and leave the location, along with your name and school details, in the comment box provided. If you are correct, you…

Knits and Flicks Many of us love going to the cinema, and a lot of people love crafting too – although the two activities are not the sort you would usually put together. However, that’s exactly what happens at the knitting nights at Votiv Kino, a cinema in Vienna, Austria. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people turned to traditional crafts, such as knitting and crocheting, to get through the long days and weeks of lockdown. After the pandemic ended, many people continued with their new-found hobbies, wanting to engage with other enthusiasts in real life. At the knitting event people gather together in the cinema, with the lights only dimmed a little (essential so that people can see what they are doing!). Chatting is allowed, and it seems that the…

Title: The Annunciation Artist: Fra Angelico Nationality: Italian Born: Fiesole, Italy, circa (about) 1350 Died: Rome, 1444 Date of painting: 1426 Style: Early Renaissance Medium: Tempera on panel Size: 391 cm X 493 cm On display at: The Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain Fra Angelico was a Dominican monk who spent his life painting. The word ‘Fra’ comes from frater, which is Latin for ‘brother’. He painted The Annunciation to hang above an altar in his monastery. The Angel Gabriel is announcing that Mary is to be the mother of Jesus. She humbly accepts this news, while not seeming particularly surprised that an angel has landed on her patio! Instead, she looks sad, as if foreseeing the suffering in store for Jesus. Can you spot the Holy Spirit descending as a dove…

Famous Basket Case Nice basket, huh? Sturdy too. Definitely picnic material. But why would a picnic basket have handles that heat up to melt ice? And why did 600 people drive for hours and queue for two more just to see it – some in tears? Because it’s not a basket. It’s a seven-storey, building in East Newark, Ohio – once the HQ of the Longaberger Company, famous for its handcrafted baskets. Nicknamed The Big Basket (naturally), the building reopened recently for its first public tour since closing in 2016, sparking tears and nostalgia from many former employees. At its peak, Longaberger employed 8,200 people – 500 of them in the Basket. In 2000, profits topped $1 billion and its baskets were even handed out to Oscar winners at the…

1. THE PAST: THE DAWN OF HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT On April 12, the world celebrates International Day of Human Space Flight – where we are invited to reflect on man’s journey beyond Earth. This date was chosen as it marks the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s groundbreaking spaceflight of 1961, when the Russian cosmonaut became the first person to orbit the planet. Many people, young and old, are inspired by the courage of pioneers such as Gagarin, who risked their lives to go where no one had gone before. But to get a proper understanding of how space travel is shaping the world of today, we must return to where it all began. THE RACE TO SPACE If you look carefully at the night sky, you might spot the International Space Station…

Nuclear Fungus The explosion of a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 remains one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. Decades later, the 30-kilometre exclusion zone is still highly radioactive, posing serious risks to humans and animals. However, scientists have discovered an unexpected survivor – a black-green fungus that has evolved to feed on the radiation. This unique fungus thrives in areas with the highest radiation levels, using the energy much like plants absorb sunlight. Remarkably, researchers have successfully grown it in labs, raising hopes that it could one day be used to clean up radioactive environments. Could this tiny organism hold the key to tackling nuclear contamination? DID YOU KNOW? Today, radiation levels in Chernobyl have dropped, but it remains one of the most hazardous places…

Every day, we experience all sorts of emotions – happiness, excitement, sadness, worry and sometimes even anger. These are natural feelings. But anger, in particular, can feel strong and scary – both for the person feeling it and for others around them. So, what is anger? Anger is a powerful emotion that comes from a part of the brain linked to survival – our fight-or-flight response. It’s the body’s way of reacting to a threat or an unfair situation. But while it might have helped people in the past to stay safe, today we live in a society where aggression is not OK. In fact, it’s often punished – and for good reason. If people shouted, hit or exploded every time they were annoyed, homes, schools and communities simply wouldn’t…

FRC Rules Tweaks Tweaks have been made to the new rules introduced by the Football Rules Committee ahead of the start of the football championship. The biggest one sees a change to the 3-vs-3 structure. It is now a 4-vs-3, with teams required to have four players in their own half at all times. This prevents the goalkeeper venturing forward to create an overlap. Elsewhere, the hooter system no longer signals the end of the game. The ball must now go out of play for a score, wide or sideline kick. There are also changes to the kick-out mark and advanced mark. A player who makes a mark is allowed to play on immediately, and cannot be challenged within four metres of where the mark was made. Clare Seek Cork…

As we get ready to create our final mini-mag issue of AG MAG for this year (available in the June issue of The Primary Planet), we'd love to hear your thoughts! If you have 10 minutes to spare, we’d be very grateful if you could answer the questions below and ask a parent or guardian to help you send a photo of this completed form to hello@agmag.ie. If this is not an option, you can pull out this form and post it to: AG MAG READER SURVEY Gortinee, Aughamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim N41 RP77 1 Age Group (Please tick one) ○ 7–8 years○ 9–10 years○ 11–12 years 2 How often do you read AG MAG? (Please tick one) ○ Every issue – I never miss one!○ Most issues○ Sometimes○ This is my first time!…

Believe it or not, there was a time when YouTube didn’t exist! Back then, watching something meant sticking to whatever was on TV – no choice, no skipping, and no recording. If you missed a programme, that was it. And don’t even start on the ads! YouTube – along with other streaming services – has completely changed how we watch content. Many of you probably barely ever watch traditional TV anymore! This month, YouTube turns 20, so let’s celebrate with some fun facts and a little history of the world’s favourite video platform. A brief history of YouTube In 2005, three friends – Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim – launched YouTube. Believe it or not, it started as a dating website! The idea was that people would upload…

Our Island’s History Proudly Sponsored By As a result of the Act of Union, which was passed in 1800, Ireland no longer had a parliament of its own and was ruled directly from Westminster. The Catholic population felt lost and abandoned, with no hope for the future. Following the death of Henry Grattan, the leader of the Patriot Party, in 1820, they longed for leadership and a new voice to fight their cause. Very soon, they found that voice in a man called Daniel O’Connell. Education Born into a fairly well-off Gaelic Catholic family in 1775, O’Connell was sent from his native Co. Kerry to be educated in France. While there, he witnessed terrible things during the French Revolution, and as a result he developed a lifelong hatred of violence…

# 1 Shep & the Sheep Drone Drone technology has met the Irish farm after an online video showed off the work of a ‘sheep drone’ in Co. Carlow. Farmer Declan Brennan and his brother Paul started using the flying drone after actual sheep-dog Shep went ‘part-time’. Now, they check on the herd by sending out the drone and watching a live feed on their laptop back at the farm. The viral video, which uses footage taken from the drone, has amassed over half a million views since being uploaded on March 27. It shows the sheep moving tidily from one field to another in response to the drone's movements. ‘You've foxes and things that would take little lambs so you have to be really careful,’ Paul told the Irish…

An Udder Disaster! Hello there, Planet Farmers, and welcome to this month’s article! We’re back in calving mode on our farm – but lads and lassies, we had a setback recently. New arrival Panda Bear calved on a Friday evening in the middle of March, and all was well. She had a nice black Limousin bull calf, which she calved herself – no trauma or difficulty for cow, calf, man or woman. He was up, lively and sucking in no time. And, by gob, did he get a bellyful of beestings milk! Panda Bear is the best milker in our herd. She always has a huge udder – enough to feed twins easily. The following morning, we were rotating the calf around the teats to make sure they were all…

#1 Best Island in the World It’s easy to see why Palawan is rated by the Condé Nast Traveler readers as the most beautiful island in the world, and is highly rated by most other travel experts. Its 2,000 km of coastline is lined with rocky coves and dazzling white beaches. It also has a vast rainforest and a chain of mountain ranges. If you went, you’d be incessantly clicking your camera and posting online to impress your friends. The province of Palawan has about 1,780 islands and islets, the largest being Palawan (450 x 50 km) from which it takes its name. Tourists either settle in one location or island-hop. It is home to over a million people – a melting pot of 87 ethnic groups, with 52 languages…

Last month we explored some of the things we know about Mars – our possible future home. But what will life on the Red Planet be like, if we settle there? There is one man who has spent his life asking and answering this question. Robert Zubrin’s classic book The Case for Mars was published nearly 30 years ago. At that time, even setting foot on the Red Planet seemed like fantasy. Today, manned exploration is certain, and Zubrin is confident that we will colonise Mars. The Case for Mars was mostly about how we can get humans to Mars and set up an exploration programme there. His new book, The New World on Mars, says it’s clear that we’ll go in the near future. Then it asks: what we…

The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world. It flows 6,300 km eastwards to the East China Sea. Part of it, with a few adjoining lakes, is home to the Yangtze finless porpoise – now the country’s only freshwater cetacean, following the possible extinction of the Yangtze baiji. (The cetacean group includes porpoises, whales and dolphins.) Critically endangered There are three species of finless porpoises: the Yangtze, the East Asian and the Indo-Pacific. Thousands of years ago, the Yangtze lived in the salt-water Indo-Pacific Ocean but then moved to the fresh water of the Yangtze River. The Indo-Pacific species is vulnerable and the East Asian is endangered – but the Yangtze is critically endangered. That means there’s only one step left to EW (Extinct in the Wild); two steps…

Newcastle United The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final to win their first major trophy in 56 years! Liverpool They may be Premier League champions-elect but there were cup woes for the Reds as PSG beat them on penalties in the Champions League and Newcastle triumphed at Wembley. Uncertainty Surrounds Reds Trio It was a miserable March for Liverpool as they fell short in the League Cup final and Champions League, but – barring an improbable collapse – the Premier League trophy is destined for Anfield. A second Premier League in five years is pretty much guaranteed. What’s less certain are the futures of three key players. Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have yet to sign new contracts, meaning they can all leave on…

Age: 23 County: Wicklow Sport: Cycling Lara Gillespie’s story is one of triumph in the face of adversity. The Wicklow racer has overcome illness and a number of injury setbacks to become one of the most talented cyclists in the country. Last summer, Gillespie competed at her maiden Olympic Games, clinching top-10 finishes in both the Women’s Team Pursuit and Omnium and coming 11th in the Madison. What made those performances all the more impressive was the fact Gillespie broke her shoulder in a crash just four weeks before the Olympics. But that resilience came as no surprise to anybody who knew Gillespie. A European Junior Points champion in 2018, Gillespie was also the first Irish woman to win a medal at the World Juniors in 2019 when she claimed…

AG MAG NEWS FEED IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY IRELAND'S LARGEST FARMING NEWS PORTAL . VISIT WWW.AGRILAND.IE YOUNG IRISH VOICES IN BRUSSELS! Last month, four lucky secondary school students from across Ireland got the chance to travel to Brussels – the capital of Belgium and home to the European Parliament! They were there to take part in a special event all about sustainable farming – farming that’s good for animals, people and the planet. The event, called the Cap4Food Forum, was run by the European Young Farmers’ Association (CEJA). Students from 10 different countries gathered to share their ideas on how to farm in ways that protect the environment while still producing enough food for everyone. IRELAND’S TEAM Ireland was represented by four students: Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, Orlaith Ní Dhúill, Daniel Garvey and…

KNOW YOUR BREEDS With lambing season in full swing, we want to check how well you know your sheep breeds. Here are ten of Ireland’s more popular breeds. It’s up to you to match the pictures to the names. 1. CHAROLLAIS 2. CHEVIOT 3. SUFFOLK 4. MAYO BLACKFACE 5. GALWAY 6. SCOTTISH BLACKFACE 7. TEXEL 8. BORRIS EWE 9. BELCLARE 10. KERRY HILL CHAROLLAIS OR CHAROLAIS? You might have spotted that Charollais sheep and Charolais cows sound almost the same – but they’re spelled differently! Why the extra L for the sheep? Well, both animals come from the same region in France called Charolles. But in French, the word Charollais (with two Ls) is used to describe things from that area – like the sheep breed. Charolais (with one L)…