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Circus elephant rescue

15

First News supports children’s charities

I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL 6

Why do some children miss out?

SPRING IN YOUR STEP CHILDREN should walk in the country – like this little bird – as part of their school day, says a wildlife expert. by editor Nicky Cox TV wildlife presenter Kate Humble says if children enjoyed the countryside, they would be more likely to protect it in the future. “Children are the future,” she says. “If you give them access to the countryside, they’ll protect it.” Kate, who is presenting Lambing Live on BBC2 this week, has told the BBC she will be speaking to Education Secretary Michael Gove about her ideas. A spokesman for the Department of Education said they agreed with Kate’s views. “We are ripping up the health and safety red tape surrounding school trips to give teachers greater freedom to explore outside the classroom,” he said. “Keeping children wrapped up in cotton wool simply denies them lifelong learning opportunities and fresh air.”

Can you take a Spring photo as cute as this little gosling?

Go to www.firstnews.co.uk to upload your pictures to our Spring picture gallery or email them to [email protected].

11

Four more warplanes sent to Libya

MoRE British warplanes are being sent to Libya amid concerns that many of Colonel Gaddafi’s forces have survived air strikes. Colonel Gaddafi has been in power in Libya for 42 years. But protestors want him out and are fighting for control of their country. Forces from several countries have joined up to carry out air strikes, aimed at stopping Colonel Gaddafi attacking and killing his own people. This week, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that four more Tornado fighterbombers were joining the Libyan mission, taking the total for the operation to 12. William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, also told MPs that Britain would supply the protestors with equipment to make it easier for them to communicate with each other and with the coalition air forces. David Cameron said British forces destroyed ten armoured vehicles and three tanks over the weekend. “They have been extremely successful in holding back Gaddafi’s forces,” Mr Cameron said. The head of the RAF warned that the operation was close to overstretching his force. Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton suggested the RAF may be in action for six months, while Mr Cameron said: “It is not easy to know how the end game will work.”

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FIRST NEWS HEADLINES

For more headline news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Have your say

Could you choose your Yes teacher? noor?

A SUrveY recently found out that First news helps kids, particularly boys, enjoy reading and makes them want to read more. In fact, 87% of boys are more likely to read if they have access to First News! Tell us what you think about reading in our survey at www.firstnews.co.uk/surveys and you will be put in a prize draw to win your choice of an iPod, a Nintendo Wii or £200 worth of Amazon vouchers.

Trouser size drum kit A TeenAGer has won an award for his amazing invention – a pair of jeans that contain a drum kit!

MoST school pupils would like to help choose their teachers, says a new report. More than 2,000 children aged between eight and 17 were asked their views on teachers. Nearly one fifth of pupils are already involved in picking their teachers and 65% said they would like to be. The research was carried out for the Children’s Commissioner. Maggie Atkinson, the Children’s Commissioner for England, says: “ Young people are school’s customers and they see lots of

by Gabrielle Utton different teaching styles over the course of a school career… It makes sense to make use of this experience when recruiting staff.” You have been voting on the poll at www.firstnews.co.uk with the overwhelming majority of you wanting a say in who gets to be your teacher. Here are a few of your comments: • ISPdesign voted NO: “Everybody would pick

Prince joins walk to North Pole prince Harry will be glad to get home to his warm bed after living on the ice near the north pole. The walk is in aid of Walking with the Wounded which aims to raise £2 million from the expedition. Four of the men taking part are injured servicemen. Two of them have had limbs amputated. They will take around 25 days in total to trek 555km (345 miles) to the North Pole. If they complete the challenge Private Jaco Van Gass and Captain Guy Disney will be the first amputees to make it to the Pole unaided. The team of seven will endure temperatures as cold as -40ºC, shifting ice and the danger of meeting a polar bear. Prince Harry is not completing the whole journey.

the nicest ones and nobody would pick the stricter ones. It would be chaos!” • pegjack voted YES: “...because he/she could be very moody. I would pick a kind and funny teacher.” • Anamall226 voted YES: “I would but everyone would pick on how nice the teachers are and not on a learning basis so it would be difficult.” Cast your vote at www.firstnews.co.uk/polls.

Youths decide how money’s spent For the first time a Youth Budget has been created, giving a voice to more than 1,300 young people. The Youth Budget pulls together the views of all the young people who entered the Chance to be Chancellor Challenge. Those taking part understood that money has to be saved and picked particular areas to make cuts. Education and healthcare benefited from spending while Priyesh Patel, the Chance to be welfare and Chancellor winner and Youth Chancellor, culture, media and with Gary Price (left, from survey partner Aviva) and Andy Thornton (right, from sport had their Citizenship Foundation) budgets slashed.

Aseem Mishra, 17, was fed up of carrying around his bulky drum kit to play gigs. One day he was tapping on his legs and thought: “why don’t I see if I can put a drum kit in my trousers.” Aseem, who is in Year 13 at Hymers College in Hull, won the Young Engineer of Great Britain Competition for his invention, collecting a trophy and £1,000. He will go on to represent the UK at a science and engineering fair in Los Angeles, USA.

CHECK IT OUT

www.firstnews.co.uk to see the video!

Heart power A leAp forward in technology means that your ipod or Mp3 player could be powered by your own heartbeat! It’s all thanks to tiny technology. A nanogenerator using nanowires just needs to be moved about to produce electricity. So something as simple as your fingers pinching or your heart beating can generate power. Nanowires are so small that 500 of them could fit into a human hair. Five nanogenerators can product three volts which is the same power as two AA batteries. More nanogeneratores could power an iPod or charge a mobile phone.

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FIRST NEWS HEADLINES

For more headline news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

MPs carry a load for World Water Day

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Editor Nicky Cox MBE

Young reporters Cai and Matt interview International Develoment Secretary Andrew Mitchell

UniTed nations World Water day was a chance for people around the world to walk in solidarity and to take a stand to end the water and sanitation crisis that exists in many developing countries. To mark the day, the global campaign group, End Water Poverty, organised a massive global event ‘World Walks for Water’. It was hoped that 100,000 people would participate globally, but more than three times this number were involved! In London, WaterAid, in partnership with Tearfund, hosted a symbolic event to help raise awareness of the staggering number of people around the world who do not have access to clean water. Kate Norgrove, WaterAid’s Head of Campaigns, reminds us that: “2.6 billion people in the world do not have access to sanitation and 884 million do not have safe water.” In many countries, people walked for six kilometres – the average distance women and children walk to collect their water for

by cai, Year 8, carre’s Grammar School basic needs. In an act of unison, 41 Members of Parliament left the House of Commons and either worked a water pump or carried water around a circuit in the adjacent Victoria Tower Gardens. The Young Journalist Academy, represented by Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford, was there to report on this major event. rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, told our reporter :“4,000 people die every day from dirty water, needlessly.” Congleton’s MP Fiona Bruce, who briefed the Young Journalist Academy and other members of the press beforehand in the House of Commons, said that she herself has

ties with the water industry, as her father was a water engineer, so she is very passionate about supporting WaterAid. She added: “What I want to do is to see many MPs supporting this project and to make a difference.” To underline the power of local fundraising around the UK, veteran WaterAid volunteer Pat Spry announced a £100,000 milestone in money raised from donations and fundraising in the Bristol area. Huge achievements like this underline the work done to save many thousands of people, especially children under five years old, from untimely deaths, whether from drinking unsafe water or from catching deadly diseases caused by poor sanitation. The work goes on ceaselessly to tackle the world sanitation crisis. To find out more visit www.wateraid.org.

Happy ending for tsunami dog

On 9 April 2005 Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles. Prince Charles, William and Harry’s father, was married before to Princess Diana who died in a car crash.

BAD WEEK FOR... some Fulham FC fans

Return of the killer whale THe killer whale who drowned his trainer has returned to perform for the public at Seaworld in Florida, USA.

Ban was rescued from a floating roof

There’s been so much bad news recently with natural disasters such as the Japanese tsunami as well as conflicts caused by humans such as the situation in Libya and the Ivory Coast (next page). But Spring is a time of new life and hope and the little gosling on the front page brought a smile to our faces in the First News office. So, during your school Easter holidays, we’d like you to take photos of new beginnings – baby animals, blossoming trees, blooming flowers or anything else that catches your eye. We’ll display your pictures on our Spring gallery on the First News website. So, get snapping and upload your images to www.firstnews.co.uk or email them to newsdesk@ firstnews.co.uk, putting “Spring” in the subject box. We look forward to seeing what you come up with.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

one tale has a happy ending as the people of Japan struggle to get life back to normal after the earthquake and tsunami four weeks ago. A dog that was rescued from a floating roof three weeks after the tsunami struck, has been reunited with her owner. Two-year-old Ban was picked up by the Japan Coast Guard from a drifting roof 1.8km (1.1 miles) off the coast. She was hungry but unhurt. Her owner spotted Ban on a TV news report. She was being cared for at an animal shelter. When the lost dog saw her owner she jumped up and wagged her tail, delighted to be reunited. Ban’s owner says: “We’ll never let go of her.”

i Hope there’s a spring in your step now that Spring is here.

Tilikum dragged his trainer, Dawn Brancheau, underwater in February 2010. A full investigation has helped change the rules to protect the trainers. Instead of being in the pool area the trainers now stand behind metal bars next to the pool and can reach

through to stroke and feed the whales. Seaworld thinks it is good for Tilikum’s health for him to return to performing: “It is an important component of his physical, social and mental enrichment,” says animal training curator Kelly Flaherty Clark.

The football club’s owner, Mohammad Al Fayad, has unveiled a statue of pop king Michael Jackson. Some fans are unhappy and say it has nothing to do with football.

GOOD WEEK FOR... Adele The singer has broken the record for the longest time at number one in the UK album chart by a female solo artist with her album, 21.

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FIRST NEWS HEADLINES

For more headline news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Prince’s wedding nerves PRINCE William has revealed he’s really nervous about his wedding later this month. During a rehearsal he said his knees were knocking with nerves, even though he’s really excited about the big day. Weddings can be daunting for most people but the Prince knows that billions – yes billions – of people worldwide will be watching when he marries Kate Middleton. People won’t only be tuning in on TV but will be viewing the ceremony on computers, on mobile phones, on iPads, and more.

Car bomb kills policeman, 25

India to have more people than China

INDIA is set to overtake China as the country with the most people in the world. The PRB (Population Reference Bureau) says there will be wild swings in population sizes in the next 50 years. At the moment there are 6.3 billion people on Earth but the PRB says that will go up to 9.3 billion by 2050. India is expected to grow from 1.08bn to 1.63bn people, overtaking China which is expected to be 1.44bn then. Britain’s population is likely to overtake France while America will grow by nearly half, say the figures. Most other western countries are expected to go down slightly in numbers while developing countries carry on going up rapidly.

Children flee homes to escape Ivory Coast fighting

DETECTIVES in Northern Ireland have been searching for clues after a policeman was killed by a car bomb in Northern Ireland. Ronan Kerr, 25, was killed by the booby-trap under his car outside his home in Omagh on Sunday. He only completed his training three weeks ago. There has been a history of violence in Northern Ireland. For hundreds of years, Ireland was ruled by its next door neighbour – Britain. In 1922, most of the island became independent from Britain – now known as the Republic of Ireland. But, in the north, six counties remained under British rule and became part of the UK. Different views between two communities in Northern Ireland – one wanting to be part of the UK and the other wanting to join with Ireland – caused a lot of violence. Life is much more peaceful now and, since devolution in 2007, there is power-sharing between the two biggest parties. But this attack shows the peace process is not over yet.

In the West African country of Cote d’Ivoire (also called the Ivory Coast), where Chelsea striker Didier Drogba grew up, there is terrible fighting between two politicians who both want to lead the country. The result is that supporters loyal to both men are fighting each other and more than half a million children have had to flee their homes, without food and water, to get away from the violence. Many children are walking for days to find help, some even travelling all the way to their nearest neighbouring country, Liberia. The charity Save the Children is giving out food and water to children in Cote D’Ivoire and is working in a refugee camp on the Liberian border where hundreds of new children arrive

every day. Many children are losing their families in the violence and are scared. Save the Children’s Mike Sunderland told First News: “I spoke to two young sisters aged just eight and six who were walking to Liberia with their mother when people starting firing guns at the group they were travelling with. The girls got separated from their mother and lost in the crowds. “With no-one to guide them, they continued their journey on foot for two days, sleeping

outside in dark forests and walking in searing heat with no food or shoes.” Save the Children is helping children like these two sisters. They have set up temporary schools in the refugee camp and are giving out games so children can begin to play and feel safe again after their terrifying experiences.

To find out how you can help, go to www.savethechildren.org.uk

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THE NEWS IN PICTURES

4 april

Jurong, Singapore: a featherless Humboldt penguin in a wetsuit walks past king penguins. The ten-year-old penguin has been losing his feathers and is being treated with wetsuits made specially for him. The suit acts like a natural feather covering, providing warmth and insulation which also helps new feathers grow and stops moulting.

2 april SyDney, auSTralia: athletes take off from the blocks in the heats of the Women’s 50 Metre Backstroke during day four of the 2011 australian Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park aquatic Centre.

5 april

haMBurg, gerMany: The two bottles containing the wedding perfume for Catherine Middleton and Prince William are revealed. Perfume creator Kim Weisswange was commissioned by the British royal family to compose the fragrances ‘Catherine’ and ‘William’ for the upcoming royal wedding on 29 april.

5 april iSlaMaBaD, paKiSTan: British Prime Minister

David Cameron inspects a guard of honour of Pakistani troops during a ceremony at The Prime Minister’s House. He flew into Pakistan for talks, seeking a ‘fresh start’ in relations with the country, nine months after accusing it of turning a blind eye to terrorism.

1 april

pariS, france: Chinese artist Liu Bolin stands at the Grand Palais. Bolin manages to camouflage himself in any surroundings, no matter how difficult they might be. Standing silently in front of his chosen scene, in locations all around the world, the 37-year-old artist uses himself as a blank canvas.

For more pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news-in-pictures

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ANIMAL NEWS

For more animal news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Circus elephant rescue AN abused circus elephant was safely moved to a safari park in Wiltshire at the weekend. Anne, a 57-year-old Asian elephant, was secretly filmed being kicked and abused with a pitchfork by her groom, who worked for Bobby Roberts Super Circus. Anne was “stressed and traumatised” as a result of her groom’s actions, said Animal Defenders International. The organisation carried out the secret filming and then aided the elephant’s move to Longleat Safari Park, in Wiltshire. A member of ADI said: “It is the worldwide outpouring of public horror that has forced the circus to hand over this elephant.” A spokesman for Longleat said: “Anne coped with the journey admirably well, is safe, well and beginning to settle into her new surroundings. In the coming days and weeks a team of three dedicated keepers will provide her with the tender loving care she needs around the clock.”

Penguin help HUNDREDS of penguins have been left soaked in oil around the Tristan da Cunha islands in the Atlantic ocean.

Pig surgery

Hungry turtles A LARGE amount of plastic has been found inside the stomach of a young turtle. Unfortunately, examinations show that this little creature wasn’t the only one to have mistaken plastic for food. Biologists say that 75% of green sea turtles have not realised what they are eating because of the rise in pollution. Every year, huge amounts of rubbish, including plastic bags and other debris are dumped in natural habitats. On average, three out of 1,000 plastic bags make their way into the oceans and scientists say it is very easy for turtles to confuse these bags for jelly fish – which is their favourite type of food. This particular young turtle had swallowed four types of balloon, some material and two tar balls.

These penguins are victims of a boat crash, which caused a large oil spill around the islands. The area is home to almost half the world’s population of rockhopper penguins. Now those in danger are being washed and given vitamins and fluids to help them get better. Locals have allowed their swimming pool to be closed to house the recovering penguins and to give them a safe habitat.

AN overweight pig will be given a facelift after his fattened face left his eyebrows covering his eyes. The quarter-tonne family pet called Boris will be taken to his local vet by horse trailer for the surgery which will lift his brow up so that he can see again. The procedure is very similar to the kind of surgery humans can have. The three-year-old pig has been suffering from bad eyesight since his owners decided to fatten him up. But the additional weight has led to his brow falling across his eye-line. Boris’ owner, Graeme Cane, revealed that he’s tried

to get Boris on a diet to lose the extra weight but nothing could help the pig get rid of his loose skin getting in the way of his sight. Boris’ size has caused a problem with one of his hind legs as well. Despite these issues, Graeme insists his pet still lives a pampered life and is even quite famous in his home town of Rosewater near Adelaide in Australia. The surgery will make him even more well known now.

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OUR STORIES lancashire Lessons in farming a school in Lancashire that has its very own farm has begun encouraging its pupils to help look after chickens, cows, sheep and pigs. The students have been studying farming and learning how to take care of animals, but they have been told that their furry friends will be end up on their school dinner menu too.

For more home news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Home News Blackpool

scotland

leicester

Mini quake

Forest for sale

Boy genius

a very small earthquake took place around Blackpool in northwest England late last week. The tiny tremor was felt at around 3.30am on Thursday but thankfully there was no damage reported. according to a police spokesman, “numerous” people had felt the quake despite it being very early in the morning.

Six-year-old jack Henderson from East Lothian has raised £10,000 for the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids in Edinburgh, by drawing pictures in return for donations. jack received 600 picture requests from 115 countries. His younger brother, noah, often receives treatment from the hospital.

an eight-year-old boy called Yasha has taken six a-Level maths exams and has passed them all. He even scored full marks in one of them. The boy from Leicester goes to school and has university level tutoring each week and is now going to aim for a maths degree. Yasha said: “as soon as I looked at the papers, I knew the answers to the questions.”

FAST WEATHER FACTS

FACT FIL E

On average in april, argentina has eight wet days during the month.

THE WEEK’S WEATHER

with Jonathan powell From Friday 8 to Thursday 14 april 2011

scotland

Week In general Unsettled but mild.

Help for eagles

FrIday 8 aprIl Scotland/n Ireland – Dry, sunny spells. Day 15c/59f night 8c/46f. Light north easterly. England/Wales – Dry, sunny spells. Day 17c/63f night 9c/48f. Light north easterly.

Scotland’s sea eagle population has been put under protection for a further three years by the Scottish natural Heritage, despite reaching a record high in numbers. The birds were reintroduced on the Isle Of Rum 36 years ago and there are thought to be 52 breeding adults across the country now. However, despite their rising numbers, the eagles are still considered rare.

saturday 9 aprIl Scotland/n Ireland – Dry, sunny spells. Day 15c/59f night 8c/46f. Light south westerly. England/Wales – Dry, sunny spells. Day 16c/61f night 8c/46f. Brisk south westerly.

london Easter fun If you’re looking for things to keep you busy over the Easter holidays, you might want to head to the Science Museum. The museum’s IMaX 3D cinema will feature films such as an animated space tale and a journey through galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope. Elsewhere you can see Mika Hakkinen’s real Formula One car, investigate what you might look like in 30 years’ time and even take part in a special science show.

sunday 10 aprIl Scotland/n Ireland – Showers. Day 14c/57f night 7c/45f. Brisk south westerly. England/Wales – Showers. Day 15c/59f night 8c/46f. Brisk south westerly. rest oF the Week Unsettled but mild.

THE WEEK IN NUMBERS

50

900

per cent of the UK’s 56 species of butterfly are under threat of extinction, say experts, who want people to grow flowers to help them.

tickets for the Fa Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Manchester City have been stolen from a Royal Mail van.

125,000

73

pounds is how much it will cost one person to travel in the new Virgin Galactic tourist spaceship in 2013.

decibels has been recorded as the world’s loudest cat purr and it comes from a pet called Molly from northampton.

40,000 jobs will be created when plans for the cross-country high speed rail project are completed.

700

rooms have been built inside the brand new Olympic Stadium in London. The construction work is finished but the room interiors still need a little extra work.

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SCIENCE

8 – 14 APR 2011

The new gadget would be best at fighting fires in small spaces

A new way to fight fire

CHECK IT OUT

?

know

After the Great Fire of London in 1666 it cost £10m to rebuild the city. At the time, the annual income of London was only £12,000. However, the fire helped to get rid of the black plague, as many rat-infested houses burned down.

to see the incredibly cool video!

researchers use helicopters for lots of things, but now they’ve even got them playing tennis in mid-air! Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology’s Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control have been carrying out various test with quadrotors, which have four rotors instead of a helicopter’s one. Although skilled pilots can do great things with a quadrotor, automated control systems find high speed and rapid manoeuvres very

tricky. Researchers at the institute have been using newer control systems and programmes that learn, in an attempt to improve the flight performance of automated quadrotors. The latest video from the institute shows two quadrotors volleying a tennis ball back and forth between them. Instead of human pilots, two computers and an overhead

Is it a bird? No, but it looks like one

Using water and foam to fight fires can cause even more damage

Did you

www.firstnews.co.uk

Main pic: quadrotors hover around the researchers’ Flying Machine Arena. Above: a quadrotor with a tennis racket attachment

Getty

It was known 200 years ago that electricity could alter the shape of flames or even snuff them out, but hardly any research into the effect has been carried out since. Now, scientists know that electricity alters the behaviour of the charged particles of carbon (soot) that are produced by fire. Researchers at Harvard University in the US have now built a futuristic piece of firefighting equipment that uses a 600 watt amplifier attached to a wand to shoot out beams of electricity. In tests, their invention regularly put out a flame that was over 30cm high. At a meeting of the American Chemical Society, Ludovico Cademartiri said that the device would be most useful in confined spaces or for clearing an exit from a building that is on fire. He said that it won’t be suitable for huge infernos such as forest fires.

Mark Müller

a 200-year-old experiment has led scientists to create a wand that can put out fires with electricity.

Raymond Oung

How to play tennis and fly at the same time

motion capture system take charge. “We’re very happy that it works, but we have quite a way to go,” says Sergei Lupashin. “A really neat thing would be to have it at a level where it can play competitively (or cooperatively) with a human player. One day, you could imagine playing something like quidditch with these vehicles!”

First Mercury image thIs photograph is the first ever to be taken by a spacecraft in orbit around Mercury. On 17 March, MESSENGER successfully entered orbit around Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. Early in the morning of 29 March, MESSENGER sent this picture back. The large crater that dominates the image is Debussy. The rays of material that were thrown out of the crater when it was made stretch for hundreds of kilometres across the planet. The area towards the bottom of the picture is the south pole region, which has never been photographed by a spacecraft before. See www.firstnews.co.uk for a gallery of the latest pictures from the MESSENGER mission.

You can see the SmartBird in action on our website

for years, scientists have been trying to make realistic remotecontrolled birds. In flight, this one seems pretty convincing to us. SmartBird has been developed by a German company called Festo. Their bird is based on a herring gull and can take-off, fly and land on its own, without any human controlling it. What makes it look convincing in the air is that its wings move and twists like a real bird’s. It weighs just 450g and has a wingspan of 2m, and Festo say that it is the

most efficient model bird built so far. The birds could be useful in many areas, such as for carrying spy cameras or for monitoring bird populations. Festo also say that the work that has gone into SmartBird could be used in many more areas of engineering that they are involved in. Head to www.firstnews.co.uk now to see SmartBird in action for yourself.

The historic first image taken by MESSENGER

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington

Getty

For more science news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover

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GLOBAL STORIES

a British plane on its way to Egypt was forced to land in Greece after a bomb threat was passed to the crew. all 213 people on board were safe.

usA Standing again President Barack Obama has announced that he will stand for re-election in 2012. Instead of holding a press conference, Obama posted a tweet directing his followers to a new video on his website. although the election is 20 months away, Obama wants to start his campaign early so that he can raise an estimated £600m to pay for things like TV adverts.

World News Atlantic Ocean

Austria

Russia

Wreckage found

Door disaster

Delayed message

Robots have found the missing parts of air France flight 447, which crashed into the sea in 2009 after leaving Rio de janeiro, Brazil. Investigators hope to find the plane’s black box flight recorders, which could solve the mystery of why the plane crashed, killing all 228 people on board.

a hotel guest who thought he had been locked out for the night is in trouble after he decided to smash the front door in with flower pots. It was only after the 39-year-old man entered the hotel that he realised he could have used his room’s key card to open the door.

a 13-year-old boy has found a message in a bottle that was sent almost 24 years ago. Daniil Korotkikh found the bottle on a beach near Kaliningrad. The letter had been thrown into the sea by a five-year-old German boy called Frank Uesbeck, now 29, while he was on holiday in Denmark.

China Research request although more and more people are donating their bodies to scientific research when they die, medical officials still say that they need more. The Beijing Red Cross says that 12,516 people have given their bodies to science since 1999. 28% more bodies were donated in 2010 compared to 2009, but officials say that this is less than half the amount they need for research and teaching.

Getty

SNIPPETS

For more world news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Japan Playground tests

usA Poo palaver

Getty

a woman in Memphis has been arrested after refusing to clean up her dog’s poo. Police officers saw the woman’s pit bull poo in a park, but she said that she had no intention of cleaning it up. She refused to show any ID, then kicked one policeman and bit him on the hand.

syria

Afghanistan

Hong Kong

Urgent changes

Deadly protests

Feathered fight

President Bashar al-assad has promised to make several changes to his government after a wave of protests. The protests started when teenagers who wrote antigovernment graffiti were arrested. Dozens have died, but the military has denied being responsible.

Days of protests have left dozens of people dead, including seven United nations staff. The protests started when a pastor in Florida set fire to a copy of the Koran. a White House spokesman called the burning “un-american”, but did not justify the killings.

A KID’S WORLD

More than 1,200 people have taken part in a huge pillow fight. The event was held to mark International Pillow Fight Day and was organised via websites. The day was started by the Urban Playground Movement, with more than 130 cities taking part.

Getty

Getty

Safety officials have started to measure the levels of radiation in school playgrounds near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was seriously damaged by the recent tsunami. Officials say that anyone more than 30km from the plant will be safe, but parents are worried.

SNIPPETS a new Zealand man who flew to auckland is outraged after being charged £20 for a 900m taxi ride. Officials are worried that tourists will be put off by steep fares.

Find out more about Oxfam visit www.oxfam.org.uk Name: Abdu Fatah Age: 13 Lives: Ethiopia “I LIvE with my family in the Somali region of Ethiopia, which is very hot and dry”. “ “My job is to find water for my family and pasture for our cattle and goats, but this has become very difficult. “The reservoir, called a Birkhad, has been empty for a month because this year the rain did not come. If the birkhad was full of water all the people would come and fetch water for cooking, drinking and washing. We have built 14 birkhads in our village, with Oxfam’s help,

but this year there is still not enough water. So now I am waiting for a truck to arrive to deliver the water that Oxfam is bringing to us. Hopefully this water will last us until the rain comes.” To find our more about children living in drought-affected regions, ask your teacher to show you the Oxfam Water Week website.

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THE NEWS CREW

Repor

For more news crew, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Young scientist Fanfair… ter

WE spent the day at the London Irish stadium and were invited to tour the grounds, changing rooms, pitch and players’ tunnel plus interview the new band Fanfair.

We got to watch the game with the band and interviewed them at half time. How did Fanfair get together? Aimee: Our mutual friend, Dan Parker, knew that we would make a great band and introduced us all. We became good friends and decided that we should be in a band together! What is your single called and what is it like? Aimee: Our single is called Vaccine. We made up a new word for our sound – ‘Rocktro-pop’!

IT was a real surprise to win the Royal Institution’s Young Scientist of the Year Award at the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre. The prize of a trip to Paris to visit the L’Oréal laboratories was an added bonus. by Thea Hesketh

by Connor and Tiger-Lily different every week and you perform to different people. I miss the dancing and the rehearsals. But I wouldn’t change anything. The band was really nice and made us feel really comfortable. We had an amazing day and would like to thank, First News, Fanfair and London Irish Rugby team. For more information check out www.fanfairmusic.com

Roberta, do you think your time on X Factor has helped you in the music industry? Roberta: Definitely. It’s such a great introduction. You get to be in TV studios and do arena tours in front of millions of people. Jessica, do you miss the theatre? What advice could you offer to others who want to act? Jessica: I do miss the theatre. It’s

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We travelled to Paris on the Eurostar from London which was really exciting as I haven’t been on the Eurostar before. Once inside the laboratories we dressed in lab coats and safety glasses and began a series of experiments and investigations into our own hair. Computers are used to take magnified photos of each strand of hair and analyse the colour, texture and condition. We also saw the machines which are used to test hair – one was a weather machine where the hair gets blown in the wind and has sun on it. I enjoy science at school. Being the Young Scientist of the Year has really encouraged me and I know that science is more about asking questions and trying things out than knowing lots of facts straight away. My hero is Heston Blumenthal and I would like to combine my hobby of cookery with science.

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FirstNews

Issue 253

11

8 – 14 APR 2011

SPECIAL REPORT

For more special reports, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover

by Navdeep Bual and Yasir Yeahia

No school for some

NAVDeeP Bual, 15, and Yasir Yeahia, 14, both from seven Kings High school in Ilford, are this year’s Young Ambassadors for the Global Campaign for education. They have just returned from a fact-finding mission to Guatemala, with the charity Toybox and the Global Campaign for education, to find out why some kids don’t get to go to school. Here is their report…

Navdeep meets the street girls Photo: Jeremy Davison

THERE are 78,000 children that don’t go to school in Guatemala and 70% are girls. As 80% of people are living in poverty many families need their children to work and earn money rather than go to school.

No school, just work

Photo: Steve Broadhurst/Domain

We met a brother and sister Rosalita, 11, and Jose, 13, from a family just like this, who sold bags of fruit to people on local buses. Rosalita and Jose spent hours jumping on the buses in the middle of a very busy market and it seemed like no-one would even notice if they got hurt. There were drug addicts and gangs around and it was not at all a place for children to be. Rosalita told us she would rather be learning and wanted to go to school more often. Then we visited their home which was truly and utterly horrific – the flies, the smell and the black bags filled with rubbish and the chaos. Seven people – some family members and others lodgers – lived in just one small room made of corrugated iron.

Nothing like home

Rosalita shares her home with seven people

Photo: Steve Broadhurst/Domain

Now we can compare Guatemala and the UK and can honestly say education equals opportunity. It has been an incredible journey, and definitely opened our eyes to the problems other children face purely because of where they

Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries in the world that is not in a war zone. We heard from several children about the reality of this. Sofia, a 14-year-old girl, told us how she was attacked by a gang for her jewellery. Others had been mugged for their school books! We also heard about the abuse that girls have had to face on their way to school. Another important obstacle to education is the small amount collected in taxes, and how very little of this is spent on education. We visited a primary school and heard how the headmistress struggled with the money she had. Many of the children drop out of school because they can’t understand the lessons; 23 languages are spoken in Guatemala but 90% of teachers only speak Spanish. It was also hard to hear about children who missed out on school because their families couldn’t afford uniforms and books.

Photo: Jeremy Davison

Education isn’t affordable

Navdeep and Yasir talk to some school pupils

were born. Guatemala is such a beautiful country but it is riddled with so many overlapping problems, all of which prevent them from developing. It’s going to be a long process which needs to start with education. Rosalita would rather be learning than selling fruit on buses

To read Yas and Nav’s full diary and to find out how you and your school can support this year’s Send My Sister to School campaign visit www.sendmyfriend.org.

12 FirstNews Issue 253

8 – 14 apr 2011

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS with Serena Lacey

Mars attacks! It’s slime time!

ADAM tanswell heads behind the cameras to bring you the lowdown on the new Disney movie, Mars needs Moms. MUM’s tHe wOrD… “What do you do if your mum gets kidnapped and taken to the red planet by Martians?” questions actor Seth Green. “You go and save her, of course! That’s exactly what happens in my new movie, Mars Needs Moms.” OUt OF tHis wOrLD… “The movie is an awesome alien adventure filled with loads of laughs,” continues actor Dan Fogler. “The Martians are stealing mums from Earth to look after their own children. It’s up to a kid called Milo to save the day!” ALien ADVentUre… Mars Needs Moms was created using cuttingedge motion capture technology from the team behind mega movies including The polar Express, Monster House and Jim Carey’s a Christmas Carol. FAsHiOn FrenZY… To capture the action, the actors had to perform their scenes in a huge room surrounded by cameras. “Everyone on the set dressed the same,” reveals Seth Green. “We wore a big, black, full body costume made from Velcro. Everybody’s hair is tied back and we each wore a big helmet with cameras attached to it.”

HAt’s tHe wAY tO DO it… “The cameras on the helmet are pointed directly at our faces,” continues Seth. “But the great thing about motion capture is there’s no makeup. Instead, we have hundreds of dots on our faces that help the animators work on the facial movements of our characters.” GOinG DOttY… “The dots capture the actor’s facial performance,” explains animation supervisor, Huck Wirtz. “The helmet has four cameras pointed at the actor’s face and it took a little while for them to get used to. at first, they kept knocking into each other and banging into the cameras!” LiGHts, CAMerA, ACtiOn… There were 120 Motion Capture cameras placed around the set to catch all of the action during the filming of the movie.

KiDDY UP… The magic of performance capture allowed 35-year-old actor Seth Green to play a nineyear-old boy called Milo. “It was a really interesting challenge and I started paying a lot of attention to kids to get into character,” Seth reveals. “Kids are impulsive and they don’t pay attention to the way their body moves. That’s what I tried to draw on for the movie.” stOrY tiMe… The movie is based on a book by an american author and illustrator called Berkeley Breathed. The story was created after Berkeley’s son decided he didn’t want to eat any more broccoli at the dinner table one night. The rest is history! DAnCe OFF… Stay seated for a special surprise at the end of the movie! On the last day of the film shoot, everyone involved in the project shot a barmy, Bollywood-style musical number. You can watch the action during the movie’s end credits. in A nUtsHeLL… “Mars Needs Moms is a magnificent adventure,” reveals the movie’s director, Simon Wells. “You’re going to go to places you’ve never been before led by a kid with a huge determination to get his mum back. It’s going to blow you away MOVie MAGiC… What can the audiences expect from the movie? “You can look forward to a fun adventure, fantastic performances and amazing 3D,” chuckles robert Zemeckis. “You’re in for the time of your life!”

First news’ serena Lacey jetted off to LA to hang out with the stars on the orange carpet at the nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (KCAs). Here’s what happened… THE 24th annual Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice awards in Los angeles were always going to be a glamorous affair, with stars from film, TV and music walking down the longest orange carpet in the show’s history. In a stunt costing millions of dollars, host Jack Black drove a monster truck over a line of stretch limousines before bursting into a hilarious performance of the Black Eyed peas’, I’ve Got a Feeling. The stunt was actually filmed the day before the show, which meant Jack could join the band on stage to open the KCas as the Jack Eyed peas. russell Brand, who was there to present an award, (and get slimed) towered over everyone on the orange carpet, waving at all the attendees. Stars from Nickelodeon shows like iCarly and True Jackson Vp told us they were looking forward to meeting him after seeing huge billboards featuring his two new films plastered around Hollywood. He joked that he would be taking some slime home for his wife Katy perry who fell victim to the gunge last year! For the first time ever, a show was broadcast live from the orange carpet. Victoria Justice performed her second live performance ever and to prepare she didn’t speak the entire morning before the show! Snoop Dogg was a surprise guest, there to perform the single Boyfriend with Big Time rush. ariana Grande, who plays Cat Valentine in Victorious was so excited to see the rap star, she followed him down the carpet until she managed to get her picture taken with him. “I just love him!” she told us when she stopped for a chat. iCarly actor Jerry Trainor, who picked up the award for UK’s Funniest Male, stopped to chat for ages and wanted to know who the hottest British actress is at the moment as he’d like to see a Brit appear in iCarly. He admitted he was excited about seeing Jack Black again, as the actor has appeared in two episodes of iCarly. The biggest screams from the fans waiting outside the KCas were reserved for Selena Gomez. The teen spent ages signing

The talented Smith siblings, Jaden and Willow wore co-ordinating outfits

autographs for fans, although she’s so tiny someone had to reach up to the fans to get their posters for her. The Smith family sparkled in gold as they skipped up the carpet. Both Willow and Jaden were full of energy, although dad Will didn’t join them for photos. Glee star Corey Monteith was one of the last to arrive and looked a bit surprised by the huge scream he received from the fans and journalists. pixie Lott was pretty excited to see him walk past too. The singer told us she was looking forward to coming home after six weeks in La! The big question of the day was who would be slimed and what would it taste like? Gregg Sulkin told us he would hate to get slimed as he has a phobia of it. The rumours were that the slime had been developed to make it taste nicer, something both Jack Black and Jim Carrey should be pleased about as they closed the show with a slime explosion!

secrets from the show! The stars were seated in the audience among all the kids attending! russell Brand took his shoes and socks off after he got slimed on stage to stop him slipping as he walked off. Big Time rush were desperate to stay on the carpet and talk to everyone but had to rush inside to get ready for their performance with Snoop Dogg.

Mars Needs Moms is in cinemas from 8 April.

Selena Gomez slipped on the slimey stage when she went to collect her award. Luckily she didn’t fall over and just wobbled a bit!

Johnny Depp won Favourite Movie Actor for Alice in Wonderland. Then he slimed the audience.

Will Smith was the most popular star among stars. During the show Miley Cyrus, Big Time rush, Fergie and Justin Timberlake all went over to see him and say hello.

For more entertainment news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

FirstNews

Issue 253

13

8 – 14 apr 2011

TV, FILM, MUSIC AND THEATRE!

SHHH!

GAME ZONE With Liberty Game tester Feathered fun, plus a couple of games to try on your new 3DS

HARRY POTTER Harry potter actor Tom Felton has spoken out about his love for making music. The actor, who plays Draco Malfoy in the series of films, has been recording some songs in a studio but insists he will only make the songs available to his own fans, saying: “There won’t be big releases like McFly tend to have.” Jack Black hosted the awards for the third time and came face to face with a whole lot of slime!

While Willow Smith performed, proud dad Will sang along and even did the dance moves in his seat. Fergie had to run back to her seat and made it just in time to collect the Black Eyed peas award, she was busy gossiping with Miley Cyrus. While he wasn’t on stage Jack Black hung out with the kids in the splash zone of the slime pit, and ran up and down the aisles high-fiving all the kids. Watch the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards 2011 on 8 april from 5pm exclusively on Nickelodeon. For more gossip, pictures, videos and a full list of the winners see www.firstnews.co.uk.

JEDWARD With their Eurovision single ready for the competition in May, reports are now suggesting Jedward have allowed their song, Lipstick, to be used in a new car advert. The campaign for Hyundai will screen throughout South East asia if it goes ahead and will star film actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

BRITNEY SPEARS after releasing her latest album, Femme Fatale, last week Britney has revealed she’ll be going on tour this summer. The Hold It against Me singer is due to start her set of shows in California in June, although it hasn’t been confirmed if she will come to the UK just yet.

Hitting the right note Rio (XBOX 360)

UP to four players can play in this party game based on the new animated movie about a rare macaw. There are over 40 mini-games, which range from flying over a beach and targeting the sunbathers below, to standing on top of a bus and trying to time your jumps over lines of bunting. There are six characters from the movie that you can play as: Blu, Jewel, pedro, Nico, raphael and Eva. although Blu is quite innocent, the street-wise city birds will help you on your way. Your friends can drop in and drop out at any time and you can play the games as a story or in several other ways, including a party mode. Liberty says: ”The game is very true to

the movie and it’s great being able to fly in to challenge friends in multi-player mode at any point. The whole game feels like you are involved in one big party. The mini-games are all great fun as Blu and his pals take a trip through rio. after getting through them all, Blu forms RATED! a conga line and dances his way to first place in the rio carnival. Loved it!“

9/10

Flying high Pilotwings Resort & Rayman 3D (BOTH 3DS)

FLYinG features in very different ways in these two 3Ds games. Jack Black embraced his inner pop star to become part of the Jack Eyed Peas

Nintendo’s Pilotwings resort (below) sees you take on a series of challenges in planes, hang-gliders and jet-packs. although it seems a bit too simple at first, the challenges get trickier and give a surprising amount of variety. Shooting

TOP TELLY!

Leonardo, who works as an apprenctice, will be forced to lead the group as they go on an adventure to discover the sinister SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE? secrets that really lie in Florence. a double Judges Louise rednapp, arlene phillips and the others bill starts the series off. Leonardo, BBC One, reveal which of the 20 auditionees have been chosen Monday @ 5.15pm. to go through to the live shows. So You Think You Can Dance, BBC One, Saturday @ 6.30pm. LAST CHANCE It’s the penultimate show and another two acts will have to impress enough to join the finalists. plus the top six acts will perform their routines again as a reminder of what they have to offer. Live To Dance, Sky One, Sunday @ 6pm. DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA This new CBBC series takes us back to the 15th century following the teenage Leonardo da Vinci and his three friends as they solve mysteries in Italy.

RATED!

8/10

balloons that float from the back of a car is great fun, especially when the car goes through a tunnel and you have to follow it! There’s also a free flight mode that gives you two minutes to explore WuHu Island and collect various tokens. This is one game where the 3D looks amazing and genuinely helps your judgment as

you make tricky turns and landings. rayman 3D (below) is an updated version of the classic rayman 2. If you’ve played that, there may not be much point getting this, but if you’re new to rayman, it’s great fun. There are loads of collectibles hidden in tricky places and rayman’s helicopter ears make exploring a lot of fun. The 3D is helpful for judging jumps and landings, although the camera can be quite annoying. It’s mostly ace, though, and platform fans should enjoy it.

RATED!

7/10

See www.firstnews.co.uk/bored to watch trailers for these three and to read reviews of Move Heroes and more 3DS games

14 FirstNews Issue 253

8 – 14 APR 2011

thE BiG intErViEw

For more interviews and clips go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover

the Piers Morgan interview...

There are some shocks… AUTHOR Anthony Horowitz has written his final book in the Alex Rider series. As the novel hits the shops, we find out more about the writer behind Alex’s adventures and what he’s going to accomplish next. You’re about to release your last Alex Rider book – will you be sad to see him go? I do feel a great sense of sadness that I’ve reached the ninth and final Alex Rider adventure but I said from the very start that I would stop writing the books when Alex reached 15 and that’s what’s happened. I was always worried that the stories would become formulaic and predictable if I went on too long. I never wanted to write the book that let the series down and I think Scorpia Rising ends on a high.

that Alex used in Ark Angel. It didn’t repel creepy-crawlies, it attracted them. There are quite a few editors, politicians and film producers I’d quite like to smear with it.

Do your own children read your books? Do you ask them for any tips? Well, my children are now 20 and 22 years old – but I’m glad to say that they’ve always read my books and still do. They’re both brilliant critics and aren’t afraid to tell me if something is dull or, worse, cringey. They were the first to read my new Sherlock Holmes novel, which is coming out in November. I was really glad they liked it because it’s written for all those kids who are now too old for Alex Rider.

How has Alex changed as the series has gone on? Alex Rider has definitely grown up a lot in one year and there’s no question that he’s been affected by all the things that have happened to him. Not just the many injuries and the horrific things he’s witnessed but the way he’s been manipulated and lied to by MI6. I had to work hard to make sure that he was still cheerful and positive in this last book – those have always been two of his defining characteristics. Can you give us a bit of a teaser about Scorpia Rising? I should warn you first that there are one or two real shocks in it. The villain this time – Razim – is easily the nastiest one that Alex has come up against and he has a side-kick who will surprise readers of the earlier books. The setting is Cairo – before the fall of Mubarak – and involves a visit by the American Secretary of State and a plot to discredit the British government. There’s as much action as ever. Alex is a spy – which secret spy gadget would you like to have and why? My favourite gadget was the insect cream

characters. I feel I’ve got to know him better than any of them – and, of course, in his own way, he’s changed my life. But I’m also very fond of Nick Diamond, the young detective who appears in the Diamond Brothers series.

The book cover for Scorpia Rising

You’ve written so many books – can you remember what happens in all of them? I think I’ve written about 38 books and I do remember more or less everything that’s in them. I’ve forgotten quite a lot of the television I’ve written though. Maybe this is the difference between books and TV! Who of all the characters that you’ve created is your favourite and why? The answer has to be Alex Rider. I’ve written more books about him than any of my other

What job would you be doing if you weren’t an author? That’s tricky because I’m not really any good at anything else. When I set out, I wanted to direct plays in the theatre but I’m not sure anyone would hire me. I’d quite like to be a teacher but that’s also an incredibly difficult job, I think. I might be presenting a TV documentary in 2012 and I suppose that could become a new career. What type of story do you prefer, action or horror, and would you ever write a romance? Romance is the one genre I’ve never touched. That’s not for me. I think action and adventure is probably my favourite genre. I love thinking up fights, escapes, chases… You also write for TV. Is that a very different process to writing for books? TV is much more of a technique than writing books. You have to be aware of what is possible within a budget. Above all, you have

Tell us what you think

ony Anthw itz horo

to remember that TV is a collaboration and more than 50 people will be working on the show, bringing it to life. With a book, you’re in complete control. I should say I enjoy TV and novel writing equally and I’m very proud of programmes like Foyle’s War and Collision which I made with my wife, Jill Green. Why is reading so important? Wow! How long have we got? I think it’s dangerous to talk about reading being ‘important’ because it makes it sound too much like taking vitamins or exercise. Reading is above all a huge pleasure. It’s a completely immersive experience. It really is possible to ‘get lost in a book’. When you read a book, you’re building whole worlds, visualising them, filling them with characters. People who read are therefore more alert, more informed and more connected than people who don’t.

Scorpia Rising, the ninth and final Alex Rider novel by Anthony Horowitz is published by Walker Books at £6.99. Find out more at www.alexrider.com

The FirsT News Team Editor Nicky Cox Deputy Editor Gabrielle Utton Entertainment Editor Serena Lacey Writer Ian Eddy Editorial Assistant Kirsty Macdonald Design Manager Richard Robson Website Editor Nicola Williams Marketing and Website Assistant Ben Pulsford Head of Finance Marcus Child Accounts Assistant Kelane Henderson

HERE at First News we are constantly working to bring you the best newspaper we can. So, we would like you to tell us what you think of your First News. On Crazy But True (page 16), which is your favourite section: the news stories Record of the Week Quick Chuckles or Paper Boy cartoon?

Publishing Consultant Susan Downey Advertising Nina Chaudhry, Anisha Unzia, Leanne Walker Partnership Marketing Director Lindsaye Fox Subscriptions Manager Rachel Henderson Direct Marketing Manager Emma Robson Publisher Kelly Austin Executive Director Amanda Hills Founders Piers Morgan, Nicky Cox, Sarah and Steve Thomson

Email: [email protected] Tel. 020 3195 2000 For subscriptions call 0844 8267 338 www.firstnews.co.uk

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FirstNews

Issue 253

15

8 – 14 APR 2011

SCHOOL NEWS

For more news crew, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

Barking mad… Singing stars

EARlIER this year, our school choir had the most AMAZING opportunity to perform at the london O2 Arena.

A sTRAY dog first appeared at our school on a sunday afternoon. My friend, Julia, and I heard a dog barking in the school playground. My dad then rang the police and, shortly after, four policemen arrived in two police cars. The policemen walked slowly towards the dog but seeing the dog was very vicious, backed away to call for backup. Two more policemen then turned up with a long stick that had a loop on the end of it. After about ten minutes they caught the dog but, just as they were getting close to the van, the dog escaped. The four policemen all ran after the dog but it was too quick for them and got away. The dog escaped through a hole in the fence at the back of the school. The policemen then gave up and packed up to leave. The following day, a Monday, everyone was in school as usual. The dog was running around the entrance to the school. Our head teacher, Mr Grout, ran after the dog with a lead, attempting to catch it. Unluckily he came back empty-handed. At the end of the school day, the dog warden

by Honor Bouverie, Lady Joanna Thornhill School turned up and also failed to catch it. By Wednesday the dog had gone across the train track and out of our village. On Thursday it was said that the dog was already six miles away on the other side of Ashford. The dog wardens are still after it but it has not yet been caught. You never know, maybe the dog will turn up at your school next… Hannah and her dog

The stray dog

Our music teacher, Ms Rasapalan, planned this event, which allowed our Manor choir to be a part of the Young Voices Choir. Young Voices is the largest school choir organiser in the world, and currently organises more than 14 concerts a year in the UK and Ireland’s leading arenas so that families and friends can come together to enjoy music and celebrate singing. The atmosphere was great! We sang a pop medley that included lots of current hits which we had practised every Tuesday after school. Plus we got to meet and perform

by Shanea Oldham, Manor Primary School, Stratford with choirs from different schools all over England. Everyone agreed it was a memorable experience!

Thames Tapestry

sINCE October 2010, a group of craft-loving pupils have been putting their creative talents to the test and sewing a metre-square tapestry for the Thames Tapestry Project. The Thames Heritage Tapestry Project is a schools arts project celebrating the River Thames. schools from all along the length of the Thames have been invited to participate. The finished artworks will be displayed at the 2012 Olympics as a cultural component of the Games. The Thames Tapestry will be the longest tapestry on display in the world and should

by the pupils from Saxon School, Shepperton make it into the Guinness Book of Records! Our school is one of those taking part. We have learned how to plait, knit, weave, embroider, sew sequins and beads and do silk painting and have attended the afterschool club enthusiastically every week! The theme of our tapestry entry is “saxon

settlements along the River Thames.” This is appropriate as the school itself is a site of historic interest because Anglosaxon remains have been discovered on the school grounds (hence the school’s name). The tapestry also includes lots of sheep (made out of woolly pom poms!) as the name “shepperton” comes from the Anglo-saxon meaning shepherd’s Town.

Our head teacher is delighted with all our efforts and thinks we have created a masterpiece!

YOUR SCHOOL IN FIRST NEWS We want to hear what your school is up to Are you doing something sponsored for charity? Starting your own school newspaper? Or putting on a show?

Send your report (including pictures) to the address on page 14 or email [email protected]. If we print your story we’ll send you a copy of the paper and an exclusive First News certificate to be presented to you in assembly! Don’t forget to include your name, age, and your school’s name and address. (Please note: by writing to First News you give consent to First News printing details and photographs of those involved in the report.)

pRIzES WHEN YOU TAKE pART IN OUR WIN AWESOmE NEW SURvEYS WHICH GET YOUR vIEWS HEARD THere are prizes galore in First News this week! The only way you can be in with a chance of winning these great prizes is by completing our online surveys. Prizes up for grabs include the new Nintendo 3DS, and a choice between a Nintendo Wii, an iPod and Amazon vouchers. The more surveys you complete the better your chance of winning. Our surveys are really, quick and easy, so take your pick or do them all, just go to www.firstnews. co.uk/surveys and start filling them in.

ENTER NOW!

Why not complete the School Journeys survey and let us know how you get to school in the morning. Are you a confident walker or do you prefer taking the bus? Let us know about your journey and you could win a Nintendo 3DS. Or give the School Time survey a go and you could win either an iPod, a Nintendo Wii or £200 in Amazon vouchers!

www.firstnews.co.uk/surveys

The closing date is 15 April 2011.

COMPeTITIONS: You can enter First News competitions in one of two ways. 1. Go to www.firstnews.co.uk/competitions and follow the instructions. 2. Write to us at ‘competition name’ (eg. Holiday), Shand House, 14-20 Shand St, London SE1 2ES. Please note: First News will not share your personal details with third parties. First News will only use your details to contact the competition winners. First News competitions are open to aged 16-and-under residents of the UK & Republic of Ireland, except employees of First News, Newsbridge Ltd, BGP and any associated companies and their families. Winners will be the first correct entries drawn after the closing dates. No purchase necessary. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that have been lost or damaged in transit. First News will not enter into any correspondence. All winners will be notified accordingly and their names and addresses will be available on request. No cash alternative for any prizes will be offered. The winner may be required to partake in media activity relating to the competition.

16 FirstNews Issue 253

8 – 14 APR 2011

CRAZY BUT TRUE

For more crazy news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

The showjumping cow a teenager in germany has trained her cow to showjump because she couldn’t afford a horse.

RECORD OF THE WEEK most arrows caught by hand in two minutes The most arrows caught by hand in two minutes is 43 and was achieved by Joe Alexander (Germany) at a distance of 8m (26ft 2.96in) from two archers at Mosan e.V. in Hamburg, Germany, on 17 November 2010 in celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2010.

by Karen edwards Regina, 15, who lives in Bavaria, had dreams of becoming a showjumper but her family couldn’t afford to buy her a horse to practise with. So she used her initiative instead and decided to train the family cow, Luna, to jump and now she has film of herself and the talented cow leaping over fences. Now Regina rides Luna as she would a trained horse – with a saddle, stirrups and a riding helmet.

For info on this record and hundreds more, go to www.guinnessworldrecords.com

QUICK CHUCKLES

Snake found in loo Tomato phobia a seVen-year-oLd girl has discovered a two metre-long snake in her family’s toilet. The boa constrictor was found slithering out of the u-bend at the girl’s family home in Hanover, Germany. But, after the police and wildlife teams were called, the snake backed down into the pipes and out of sight. Not, however, before everyone had a good look at the surprise visitor. Local experts have admitted they think the snake was somebody’s pet who had managed to escape from a nearby home in search for food. However, one expert claimed it was possible that it was the snake’s owner who flushed it down the toilet originally. “People buy these snakes when they are young and they grow very large very quickly and scare the life out of their owners who try to flush them down the lavatory,” he revealed.

Written and illustrated by Paul Palmer

a waitress in southampton has revealed she’s terrified of red tomatoes. Kayleigh Barker, 22, who regularly works at a local restaurant, has spoken out about her fear describing how upset she gets if she sees or has to touch the raw fruit with her hands. Her condition, known as Lycopersicon phobia, isn’t as uncommon as people might think and is just one example of how a person can have a fear of something unexpected. Kayleigh admitted: “If there’s a tomato on my plate I will not go anywhere near it. I cant even look at it.” Despite her phobia Kayleigh isn’t

Q: what runs but never walks? a: water Q: how did the farmer fix his jeans? a: with a cabbage patch Q: why shouldn’t you swim on a full stomach? a: because it’s better to swim in a full swimming pool email us your jokes to [email protected]

scared of other things like ketchup or tomato puree and says she has only run out of the restaurant once when her boss jokingly asked her to close her eyes and placed a tomato in her hand as a gift.

FirstNews

Issue 253

17

8 – 14 APR 2011

GREEN NEWS

For more green news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover

with Gabrielle Utton

Petrol cars to go A neW proposal could mean petrol and diesel cars will be banned from entering city centres by the year 2050. The European Commission has revealed they would like to cut carbon emissions by more than half in the years to come and they want to do it by stopping petrol and diesel cars from entering city limits all over the country. Instead, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has discussed his hopes for expanding the rail network and has said how commuters going on journeys of more than 168 miles should start to use trains rather than driving themselves. However, he promised that it wouldn’t make travelling harder, and that “freedom to travel” would still be a “basic right” to citizens. The plan, if successful, would reduce the UK’s dependence on oil as well as helping to reduce vehicle emissions. The Government will have 39 years to make sure

their proposal fully works and this will be the latest big move in tacking the issue of climate change. Speaking to those worried that the new plan might hinder the ease of travel between cities Mr Kallas added: “The widely-held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true. We can break the transport system’s dependence on oil without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility.”

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What do you do to help fight climate change? How do you get your friends, family and school to do their bit too? Tell us and First News readers. Log on to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover, or write to [email protected], or the address on page 14.

Birds on the rise

lAst year saw the uK’s smallest birds drop in numbers. this year it seems they could be on the rise once again. A wildlife survey carried out by Big Garden Birdwatch has found that some of the UK’s smallest birds have doubled in numbers this year, following their dramatic fall at the start of 2010. The findings show the species have managed to survive freezing winter conditions. Last year, bird numbers dwindled after the UK suffered the coldest winter for 30 years and experts feared species were dying out. This year, however, half a million people took part in the survey and have helped detect that these birds are still finding food and are fighting the harsh weather conditions successfully. According to the results, goldcrests, which are the UK’s smallest birds, have been the ones to double in population while long-tailed tits have increased by a third. Richard Bashford, who was in charge of conducting the survey, said: “Although we had another cold winter,

we had a very good breeding season in April and May. This produced a lot of young, making the number of small birds higher than we thought.” What’s even more exciting is that we can all help keep this bird species safe. Richard explained: “Our back gardens are some of the best places for wildlife – they mean food and shelter to small birds. If enough people put out food and water for small birds, it really can make quite a difference.” This summer, the RSPB also want to encourage people to count the number of migrating birds who have flown in from Africa.

Advertisement feAture

Let’s beat bottles!

Although recent research shows that kids are more environmentally aware than their parents, we all still need to do more about the huge problem of plastic bottles.

In Britain alone, we use 13 billion plastic bottles every year, but only 20% of those actually get recycled. This is why it’s better for us to think about precycling instead, which means using fewer bottles to start with so that you don’t have piles of them to recycle. Unfortunately, 78% of kids and 80% of adults don’t even know what precycling is. To highlight this important issue, SodaStream has launched its World Without Bottles campaign. A massive 63% of adults know that bottle waste is bad for the environment, but don’t know why. Although 50% of kids say that they encourage their parents to recycle, kids also say that they’re more likely to recycle if their parents do. By encouraging each other and your parents to reduce waste in the first place, we can all help save the environment from the menace of plastic bottles.

We can all take a few small, simple steps to help strive for a bottle-free world. Join our World Without Bottles campaign and together we can make it happen!

By using a sodastream, you can make an enormous reduction in the amount of bottles your family uses. A SodaStream uses fresh water straight from the tap to make amazing fizzy drinks. That way, fewer plastic bottles need to be taken to and from shops and less plastic ends up as waste. Using a SodaStream couldn’t be easier: just fizz up tap water with a touch of a button, add your favourite flavour, then sit back and enjoy! In three years, one SodaStream bottle could replace as many as 2,000 plastic bottles and cans. You can also make 12 litres of fizzy drinks from just 500ml of SodaStream flavour.

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18 FirstNews Issue 253

8 – 14 APr 2011

AsK esTHeR

With thanks to

MY WAY CAMPAign

With thanks to

I’m Esther Rantzen, President of ChildLine, which helps 2,500 children every week. If there’s something worrying you, please write to me at the address below.

Fighting sisters

my sister and I fight all the time. We share a room and are forever falling out over really silly stuff. Our parents have told the two of us that they are really sick of the arguing all the time and have now refused to intervene. How can I get my parents to see that it’s my sister who winds me up, not the other way round? millie,13 It is normal for sisters to argue, but it sounds like you are feeling frustrated with this situation. I am wondering how you would feel about talking to your sister about what is happening and try to figure out a solution between you as it must not be nice arguing all of the time. This might let your mum and dad see that you are both making an effort to make things a bit better. You have done well to ask for some help and if you would like to talk about this more call ChildLine free on 0800 1111.

Strict dad my dad is really strict and doesn’t like me to wear trendy clothes or make-up. I’ve just started to mix with a new group of friends and would like to dress my age. How do I get him to see it from my point of view? Fay, 15 It can be difficult when parents don’t see things from the same point of view as you. It sounds like this is something which is important to you and I am wondering if you can think of a compromise to offer your dad. This way you could try to both

meet each other halfway, meaning you are respecting your dad’s wishes, as well as him respecting yours. It might be a difficult conversation to have with your dad, however, if you do it sensitively it may help. Good luck.

Boy trouble…

FIRST NEWS has been running a campaign for a year called my Way! It’s about getting people to understand that everybody learns in their own way. For some people school is easy but, for others, it might be harder. The important thing we want everybody to understand is that the way you learn has nothing to do with how smart you are. Around six children in each class have learning challenges but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be fantastically successful in whatever they choose to do. As my Way! champion, Hank Zipzer author, Henry Winkler says: “Every child has brilliance inside them. Their job is to dig it out and give it to the world.” HERE is Taali’s story… “I’ve been singing and dancing since as long as I can remember. I could sing before I could talk so I think I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I started nagging my dad –he didn’t really want me getting into the music industry as he knows how hard it is – but, after about nearly a year of me asking him non-stop, he realised how much I wanted it and finally got behind me. “My song Faults – well – it’s about what the title says, every single person has faults even if you can’t see them and it’s about being yourself, faults and all. I think that’s what’s good about the song and video as it shows how life is. “There will always be a push for perfection on everyone but I don’t think there is such a thing as perfection. Our imperfections and our differences are what make us beautiful. I have a mole, almost up my nose. It looks like a dead fly! “When I was younger I wanted to get rid of it, but I realised it’s part of me and it’s not that bad so I learned to laugh about it and move on and, in the end, I think it helped make me… me! “I love doing my Tutti Frutti TV and am trying to fit it in with all my homework. I am dyslexic and my type of dyslexia means I take a really long time to do my school work – although the plus side seems to be that I can memorise song lyrics really quickly.” Want to share your story? Find out how online at www.firstnews.co.uk and click on my Way!

WHAT’s in THe sHoPs?

my friend told me that a boy in our class fancied me. When I asked him out, he just laughed at me and walked away. I feel such an idiot. It sounds like this was a difficult situation for you and you are left feeling confused about what to do. You were very brave to ask him out and it is important that you don’t let this experience affect your confidence.

If you hadn’t asked this boy out you would still be left wondering what he might have said, so well done for being so brave. Hopefully, next time your experience may be better. Take care.

Moving House When things change, it can take a lot of getting used to. Moving house is one of the biggest changes in life. It can mean a new school, new friends, new neighbours – a whole new way of life. People move house for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes families get bigger and outgrow their home. You might be a young person in care and moving to a new foster home. When your parents or carers get a new job, it might mean you have to live in another part of the country or even a different part of the world. Some families find they have less money and need to live in a smaller, less expensive house. Others just decide they want to live somewhere else. Leaving people and places behind can be difficult. But it’s easier than ever

before to keep in touch through the internet and mobile phones. You can always stay in contact with people, even if you don’t live nearby. Living in a new village, town or city can give you brilliant opportunities to make more friends. How about joining a local sports team, or youth club? It could be a great way to meet new people and enjoy your favourite hobby. Some people find it hard saying goodbye to their home, especially if they’ve spent a long time there. How about talking to your parents or carers about what would help you settle in? It’s not always easy to find ways to speak your mind if everyone else seems busy with the move, or happy about living somewhere new.

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FOr an alternative gift this Easter, why not sponsor a chick and help the charity’s rare poultry breeding programme. You get to choose a chick from three rare breeds and watch them, via video clips, and photo updates, hatch and grow from a tiny ball of fluff to a fully fledged hen or cockerel.

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HAVE great fun with these EggBods by mixing ‘n’ matching the heads with other EggBod bodies. Create the magical singing sensation ‘Fairy Factor’ by mixing Fairy Tinkershell with Eggs Factor, or pop Fireman Scramble’s head on Egg Bot’s body to create ‘robo Fireman’! Once you’ve made your ideal EggBod, bring them to life by winding them up and watching them walk around and move their arms.

FirstNews

Issue 253

8 – 14 APR 2011

Advertisement feAture

What’s your power?

19

Life is good in the town of venture falls – just ask nick, toby, Jessica and Lucas. these are four average kids who seem to live average lives but share a BiG seCret… Unbeknown to their family and friends, this fated foursome are left to save their city on a daily basis from creatures living in a parallel dimension… beasts known as the Gormiti! Travelling through a parallel dimension into the alternate GORM DIMENSION, they magically

transform into SUPER GORMITIS. These powerful creatures harness the abilities of the four elements Water, Earth, Air and Forest, to fight for the power of good and stand as the last line of defence against the primeval, dark forces of the evil Gormiti!

tAke the quiz to find out if you’re most like nick, toby, Jessica or Lucas!

1. in your spare time do you like to…

2. What’s your favourite subject?

a) play jokes on your friends b) read a good book c) research fashion trends d) go for a nature walk

a) Design and Technology a) messing about b) History b) reading instead of listening c) English c) daydreaming 7\b`]RcQbW]\ d) Science {â  into trouble d) getting

Element: WATER Personality Trait: Rough & Tumble Personality Flaw: Impulsive Funny Quirk: Likes pulling pranks Age: 13 years old Quote : “Tag! You’re it!”

3. What would you be most likely to get told off for?

Toby / The Lord of Sea Element: EARTH Personality Trait: Curiosity Personality Flaw: Know-it-all Funny Quirk: Can’t keep a secret. Age: 12 years old Quote: “I could have told you that!”

4. How would your friends

describe you?

5. Which of these are you good at?

a) brave b) brainy c) girlie d) loyal

a) getting on with a project b) finding the positives in life c) fixing things d) standing up for people

Blasts water globes from his midsection Hair transforms into a big tentacle Arm transforms into a giant lobster-like claw Telekinesis control over water Very fast and agile (especially in the water)

Pantone 136

Jessica / The Lord

Mostly Cs

Just like Jessica, the Flies very quickly - fast and agile in the air Shootselement, a power sphere you’re a air Wind shooter to unleash a storm quick-thinking, Cuts rope or rock with sharp endsfix-it, of wings Throws the sharp feathers to pin bad guys girlie girl! down

With your brains, knowledge and cheerful attitude Hair you have a lot in Weakness: He can’t swimwith and because he’s so heavy, common nicholas, he sinks like a rock. the earth element.

via steam

7\b`]

Personality Trait: Dreamer Personality Flaw: Absent Minded Funny Quirk : All roads lead to fun Age: 12 years old Quote: “I’m thinking so far outside of the box that I can’t even SEE the box”

Extremely strong, but very slow. Creates “earthquakes” with “punches” to the ground Hands and arms transform into stone hammers or rock drills Shoots rock projectiles

Your energy and love of making life fun makes you a perfect Weakness: for If he gets too hot, hiselement powers boil away toby. match water



Nick / The Lord of Element: AIREarth

Mostly Bs

Mostly As

7\b`]RcQbW]\ {â

Pantone 139

Hai

Pantone 601

P

Fac

Weakness: She has trouble calling her powers underground or close spaces.

Lord of Sea Colours

Pantone 189

P

Eye Face

Face

Pantone 298

Lord of Earth Colours

Pantone 7461

Panton Pantone 712

Lord of Air

Pantone 1625

Pantone 712

Eyes

Pantone 1625 Pantone 653

Pantone 288

FacePantone 731

Pantone 732

Pantone 4625

Eyes Pantone 674 Pantone 712

Pantone 462

Pantone 462

Pantone 5405

Pantone 539

7\b`]RcQbW]\ {â Pantone 716

Element: FOREST PersonalityTrait: Quick to stand up for the underdog Personality Flaw: Can’t see the forest for the trees Funny Quirk: Likes telling jokes Age: 11 years old Quote: “Toxic, earthworm mutations are depleting the planet of nutrients – that’s right! I’m talking Global Worming!”

"

Pantone 167

Pantone 1625 Pantone 123

Pantone Violet c Pantone 553

Pantone Black 3

Lucas / The Lord of Forest

Pantone 292

Mostly Ds

You’re loyal to your friends and love everything about nature and the outdoors, Weakness: If things get too dry, his plant powersjust become brittle and weak like forest element Lucas. Magical mental power to plants and some animals Poisonous breath that causes sleep Arm transforms into “creepers” vines Feet “creepers” go underground like roots Regenerating wooden fist is a projectile

Hair

Pantone 412

Hair

P.Black Process

Pantone 7483

Pantone 357

Face Lord of Forest Colours Pantone 472

Pantone 7516

Eyes

Pantone 375

Pantone 370

Pantone 7516

Day Wear

Pantone 581

Pantone 5743

Pantone 716

Pantone 167

Pantone 7519

Pantone Black 4

Presents a mArAtHOn mediA, GiOCHi PreZiOsi co-production, in association with m6, CAnAL J and mediAset Gormiti series and images from the series: ©2008 – GiOCHi PreZiOsi – mArAtHOn. All related logos, names and distinctive likenesses are the exclusive property of GiOCHi PreZiOsi and mArAtHOn. All rights reserved. inspired by Leandro Consumi’s original work « Gormiti » under licence to Clear vision Ltd. dolby and the dd symbol are trademarks of dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. Authorised for Private Home use Only

Pantone

Pantone 139

On sAle 11th April www.clearvision.co.uk

www.amazon.co.uk

20 FirstNews ISSuE 253

8 – 14 APR 2011

FUN STUFF

For more competitions news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/competitions

WIN GLEE DVDS!

WIN

CoMPLeTe our prize crossword using the clues below. Send in your answers and two lucky winners could each win a set of ten Smencils® Scented Pencils and Scented Colouring Pencils. These deliciously scented pencils are made from recycled newspapers and are available in two different packs – pencils and colouring pencils. Both packs include cinnamon, orange, grape, watermelon, tropical fruit and very berry.

THIS week we have the usual 3x3 grid and you need to fill in the numbers one to nine. Send in your answers and you could win one of three Glee Season 2: Volume 1 DVDs. Gleek out with your favourite McKinley High students when TV’s most spectacular musical sensation returns! Glee Season 2: Volume 1 contains the first ten episodes as well as special features and never-before-seen footage including a look a Glee at Comic Con 2010 and a bonus song recorded exclusively for the DVD release.

4 5 1

5 7 2 7 3

2 6 3 6 2 1 5 4

8

SmENCILS® SCENTED PENCIL PACkS!

ACrOss 1 ___ 3DS: games console that has just launched (8) 6 Barack ___ : US President (5) 7 Roman (anag) (5) 9 Insects that make 1 honey (4) 10 Wonderful (6) 12 What an aeroplane takes off from (6) 6 14 Very imposing or impressive (4) 17 Additional (5) 18 Animal related to 9 the camel (5) 19 Team that beat england in the cricket World Cup (3,5) 12 DOwN 2 Picture (5) 3 Amphibian similar to a frog (4) 17 4 ___ 2000: a broomstick used by Harry Potter (6) 5 on cue (anag) (5) 6 George ___ : delivered the recent Budget (7) 8 ___ Black: internet Across

9 3 7 2 1 6 4 1 1 5 8 5 3 7 3 8

musical sensation (7) 11 State of America (6) 13 Brief written records (5) 15 Piece of wood (5) 16 Tiny insect (4) 2

3

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Down www.learningresources.co.uk

1 - ___ 3DS: games console that has just launched (8)

2 - Picture (5)

6 - Barack ___ : US President (5)

3 - Amphibian similar to a frog

7 - Roman (anag) (5)First News ChAlleNge 1) Rhesus monkeys 4 - ___ 2000: a broomstick us LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS: at Longleat

FIRST NEWS CHALLENGE

Safari Park 2) threethat years 3) 39 4) Saffron spinning 9 - Insects make honey (4) Sollitt 5) The longest duration 5 - On cuea(anag) (5) 3 1 2 5 8 9 7 4 6 basketball on the head 6) second 7) JLS 8) because of 8 7 6 3 2 ___ 4 5 1: 9delivered the 10 - Wonderful (6) 6 - George 5 9 4 6 7 1 3 2 8 fake documents 9) Trades Union Congress 10) Anne 1 3 9 7 4 6 2 8 5 12 - What an aeroplane takes off from (6) 8 - ___ Black: internet musica 6 2 7 8 9 5 4 3 1 Hathaway sPOt the DiFFereNCe Bubbles have been 4 5 8 1 3 2 9 6 7 - Very impressive (4) an extra claw, 11 - 9State (6) 4 1 2 of 5 8 America 6 7 3 added, 14 turtle is a imposing different or colour, crab has 7 8 5 4 6 3 1 9 2 6 3 9 written 1 7 8 5 4records (5) Sammy’s is facing (5) a different direction, fin is bigger. 17eye - Additional 13 - 2Brief N O F L Y Z O N E A

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Q1 Where in the home was a two metre-long snake found in Germany?

Q6 Which type of eagle has been put under protection?

Q4

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18 - Animal related to the camel (5)

15 - Piece of wood (5)

19 - Team that beat England in the cricket World Cup (3,5)

16 - Tiny insect (4)

WoRD WHEEL

See how many words of three or more letters you can make, using the middle letter in each one. And, can you find the word that uses all the letters?

U

Q1 Q2 What has Aseem Mishra invented? Q3 Whose new album is called Femme Fatale? Q4 How much will it cost for one person to travel in the new Virgin Galactic tourist spaceship in 2013? Q5 What percentage of girls in Guatemala do not go to school?

Q7 Where is The Thames Tapestry going to be displayed when finished? Q8 What does PRB stand for? Q9 How many league goals has Wayne Rooney scored for Manchester United? Q10 What is the name of the author who has written Scorpia Rising? Did you spot the April Fool’s story in last week’s issue of First News? Just in case you didn’t spot it, it was the polka dot paint story on the News in Pictures page.

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FirstNews

ISSuE 253

21

8 – 14 APR 2011

HoW To

FUN STUFF

ENTER

SENd your finished puzzles to Puzzles 253, First News, Shand House, 14 - 20 Shand Street, London, SE1 2ES. The closing date for puzzle entries is Friday 16 April 2011.

WIN GomU CoLLECTAbLE ERASER PACkS

www.gomu.com

CAN you spot the five changes to this picture from the new film RIo? Send in your answers and three lucky winners could each win a pack of Gomu Collectable erasers. each pack contains six erasers and a collector’s guide. each eraser has a different Gomu point value. Gomu points let you know how rare your eraser is. There are loads of different themes including school, home, gadgets and music and more than 100 erasers to collect. Will you find the ultra rare erasers in your pack?

A

b

WHAT oN EARTH? ALL of these are associated with Spring. Can you guess what they are?

A

b

C

D

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WWW.FIRSTNEWS.Co.Uk/PoLLS

Tell us what you think on the First News website!

Should kids be taught to manage money?

Would YOU want to learn pet first aid?

Should Neapolitan pizza be protected by law?

Should you learn ICT in school?

Is Nick Pitera miming in this video?

Should Prince William be given cows as a wedding gift?

22 FirstNews issue 253

8 – 14 ApR 2011

READING CHAMPIONS

THE BOOK CORNER

Book review

EvEryonE knows a reading Champion – they’re people who inspire others to get reading. Each week one of our champions tells you a bit about their favourite reads and what they think makes reading so appealing.

www. redhouse.co.uk

The CabineT of CuriosiTies Paul Dowswell

name: Mr Midas

reviewed by Dominic Dennis , 11

One day Lukas receives a letter from his uncle Anselmus asking him to become his apprentice as the emperor Rudolph II’s physician. On the way to the castle he becomes friends with a conman called etienne who helps him get there. But in the city Lukas discovers a plot to overthrow the emperor. Will the villains succeed and will the city crumble? This is a gripping read which I thoroughly recommend.

London-born musician and presenter Mr Midas is one of the UK’s hottest talents. With an Urban Music Award already under his belt, this young musician found fame as the star of T4’s reality show Musicool. A born performer, he has also worked with many leading UK and USA artists and producers. Favourite reads: “As an artist I write a lot of music but also enjoy, when I get the chance, picking up a book to read. “My favourite book is a fictional story, Disappearing Acts, by one of my favourite authors, Terry McMillan. The reason I love it is because it’s written from both the male and female point of view and gives you an insight into the minds of two completely different people and how their separate worlds become one. “Reading is an amazing way to escape your own daily routine and use someone else’s words to create a world in your own mind. Although it’s an essential part of our day-today lives, just grabbing a book and taking a little time away from normal life is also a great way to experience and learn about everything that this wonderful world has to offer.”

The GreaT CaT ConsPiraCy KaTie Davies reviewed by Megan Cunniff , 8

When Tom, Susan and Anna find out that cats have been going missing all over the neighbourhood, they try to find clues to hunt down the thief. Tom thought it might be the Vicar in revenge for the killing of his best Koi Carp. Susan thought it might be Mrs Mattheson because her dog was attacked by a cat. Will they discover the real culprit of the great cat conspiracy? I thought this book was really good, exciting and funny in places. I would give this book 5/5!

Do you think you would make a good reading Champion? Ask your school to sign up today. www.readingchampions.org.uk

For more book reviews and clips go to www.firstnews.co.uk/bored

Alex Rider. The end starts here.

SCORPIA RISING ANTHONY HOROWITZ OUT IN PAPERBACK & EBOOK 31.03.11 Scan the code to watch the trailers or visit youtube.com/alexriderinsider Become an Alex Rider Insider at facebook.com/alexrideruk

™

Alex Rider™ and Boy with Torch Logo™ © 2011 Stormbreaker Productions Ltd

Get the mobile app at http://gettag.mobi

FirstNews

Issue 253

23

8 – 14 aPr 2011

SPORT NEWS

For more sport news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

World Cup joy ? for India Did you

know

Getty

The lowest ever total in a World Cup match is the 36 scored by Canada against Sri Lanka in 2003.

First win for Lewis american golfer Stacy Lewis has won her first ever major, finishing three shots clear in the Kraft nabisco championship.

Lewis was two shots behind Yani Tseng going into the final round, but pulled clear and finished with a round of 69, the joint lowest of the day. She celebrated her victory by performing the traditional leap into Poppie’s Pond. “I just hung in there and made some key putts,” said Lewis. The victory is Lewis’ first on the LPGa Tour. She was ahead at the start of the fourth round in the 2008 US Women’s Open, but had a disastrous last round and missed her chance to win.

Sachin Tendulkar is carried around the stadium on a victory lap by his team-mates

india have won their first cricket World cup since 1983, beating Sri Lanka by six wickets and making the highest ever run chase in a final. early on in the game. However, India’s Gautam Gambhir reached 97 and the captain mS Dhoni smashed an incredible 91 runs from just 79 balls to help India win with ten balls remaining. Even though Tendulkar’s 100th century didn’t arrive, the team still carried him on their shoulders afterwards.

SPORT NEWS IN NUMBERS

2

Getty

is the world ranking of the US women’s football team. England gave themselves a massive boost this week by beating them 2-1.

“They are happy tears, so I don’t mind crying,” he said.

Stacy Lewis and her caddie, Travis Wilson, jump into Poppie’s Pond

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

is the number of home league matches in a row that Jose mourinho (left) won. His amazing run came to an end this week when his real madrid team lost 1-0 to Sporting Gijon. The 150 games also included spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, and the last time he lost at home in the league was in 2002.

101

Getty

24

is the number of matches that Novak Djokovic (right) has played in 2011. He has won every one and picked up four titles. He beat world No1 rafael Nadal in the Sony Ericsson Open final this week.

The tournament was the sixth World Cup that Tendulkar has played in and he admitted shedding a tear or two.

150

is the number of trophies that the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team has won this year. They beat the Cardiff Devils 5-4 this week to add the Elite League play-off title to the Challenge Cup they won earlier.

1

“Sachin carried the burden of a nation for 21 years so he deserves it,” said batsman Virat Kohli.

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by ian eddy

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India were the co-hosts of the tournament and the final was played at the Wankhede Stadium in mumbai, the home ground of India’s Sachin Tendulkar. many thought that the stage was set for the ‘Little master’ Tendulkar to make his 100th international century and help India to victory, but things didn’t quite go to plan. Sri Lanka set an intimidating total of 274 and Tendulkar was out for 18 after falling victim to Lasith malinga

is the number of league goals that Wayne rooney has scored for man United. He was on 98 until he scored a hat-trick in 14 minutes to help United beat West Ham. He is in trouble now after swearing into a camera after his third goal.

Martin Truex Jr. miraculously escaped from the blazing wreck of his Toyota after his throttle stuck, slamming him into the wall and fellow driver Kasey Kahne. The accident happened at Martinsville Speedway, Virginia. “Didn’t hurt at all. Unbelievable, isn’t it?” said Truex