Happy New Year!

 

 

I WISH YOU A HAPPY 2013!

Nelson Mandela returns home after 18 days in hospital

Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, has returned home after spending Christmas in hospital.

The 94-year-old went in 18 days ago with a lung infection and gallstones.
Jacob Zuma the current president, said Mr Mandela was in "good spirits" and will continue to get treatment at home until he's fully recovered.
Nelson Mandela's one of the most famous men in the world, and news of his illness had many people in South Africa and across the globe worried.
He has been admitted to hospital three times in the past two years, but this has been his longest stay.
Mr Mandela's family said they were sad he couldn't be with them on Christmas Day, but he was visited by his wife Graca Michel and President Zuma. (CBBC Newsround)

Den Gamle By Open-Air Museum

Den Gamle By - "The Old Town" - was founded in 1909 as the world's first open-air museum of urban history and culture.
75 historical houses from all over Denmark shape the contours of a Danish town as it might have looked in Hans Christian Andersen's days, with streets, shops, yards, homes and workshops.
At the moment two new neighbourhoods are being built - from the 1920s and 1970s. Furthermore Den Gamle By consists of several museums and exhibitions.
You can visit living rooms, chambers, kitchens, workshops and museums all year round, and you can meet the people and characters of yesteryear throughout the museum from Easter to 30th December.
Den Gamle By is like af nest of boxes: Open it, and one intriguing layer after another is revealed as you move in deeper.
Den Gamle By is under the patronage of the Danish Queen and it is one of Denmark’s few 3 star attractions in Guide Michelin and the only one outside the capital area. (Den Gamle By)

Greenland

Greenland is blessed with a peaceable people that has never waged war with anyone, and people generally show great openness to visitors.

The population of Greenland is predominantly Inuit, a people bearing an affinity and solidarity with the Inuits of Canada, Alaska and Siberia. It is only 140 years since the last immigration from Canada took place. The Greenlandic people are few in number: 55,000 in an enormous country. Approx. 20 percent of the population was born outside Greenland.  Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but since the introduction of Home Rule in 1979 Greenland has moved towards relative independence based on parliamentary democracy. Today fishing is the all-dominating trade and accounts for 95 percent of total exports, but in the hunter districts of the outer areas, the seal and whale catch is of great importance. It actually forms the stable existence for one fifth of the Greenlandic population. For millennia the philosophy has been to live at one with nature. The hunters live with nature and follow the natural seasons. In South Greenland ruins from the norse (viking) settlers 1,000 years ago are well preserved, including the ruins of the first Christian churches on the North America continent. The symbols of the ancient culture are still alive even in the larger towns. Many people build and use their own kayak as you’ll see in every harbour. The old drum dance is performed by a growing number of artists. The musical and theatrical life is largely based on myths and sagas conveyed in a modern form.

Arts and crafts often express perceptions of ancient myths. The tupilaks - small grotesque figures carved in narwhal or walrus tooth or reindeer antler - were originally evil spirits. Today they are popular souvenirs, and many skilled artists carve the tupilaks - each and every with a unique character.  (Greenland Guide)

Icelandic rice pudding

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls of dried fruit, such as cranberries, sour cherries and blueberries
• 3 tablespoons caster sugar, plus extra to taste
• 120g pudding rice
• 750ml milk
• 250ml double cream
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla pod
crème fraîche and fresh redcurrants, to serve

Method

Rice pudding is an old English favourite, but it’s also really big in Iceland. They like to serve it with a sharp sauce made from red fruit, which cuts through the richness of the creamy sticky pudding beautifully – clever and absolutely delicious!

Put the dried fruit in a stainless steel pan with 1 tablespoon of the sugar and enough water to cover. Put on the hob and heat gently for 10 minutes, then add 5 tablespoons of cold water and whiz in a blender. Push through a sieve, taste and add a little sugar if necessary. Place the rice, milk, cream, remaining sugar and cinnamon in a deep pot and heat gently. Score the vanilla pod lengthways, scrape the seeds out, adding both to the pot. Stir well and bring gently to the boil.

Simmer very gently for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring every now and then until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is just cooked. Spoon the cooked rice pudding into a serving dish, swirl the fruit sauce into it and top with a dollop of crème fraîche. Scatter with fresh redcurrants before serving. (JamieOliver.com)

Newtown shooting: Obama calls for new US gun controls

US President Barack Obama has called for change to America's gun controls.

Americans have been left in shock after 26 people - including 20 pupils - were killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook school in the US state of Connecticut on Friday.
"These tragedies must end and to end them we must change," Mr Obama told people at a vigil at the school in Newtown on Sunday.

'Not alone'

"I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation," Mr Obama also said in his speech.
"You are not alone in your grief. All across this land of ours we have wept with you."
Mr Obama said he would use whatever powers he had to try and stop this kind of thing from happening again.
It's thought there are 300 million guns in the US, where the laws aren't nearly as strict as they are in the UK.
The US Constitution, which sets out the country's rights and freedoms, says people are allowed to keep and bear arms. (CBBC Newsround)

My Wish

This is also "my wish" for all of you.

Christmas

Finland has world's best education system

A new report into world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It aims to help governments provide a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers analysed millions of statistics on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance, and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50.

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential to high-quality education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education, and parents have a key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago." (Breaking News)

Nyasasaurus Parringtoni thought to be oldest dinosaur

Dinosaur scientists have found what they think is the oldest known dinosaur.

It's called Nyasasaurus Parringtoni and is about 12 million years older than what we thought was the earliest dinosaur.
It walked on two legs, was up to three metres long and could have weighed 60kg - the same as many people weigh!
The find suggests millions of years passed between the first dinosaurs and them becoming dominant on land.
The scientists can't say if it's the earliest dinosaur ever because its fossil skeleton was incomplete. (CBBC Newsround)

Last day to find missing £64 million lottery ticket

There are just hours left for a lottery winner to claim almost £64 million but no one knows who has the EuroMillions ticket.

Someone bought it in or around Stevenage and Hitchin in Hertfordshire.
If nobody comes forward by 11pm, their chance will be gone, making it the UK's biggest ever unclaimed prize.
People in the area are hunting everywhere in a desperate attempt to try to find the missing ticket.
The missing ticket holder matched five numbers - 5, 11, 22, 34 and 40 - and the Lucky Star numbers - 9 and 11.
Ricky's on the hunt... (CBBC Newsround)

Crema Catalana

Gangnam Style

South Korean smash Gangnam Style has beaten Justin Bieber's Baby to become the most viewed YouTube video EVER!

It was confirmed PSY's Gangnam Style had notched up 805 million views, compared to Baby's 803 million, on Saturday.
Amazingly, Gangnam Style only went online in July and it's still being watched 7-10 million times a day!
It's also the most liked YouTube video, with over 5.4 million likes as of Monday.
The horse-dancing hit has been number one in 28 countries, including the UK.
It's sparked tonnes of copycat videos and the dance has lit up dancefloors across the world! (CBBC Newsround)

The First Thanksgiving

Experts think early humans ate grass

Experts think early humans, who lived in Africa more than three million years ago, mainly ate grass.

Before now, it was thought our ancestors preferred hard nuts and seeds because of their big grinding teeth and powerful jaw muscles.
But after studying fossils of their teeth, scientists have found traces of tropical grasses.
They say humans could have switched from eating nuts and berries to grass when they stopped living in trees.
It means our earliest relations could have had a diet like modern-day savannah baboons, which also feed on African grassland.
Lead scientist Professor Julia Lee-Thorp, from Oxford University, said: "We found evidence suggesting that early hominins, in central Africa at least, ate a diet mainly comprised of tropical grasses and sedges." (CBBC Newsround)

Djokovic beats Federer to win ATP World Tour Finals

Novak Djokovic showed why he's the tennis world number one by beating Roger Federer in a tense match at the ATP World Tour Finals.

 

The Serb won 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 to add the ATP title to his Australian Open victory earlier this year.
It's the second time Djokovic has won at the ATP World Tour Finals, which sees the world's top 8 tennis players face eachother.
The champ dedicated his win to his dad, who's seriously ill at the moment.
He needed two hours and 14 minutes to take two sets in a match full of dramatic moments at London's O2 Arena.

'Thrilled'

"I was just trying to hang in there," said Djokovic.

"It's not the first time that Roger started so well against me. I've experienced before his aggression, really trying to put his mark on the match."
He added: "Whenever I needed to come up with some really good shots - really focus myself and get every ball back in the court - I did that, so I cannot be more thrilled than now." (CBBC Newsround)

Total solar eclipse expected over Australia

A rare event in the sky, called a solar eclipse, is expected over northern Australia on Wednesday 14 November.

It happens when the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun, plunging parts of the world into complete darkness.
The best place to see it will be Queensland, which will see a total eclipse.
That means people there will be able to see the Sun completely covered by the Moon for just over two minutes, which is extremely rare.
But other places like New Zealand and eastern Indonesia will be able to see a partial eclipse too.
You need a clear day to see it, so tens of thousands of people gathering in Australia are hoping for good weather.

Confused animals

Some animals can sometimes behave in strange ways during a solar eclipse.

Experts say birds can fall asleep, because when it goes dark, they think it's night time!
Scientists will also be using underwater cameras at the Great Barrier Reef to capture sea creatures' reactions to the strange event. (CBBC Newsround)

Lance Armstrong: Usada report labels him 'a serial cheat'

Lance Armstrong's reputation lies in tatters after the United States Anti-Doping Agency labelled him a "serial" cheat who led "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".

Usada has already banned the 41-year-old American for life and stripped him of his seven Tour de France titles.
But now it has detailed why it took such action, using evidence from 11 of Armstrong's former team-mates.
Armstrong has always denied doping.
(BBC Sport)

The Greatest Treasure

Malala Yousafzai Flown To U.K. Hospital

Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan last week, has been flown to Britain for specialist care. The youngster was seriously wounded as she sat on a bus going to school. She was targeted by the Taliban for campaigning for the rights of girls in Pakistan to have an education. The Taliban says she and her family will still be targets if she continues to promote education for girls. Malala needs urgent treatment for a damaged skull, followed by what Pakistani doctors called "intensive neuro-rehabilitation". The hospital has specialist facilities for gunshot wounds and head injuries and has treated hundreds of soldiers returning injured from Afghanistan.
Malala has been campaigning since she was 11. Wikipedia says of her: "She is known for her education and women's rights activism in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban has at times banned girls from attending school. In early 2009, at the age of 11, Yousafzai came to prominence through a blog she wrote for the BBC detailing her life under the Taliban regime…and her views on promoting education for girls." It added: "She has…been nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by Desmond Tutu, and has won Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize." Former U.K. prime minister Gordon Brown has started an online petition called "I am Malala," campaigning for the rights of 61 million children to go to school. (Breaking News English ESL)

The First Well

80 people arrested in crackdown against Chinese mob

Chinese nationals would take bags and suitcases filled with money to their country where it was recieved by members of the money laundering organization who would then invest it in other businesses.

At least 80 people were detained in Spain and other countries in "Operation Emperor" which dismantled a gang integrated by Chinese nationals which allegedly laundered an estimated 200 to 300 million euros a year, Spain's chief anti-corruption prosecutor said on Tuesday (October 16).
Six million euros in cash were found during police raids, as well as 202 vehicles, jewellery and pieces of art. One hundred and twenty-two bank accounts and 235 banking societies have been intervened, authorities said.
Amongst those arrested are a councillor from Fuenlabrada near Madrid, Spanish porn actor Nacho Vidal and members of the police.
Raids took place in Madrid, Barcelona and other locations in the Basque Country, Castille and León and the southern city of Málaga. Most of the 80 detentions took place in Spain and seven other countries including China. In total 110 arrest warrants have been issued.
The chief anti-corruption prosecutor Antonio Salinas said the Chinese nationals would take bags and suitcases filled with money to their country where it was recieved by members of the money laundering organization who would then invest it in real estate and other businesses.
They would also lauder cash through money transfers and at one point had their own money transferring agency, Salinas said.
Another way money was laundered was through agreements with Spaniards who have money in tax-free havens. The Spaniards would send the money to China, and then cash was handed over in Spain. The investigation is still ongoing, police said. (eitb.com)

UK has 'weirdest' year of weather ever

From the driest spring in over 100 years to the wettest April to June on record, you could say that the weather in the UK has been a bit odd recently.

Well according to a group of experts the weather in the UK over the last few months has actually been the "weirdest" ever on record.
Scientists from three organisations have been keeping an eye on the weather here.
They think it's a pattern we might have to get used to.
Paul Mustow, head of flood management for the Environment Agency said: "We have to get our heads round the possibility now that we're going to have to move very quickly from drought to flood."
Experts from the Environment Agency, the Met Office and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology say the UK needs to put better plans in place for the future. (CBBC Newsround)

Breast cancer

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when men and women around the world unite in a show of support against the disease.

The annual campaign has helped put breast cancer under the spotlight, and it has worked hard to teach women the importance of early detection and breast awareness, the best weapons in the fight against the disease.

Both have helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, including some famous faces who have successfully battled breast cancer because it was caught in its early stages.

Here's how to stay vigilant and reduce your risk.
Have an annual check
For average-risk women, a clinical breast exam done by a GP or nurse as part of a regular health examination is recommended. For those aged 47-50 and above, this annual check can be an important complement to a mammogram, which is offered every three years
Examine your breasts regularly Know what is normal for you and report any changes to your doctor
Eat healthily
Make friends with vegetables and fruits, high in fibre and antioxidants. A low-fat diet has been shown to help ward off breast cancer
Maintain a healthy weight
Extra pounds also mean extra risk
Limit alcohol
Drinking is one of the known lifestyle choices that increase your risk of developing breast cancer, so cut back or quit if you can
Stub it out
Now is the time to stop smoking
Get active
To reduce your risk of disease, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week (Hello!)

Walt Disney

Walt Disney was one of the most famous people ever to have lived. He has touched the lives of millions of children and adults. He holds the record for winning the most Academy Awards (26) and was an innovative film producer and animator. He created some of the most successful characters, movies and theme parks of the 20th Century.

Disney was born in 1901 in Chicago. He developed a great love of drawing as a youngster. When he was ten, he discovered the world of theatre and cinema and fell in love with it. He became the cartoonist for his high school newspaper. In 1920, he set up his own animation company and his “Laugh-O-Gram” cartoons became very popular.

Disney wanted more and so he moved to Hollywood. He developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had. He gave the mouse his own voice and personality. Disney’s wife named him Mickey. Disney put Mickey in his first movie with sound, ‘Steamboat Willie’. By 1930, Mickey Mouse was the world’s most popular cartoon character and Walt Disney was a household name.

Following on from Mickey’s success, Disney created characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. He then produced an animated feature-length version of Snow White, which was the most successful movie of 1938. Dozens more movies followed, including Fantasia and Bambi. Disney built up a global entertainment empire, including his Disneyland theme park. He died of cancer in 1966. (Famous People Lessons.com)

 

Amy Jade Winehouse

Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter. She was known for her marvelous voice and controversial private life. She debuted in 2003 at the age of 20 with the album ‘Frank’. It set her on the road to fame. Music lovers everywhere were excited about her talents and how her career would progress. She was one of music’s hottest stars but constantly battled against drugs and alcohol.

She grew up in a family that loved jazz. Her musical talents were clear to see from a very young age. Aged ten, she formed a rap group called Sweet 'n' Sour with a childhood friend. She got her first guitar when she was 13 and she began writing music. She signed to a major record label after they heard her distinctive voice.

Winehouse’s second album “Back To Black” made her an acclaimed international star. She won dozens of awards, including five at the 2008 Grammy’s. Some of the biggest names in rock were waiting to collaborate with her. George Michael said: "Amy is the best female vocalist I have ever heard in my entire career, as well as one of the best writers."

Winehouse was constantly the focus of media attention. She couldn’t escape the reporters who followed her every move. She has given them good reason to write about her. Her battles with drug and alcohol abuse and her self-destructive behaviour was often tabloid news. The world has lost an amazing talent who had so much more incredible music to offer. She died in July, 2011, aged 27. (Famous People Lessons.com)

European Central Bank - Men Only

In this day and age of supposed sexual equality, it is unbelievable that there is not a single woman among the top 58 positions of the European Central Bank (ECB), even though women make up 34 per cent of the European Parliament. This situation, or crisis, has led to the postponement of a hearing for a new nominee, another man, to be appointed to the six-member Executive Board of the ECB. The Board did have a woman member from after it was founded in 1998 until May 2011, when Austria's Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell left her post. Besides there being no women on the Executive Board, there is also a total female absence on the ECB's 23-member Governing Council and its 29-strong General Council.
The European Parliament's economic and monetary chief Sharon Bowles expressed her frustration with the all-male institution. She said: "There is now not even a single woman sitting on the main board of what is one of the most powerful and essential institutions in the EU." She added that the bank needs to act to rectify things, saying: "The symbolic and practical effects of this absence are not without note. It does seem, as with corporations, that there is a systemic cultural problem to address." Ms Bowles said she had been told "that no women could be located" and that there were no plans in place to promote women. It is likely that Luxembourg banker Mr Yves Mersch will fill a current vacancy on the Board. (Breaking News English)

Hospital Cleaner Fired for Speaking Polish

A Polish hospital cleaner in Norway has been fired for speaking Polish during her lunch break. Johanna Renclawowicz, 34, received her marching orders from the Sykehuset Telemark hospital. Her dismissal letter said: "You have been given information that only Norwegian shall be spoken during working time. Your colleagues and patients have repeatedly complained that Polish is spoken in the eating area, cleaning department and corridors, etc." The hospital claimed they continually warned Ms Renclawowicz against using Polish at work. In August, they sent her a letter that was titled, "The use of language in the workplace". In it, she was told that speaking Polish created a "bad working environment".
Ms Renclawowicz moved to Norway four years ago to find a better life. She now has a three-year-old daughter and a mortgage on her house. She started work at the hospital in August 2011 as a temporary worker. Four other Poles at the hospital warned her that the hospital had banned Polish. She said: "It was strange that we were expected to speak Norwegian to each other on our breaks, even when we're not that fluent….Every time the boss heard one of us speaking Polish, she said, 'Speak Norwegian'. She mainly complained if it happened during lunch breaks." There were even, "We speak Norwegian at work" posters put up in the hospital. She will now sue the hospital for discrimination and unfair dismissal. (Breaking News English)

JK Rowling says her next book will be for children

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has revealed that the next book she writes will be for children.

Her latest novel was written for adults but JK told fans at a book festival in Cheltenham that her new book would be for young children.
She said she had "a number of ideas on my laptop" but would not say what the new book might be about.
The world-famous writer also told to the crowd she makes up bedtime stories for her three children.
"But they are tailored very much for my children, so don't expect to see those being published anytime soon."
The author has sold more than 400 million books worldwide. (CBBC Newsround)

94 percent of Spaniards breath dirty air which damages their health

A report has been presented by Eccolgists in Action

 

94% of Spanish people breathe dirty air which damages their health.
The circulating traffic and industrial activity are responsible according to the World Health Organisation.
400,000 premature deaths occur in 27 members of the European Union every year because of contamination of which 20,000 were registered in Spain.
The annual report from ‘Ecologistas en Acción’ is the only one to measure the quality of air and the particles in suspension. Nitrogen dioxide, tropospheric ozone, and sulphur dioxide were the main contaminants in 2011.
The costs derived from atmospheric contamination represents between 1.7% and 4.7% of Spanish GDP.
Eight times more times of people are killed by contamination than in traffic accidents. (typicallyspanish.com)

 

Police search for missing girl in Wales

Police and volunteers are searching for a five-year-old girl who went missing on Monday night.

April Jones was playing with friends near her house in a village near Powys in Wales when she disappeared.
Around 200 volunteers have spent the night searching streets and nearby woodlands looking for her.
She was reportedly last seen getting into a grey van. Police are speaking to the children she was playing with to find out exactly what happened.
Police have arrested a 46-year-old man who they hope will be able to help in their investigation. (CBBC Newsround)

Great Barrier Reef loses half of its coral

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is disappearing, according to new research.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system covering a mega 1,600 miles along Australia's north east coast.
But scientists have found that than half of it has been destroyed in the past 27 years.
They think that a mixture of bad storms, rising sea temperatures and coral eating starfish is to blame.

Researchers in Australia, who carried out the report, are worried that the coral cover could halve again by 2022 if things don't change.

Coral can recover from damage but it can take up to 20 years for it to get back to full health.
The team are going to try and stop the coral being eaten by crown-of-thorns starfish, who they think are responsible for destroying almost half of the reef.
Coral reefs are an important part of the marine ecosystem, they provide food and act as protection for young fish to hide in. (CBBC Newsround)

Halloween

Ordering food

Shakira is pregnant

Shakira is 'very happy' to announce that she is expecting a baby.
This will be the first child for the Grammy Award-winning Colombian superstar and her beau professional soccer player for FC Barcelona Gerard Pique.
In light of the good news Shakira, 35, will take a little break from her singing commitments.
"As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby!' she wrote on her Facebook page.
'At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days. This means I will not be able to be a part of the iHeartRadio Music Festival, but I''m sure this weekend in Las Vegas will be spectacular and I will be closely following everything that happens there! I''d like to thank Clear Channel and my fans for their constant love and understanding."
(Music-News.com)

Organic Food No More Nutritious

Scientists have revealed that organic and non-organic food contain pretty much the same amounts and kinds of vitamins and other nutrients. This might be surprising news for those of us who choose to buy organic believing it to be healthier. Researchers from America's Stanford University concluded that there might not be any extra health benefits to buying organic, thus people might be better off saving their money and buying non-organic produce. Lead researcher Dr Crystal Smith-Spangle said there was no difference in the vitamin content in fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products in organically- and conventionally-produced food. She said the only difference was slightly more phosphorus in the organic products.
Dr Smith-Spangle's review of over 200 different reports on organic food suggests people should perhaps revise their shopping choices, based on the levels of pesticides. Smith Spangler said both organic and conventional foods rarely exceeded the allowable limits for pesticides in the USA. She said the evidence wasn't too clear on whether the difference in pesticides would have an effect on health. She concluded by saying consumers should know there is overwhelming evidence that eating fruit and vegetables is good for your health, so people should eat more fresh produce, whether it is organic or conventional. Organic foods accounted for $31 billion in sales in the USA last year, up from $3.6 billion in 1997. (Breaking News English Lessons)

Soldier's surprise baby birth in Afghanistan

A British soldier who didn't know she was pregnant has given birth to a baby boy at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

The woman, who worked with front-line troops, only found out she was pregnant when she had stomach pains.
She went to medics on camp and they told her it was because she was in labour and about to give birth.
A statement from the The Ministry of Defence(MOD), which employs the armed forces, said: "Mother and baby are both in a stable condition."
Normally, if a soldier is pregnant, the MOD wouldn't allow them to work in a dangerous environment like Afghanistan.
The MOD said: "It is not military policy to allow servicewomen to deploy on operations if they are pregnant. In this instance the MOD was unaware of her pregnancy."
A team of medics from an Oxford hospital is being flown out to Afghanistan to help the new mum and baby on their flight home to the UK.
It was discovered the baby was born five weeks premature.
This is the first time a front line British soldier has given birth.  (CBBC Newsround)

Large demonstration in Madrid against the Government's policies

It's estimated that there were 50,000-65,000 at the protest organised by the unions and other organiations.

The march and demonstration organised by the unions CCOO, UGT on Saturday saw tens of thousands on the street in protest at the Government’s economy policy and the cuts in health and education.
The Madrid Government says there was between 50,000 and 65,000 protestors on the streets.
There was a festive atmosphere, not so when demonstrators tried to access Calle Génova where the main Partido Popular headquartes are located .Police cordons set up in the road stopped them.
Some of the demonstrators were detained for not supplying their identification.
La Cumbre Social demanded that the Government put any rescue to a referendum, and the unions also asked for a referendum or they said there would be a General Strike. (typicallyspanish.com)

Pedro Almodóvar's new film takes to the skies

'Los amantes pasajeros' is being filmed currently at Ciudad Real Airport.

The new film from Pedro Almodóvar will be shot in the inactive Ciudad Real airport where the airspace has been closed since May.
The film, ‘Los amantes pasajeros’ is said to be very light comedy, and stars Javier Cámara, Cecila Roth, Lola Dueñas and Blanca Suarez among others.
The action takes place inside a plane which is full of passengers. An A-380 plane fuselage has been constructed for the project and we know the plot includes an emergency landing.
Almodóver said in press conference in Cannes that his return to humour and the comedy of the 80s would ‘have its limitations’. (typicallyspanish.com)

U.K. Cancels Visas Of 2,500 Students

The British government has cancelled more than 2,500 visas of foreign students studying at the London Metropolitan University (LMU). The students are now desperately trying to find an alternative to being deported. Britain has given the students 60 days to find other courses or leave the country. The mass expulsion has created a scandal within Britain's academic community. Britain's immigration officials said LMU was not following visa rules regarding non-European Union students and so has removed its right to teach those outside the EU. Critics of the move believe it is part of the government's attempt to reduce migration into Britain by cutting down on overseas student numbers.

Britain's media is reporting the government's move will damage the country's reputation as a provider of world-class higher education. They also say it will cause as much as $1.5 billion in damage to the British economy. The average student spends close to $50,000 each during their three-year stay in Britain. People also note the decision is bad timing, as London is the host of the Olympics and Paralympics. The students themselves are furious. They enrolled in LMU in good faith, believing Britain to be a trustworthy and reliable country in which to study. Student Camila Alvarez, 25, from Brazil, said: "This is humiliating for us. We are here legally and have gone through a strict procedure to get into Britain." (Breaking News English)

Festivals in Britain

Schools in Britain II

Homes in Britain

An introduction to Britain

School in Britain

Food in Britain

It's the famous 'Tomatina' fiesta in Buñol today

The fiesta ignores the recession and 120,000 kilos are being thrown in the streets today.

Today sees the famous ‘Tomatina’ festival in Buñol, Valencia, held annually on the last Wednesday in August.
40,000 people are taking part in the festival and 120,000 kilos of tomatoes are being thrown to create a river of red in the streets.
Buñol councillor, Rafael Pérez, said despite the recession the amount of tomatoes prepared was the same as last year. The fiesta is expected to bring as much as 300,000 € to Buñol.
The Town Hall has called a ‘a reference worldwide’.
Indeed last year saw visitors from Brazil, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India. (typicallyspanish.com)

Second World War bomb found in Amsterdam airport

One of Europe's busiest airports has been evacuated after a bomb was discovered.

The explosive device was found by workers digging near one of the runways at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.
Experts think that the bomb may be from World War Two, when the airfield was used by Nazi Germany.
It has now been taken away by a bomb disposal team to be detonated safely.
Unexploded bombs from the Second World War are found quite often in parts of Europe.
Earlier this week, an American bomb was detonated by bomb experts in the German city of Munich. (CBBC Newsround)

First Man on Moon Dies Aged 82

Neil Armstrong, the first man to step foot on the Moon, has passed away at the age of 82. The legendary U.S. astronaut died from complications following heart surgery he had earlier this month. He made history on July 20, 1969 as commander of the Apollo 11 Moon-landing mission. As he stepped onto the Moon's surface, he famously spoke the words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He was 38 at the time of his historic walk and instantly became one of the most famous people on the planet. However, he spent the rest of his life trying to avoid the spotlight and downplay his achievement. He later said he never understood why people focused so much on what he did.
Armstrong was born in 1930 and grew up fascinated with flying after taking a plane at the age of 6. He began making model planes and collecting books and magazines on aviation. As a teenager, he got his pilot's license before his driving license. In 1949, he became a Navy pilot, and flew combat missions in the Korean War. In 1958, he joined the organisation that became NASA and became a test pilot. Years after his Moon landing, Armstrong was asked how he felt about knowing his footprints would stay on the Moon's surface for thousands of years. He said: "I kind of hope that somebody goes up there one of these days and cleans them up." When asked about the Moon, he said: "It's an interesting place to be. I recommend it." (Breaking News English)

Good or well?

Barcelona Ranked in Top 50 of World’s Best Cities to Live

Barcelona has been ranked 40th in the 50 cities with the best quality of life in the world. Madrid made it to 43rd. Other European cities on the list include Viena and Zurich.
The report studied 221 cities around the world, taking New York (which occupies 47th place) as the reference to compare various levels of quality of life, such as public services, the offer of nightlife and accommodation, the socio-cultural atmosphre, economic, political, social, educational and environment.
Those at the bottom of the list include Monterrey (104), San Jose (105), Asunción (112), Lima (118), Ciudad de Mexico (121), Quito (124), Santo Domingo (129), Bogota (130), Guatemala (142), La Paz (147), Caracas (164), Managua (166), San Salvador (168) and La Habana (189).
According to Mercer, which undertook the study, these rankings help multinational companies and governments to establish the levels of aid that they need to facilitate workers and expatriates. (Spanish News)

Prince Philip leaves Aberdeen hospital after five nights

The Queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been allowed to go home after spending five nights in hospital.

Prince Philip, who's 91, has been treated for a bladder infection at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - his third hospital stay in nine months.
He was taken to hospital on Wednesday during the royals' annual summer break at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire.
It is not yet known if he will be fit to attend the Paralympics opening ceremony with the Queen on 29 August. (CBBC Newsround)

Arctic ice melting to new low

The amount of ice in the Arctic could melt to an all time low by the end of the month according to the latest satellite pictures.

Scientists at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center say 100,000 sq km is melting each day on average.
The satellites show the ice is covering a much smaller area than on the same day in 2007, the previous low point.
It's been melting rapidly since late June and is expected to continue until mid-to late September.

Arctic sea ice extent on 19 August 2012 (orange line shows the 1979-2000 average)

Ice melt

The Arctic sea ice plays an important role in helping keep polar regions cool and controlling the earth's climate.
As the ice has a bright surface, it reflects about 80 per cent of the sunlight that hits it back into space.
When the sea ice melts, it reveals more of the dark ocean surface, which absorbs 90 per cent of the sunlight, making the Arctic ocean warmer.
Scientists think that if this warming continues the Arctic could be left without any ice during the summer months by 2030. (CBBC Newsround)

'Vertigo' Named Best Movie Ever

Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Vertigo has been named as the best movie of all time by the British Film Institute (BFI). The 1958 film replaced Orson Welles' movie Citizen Kane as the greatest film of all time, a position it had held for an incredible 50 years. The BFI poll has taken place once every ten years since 1962. Its panel is made up of 846 international film critics, movie directors, academics and writers. They voted for 2,045 different movies in this decade's survey. Nick James, a BFI spokesman, said the voting "seems to be not so much about films that…use cinema's entire arsenal of effects to make a grand statement, but more about works that have personal meaning to the critic".
Hitchcock called Vertigo his most personal. It is about a retired police detective suffering from acrophobia (a fear of heights) who is hired as a private investigator to follow the wife of a close friend to find out the reasons for her bizarre behaviour. The film received mixed reviews upon its initial release, but has gone on to amass considerable acclaim over the decades. The BFI said: "Vertigo is the ultimate critics' film because it is a dreamlike film about people who are not sure who they are but who are busy reconstructing themselves and each other to fit a kind of cinema ideal of the ideal soul mate." A separate poll of 358 international film directors chose Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story (1953) as its greatest ever movie. (Breaking News English)

Baked Courgette (Zucchini) with Feta

Spain King Welcomes Soccer Heroes Home

Tens of thousands of jubilant fans turned out in the streets of the Spanish capital Madrid on Monday to welcome home the national football team after their record-breaking victory at the Euro 2012 tournament. Spain's King Juan Carlos greeted the team at Madrid's Zarzuela Palace. He told them: "Each of you is a good player, but as a team you are formidable…You know how to play together, how to combine your own skills with those of your teammates." The team then headed off through the streets on an open-top bus for their victory parade. It seemed as though the city had been turned red and yellow as the bus made its way through the capital. Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas said: "It's one of the best days of my life."

Spain's 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the final in Kiev on Sunday made them the first ever team to win three successive major international tournaments. They won the World Cup in 2010 and have now become the first nation to successfully defend a European Championship. Their winning margin on Sunday was the biggest ever for a Euro final. Spain became the first team to win 15 straight competitive fixtures and matched Brazil's record 35-game unbeaten run from the 1990s. They also qualified for the last two major tournaments, winning every game they played. Many soccer analysts are now saying the team is the greatest ever and they could win the 2014 World Cup, for four in a row. (Breking News)

Woman claims watching 3D film made her pregnant

(The Poke)

Kayaker's lucky escape from great white shark

One kayaker had a lucky escape after he spotted a great white shark.

Walter Szulc was paddling near Cape Cod in the east of America when he saw the animal's fin behind him.
Despite being his first time in the ocean, Mr Szulc managed to stay calm and paddle quickly back to shore.
Experts think that sharks come to the area to eat seals, one of their favourite foods.
Mr Szluc said: "I saw the fin out of the water. I looked down and saw the body and realised that part of the shark was underneath me."
The beach was closed after the ocean predator was seen, but no more sharks have been spotted in the area since. (CBBC Newsround)

Learn In Your Sleep, Researchers Say

U.S. researchers suggest sleeping can help us remember things we have just learnt. A team from Northwestern University report that a 90-minute nap can help people learn a new skill. The article on their research is published in the June edition of the journal "Nature". The scientists say: "Information acquired during waking can be reactivated during sleep, promoting memory stabilization." Test volunteers practised musical tunes before and after a short sleep. During the nap, the researchers played one of the tunes the volunteers had practised, but not the other. The team found that the participants made fewer errors when playing the melody that had been played while they slept.

Study co-author Dr Paul J. Reuber points out the research might not work with learning a foreign language while you sleep. He said: "The critical difference is that our research shows that memory is strengthened for something you've already learned." He added: "Rather than learning something new in your sleep, we're talking about enhancing an existing memory by re-activating information recently acquired." However, Dr Reuber did say there were possibilities for language learners: "If you were learning how to speak in a foreign language during the day, for example, and then tried to reactivate those memories during sleep, perhaps you might enhance your learning," he said. (Breaking News)

British Singer Adele is Pregnant

British singing sensation Adele has announced she is expecting her first child. She posted on her website: "I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together. I wanted you to hear the news direct from me. Obviously we're over the moon and very excited, but please respect our privacy at this precious time." The 24-year-old star has been dating boyfriend Simon Konecki, 36, since last summer. Adele has already quashed rumours the couple are engaged. Adele recently told Britain's "People" magazine that she "really wants to be a mum". She said it was her goal to have three sons by the time she is 30 and joked that she had "better start getting on with it". (Breaking News)

Plant flowers in garden after 25 year wait

A plant which only flowers once every 25 years has come into bloom at a National Trust property in south Devon.

Gardeners noticed changes in the Mexican plant called Furcraea in the first weeks of May.
Since then it has grown a spike more than three metres tall covered with flowers and buds.
Head gardener Cat Saunders said: "I feel really lucky to be working here at this time - it's not your everyday gardening experience."
The gardeners will collect seeds from the plant to grow for a new generation of Furcraea, but of course that could be another 25-year wait. (CBBC Newsround)

Ajo Blanco

Ajo blanco, a white version of gazpacho, is believed to have originated with the moors. If a silkier texture is desired, try soaking the blanched almonds in milk before processing. This will enhance the soup's delicate creaminess.

• Serves 4 to 6
• 15 minutes preparation plus chilling time
• Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

• 1 cup (6 oz) blanched almonds
• 4 slices crustless white bread, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups (20 fl. oz) cold water
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• Salt
• 1/2 cup (3 oz) seedles green grapes

To garnish

• Toasted slivered almonds
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

Combine the almonds, bread, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth. With the motor still running, slowly pour in the olive oil until a smooth paste is formed.

Add in the cold water and the vinegar. Process until the mixture is thin and smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Pour the mixture into a large bowl. Float the grapes on the top of the soup. Cover and allow to chill in the refrigerator.

To serve, pour the soup into individual soup bowls and garnish with the toasted almond slivers and chopped parsley, if desired. (Spain recipes)

Rural Olympics

Valencia fire still burning

It's thought the fire was started by solar panel workers.

The number of people evacuated by the Cortes de Pallas fire in Valencia has now risen to 1,000. The smoke from the fire has closed four roads.

The town of Dos Aguas had to be evacuated on Thursday, and today other nearby municipalities have also been evacuated.

In Adilla the Mayor says they are ‘desperate’ and that extinguishing the fire is ‘proving very complicated’. More than 200 local residents have had to leave their homes in the municipality.

The residents have been taken to Turis or Macastre where facilities are being prepared for them. Some residents of Cortes de Pallás are now being allowed back home.

The President of the Generalitat regional government, Alberto Fabra, flew over the affected area by helicopter and he said that the thousands of hectares affected presented a ‘gruesome and devastating’ landscape. He described the fire as ‘the largest in recent years’, but declined to put a number on the hectares destroyed. (typicallyspanish.com)

Freak rain, hail and thunderstorms cause chaos across UK

Freak storms, hailstones as big as golf balls, and major floods brought villages, towns and cities across the UK to a standstill on Thursday.

Schools were washed out with floodwater, and the famous Tyne Bridge in Newcastle was struck by lightning.
In Shropshire a man died after being swept away in a stream.
Weather experts are saying this could end up being the wettest June on record. But they also say that the most extreme weather is over for now.
Joe asked BBC weather expert Simon King to explain why the weather has been so extreme. (CBBC Newsround)

 

We asked if you'd been affected by the floods, and loads of you got in touch - here's a selection of your comments.

"Our school power went off and I was terrified."

George, Newcastle, England

"Today our school had freak weather. You were only out for five seconds and you were drenched."

Sana, Bradford, England

"I had to go to my Aunt's house to stay safe. Later we went outside and found a lot of baseball sized ice balls."

Anne, Newcastle, England

"Our sports day was cancelled because of the rain. We all got to go home at 11:00am!"

Thomas, Buckinghamshire, England

"The storm caused the hall to flood at my school. I was petrified, and so were my guinea pigs."

Emily, Leicestershire, England

"Our school has been flooded, along with my home. It is devastating!"

Charlotte, Birmingham, England

"My school is shut due to flooding; my dad went to help clear up. There was six inches of water."

Claudia, Whitley Bay, England

"We were at school when a huge black cloud covered the sky and blotted out the sun. Suddenly everything went dark like it was the evening, then the thunder, lightning and rain started. It was a terrifying but amazing experience. School is closed today."

Alice, Hexham, England

"I wasn't allowed to go outside all day yesterday because of the rain, it was so boring."

Freddie, Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland

"Our school has been flooded. Ceilings have fallen in, classrooms windows were smashed and water came flooding in through them. All the power around the school went out because of the water. Lightning hit a metal pole outside and set it on fire. Everyone was evacuated and school is closed for repairs today."

Amy, Birmingham, England

"The storm yesterday caused our Youth club to close."

Ellie, Hartlepool, England

"I went to see the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday and three trees were stuck down from the lightning and car windows were broken from the hail stones. They were the size of a marble."

Lucy, Lincolnshire, England

"My school got flooded and the roof collapsed. There's NO SCHOOL TODAY!"

Oly, Leicestershire, England

"My garden was flooded so much that we couldn't go outside."

Daisy, Newcastle, England

"My school went on a school trip. First there were light showers but then there was thunderstorm and lightning and we were soaking wet."

Vinesh, Warwickshire, England

"The rain was just over a foot deep outside my house and there was thunder and lightning all night! My power went off as well!"

Alice, Belfast, Northern Ireland

"My house got struck by lightning. It caused the internet to stop working and made my dad jump."

Macey, Staffordshire, England

"Our sports day was cancelled yesterday and postponed to today, but the field is like a swimming pool so sports day is cancelled altogether."

Maisie, West Midlands, England

"We were out playing in our school when lightning and floods suddenly hit us. We were rushed inside and we had to stay at school for another 35 minutes!"

Daisy, Lancashire, England

"The floods haven't affected me but watching it on the news it makes me feel like I have to help someone! Instead of rain and hail its been 27 28 and 29 degrees."

Tia, Middlesex, England

"All my streets are flooded and all the drain pipes burst. A massive fire engine came to clear all the water."

Jess, County Durham, England

"When my mum went to go shopping she got turned away. They asked for a French baguette but the lady said they were too soggy."

Alisha, Leicestershire, England

"The rain will help our islands hydro main power supply. We had a thunder storm which my sister was terrified of, and the lightning was quite terrifying."

Erin, Isle of Eigg, Scotland

"My mum left the window open and my hamster got drenched."

Caitlyn, Gateshead, England

"It was cool & awesome seeing the thunder and lightning."

Rachel, West Midlands, England

"Our school has been flooded along with my home! It is devastating when it happens to you and you don't realise how bad it is until it has happened!"

Charlotte, Birmingham, England

"I was on the Tyne Bridge when it got struck by lightning. I was terrified."

Sam, Newcastle, England

"The area were I live got flooded and at about 9:20pm our whole power went off. It was still off when i went to school."

Joshua, County Durham, England

Spain 4 - Italy 0

Spain made football history by achieving their third international title in a row, beating Italy 4-0 to win Euro 2012.

Goals from Silva, Alba, Torres and Mata sealed Spain's victory against an Italy side who just couldn't match them.
Many now say it makes Spain the greatest football team in the world, ever!
To complete the success, Fernando Torres got the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals at Euro 2012.

Italy were devastated at their loss, and star striker Mario Balotelli left the pitch in an angry outburst.

Spain's 4-0 victory was the biggest ever win in a Euros final, with their style of football also a winner.
Their passing game between midfielders, without a striker, had been criticised by Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger as "boring".
But their technique has now given them three international victories - Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and now Euro 2012.

Torres' immediate impact

Spain dominated the first half in front of goal even though Italy had large amounts of possession. By half time Spain were two goals up.
But in the second half Italy had the agony of going down to 10 men after third substitute Motta went off injured - only 10 minutes after he came on.
In the 75th minute Torres was brought on to replace Fabregas, and he had an immediate impact.
He steered home Spain's third goal and then gave an assist for his Chelsea team-mate Mata.
(CBBC Newsround)

Reading

Children think reading is "uncool", and would rather spend time online than looking at a classic book, teachers say.

More than 400 English teachers were questioned about how much they think pupils enjoy reading.
The majority said they think children prefer to spend time online and two out of three think reading isn't seen as cool.
The man in charge of schools for the government, Nick Gibb, says he's not surprised by the results.
He wants kids to master the basics of reading early so that then they can explore books like Harry Potter and eventually get onto classic authors like Charles Dickins. (CBBC Newsround)

Your Comments:

"I always read during the evening as it helps me to relax, but during the day I play computer games."

Lewis, London, England

"Reading is not uncool- it takes your imagination to loads of magical places! You can't just take a bus to Hogwarts can you!"

Will, Oxfordshire, England

"I think it's important to read, but does it really matter where you read? If it's on the web it's still reading."

Matt, Reading, England

"I think reading can be fun but I find other things better and would rather be outside or on the computer."
Victoria, Portsmouth, England

"I think reading is good but the internet is also fun. I would rather spend time reading a good book than going on the computer, although sometimes I like using the computer."

Katie, Essex, England

"We disagree that reading is seen as uncool. Our class would choose to read over other activities. Reading helps in all areas of children's learning including writing and history."

Class 8, Barnsley, England

"I love reading. I try to read at least two chapters a day, at weekends and during the holidays. I enjoy going on the internet as well. I think it's good to do both!"

Mary-Jane, Buckinghamshire, England