King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicates

King Juan Carlos of Spain has announced his intention to abdicate, after nearly 40 years on the throne.

 

"A new generation must be at the forefront... younger people with new energies," the 76-year-old king said in a televised address.

His son, Crown Prince Felipe, 45, will take over the throne.

For much of his reign, Juan Carlos was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him. (BBC News)

1953: Queen Elizabeth takes coronation oath

Queen Elizabeth II has been crowned at a coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London.

In front of more than 8,000 guests, including prime ministers and heads of state from around the Commonwealth, she took the Coronation Oath and is now bound to serve her people and to maintain the laws of God.

After being handed the four symbols of authority - the orb, the sceptre, the rod of mercy and the royal ring of sapphire and rubies - the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher, placed St Edward's Crown on her head to complete the ceremony.

A shout of "God Save the Queen" was heard and gun salutes were fired as crowds cheered. (BBC on this Day)

Chat: Should chewing gum be banned?

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver says he would ban chewing gum if he was Prime Minister because it's ruining Britain's streets.

He says people should be stopped from chewing it until a gum can be invented that causes less mess on our roads, paths and pavements.
But is he right?
Should chewing gum be banned?

What you think...

I think that chewing gum should be banned because it can get on your clothes and can be hard to get off.
Jessica, London
I don't think it should be banned because it makes your breath smell nice and is fun to chew on.
Sam, Oxfordshire
I think chewing gum should be banned because since you can't swallow it people spit it on the street and it makes a disgusting mess. Also you get it stuck to your shoe and it is horrid.
Victoria, Scotland
I think it should be banned because at my school it is everywhere. It is under desks on chairs and on the floor so when you sit down it goes on your clothes from the desks and it gets all stuck in your hair and it is disgusting.
Amy, Hemel Hempstead
I think chewing gum should be banned because it makes our road messy and it's practically littering when people spit it on the floor.
Leslie, London
I agree that it should be banned to a certain degree however chewing gum is such a big thing in the United Kingdom that banning it altogether is a step too far. Jamie Oliver is a very inspirational person and I think that decisions he makes have a massive impact all over Britain.
Minnie, Sheffield
I think chewing gum should be banned because when you're on a train it is always down the back of the seats.
Emilia, Oundle
Chewing gum should be banned because it gets stuck to your shoes and it takes you forever to take off and at school you touch it under the table because somebody stuck it there.
Libby, Kingston Upon Thames
Chewing gum shouldn't be banned but don't spit it out on the floor.
Matthew, Newport
I think chewing gum should be banned because it sticks to the roads which makes them look dirty and unpleasant"
Safyan, Luton
"I think that this is pointless. I enjoy chewing gum and bubble gum. Chewing gum is especially good because I think it is good for your teeth. What they should do is make laws much stricter about spitting it on the floor, and place more bins on streets and paths."
Harry, St Albans
"Yes ban it, because in school there is loads of it under the desks and it's disgusting"
Nathan, Sunderland
"I think it is a silly idea because it's tasty and you can have some fun by blowing bubbles"
Michael. Epsom
"I think chewing gum should be banned because it is bad for the environment"
Rory, Harrogate
"I think chewing gum should be banned because it is a pointless food that gets stuck on roads"
Imogen, Suffolk
(CBBC)

90-year-old starts elementary school

A 90-year-old is now the world's oldest elementary school student. Priscilla Sitienei is from a small village in Kenya. She spent a long time working as a midwife. She helps to deliver babies. She wants to read and write to pass on her nursing skills and the medicines she uses. She also wants to read the Bible. She said she didn't go to school when she was younger. She wants to be a good example to the village children. She wants them to study.

 

The head teacher is very happy that Ms Sitienei is at school. He called her, a "blessing and a motivator" and he is proud of her. All the students love her. They want to learn and play with her. Sitienei is doing well for her age. She had a special message for the children of the world, especially girls. She said: "Education will be your wealth." She added: "With education, you can be whatever you want." (Breaking News English)

 

This is Halloween

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Academy Awards are 'for white men'

People in the movie world are angry that the movie industry is run by "old white men". People complained after the Oscar nominations came out because all 20 of the actors who could win an Oscar are white. There are no women in the directing or writing categories. The Los Angeles Times carried out a survey on who the members of the Academy are. The members choose the men and women who are nominated for an Oscar. The survey found that the members of the academy were 94 per cent white, largely male, with an average age of 62. Critics say there is too little diversity in the Oscars.

Civil rights campaigner Al Sharpton criticised the Academy. He said: "The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains - the higher you get, the whiter it gets." He added that: "The lack of diversity in [the] Oscar nominations is [terrible]." He pointed out that a movie nominated for this year's 'Best Picture' award, 'Selma,' was about racism, but no non-white actors were up for an award. The president of the Academy said the members do nominate the best people, regardless of their colour or gender. However, she hoped Hollywood would become more diverse. (Breaking News English)

Pope attacks Europe's throwaway culture

 

Pope Francis criticised Europe in a speech at the European Parliament. He attacked Europe's 'throwaway culture,' which he said ignored the elderly, the seriously ill and unborn children. He said technology and economics seemed more important than people. He said people were now just "cogs in a machine" and that whenever someone is no longer useful, that machine throws them away. He said Europe suffers from uncontrolled consumerism.

 

The Pope warned that Europe's sense of community and great ideas were disappearing because of bureaucracy. He warned that this was "downright harmful" to people. The Pope also warned that Europe was not caring for its people. He said: "One of the most common diseases in Europe today is the loneliness typical of those who have no connection with others." He added that this was especially true of the elderly and the young. (Breaking News)



At last: royal portrait unveiled 20 years late

In 1994, López was given the brief to paint the Spanish royal family, which then consisted of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia and their three children, the Princess Elena, Princess Cristina and Prince Felipe.
 
Much has changed in those 20 years: Prince Felipe is now King Felipe and all three children are married with families of their own.

King Felipe, on seeing the painting for the first time, reportedly exclaimed, “We are all how we were 20 years ago!” according to Spanish newspaper, El País. (The Local)