ISSUe 283 - First News

£1.30 4 – 10 NoveMber 2011 Issue 283
Working with
The weekly newspaper for kids
More than one million readers every week*
First News supports
children’s charities
bonfire night
Adoption
science
the wAnted
how to stay safe
national
2
Adoption
thought-controlled
week
3 helicopters
6
big interview
14
YOU make
the rUles!
The world’s worst journey to school
COuld a five-hour climb to
the world’s highest school
be the hardest school
journey known to kids?
Students at Gulu village primary
school in Sichuan Province,
China, have to trek halfway up a
mountain to get to school every
day, along a path that’s less than
half a metre wide.
The journey from the base of
the mountain to the school takes
a whopping five hours and there
are many hazards along the way,
including a sheer drop on one side
of the path and overhanging rocks.
So, the next time you think of
complaining about your journey
to school, spare a thought for Gulu
village students!
NOW’S your chance to set the rules
in your family!
by Keilly Swift
First News and Thomson Holidays have
teamed up to call for a Family Charter to be
created, which would set out the top rules to
make family life better… and the rules will be
made by YOU!
We’d love to hear your views. For example,
would you like your family to watch a film
together every Sunday? Or how about having
a vote on where you go on your family
holiday? Or should mobile phones be turned
off during meals?
Parents and carers have a chance to join in
too and tell us a rule they’d like to put in place
to make the most of family time.
According to new research, 42% of families
say they don’t see enough of each other, so
spending quality time together as a family has
become even more important.
Find out more about the report and tell us
your rules inside.
turn to page 8…
*Source: First News Readership Survey, January 2011, Opinion Matters

2
FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
FIRST NEWS HEADLINES
Kids board
A GROUP of nine and ten-yearolds
has been specially selected
to become a junior board
of directors.
They were chosen by Dame Kelly
Holmes as directors of TUI Travel
PLC’s Specialist & Activity Sector’s
education Division. The children will
work alongside Dame Kelly to give
their views on projects that aim to
encourage children to learn.
Youth Parliament
Five issues chosen by young
people will be debated in the
House of Commons today (4
November).
more than 65,000 young people
voted in the ballot by the UK Youth
Parliament. The five issues they chose
for debate are: public transport, tuition
fees, bullying in schools, child poverty
and the environment.
Have a party for
charity!
HeRe’s a
chance to
have a party
for a great cause and enter a
fantastic competition.
We’d like you to hold a party for your
friends to raise money for the charity
PiggybankKids. You’ll also get the
chance to enter a brilliant piggy bank
competition, which will be judged by a
celebrity panel, including Sarah brown,
James Corden and Katy brand. Find out
all the details at www.firstnews.co.uk.
THIS WEEk IN HISTORy
9 november 1989 is known as the
day the berlin Wall fell. on this day,
the gates of the wall were opened
for the first time in nearly 30 years.
The wall had been built in 1961 to
stop people leaving east berlin for
West berlin. When the gates were
opened, people surged through,
cheering, and began hacking pieces
from the wall.
Olympic
Fact
8,000 torch bearers
will run with the
Olympic flame across
the UK.
OLympIc cOuNTDOWN
38 WEEkS TO gO!
60 years of
zebra crossings
The first zebra crossing
appeared in Slough, berkshire,
in 1951 and they soon appeared
across the country to help
prevent road accidents.
However, in the last five years
more than 1,000 have been
removed or replaced with more
high-tech crossings with lights
or flashing signs.
It has been found that
For the latest on these headlines, go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
The doctor who could
have been Queen
A GeRMAN doctor would have been on the british throne now if new rules brought in
last week had been in place in the time of Queen victoria.
She has a long name, but Friederike Thyra marion Wilhelmine
Dorothea von der osten, 52, from Halle in Germany, is descended
from Queen victoria’s daughter, also called victoria. If daughters
Prince William and Kate’s first-born
child will become king or queen
by editor Nicky Cox
ZebRA crossings have been around for 60 years but,
like the animal they’re named after, their numbers are
going down.
motorists are more likely to
stop at pelican crossings where
pedestrians press a button
and wait for the green man to
light up.
other crossings include
pegasus crossings with a button
for people on horseback and
tiger crossings with yellow and
black stripes that can be used
by cyclists.
had been allowed to become the
monarch ahead of their brothers,
Friederike would have been our
queen today. Instead she is a doctor
in Germany and her daughter,
Felicitas, who would have been next in line to the throne, is a 25-yearold
marketing manager in berlin.
Friederike said: “I have always been aware of my place as a
descendant of Queen victoria and that, if different rules had been
observed, I could have had a right to the british throne.”
Friederike and her family have found themselves in the news after
last week’s announcement that rules were to be changed to let firstborn
girls become queen, even if they had a younger brother. now
future princesses are on an equal footing with their brothers.
The new rules mean that Prince William and Kate’s first-born child
will become king or queen. For the past 300 years, a boy would have
become king even if he was younger than his sister. Laws banning
royals from becoming king or queen if they are married to a Catholic
have also been scrapped.
Be firework safe!
THis week, many of us will be going to a bonfire party,
fireworks display or have our own fireworks party at
home. All can be a lot of fun, provided you stay safe and
act sensibly.
Show these safety guidelines to
the adults you are with – issued by
the London Fire brigade – to make
sure you and your family have a safe
and fun fireworks night.
only buy fireworks marked with
the british Standard Kitemark
bS7114.
Keep fireworks in a closed box,
and always follow the instructions
carefully when using them.
Light them at arm’s length using a
taper and stand well back.
never go back to them once they
Friederike is descended
from Queen Victoria
are lit. even if a firework hasn’t gone
off, it could still explode.
never throw fireworks and never
put them in your pocket.
respect your neighbours – don’t
let off fireworks late at night and
remember there are laws to follow.
Take care with sparklers – never
give them to children under five.
even when they have gone out they
are still hot, so put sparklers in a
bucket of water after use.
Keep your pets indoors
throughout the evening.
For more information on firework safety see
www.london-fire.gov.uk/bonfiresAndFireworks.asp

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
FIRST NEWS HEADLINES
For the latest on these headlines, go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
3
Help kids to find loving homes
says Prime Minister
THe Prime Minister wants to help kids in care to find loving families to
adopt them more quickly.
This is one of many issues around
adoption which have been talked about
during national Adoption Week, which runs
until this Sunday, 6 november.
Prime minister David Cameron has
called for changes to the adoption system
because the number of children being
adopted is falling each year. In 1971, there
were 21,495 adoptions but, so far this year,
there have been just 3,050. This is because
the adoption system can be complicated
and slow.
The drop in the number of adoptions
means that many children are left in care,
Honey shortage?
THe varied weather in the UK this year has meant
less honey, according to reports from the british
beekeepers Association (bbKA).
Honey crops are down by
8% compared to 2010, with an
average of 13.2kg of honey being
produced per hive, compared to
14.5kg per hive last year.
more than 1,200 beekeepers
took part in the survey. Around
one fifth of the honey consumed
in the UK comes from british hives.
The main reasons reported for
the drop in honey production
include drought, the early
spring and the unseasonably cold temperatures in July.
There are lots of ways you can help the honeybee, including
planting bee-friendly plants. Find out more online at
www.bbka.org.uk.
by Keilly swift
without new families to go to. There are
currently 60,000 children in care in the UK.
The Prime minister has said that local
councils who are not meeting adoption
targets will be named and challenged from
now on.
There are many reasons why a child may
need to be adopted into a new, loving
family. mr Cameron said: “People who foster
and adopt make a fantastic difference to a
child’s life and there are children waiting for
families right now.”
Solar city
MORe than 600 homes in
Nottingham are benefiting from
solar powered energy after being
fitted with solar panels.
nottingham City Council has been
working with e.on to create a ‘Super Warm
Zone’ in Aspley.
The solar panels will help reduce energy bills
for people living in one of the most deprived
areas of nottingham. The area has already
benefitted from loft, cavity and wall insulation.
e.on is one of the biggest employers in the
area, and they hope that the addition of the
solar panels will reduce bills. It is expected
that the solar panels will produce around
4,000kWh of electricity per year.
As well as lowering the cost of living,
the plan will help the area in other ways.
Councillor Graham Chapman says: “more
importantly, it will also help reduce fuel
poverty and offer real jobs and training
opportunities for local people in the growing
green economy.”
Time change trial period
THe UK time zone may be
changed for a three-year
trial period.
Last week, the clocks in the UK
went back an hour, taking us out of
british Summer Time. The current
Daylight Savings plan means we
benefit from lighter, longer evenings
in the summer, and lighter mornings
in the winter. The downside to this is the
fact that it gets darker earlier in winter.
The Government is now considering whether to put the clocks
forward by an hour for the whole year, so that the UK operates on
Central european Time (CeT) – like Spain, France and other countries.
The change would be good for businesses who trade with Asia
and the Far east and could also benefit the leisure industry, giving
them an extra hour in the evening. The extra hour could bring a
huge boost to the UK economy. For the plan to go ahead, all of the
countries in the UK would have to agree to the new plan. In past
debates, Scotland has always voted against changing the time.
EDITOR’S
cOmmENT
Editor Nicky cox mBE
i ReALLY hope that you – yes
you – will give us your ideas for the
family charter (see front page).
maybe you could ask your teacher to
have a discussion about it during form time
in class – and throw some ideas around
together – and do the same within your
family and friendship groups.
The family charter is all about kids coming
up with rules for family life – how you want
to be treated and how you should treat other
people in your family. We’ve already had a
lot of suggestions sent in to our website.
Some ideas are about how people feel, such
as: “no-one is allowed to put other people
down.” others are more practical: “no mobile
phones at the dinner table!”
We want to know all your ideas, which will
be put to a national vote to come up with
the official UK Charter for Family Life which
we’re producing with Thomson Holidays. So
make sure your voice is heard. Go to www.
firstnews.co.uk/surveys to take part.
SuBScRIBE FOR HOmE
Get 4 issues for £1*
Call 0844 8267 338
www.firstnews.co.uk/subscribe
Quote: FnSH
*followed by £13.99 every 3 months by DD
gOOD WEEk FOR...
Freshwater dolphins
bangladesh has declared three areas in
the southern Sandarbans mangroves as
a sanctuary for freshwater dolphins. The
Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins are only
found in this area
and are among
the world’s most
endangered
animals.
BAD WEEk FOR...
The X Factor
For the second week in a row, Strictly
Come Dancing has beaten The X Factor
with its viewing figures. The X Factor has
been plagued with
drama over the
last few weeks,
with sick judges,
band members
leaving and one of
the groups being
forced to change
their name. See
page 11.

4 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
THE NEWS IN PICTURES
31 OctOber Mecca, saudi arabia: Muslim pilgrims walk around the holy Kaaba
inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque, as more than 1.5 million Muslims arrived for the hajj pilgrimage
to the shrine city, the world’s largest annual human assembly.
31 OctOber NewhaM, UK: Pupils from Newham carry the 1948 London and
1956 Melbourne Olympic torches as part of the Transport for London-sponsored 2012 Gamesthemed
walking relay, the Big WoW. More than 4,000 pupils from 180 schools will have taken part
in the month-long relay by the time it finishes on 4 November.
28 OctOber guildford, surrey: X Factor
contestants, including Frankie Cocozza, Kitty
Brucknell, Janet Devlin and The Risk, visit poorly youngsters at the Shooting Star CHASE children’s
hospice, ahead of the release of this year’s charity single, Rose Royce classic Wishing On A Star.
29 OctOber westminster, UsA: Snow-covered Halloween decorations! Rare
October snows transformed the northeastern United States into a Halloween winter wonderland,
but millions were left without power and three storm-related deaths were reported. The
unseasonable snowfall disrupted air, rail and road traffic from Washington to Boston, with the
National Weather Service warning of “extremely hazardous” conditions and states of emergency
declared across the region.
29 OctOber perth, australia: A crowd cheers the arrival
of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the Great Aussie
BBQ held on the final day of The Queen’s Australian tour. The Queen and Duke
of Edinburgh visited Canberra, Brisbane, and Melbourne before heading to
Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The end of this
visit marks the Queen’s 16th to Australia.
24 OctOber essex, uk: The Duchess of Cornwall visits the Essex Dog Training Centre, where she
met trainers and children who had taken part in a ‘cynophobia’ class to overcome their fear of dogs.
For more pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news-in-pictures

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 novEMBEr 2011
OUR STORIES
For more home news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
5
Wales
Sunbed ban
This week, a new law comes into
action, banning Welsh shops
from having unmanned sunbeds.
owners could be fined up to
£5,000 if they are found to have
an unmanned, coin-operated
sunbed. Earlier this year, a new
law ruled that under-18s were
not allowed to use sunbeds,
although many used unmanned
ones in secret. The Welsh
Government aims to stop young
people having access to any
tanning beds.
bradford
New youth centre
around £7m has been spent
on a new youth arts centre in
Bradford. The converted mill will
help young people in the area
get involved in various areas of
the arts. Local youngsters have
been involved in the creation of
the centre, including the design
of the building. The centre has
a climbing wall, recording suite,
wildflower meadow and an
open rooftop.
sussex
Police cam
Sussex Police have launched a
24-hour live webcam in a bid
to show the public what their
jobs entail. The live video stream
will follow officers on duty to
show the challenges the police
force face. Some streams may
be muted or cut due to legal
reasons, but the broadcast is
believed to be the first of its kind
in the UK.
Home News
West scotland
Wind farm plans
dropped
a planning application to build
a 29-turbine wind farm in north
ayrshire has been dropped to
save a rare bird species. The plans
for the wind farm fell inside a
special protection area for hen
harriers. Hen harriers are one of
the UK’s most protected birds
of prey, as they often come into
conflict with farmers.
uk
Gas warning
Figures released by Carbon
Monoxide – Be alarmed! show that
only one in five people in the UK
know about the deadly gas. Carbon
monoxide has no smell, taste
or colour, so it is important that
homes have a carbon monoxide
alarm. More than 4,000 people visit
hospital each year because
of the gas.
east scotland
Swan attack
The Scottish SPCa is offering
a £1,000 reward for any
information about a family of
swans that were attacked with
an airgun. Mother swan Edna
was shot 14 times in the head,
while her mate Eck was also
injured. Luckily, their cygnet
escaped unharmed. The attack
happened at their pond in West
Lothian. The swans have lived at
the pond for 16 years. The SPCa
is caring for the animals and
hopes they will recover from
the attack.
FAST WEATHER
FACTS
Generally speaking, rain does
not affect the mechanics of
fireworks and they will usually
perform just as well.
THE
WEEK’S
WEATHER
with Jonathan Powell
From Friday 4 november to
Thursday 10 november 2011
Week In general
Showers, but some
dry weather around,
turning colder.
FrIday 4
november
Scotland/n Ireland
– Sunshine and showers. Day
13c/55f night 7c/45f. Moderate
southeasterly.
England/Wales – Showers W
– Dry – E. 15c/59f night 8c/46f.
Moderate southeasterly.
saturday 5 november
Scotland/n
Ireland – Largely dry,
sunny spells. Day
12c/54f night 5c/41f. Light
northwesterly.
England/Wales –
Largely dry, sunny
spells. 13c/55f night 6c/43f.
Light northwesterly.
sunday 6 november
Scotland/n
Ireland – Largely dry,
sunny spells. Day
11c/52f night 3c/37f. Light
northeasterly.
England/Wales
– Largely dry, sunny
spells. 12c/54f night
5c/41f. Light northeasterly.
FACT FILE
monday to thursday
Cold to start, then turning milder
and wet.
THE WEEK IN NUMBERS
7 days is how long St
Paul’s Cathedral in London
was shut because of
protestors camping in the
church yard.
26 rescues have been
made by lifeguards in the
ribble Estuary, Liverpool,
since September.
1 baby seal pup has been
rescued from rocks in jersey.
The pup was less than a week
old and unable to swim. It is
being cared for in Somerset by
the rSPCa.
3 million pounds was raised
this week at the Great South run
in Portsmouth.
20,200 pounds is how
much a letter written by admiral
Lord nelson in 1799 was sold for at
auction this week.
1866 is when the
Tallyllyn railway was built. It is the
railway that inspired Thomas the
Tank Engine and has just been
honoured.

6
FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 NovEMBER 2011
SCIENCE
For more science news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover
Why don’t woodpeckers
get headaches?
ScientiStS hoping to learn more about preventing brain injuries have been trying to find out why woodpeckers
don’t hurt themselves when they bash their beaks into solid wood.
When woodpeckers hammer into tree trunks spotted woodpeckers (above) with high-speed
at speeds of up to seven metres per second, cameras that run at 2,000 frames per second.
their heads experience a deceleration of
Using this footage and 3D models, the
around 1,000g (g is the acceleration caused by scientists found several things that contribute
gravity). In an average day, a woodpecker will to the woodpecker’s remarkable talent.
drum on a tree or log 12,000 times.
Firstly, spongy bones in the birds’ heads help
To find out why the birds don’t get impact to absorb some of the stress. A part of the
injuries, researchers in China filmed great body known as the hyoid bone is common in
Brain waves known as sensorimotor rhythms were used
to control a virtual helicopter in a computerised 3D world
Mind control
it sounds like something from science fiction, but scientists have
developed a way of flying a virtual helicopter using just thoughts.
So-called brain-computer interfaces are
a way of allowing people who are ill or
paralysed to control things like computers
or electric wheelchairs. In the past, they
mainly involved implanting risky devices
directly into the brain.
Now, scientists at the University of
Minnesota have made a successful system
that simply sits on a person’s head and
reads their brain waves.
Three women were trained to pilot a
virtual helicopter. If they thought about
moving both hands, the helicopter would
move forwards. Imagining no movement
would make it go backwards.
Moving the left or right hand would
rotate the helicopter, and it was raised or
lowered by thinking about moving the
tongue or the feet.
The volunteers were asked to navigate
the helicopter through rings while
avoiding buildings. Even after a short
period of training, the three hit over 85%
of the targets in the 3D world.
Getty
a robot inspired by a gecko has shown that
it can climb even smooth walls, as well as
navigate past tricky corners.
The robot,
known as
the Timeless
Belt Climbing
Platform
(TBCP-II), scales
walls by using
dry but sticky
pads that copy
the way a
gecko climbs.
The robot’s
Woodpeckers hammer holes into trees so that
they can feed on insects inside the wood
animals, but in the woodpecker it acts kind of
like a safety belt for the head.
The last thing that was discovered is that the
bone in the upper half of the beak is shorter
than the bottom half. However, the tissue
covering the end of the upper beak is much
thicker. This helps to act as a shock absorber
whenever a woodpecker slams into a tree.
The tank that
climbs walls
The robot can
navigate past rightangled
corners
tracks are covered in tiny fibres of a material called
polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The fibres end in a cap like
a mushroom, which helps to increase the surface area
when it comes into contact with the wall.
Weak electrical attractions known as van der Waals
forces help the material to be sticky. Although the force is
weak, thousands of fibres acting together make the robot
cling powerfully to walls.
Many scientists are researching climbing robots, but
some think that these tank-style ones are the way forward.
They are said to be simpler, more mobile and easier to
expand, like adding carriages on to a train.
See www.firstnews.co.uk/discover for a video of the robot
filmed for the report in Smart Materials and Structures.
Getty
An artist’s impression of Phoenix
working on an old satellite
Making use
of space junk
the US government is
making plans to send robots
into space that can take old
satellites to bits and use the
spare parts in new satellites.
The Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA) says that
there is over £185 billion worth of
retired satellites in orbit around the
Earth. Although they have reached
the end of their useful life, they
often have valuable parts, such as
antennas, that could potentially be
used again.
Launching satellites is an
expensive business, mainly because
of the weight involved. As a
satellite’s antenna is often one of
the heaviest parts, a lot of money
could be saved by launching lighter
satellites with no antenna, then
fixing one on in space.
However, satellites aren’t really
designed to be taken apart. Instead
of just unscrewing some nuts
and bolts, tools would need to be
developed that can grip and cut any
kind of satellite.
DARPA is now calling on scientists
working in many different areas to
get involved and contribute to their
Phoenix programme.
“If this programme is successful,
space debris becomes space
resource,” said DARPA director
Regina E Dugan.
CHECK
IT OUT
www.firstnews.co.uk
for a video about Phoenix
know?
Did you
An adult Burmese python can
go for a year without eating.
While in this hungry state,
their heart shrinks. After a
large meal, its heart can grow
by 40% within two or three
days of eating.

FirstNews ISSUe 283 4 – 10 NOvEMBEr 2011
GLOBAL STORIES
For more world news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
7
SNIPPETS
A man in Canberra, Australia,
has pleaded guilty to stealing
more than £6,500 from two
cash machines. Luke Angus
McLaren posed as a technician
to get into the machines.
USA
Blast from the past
A US soldier who lost a bracelet in
Italy during World War II has finally
got it back, after 66 years. Jim
Turck was serving as a ski trooper
in the Apennine Mountains when
he lost the inscribed bracelet
that his mum had sent him. An
Italian man who was using a
metal detector for the first time
found the bracelet, and eventually
tracked Turck down.
USA
Sweet amnesty
Getty
Dentists in Nashville have been
taking part in a scheme to buy
Halloween sweets from kids. To
prevent kids from ruining their
teeth for weeks after Halloween,
the dentists are giving a dollar
and a new toothbrush for every
half a kilo of sweets that kids
bring in.
Getty
World News
Germany
Wage wars
Supermarket chain Lidl says that
workers should be paid a minimum
of £8.60 per hour. That is more
than trade unions are demanding,
so some people think that Lidl is
being clever. Lidl already pays its
staff at that rate, so they could be
trying to force their rivals to do the
same and lose money.
Hiding away
Two women say that they are
living in a cave to protect their
health from the damaging effects
of Wi-Fi and mobile phones.
The pair claim to suffer from
headaches caused by extreme
sensitivity to electrical signals.
Their cave has two beds, a table
and candles, but no electricity.
Sweden
Trolley tale
Two teenage girls who were
messing around in a shopping
trolley had to make an awkward
call to the emergency services
when they both became wedged
in. Firefighters in Ed arrived to
free the embarrassed girls.
Vote success
Members of UNESCO, the United
Nations’ cultural organisation, have
voted to allow Palestine to join. The
US and Israel voted against, and the
US has pledged to cut its funding
to UNESCO, which looks after world
heritage sites. The US claims that
the vote undermines the peace
process in Palestine and Israel.
Germany
Cash bonus
The discovery of a maths error has
just made Germany £47.5 billion
richer. The country’s Finance
Ministry said that the error was
found at a state-owned bank,
and was caused by someone
subtracting funds instead of
adding them.
France Palestine India
Another tragedy
For the second time in a week, a
bridge over a river has collapsed,
killing dozens of people. The
footbridge in Arunachal Pradesh
state collapsed as villagers set off
on a hunt. At least 30 people died,
with the same number rescued
from the river. Last week, 32 died
in a similar incident.
Russia
Bizarre chase
A driver who refused to stop for
police led officers on a chase
through the streets of Moscow.
During the pursuit, 17 cars were
wrecked, including four police
cars. When officers eventually
caught the man, he was found to
be drunk and completely naked.
It is not clear why the man wasn’t
wearing any clothes.
Japan
New lease of life
A part from a World War II
battleship has found a new
use, as a crucial piece of an
environmentally-friendly power
generator. The searchlight
reflector from the Yamato
warship is being used as part of
a solar furnace now, which uses
sunlight to generate heat. The
Yamato was sunk by US planes
on 7 April 1945, just months
before Japan’s surrender.
SNIPPETS
Two cyclists suffered heart
attacks within minutes of each
other at a cycle race in New
Zealand. A 61-year-old man
died, while the 52-year-old
victim survived his scare.
Getty
Getty
A KID’S WORLD
Name: Diallo Momadou Biallo Age: Eight Lives: Guinea
DiALLo lives in Guinea and has low vision. This means that he can’t see clearly and needs special equipment to
help him, such as magnifying glasses.
Diallo says: “In my family I have one younger sister. I look after her
sometimes and we play together. I like playing football, but it is hard,
because I can’t see the football properly. I try to play but, often, I just
guess when I’m kicking. Sometimes I kick it well, though.”
“I also like reading, but it is difficult for me. I am interested in
Science mostly. It’s hard to see the board in class and if I look too
hard my eyes hurt. Bright lights also make my eyes hurt.”
Diallo used to struggle at school to read the board and to read
his books. Thanks to the help of Sightsavers and their special
To find out more about Sightsavers visit www.sightsavers.org/kidzone
equipment, he finds reading so much easier now and he also gets to
play football, which is his favourite thing! They put a bell inside the
ball so he can hear it as it moves and then knows when to kick it.
He can now read with the rest of his classmates and enjoys all his
subjects at school.
There are millions of children in the world who are missing out
on an education because they are blind. Sightsavers is working
hard to find these children and help them.
Learn more at: www.sightsavers.org/kidzone.
Laura Crow/Sightsavers

8
FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
Advertisement FeAture
Your rules for
family
life
CAn you think of anything that
would make family life better?
now’s your chance to make the
rules! First news has teamed
up with thomson Holidays
to call for a Family Charter to
bring the focus back to quality
time. so, rather than “me time”
or “you time”, it should be about
“our time”. Here’s why…
www.thomson.co.uk
Memorable
moments
research with 500
British families shows
that the average British
household thinks
family holidays are their
most memorable and
cherished time together.
Lack of
holidays
According to research,
one in five parents can’t
take enough time off
work to have a holiday
and almost half of
workers don’t use up all
of their holiday days.
Not enough
quality time
42% of families say they
don’t spend enough
quality time together
and nearly half of eight to
12-year-olds would like
to spend more quality
time with their dads.
use this form to tell us three rules that you think would make
family life better. Your parent / carer can add one rule too.
KIDS
1
2
my rules for family life are
What is the Family
Charter?
Thomson Holidays want to
work with kids across the country
on a Family Charter. The Charter
will involve parents and kids
identifying the promises and
rules that every family member
should make to make sure they
spend proper time together,
whether it’s at home or on
holiday. We want you to vote
for rules for family holidays and
breaks that everyone in the
family must follow. For example,
no mobile phones during
mealtimes or promising to play a
game together once a day.
You can suggest three rules
that you want to put forward to
a vote and there is also space
for your parents to nominate a
suggestion too.
All work and no play for
parents…
Parents are working longer
hours than ever before. They
may have to stay late at work or
continue working after they get
home. A quarter of parents said
that in an average week they
spend less than an hour with
their children, although almost
half would like to spend more
time together as a family.
Holidays = happy times
A new all-party
parliamentary group
report called Giving
britain a break, which
is supported by
the Family Holiday
Association and
Thomson Holidays,
says that families
The voting form is also available online at
www.firstnews.co.uk/surveys
that holiday together are happier
and healthier. more than half
of children would like to go on
holiday if they had time to spend
with their parents.
What happens next?
In issue 286, you can vote for
your top rules for children from
the most popular rules that have
been sent or emailed in. Parents
will be able to vote for their top
rules too to form the official
Family Charter.
3
name
Address
PARENT/CARER
1
relationship to child
Age
my rule for family life is
Closing date for entries is 18 november 2011. All entrants will
automatically be entered into a £50 Amazon voucher competition.
Fill in your form and post it to us by 18 november.
Send it to: Thomson Family Charter, First news, Shand House,
14–20 Shand Street, London Se1 2eS

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
SPECIAL REPORT
by Ian Skillicorn for National Short Story Week
For more big issues, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover
9
Get writing and reading for
National Short Story Week!
NatIoNal short story Week aims to get more people writing,
reading and listening to short stories. It’s a chance to find out about
good stories to read and listen to and, if you are a budding writer,
there’s also a brilliant opportunity to enter a competition with some
fantastic prizes.
Get involved
If you’re a budding writer in year 7 or 8, take advantage
of an amazing opportunity and enter the national Short
Story Week writing competition. or you could see if your
english teacher or school librarian could run a short story
competition for students in your school or class. Short
stories are perfect for when you don’t feel like reading a fullon
novel. You can read a complete short story on a journey,
in bed or even in your lunch break. A good short story has
all the adventure, excitement and magic of a novel – it
just tells the story in fewer words. Ask your school or local
library if they have any short story collections in books or
on CD. or you could call in at your local bookshop and see
what they have to offer.
Discover some great short
stories
You can read some of the best short stories ever written,
for free, on the internet. The Project Gutenberg website
holds thousands of classic works to download. If you’re
not sure where to start, search for The Little match Girl
by Hans Christian Andersen or The Selfish Giant by oscar
Wilde. The national Short Story Week website also has a
Author: Tamsyn Murray
recommended reading list, which includes
short story collections from michael morpurgo,
roald Dahl and Chris Priestley. Whether you like
ghost stories, tales with a twist or love stories,
you’re sure to find something for you.
Be a short story writer
Could you be an award-winning writer? To
celebrate this year’s national Short Story Week,
Author: Joe Craig
the organisers are running a short story competition for
year 7 and 8 students. Students who enter must write a
short story of between 900 and 1,000 words with the title
The Choice. There are some brilliant prizes, including the
winning story being turned into a podcast and read by
a professional actor. The best stories will also be turned
Author: Jon Mayhew
into a free e-book. The short-list judges are Chris Priestley
and Aidan Chambers. To take part, students must ask their
school library to register for the competition.
Get tips from
bestselling writers
Looking for ideas and inspiration for writing your own
story? You can download a free podcast and listen to
bestselling writers giving their advice. Hear Joe Craig
(Jimmy Coates series, Lifters), Jon mayhew (mortlock),
Tamsyn murray (my So-Called Haunting) and Chris Priestley
(Tales of Terror series) giving top tips to make your story
as good as it can be. Joe Craig says: “If you want to write
a 1,000 word short story then read as many short stories
as you can. See what you like and what works and what
doesn’t.” Tamsyn murray adds: “make sure you start your
story in the right place. Don’t start with the main character
waking up in the morning and going downstairs and
having their breakfast. Start where the action happens.”
For more suggestions, check out the podcast. Good luck!
FIND OUT MORE
The national Short Story Week competition
www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk/studentcomp.htm
Writing tips podcast
www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk/tips.htm
Writing tips from Jimmy Coates writer Joe Craig
www.joecraig.co.uk
Thousands of free stories
www.gutenberg.org
For more information, go to: www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk

10 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS with Serena Lacey
On set secrets
CANADIAN-born actor Avan Jogia plays Beck Oliver in the Nickelodeon hit series Victorious. We hung out with him
to talk about school, hot tubs and the crazy things that happen on the set of the show…
You’ve played Beck since the beginning of the show.
How has he changed?
I think I want to change characters, actually. I’d like to be
Jade next year. Then maybe mr Sikowitz! no, seriously
though, I think beck and all the characters are starting to
find their relationships more, which is a really cool thing.
I’m excited to see how far we can take beck’s acting, I hope
we really push it in the coming seasons. In season one beck
played a cockney guy, then there was an episode where he
wore a dress. I’d like to try as many characters as we can!
You’re an actor, playing an actor – does that ever get
confusing?
You know what, no. What excites me about playing an actor
is the wide variety of characters I get to play as beck. I get to
play beck playing a character. We can do anything with him.
Are you used to doing crazy things for work now?
Yes, very much so. I am becoming completely numb to the
craziness, seriously. Just the weirdest stuff happens. In the
second season I was in a dress. I wore heels as well and ran in
them. I had to shave my legs too. I really went for it!
Tell us about one of the craziest things!
We filmed a scene in a hot tub. That was fun to do. They made
the hot tub so they were nice enough to make the water hot.
It was kind of relaxing, being in a hot tub when it was quite
cold outside, then you realise you’re in a parking lot on a busy
street in Hollywood. There was a big stunt too, with lots of
people falling into the hot tub, which wasn’t very big. Just an
average day, getting people thrown at me in a hot tub!
What is it like being part of a show with a huge cast
like Victorious?
It’s really cool. It is like a family. Honestly, it’s not some madeup
line where we say we’re like a family and we secretly hate
each other. We are like a family. I’ve known victoria for a long
time, since I was 15, so it is nice to have a friend there as
well. I lived with matt bennett, who plays robbie, for almost
a year. We rented a place together. I think a lot of us came
from out of town, so we kind of clung to each other because
we didn’t know anyone else!
Beck is a performing arts student. What were you like
when you were at school?
What was I like at school? Good question. Well, I was home
schooled from grades seven to eight and then in eighth
grade I went to high school. I showed up at school in a top
hat, tails, cut-off gloves and riding boots. That went down
well. So I moved schools again at grade nine and I was there
for a few years. I dropped out of school at grade ten to act.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It’s half and half. I think I should have stuck with high school,
but acting and what I was passionate about became a
possibility for me at a young age, so I took the opportunity.
As soon as this show is done I want to go back to studying.
Generally my advice to a grade ten me is to be patient. I’m
quite young still
but, when you are
younger, you have that mentality that nothing comes quick
enough and it can be really frustrating. I’d tell myself to relax
and things will happen when they will.
Do you feel like you’re getting to relive high school
through the show?
Yes, I think it’s the most young environment I’ve ever been
in. In high school I wasn’t really hanging out with lots of
people. I was always the kid who hung out with the adults
and on all the shows I worked on previously I was the only
kid. This is the first show I’ve worked on where I’ve been with
teens and kids my own age. So that is really an interesting
and fun experience for me, to spend so much time with likeminded
kids.
What is the big plan for you? What do you want
to achieve?
I want to make stuff. I want to make movies and direct stuff
and produce stuff and write stuff. I want to go behind the
scenes as well as on screen. I think you have to make your
own destiny in this world. You get given an opportunity and
that is the jumping board; from there you have to build your
own path.
Watch brand-new episodes of Victorious every Monday at
6pm! Nick.co.uk/victorious
We filmed this interview, so why not check it out at
www.firstnews.co.uk/tv
Who is Loick Essien?
You’LL have heard his new single Me Without You all over the radio, but who is the silky-voiced
Loick Essien? Here’s all you need to know…
21-year-old Loick has been working hard at his music
since 2008, but it wasn’t until his third single, How We roll
featuring Tanya Lacey, that he reached number two in
the charts.
Loick featured on Chipmunk’s debut single beast
back in 2008, and he has also collaborated with bashy
and n-Dubz.
His name is French and pronounced ‘Lu-week’,
although in France they spell it differently. Loick says:
“People always get my name wrong!”
His forthcoming album, Identity, features a variety of
different styles and guest appearances. Lots of the tracks
Loick wrote himself while soaking in the bath!
Loick started performing when he was just a kid, at
his mum’s hairdressing salon in London. “I used to sing,
dance, and do the video routines for the clients she had,”
he remembers.
Talented Loick has also acted, modelled and starred in
music videos, before making his own!
Check out the video for Loick Essien’s latest single,
Me Without You, at www.firstnews.co.uk, as well as
exclusive First News video footage.
Me Without You is released on 6 November.
JLS will be presenting the awards for the BAFTA Kids Vote
Vote for your favourites
IT’s that time of year again, when you can have your
say and vote for your favourite film, TV show, game or
website as part of the British Academy Children’s Awards!
Affectionately known as the bAFTAs, the annual awards ceremony
will take place in London on 27 november. For the second year
running, blue Peter presenter barney Harwood will host the ceremony.
Lots of celebrities are expected to attend the show and JLS have
signed up to present the awards to the winners of the bAFTA Kids
vote. If you want to vote for your favourites, you can do it online at
www.baftakidsvote.org. voting closes on 25 november.
For more entertainment news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
TV, FILM, MUSIC AND THEATRE!
GAME ZONE
With Aaron, josh and Harry
Game testers
11
Twilight recap
AFTER a very long wait, the fourth film
in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn –
Part 1 is finally released on 18 November.
We’ve been teased with trailers and leaked
images for ages. Here are the best, with a
little recap as to what is going on…
SHHH!
X FACTOR
X Factor girl band
rhythmix have changed their
name to Little mix. The band
didn’t realise that a charity
with the same name already
existed. The band revealed
their new name this week as
part of The X Factor show.
costume capers
Bella Swan (human) finally marries the love of her life,
Edward Cullen (vampire) and plans to become a vampire
herself, but not everyone is happy…
Jacob Black (werewolf) also loves Bella, but he is part
of a pack that has vowed to destroy the Cullen family
if they make any new vampires…
ADELE
Pop superstar Adele
has been forced to cancel
all performances until the
end of the year. The star has
been plagued with throat
issues for lots of 2011. She
is now undergoing surgery.
A statement on her website
has apologised to fans, but
promised Adele is expected
to make a full recovery.
jUSTIN bIEbER
Justin bieber has revealed
that he doesn’t think Selena
Gomez’s puppy likes him. The
singers went to an animal
rescue centre together so
Selena could pick out a
puppy. She chose a husky mix
called baylor, but Justin has
admitted the puppy prefers
Selena to him!
Disney Universe (Xbox 360)
THIs long-awaited new release from Disney is a fun-filled and silly
platform game, where you can dress up as your favourite characters.
between one to four players can join
in the action at any one time, as you zip
around worlds based on Disney and Pixar
classics like monsters, Inc., Pirates of the
Caribbean and The Lion King.
In multiplayer mode you can choose to
either help your mates or just fling them
around and throw bombs at them. either
On the
case
way, there’s quite a lot of fun to be had!
There are coins lying around and hidden
through the levels, and collecting them
allows you to unlock more new costumes.
Aaron and Josh say: “This game is so
much fun, we loved it! What’s
so good is that it’s not only
a platform game. It has so
many side puzzles that you
can either work together or
battle each other by grabbing
onto anything on screen and
even each other. The
game is enormous and
RATED!
we’re looking forward
to exploring it all.”
9/10
However, a bizarre twist forces Jacob to rethink his
vow and choose sides. Will he choose the vampires or
the werewolves? You’ll have to watch to find out…
The Twilight saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is in
cinemas on 18 November.
TOP TELLY!
NickeLOdeON ShOwS FOr aLL
Hurrah! Two of nickelodeon’s biggest
shows, victorious and big Time rush are
now showing on ITv for the first time ever!
Victorious, ITv1 Sunday @ 8.30am. Big Time
Rush CITv monday @ 5.30pm.
magic eNcOuNterS
morgana uses her evil magic to turn merlin
into a deadly assassin. Will she succeed
in harming King Arthur? merlin, bbC1,
Saturday @ 7.55pm.
BraNd New SerieS
The crazy stepbrothers are back with
their third season, exclusively on Disney
XD. Phineas and Ferb, Disney XD, Thursdays
@ 4.30pm.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (Xbox 360/Kinect)
THE popular cartoon character is starring in a new film and game.
How will his latest adventure measure up?
If you know the books, the film and
game are based on The Secret of the
Unicorn, The Crab With the Golden Claws
and red rackham’s Treasure.
most of the game is taken up with
some platforming and stealth action,
ranging from sneaking up on guards to
steal their keys, to hitting switches with
a variety of objects or sending Snowy
through gaps in the walls. You can even
fly through the air with a parrot on your
shoulders at one point.
The fights are fun too, with lots of
comedy bells and cuckoo clocks to
soundtrack the fisticuffs.
Harry says: “Players take
control of Tintin, Snowy
and Captain Haddock.
You can also play with a
friend and work together
to finish missions. It also
has an additional mode
that tests players’ skill
with missions that get
progressively harder.”
RATED!
8/10
See the trailers at www.firstnews.co.uk/bored now!
You can also see readers’ reviews there, or post your own

12 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
Show us your
ADverTISem
are you an animal person? Show us your wild side and you could be heading
off on an all expenses-paid trip to San Francisco and the home of The Sims!
WIN! WIN! WIN!
WITh The Sims 3 Pets giving you the chance to play both ways,
either as a Sim or a pet, we’re asking you to get in touch with your
animal instinct too.
This amazing competition is easy to enter: all you have to do is upload a picture of
you showing us your animal side. You’ll have to be creative, though, because only the
most wild, fierce and original picture will convince the judges!
As well as getting to see one of America’s most amazing cities, the winner will get
to see the studio where The Sims games are made.
So whether you think you’re a terrier or a tiger, a python or a panther, we want to
see your photos! So get wild, get creative and get cracking!
To enter the competition, just head to
www.ea.vg/petscomp now. Grrrrr!
Terms and conditions apply. Please see the competition website for more details.
About the game
The Sims 3 gives you the freedom to unleash your imagination,
with endless creative possibilities that will amuse you with
unexpected moments of surprise and mischief. And with The Sims
3 Pets for Xbox 360, PS3, 3DS and PC expansion pack you can play
both ways, by having a pet or being a pet.
The Sims 3 Pets gives you a huge range of opportunities to customise
your pet’s appearance and personality. You can also teach them how to
hunt or find treasure and, if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you
can try to tame a wild horse, then ride it in races to win some money!
The Xbox version of the game supports Kinect, so, for the first time,
players can use voice commands to control their Sim and pet. Whether
it’s asking someone to make breakfast or simply ordering your dog to
sit, there’s a whole new way for you to play.

eNT feATure
13
wild side!
The Sims on tour!
ThIS autumn, 20 schools around the uK will be
lucky enough to get a visit from The Sims and
the uK’s top kids’ comedian, James Campbell.
As he tours the nation’s
schools, James will be using
silly and surreal comedy to
encourage kids to unleash
their imaginations and be
creative. With a mix of funny
stories and observations
about friends, family, school,
pets and embarrassing
moments, James helps kids
to develop their literacy and creativity by
using things that they can relate to.
During the tour, James will be helping
kids to let their imaginations run wild and
play with life. With over 1,500 school
visits and performances under his belt,
James really understands kids, and
knows how to bring out the best
in them.
If you’re one of the lucky ones
who’ll be getting a visit from James,
strap yourself in, because it’s going
to be an entertaining ride!
Out now at
© 2011 electronic Arts Inc. eA, the eA logo, The Sims, The Sims 3 logo and the Sims plumbob design are trademarks of electronic Arts Inc. “ ”, “PlayStation”, “PS3”, “ ” and “ ” are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Sony Computer entertainment Inc. KIneCT, Xbox, Xbox 360 and the Xbox logo are trademarks of the microsoft group of companies and are used under license from microsoft. nintendo 3DS is a trademark of nintendo.
© 2011 nintendo. mac and the mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

14 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 NOvEMBER 2011
The BIG InTeRVIeW
For more interviews and clips go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover
We would have been shark bait!
THe Wanted are back with a brilliant new single and album. We caught up with the boys to find out about
songwriting, making videos and why they could have been shark bait!
How was the Justin Bieber tour?
Tom: It was so good.
Nathan: It was such a shame that we could
only do the dates in Brazil, because he asked
us to do the whole South America tour. The
first night we went on stage in Brazil they
were having tropical storms.
Max: As we were walking up to the stage
we looked up at this black sky and saw
lightning striking down. They weren’t sure
if we’d be able to go on, as the lights at the
front had already been knocked out by
the lightning.
Siva: There’s a picture of us and all the big
stadium lights, then there is a massive streak
of lightning going right down to the ground.
It’s the best picture I’ve ever seen of us. And
that’s where the song Lightning came from.
Ha ha, it wasn’t really!
Tell us a little bit about the new album.
Tom: Have you heard it? It’s very different.
The next single is called Warzone. We’re like
Rihanna, churning those singles out.
Max: I think out of the 11 tracks, we wrote
seven. And then there are an extra four
tracks on the deluxe version of the album
and we wrote all of those.
How have you changed since the
first album?
Jay: For the first album we had a lot of input.
This time we have a new record label who
are great. It’s not a case of just inputting our
ideas anymore, we have a lot of say in all
the tracks and if they need to be remixed or
re-recorded. We’re really creatively satisfied
now and think we’re better writers. Our next
single, Max and Nathan wrote. I wish I’d
written it. I think we’ve all improved a lot.
Max: I remember being on the phone to my
girlfriend Michelle when we were writing
the song, and I remember having the
conversation with her about it. It’s exciting
that it’s the next single.
You seem really excited about
everything at the moment!
Nathan: We are. This album is really exciting
for us.
Jay: The new video was a lot of fun to shoot
as well, and we’re doing a bit of acting in it.
There’s probably not going to be an Oscar in
the post, but it was really fun.
Nathan: I had to have a fight with this guy.
The first time we just improvised so we
could work out where we all needed to be
and which angle the shot was to be filmed
from. I had to square up to this guy who was
a basketball player and about 6ft. He pushes
me and I fly backwards out of the door I just
walked through. We weren’t even filming at
that point!
Siva: It was so funny.
Nathan: It’s going be a wicked video.
We set fire to a grand piano in it. And
a car.
How much say do you have in
your videos?
Max: We always come up with the
general idea for what want to do.
With Lightning we kind of did it on
the day because it was so last minute.
For Glad You Came, the video was so
different. In the original treatment
we were given we were all throwing
cupcakes and jelly. And we were like,
what is this?
Nathan: It was shocking. We sat in
this meeting and were like no, let’s go
to Ibiza and have a party. Warzone is very
different, it’s an angry video. It’s an angry
song, though, if I’m honest.
As well as recording the album, you’ve
been travelling a lot too.
Tom: It has literally been The Wanted’s
tour of the world. We have been
everywhere. Australia, Singapore, Madrid,
Brazil. Our passports are full of stamps.
Jay: And visas. Getting a visa is really
nerve-wracking.
The
WanTed
Nathan: It’s terrifying. They interrogate you.
Jay: We were there getting our visa and
Gerard Butler was there too. We didn’t talk to
him. We were scared, he’s about 8ft2!
Where is the best place you’ve been so
far this year?
Jay: I loved New York, Madrid and Australia.
Tom: The first night in Australia was
amazing, the second was the worst I have
ever had. We had an hour’s sleep and a full
day of interviews. I just wanted someone to
put me to bed. Jet lag messes you up!
Siva: We tried to stay up to beat it but it
didn’t work and we felt awful.
Jay: Max wanted to organise a shark-diving
trip in Australia.
Max: We were on the wrong side of
Australia though, although the day we
got there someone got eaten by a great
white. So it was lucky really. We would have
been shark bait!
The Wanted’s new album Battleground is
out on 7 November. Check out videos of
The Wanted online at www.firstnews.co.uk.
Can you do our firstnews.co.uk member wordsearch?
All of these firstnews.co.uk members have voted in
our polls at www.firstnews.co.uk/polls
aliwag
amberlily
avrovulcan
borland
catlover
charzard
dancecrazy
ellieclare
hennypenny
lilsies
looby
lucyg
nadialala
strider
Want to see your name on this page? Go to
www.firstnews.co.uk today to find out how!
whitebeam
The FirsT News Team
Editor Nicky Cox
Deputy Editor Keilly Swift
Entertainment Editor
Serena Lacey
Writers Ian Eddy, Olivia
McLearon
Editorial Assistant
Kirsty Macdonald
Design Manager Richard Robson
Website Editor Nicola Williams
Marketing and Website Assistant
Ben Pulsford
Head of Finance Tony Finn
Accounts Assistant
Kelane Henderson
Education Consultant
Nicolette Smallshaw
Publishing Consultant
Susan Downey
Advertising Nina Chaudhry,
Leanne Pollard, Sam Eads
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: firstname.surname@firstnews.co.uk
Tel. (020) 3195 2000 For subscriptions call 0844 8267 338
www.firstnews.co.uk
All material in this newspaper is © 2011 First News and Newsbridge Limited and cannot be used without written
permission. First News is published by Newsbridge Limited, Shand House, 14-20 Shand St, London SE1 2ES. Printed
by BGP Limited, Chaucer Business Park, Launton Road, Bicester, OX26 4QZ. Distributed by Advantage, Associated
Newspapers, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, Northcliffe House, Kensington, W8 5TT. Tel. (020) 7938 6000.
Charities supported by
For more information on these exceptional charities, log on to our website www.firstnews.co.uk

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
ANIMAL NEWS
For more animal news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
15
Cub-cam capers
Batwing power
TO celebrate the release
of The Lion King 3d,
two African lion cubs
born at Longleat Safari
& Adventure Park have
been named Simba and
nala – and you can watch
them playing together at
disney’s fantastic new
cub-cam.
You’ll be able to watch the
cubs grow up before your very
eyes, plus there will also be
blog updates from the lion
keepers about what Simba and
nala are eating, fun facts, and
the latest news directly from
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park.
Simba and nala are two of
four cubs born at Longleat last
month to first-time mum malaika
(meaning ‘angel’ in Swahili), who
was also born at Longleat back
in 2005. The other two cubs were
named by Daybreak viewers.
one is named enzi, which means
‘powerful’ in Swahili and the
other has been named nyota,
which means ‘star’ in Swahili.
visit www.disney.co.uk/
lionking/cub-cam to watch the
cubs playing together.
For more amazing stories and
videos, log on to www.firstnews.
co.uk.
Amazing flight
injured bats can rest a bit easier, as a new way of
treating torn wings has been discovered.
The usual technique used by vets, which involves stitching
and gluing any tears they may have, sometimes results in bats
removing their stitches or glue when cleaning themselves.
but Sarah Goodwin, from Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in
Cheshire, has come up with a solution. She cared for bats with
broken wings by keeping them warm, giving them antibiotics
and feeding them vitamin and mineral-rich food. The
veterinary nurse also restricted how much flying they did and
gave them plenty of time to rest and heal. In practically every
case, she found that their wings had healed back together of
their own accord.
on average, it took about eight weeks for the healing
process to work. before the bats were released back into the
wild, they were given flight practice to build up their strength.
Great white
released!
A YOung great white shark that was being
held in captivity has been released into the
wild off the coast of California.
The juvenile shark had been at the monterey bay
Aquarium for 55 days, a record for keeping a great white
in captivity.
monterey bay Aquarium is the only aquarium in the
world ever to have had a great white shark to exhibit.
The predators are extremely hard to keep, due to their
instinctive need to travel large distances. most great
whites that have been held in captivity end up with a
scuffed and sore nose where they rub it against the glass.
The recently released shark was caught as part of the
aquarium’s Project White Shark, a research programme
to learn more about great white sharks in the wild. A
tracking device should detach from the shark and float to
the surface in April. Since the programme started in 2002,
more than 45 young great white sharks have been tagged
and tracked as part of the programme.
A KingFiSHer found in Suffolk may be a recordbreaker
after travelling 1,000km.
The bird was caught and released by experts at the national
Trust’s nature reserves in orford ness, Suffolk, although it was
originally ringed in Poland.
Kingfishers migrate every year, but the furthest recorded
distance is 970km. Staff at the reserve are waiting now to find
out where in Poland the bird was ringed, as this will give a
more accurate idea of the distance it has flown.
ringing birds is not dangerous and it allows researchers
to gather information about the birds and how long they
live. A small band, like a bracelet, is clipped around the bird’s
leg with an identity number. every time the bird is caught
or found the scientists will add the location and details to a
national or international database.

16
FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 NOVEMEr 2011
CRAZY BUT TRUE
For more crazy news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
Crocodile tears
A LARGE funeral has been
held in Costa Rica for a famous
crocodile called Pocho.
by Serena Lacey
Local people lined the streets to say
goodbye to the famous reptile, who
was believed to be around 60 years
old when he died.
A funeral truck carried the dead croc
through the village so that locals and
tourists could pay their respects.
For the last 20 years, the 4.5m
crocodile has been part of an
entertainment act with his owner
Gilberto Shedden.
Gilberto found Pocho with a bullet
wound in his head more than 20 years
ago. He took him home and nursed
him back to health. Since then, the
pair had been inseparable and
had become internet sensations for
their show.
There are plans to stuff the remains
of Pocho and put him on display in a
museum on the island.
Pocho and Gilberto were the best of friends
RECORD OF
THE WEEK
Most needles
inserted into
the head
The most needles inserted into the head is
2,009 and was achieved by Wei Shengchu
(China) on the set of Lo Show Dei record,
in Milan, Italy, on 11 April 2009.
For info on this record
and hundreds more, go to
www.guinnessworldrecords.com
QUICK
CHUCKLES
Graffiti grannies!
A YOUTUBE video of pensioners drawing graffiti on walls and
causing mischief has become a huge hit on the internet.
The video shows the group of flat-cap-wearing pensioners pelting
homes with eggs, playing loud music in the street, drinking, smoking and
generally behaving badly
while being filmed on a
mobile phone.
While the video may
shock many people, it
was actually made by
Lancashire police to
highlight the problem of
antisocial behaviour.
A closing message reads:
“Anti-social behaviour – It’s
just not funny at any age
and will not be tolerated in
Lancashire.”
Check out the video
online at
www.firstnews.co.uk.
Picture still: YouTube
Space goo
invades England
WALKERS in the Lake District have reported
sightings of strange goo in the area.
The goo is said to be a pale, wobbly mass, similar to
frogspawn, although some people believe it
actually comes from space.
One Lake District resident said: “I came
across about ten blobs floating on top
of some puddles. They were the size of
my foot.”
The goo is known as star jelly and some
people think it falls off meteorites as they
enter Earth. However, many experts think it
is, in fact, the remains of toxic frogs that have
been eaten and spat out by another animal.
The first ever reports of the slime were
in 1950, and were the inspiration for the
science fiction horror film The Blob in 1958.
What do you think? Is it space slime or
is there another explanation? Email us at
newsdesk@firstnews.co.uk.
Q: What do you get when you cross a
dinosaur with a firework?
A: Dino-mite!
Q: Why did the jelly baby go to school?
A: He wanted to be a Smartie!
Upload your jokes to our website at:
www.firstnews.co.uk
Some people think
star jelly comes from
meteorites
Written and illustrated by Paul Palmer

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 November 2011
chriStmaS SubScriptioN oFFerS
17
The gift that
lasts all year
SubScribe to
FirSt NewS today
From £28.99!
Take advantage of our fantastic early bird
Christmas offers – subscribe by 24 November
Annual subscription – £47.99
6 month subscription – £28.99
Free
chriStmaS
card
• never miss an issue and delivery is free • Free Christmas card
• Free issue of the newspaper to wrap up on Christmas day
Start your subscription
when it suits you…
Start my subscription from the next available issue
(no Christmas card) – quote FNNeB
Start my subscription from the 6 January, including a free
Christmas card and issue to wrap up – quote FNXeB
FIRsT NeWs ORDeR FORM
Return to: First News, 800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8GU
OpTIOn A – qUOTE FnnEB: Start subscription with the next available issue
OpTIOn B – qUOTE FnXEB: Start on 6 January – includes free Christmas card and free issue to wrap up
6 months for £28.99 one year for £47.99
6 months for £28.99
one year for £47.99
Your details:
Your name:.......................................................................................................
Address:..............................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
..................................................................Postcode: ........................................
YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD DETAILS
Your phone number: ..................................................................................
Your email: .......................................................................................................
Child’s details:
Name.......................................................................................................................
relationship to you: ......................................................................................
Dob: ........................................................................................................................
Delivery address (if different from your address):
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..............................................................Postcode:.............................................
Final closing date for this offer is 24 November 2011. For enquiries and overseas rates call +44 (0)844 8267 338. Your details will be processed by Newsbridge Ltd (publishers of
First News) in full accordance with UK data protection legislation. Newsbridge Ltd may contact you with information about other products and services. Please tick if you
prefer NoT to receive such information by post email phone . Newsbridge Ltd occasionally shares data, on a secure basis, with other reputable companies that
may wish to contact you with information about their products and services. Please tick if you prefer NoT to receive such information by post phone . Please tick if
you Do wish to receive such information by email .
YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD DETAILS
Name(s) of account holder(s)
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
valid from
visa debit maestro visa credit mastercard American express
Card Number
valid to
Issue number
(if applicable)
Signature (I am over 18) .....................................................................................................Date .........................................
Call 0844 8267 338 vIsIT www.firstnews.co.uk/subscribe
Quote the code next to the offer of your choice when ordering

18 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 NoveMBeR 2011
FUn sTUFF
Win
The Lego ®
ideas book
Win
The Lion king cds
THIS week we have the usual 3x3 grid and you need to fill in the numbers one to nine. Send
in your answers and two lucky winners will get a copy of The LeGo® Ideas Book. ever
wondered what amazing creations you could build with that box of colourful LeGo®
bricks and pieces? The LeGo Ideas Book gives you the answers. Featuring a variety of
LeGo models specially commissioned for DK and built by creative LeGo fans, this book
is a sumptuous visual collection of building ideas and handy tips, to inspire you to make
a range of fantastic LeGo creations.
the lego® ideas Book, DK, £16.99, dk.com
7 8 1
9 5 8 2
3 5 6 4 7
3 9 6 7 4
1 6
7 5 8 3 9
4 5 7 8 3
7 3 4 8
3 2 7
WhaT on earTh?
ALL of these are things that fly. Can you guess what they are?
a
b
CoMPLeTe our prize crossword using the clues below. Send in your answers and
three lucky winners will each win a copy of The Lion King 2CD Deluxe edition CD. The
Best of The Lion King 1CD and the The Lion King 2CD Deluxe edition are released on
Walt Disney Records. Featuring a mixture of tracks from the film as well as Broadway
versions, and tracks from Rhythm of The Pride Lands, which was released in 1995
and featured music inspired by but not featured in the original Lion King, this is the
complete collection for fans old and new. The Best of The Lion King is available either
as a standalone CD or included as part of The Lion King 2CD Deluxe edition.
Across
1 St Paul's ___ : was closed due to protesters
recently (9)
6 Black-and-white
striped animal (5)
7 Gnats (anag) (5)
9 Temporarily
prevent from
continuing (7)
12 Let happen (7)
16 ___ Cameron:
Prime Minister (5)
7 New ___ : capital
city of India (5)
18 Give in (9)
Down
2 The ___ : London
underground (4)
3 School tests (5)
4 Popular flowers (5)
5 A person in
charge (6)
6 New ___ : Rugby
World Cup
winners (7)
8 Colonel ___ :
former Libyan
leader (7)
10 Apply; employ (3)
11 These keep your
hands warm (6)
13 Broader (5)
14 Move out of the way of (5)
15 Ran away at speed (4)
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
11
9 10
12 13 14
16 17
Across
18
1 - St Paul's ___ : was closed due to protesters recently (9)
6 - Black-and-white striped LAsT WeeK’s animal ANsWeRs: (5) First news chAllenge 3 - 1) School British tests (5)
Dyslexia Association 2) Henry Winkler oBe 3) Pant with their mouths
7 - Gnats (anag) (5)
4 - Popular flowers (5)
closed, panting with their mouths open and large breaths every
9 - Temporarily prevent minute from to continuing allow water (7) to evaporate 4) Q classic songwriter 5 - A person award in charge (6)
5) 3.5 million 6) German shepherd 7) Dobby 8) Three 9) Sarah Brown
12 - Let happen (7)
6 - New ___ : rugby World
10) Mexico spot the DiFFerence Part of the crown is missing,
16 - ___ Cameron: Prime extra skeleton Minister has (5) been added, extra bunny ear has 8 been - Colonel added, ___ : former Lib
lightning strike has changed
A N D Y M U R R A Y 1 4 3 6 9 8 7 5 2
17 - New ___ : capital city of India (5)
10 - Apply; employ (3)
F I O L
colour, decoration on hat is
5 9 7 3 2 1 8 6 4
T Y P E S W A L E S
6 2 8 5 7 4 1 9 3
E R S S I E
18 - Give in (9) missing whAt on Bat, hat,
R O O N E Y O G R11 E - 3 These 5 4 7 6 2keep 9 1 8 your hand
C D B A 7 1 6 4 8 9 3 2 5
spider web, pumpkin, broom, cat
R E E D T A C T I C
9 8 2 1 5 3 6 4 7
U D H N O L
13 - 8 Broader 6 5 9 4 7 2(5)
3 1
B R U C E A G R E E
worDwheel Inspiring
R R N A 4 7 1 2 3 6 5 8 9
D E C O R A T I O N 2 3 9 8 1 5 4 7 6
14 - Move out of the way of
15 - Ran away at speed (4)
15
Word WheeL
Down
2 - The ___ : London under
c
e
d
F
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?
G
H
C
I
S
R
A
E
N

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 NoveMBeR 2011
FUn sTUFF
hoW To
enTer
seNd your finished puzzles to Puzzles 283, First News, shand House, 14 - 20 shand street,
London, se1 2es. The closing date for puzzle entries is Friday 11 November 2011.
19
Win Moshi MonsTer cLaY bUddies
CAN you spot the five changes to this picture from the new Tintin film? Send in your answers and three lucky winners will each win three Moshi Monsters Clay Buddies packs. Moshi
Monsters Clay Buddies packs are a collection of 48 different ‘Build your own’ Moshi Monsters with clay and card. Build your Moshi Monster’s body using clay and then decorate using the
card features (face, eyes, arms, feet). each pack contains three coloured clay bars, two laminated card pieces, instructions leaflet and adoption book.
a
b
FirsT neWs chaLLenge
Word Ladder
Q1 Which police force has launched a
24-hour live webcam to show the public
what their jobs involve?
Q2 How much was raised this week at the
Great South Run?
Q5 Where are the Bosco verticale towers
being built?
Q9 Who has recently won the Shanghai
Masters?
CAN you get from the top to the bottom by
changing one letter at a time to make a new word?
RUNG
Q3 Why does the British Beekeepers
Association think the honey crop is down
by 8% this year?
Q5
Q3
Q4 What is the name of Loick essien’s
new single?
Q6 Who owns a husky mix puppy called
Baylor?
Q7 What does TBCP-II stand for?
Q8 Which band do Tom, Nathan, Max, Jay
and Siva belong too?
Q9
Q10 Which type of bird from Suffolk
may be a record breaker after travelling
1,000km?
BACK
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.
One possible solution is

20
FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 November 2011
YOUR NEWS
Parliament Week
FOR Parliament Week 2011, FILMCLUB
asked me and my brother Toby to interview
MPs and peers about stories of democracy, how people like
me – and people my age – can make a difference in their
communities or perhaps something larger and how they think
children can learn about democracy through film.
by Harry Harris,14
I got to interview some really
kind and interesting people,
including Lord Speaker Baroness
D’Souza (who is the speaker of the
House of Lords in Parliament) and
Caroline Lucas (MP for Brighton
Pavilion). Meeting Caroline Lucas
was especially funny because we
both live in the same area and we
had a nice conversation about our
home town!
Before I started the interviews, I
was very nervous but excited, and
I couldn’t wait to start. Baroness
D’Souza told some brilliant,
interesting stories which I really
enjoyed listening to! She told me
about how films such as Cathy
Come Home help to highlight
issues such as homelessness,
which makes it easier for young
people like me to learn about it.
She even advised me to
start a debating society in
my school to help us learn and
practice democracy.
Our interviews have even been
made into a film, which will be
shown on the www.Parliament.
uk/education website! I never
expected to do something like this
for FILMCLUB and it was such
an incredible experience!
Rugby song!
HERE at Chase Bridge (next door to
Twickenham Stadium) we have produced
a song dedicated to the Rugby World cup.
by the pupils from
Chase Bridge School,
Twickenham, London
JUNIOR
JOURNALIST
Parliament Week lasts until 6 Nov. visit www.
filmclub.org for great film recommendations and
to find out how to start a film club in your school!
SCHOOL
NEWS
For more news crew, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news
Travel reporter!
I WAS lucky enough to be given the
opportunity to go to Butlins with my
family, courtesy of First News, to be a
travel reporter!
The first thing we did when we
arrived was go inside the Skyline
which is a huge pavilion housing
lots of entertainment and
restaurants. We bought pancakes
from a pancake shop and tucked
in while we waited to check-in.
There are many activities that
you can do during your stay.
On my first day I did archery.
The sports coach was really
helpful and gave really good
advice. It was really good fun
and, what’s more, it’s completely
free of charge! I went back again
for another go later in the week
and it was one of the highlights
of my holiday!
Another highlight was
Extreme Dreams on the High
Ropes Course and Zip Wire. I
had to get kitted up in a helmet
and harness before being clipped
to a pulley on a girder that went
round the whole perimeter of the
course. I was about 15ft off the
ground and I had to navigate
my way through eight different
obstacles. I went round the
course twice and my confidence
built all the time.
There was also Mini Golf
which had a brilliant seaside/
pirate setting with barrels and
palm trees. I especially liked the
8th hole because it was inside a
TRAVEL
JOURNALIST
by Daniel Manns
mock lighthouse!
There is a great selection
of shows at Butlins and my
favourite were the Stars of X
Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.
The stars that I saw were Katie
Waissel from X Factor and
Razy Gogonea from Britain’s
Got Talent. They were both
amazing and I got some really
good photos too!
Thank you First News and
Butlins, I had an absolutely
fantastic time at Butlins
Bognor Regis.
I would strongly recommend
that if you haven’t been there
already, you should definitely
consider going.
Hamleys fun!
NEWS VIEWS
Here are some of the
views on the news from
our website users. We’d love
to hear more of your views!
On police dog Obi being
awarded a medal:
Well done obi. He really
deserves it. Too many Alsatians
get a reputation for being
vicious because of their jobs
as police and security dogs,
but people forget that they are
actually risking their lives doing
what they are doing.
Bunnycat (Age 13)
On the baby rescued from
the earthquake in Turkey:
Aww, I saw the picture of
the wee baby on the news
last night! I hadn’t actually
heard about the earthquake ‘til
yesterday, when my geography
teacher told me!
ellie-mo (Age 12)
On last week’s front page
about Buckingham Palace
possibly becoming a hotel:
I am really not surprised! If
you think about it, it might
do quite well because there
were so many tourists at the
royal wedding so this would
probably go down a storm.
minxymoo (Age 13)
To tell us your views on the
stories in this issue, go to:
www.firstnews.co.uk
JUNIOR
JOURNALIST
We’re doing this to support
the Wooden Spoon charity
and the New Zealand
charity helping with the
recent earthquake. It was
huge fun. There were ten
of us involved, and we
were lucky enough to
work with rugby player Joe
Worsley, who joined in with
assembly and was really
good at guitar and piano!
To write the song we had
help from Marcel Pusey, a
songwriter. We even created
our own haka! After a couple
of weeks of hard work, we ended
up with some inspiration.
This included recording our
song at The Sanctuary Studio.
We also recorded with professional
singer Katy Seath.
It was an amazing experience
to record at a professional studio
and, hopefully, we will be able to
do it again.
Although it was fun, we had
to work very hard because we
had to keep repeating each line
until it was perfect. Luckily we
knew the song off by heart,
otherwise it would have been
extremely difficult. It was fun
because we had to wear special
headphones and got to hear
ourselves singing – just like
real pop stars!
We thank all the people who
helped us to create our song.
Hopefully all of you will
download our song Rise!
You can also see the song
on YouTube!
We want to hear what your school is up to
MY friend Jacob and I arrived at Hamleys toy
shop in London. Hamleys is one of the biggest toy stores in the country
and we were really excited.
We went along for the exclusive
Spyro Skylanders event.
When we got there we were
greeted by the doorman. There
was a great breakfast buffet
for us to tuck in to, so we had
croissants and bagels and fruit
kebabs, followed by a morning of
fun-filled activities.
After this, I got to play the new
Skylanders game, which I really
enjoyed. We played it on huge
plasma screens while sitting on
massive beanbags – definitely the
way to play your favourite game .
We also got to meet the creators
of the game, who also created the
Are you doing something sponsored for charity? Starting your own school newspaper? Or putting on a show?
email your report (including pictures) to newsdesk@firstnews.co.uk. If we print your story we’ll send you a copy of the paper and a
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.
(by writing to First News you give consent to First News printing details and photographs of those involved in the report.)
by Sam
original Toy Story film, which
was one of the highlights of
the morning.
We asked lots of questions
about their jobs and how they went
from creating movies to games.
We really enjoyed the whole day
and it was a great experience.
SUBSCRIBE FOR SChOOL
Term time only subscriptions
from £45.60 per year (P&P included).
Call: 0844 8560 634 Quote: sPA
www.firstnews.co.uk/teachers

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 November 2011
GREEN NEWS
with Keilly Swift
For more green news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover
21
Baaa-rilliant news!
MyFarM, the National Trust website that encourages people to learn
about farming and food, has a new member… Shaun the Sheep!
Shaun has his very own page on the site,
which takes members behind the scenes of
a real working farm, Wimpole Home Farm in
Cambridgeshire.
members debate questions that help the
farm manager make real decisions about
rob Hawthorn
rob Hawthorn
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 newsdesk@firstnews.co.uk or the address on page 19.
ASK ESTHER
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.
Making friends!
I Never seem to be able to make strong
friendships. I make friends for a few
weeks, then they go off me and I don’t
know why.
Some people find it difficult to form
friendships for many different reasons and
it is difficult to know why sometimes. Can
you think of any relationships you have
had in your life that have been successful
and positive? If so, can you think of any
differences in these relationships from
the ones which haven’t lasted? by taking
a relaxed approach to making friends you
might not feel so much pressure to make
‘really good’ friends and this might lead
to having more relaxed friendships, which
might in time lead to stronger and lasting
friendships. Good luck.
I like him…
I reaLLy fancy a boy at the youth club we go to. what’s the best way to ask him out?
It is sometimes a good idea to get to know
someone before you ask them out. This way
you might feel more comfortable when
asking him out and knowing what to say.
You could try asking him to spend some time
what happens on the farm, such as which
crops should be grown and what livestock
to keep.
Shaun’s page will have lots of activities,
games to play and posters to download, as
well as discussions to take part in. Andrew
Cock-Starkey, Project manager of myFarm,
said: “We’re really looking forward to
welcoming Shaun to myFarm.”
Take a look at Shaun the Sheep’s very own
myFarm page at: www.my-farm.org.uk/onthe-farm/shaun-the-sheep.
with you alone, or with you and your friends
if that feels more comfortable? Then you will
get to know a bit about his likes and dislikes
and you might be able to gauge how he
feels about you too. Good luck!
Forest in the sky
TheSe apartment buildings are set to take green living to new heights.
Currently being built in milan, Italy, the bosco
verticale towers will become the world’s first
‘Forest in the Sky’.
At 79 metres (260 feet) high, the 27-floor
buildings will be home to 730 trees, 5,000
shrubs and 11,000 plants – that’s equal to a
hectare of forest!
The trees had to be tested in a wind turbine
to make sure they wouldn’t blow over and
cause damage below.
The towers were the idea of world-famous
architect, Stefano boeri. They are intended
I don’t like her…
how can I tell my dad that I don’t like his new girlfriend? Maddie, 13.
It sounds like this is something you have
been thinking about a lot. I am wondering if
you have thought about how your dad might
feel if you tell him that you don’t like his
girlfriend? Is it something specific that you
don’t like about her? How would you feel about
asking your dad to spend some quality time
to save space in the crowded city and allow
people to live closer to nature. The plant life
will also be a filter for the city’s pollution and
shade people from the mediterranean sun.
As well as plant life, the buildings will attract
insects, birds and animals that usually live in
the parks of milan.
It is hoped the buildings will become a
symbol for environmental living. but ranging
in price from £560,000 to £1.7 million for the
penthouse, living in a forest in the sky doesn’t
come cheap!
With
thanks to
I keeP feeling angry, sad and emotional for no reason. what’s wrong with me?
All these new emotions you are feeling
are all perfectly okay and a sign that you are
growing up. It’s all to do with little things
called hormones, which travel all around
the body. When a boy or girl starts to enter
puberty, they can make us feel angry or sad
for no reason.
So when you are feeling angry, why not
take some time out and walk away for a
few minutes until you are feeling calmer.
Counting to ten is a good idea too.
If you find that you have snapped at
someone for no reason, wait until you no
longer feel so angry and say sorry, explain
that sometimes you feel a little out of control
and remember that everyone will feel this
way at some stage.
Find helpful information about growing up
at www.becomingateen.co.uk.
alone with you? This way you might get some
breathing space from his girlfriend and can
concentrate on your relationship with him? If
you would like to talk about this more please
call ChildLine free on 0800 1111 or you can go
online and chat one-to-one with someone who
is there to listen. Take care.

22 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 November 2011
THE BOOK CORNER
MY WAY CAMPAIGN
With thanks to
SomE of the biggest names in children’s fiction are joined by exciting new
authors on the shortlist for this year’s red House Children’s Book Award,
the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by
children themselves.
Who will win? It’s up to you to decide. voting is now open and the red House Children’s
book Award would like you to check out the short-listed titles and vote for your favourite!
The books short-listed for Younger readers are one Dog and His boy by eva Ibbotson, Sky
Hawk by Gill Lewis and The brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon. The books for older
readers are Grace by morris Gleitzman, A monster Calls by Patrick Ness and my Sister Lives on
the mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher.
For more information and to cast your vote visit
www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk
For more book reviews and clips go to www.firstnews.co.uk/bored
READING CHAMPIONS
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.
name: Big Show
WWE Superstar Big Show travels the world entertaining millions of WWE fans
throughout the year, yet he is also highly passionate about reading and proud to
support WWE and the national Literacy Trust’s literacy campaigns.
What books did you read when you were
a child?
my favourite books as a child were The Count of monte
Cristo and Christine.
If you could be a storybook character, who would
you be?
robin Hood.
What is the best thing about reading?
It is quiet, soothing and stress-relieving. I have a hectic
lifestyle with WWe and am on the road a lot, so I enjoy
reading the most while I’m at home, just chilling out on
my couch with my dog on my lap!
What is your all-time favourite book?
Anything by Terry Goodkind, orson Scott Card or
Stephen King.
How important is reading in life?
You get so much soul from books, which you just can’t get from watching television.
reading is a very private thing as it is completely unique to your own imagination and
how you interpret the characters. Ultimately, it frees your mind, and the more you read
the better you get at it.
Do you think you would make a good reading Champion?
Ask your school to sign up today. www.readingchampions.org.uk
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.”
THIS year is the national year of Communication. The Hello campaign is aiming to
help people understand how important it is for children and young people to develop
good communication skills. penn School in Buckinghamshire is a secondary school
for students with communication difficulties. As part of the Hello campaign and my
Way! we have asked students from penn School to write about what it is like to have a
communication disability. Each month, a different student tells their story.
Here is mattie’s story:
Hello, my name is mattie. I go to Penn School near High
Wycombe. I’m 16 years old. I was born in France and went to a
French school with my big sister.
I have difficulties, so I don’t go to a school near my house,
but a school that helps me. my difficulties are remembering
things I am told, reading, writing and putting talking sentences
together. With all this going on, I know I am different. I am not
very confident and can get emotional, which can upset me and
my friends. When I get upset I draw in a special book, which
helps me to calm down and move on.
When I do writing, I freeze, as I am not a good speller but I try hard. I do Toe by Toe
to help me improve my reading and spelling. When people give me a book to read I
feel scared, worried and stressed and I will rub or scratch my wrist until it goes red. I’m
trying to use a stress ball instead. To help me, I breathe when I see big words and I try
to break them down. my favourite lesson is history. I like it because I like the way the
1960s was different to today. I like the music and the clothes.
I am now in Post 16 at school and am also a prefect. I can stay for three years,
then I want to go to college and learn to be a hairdresser. I have a Saturday job in a
hairdresser’s. I clean the floor and make the drinks, which is great to earn some money.
Want to share your story? find out
how online at www.firstnews.co.uk
and click on my Way!
WHAT’S IN THE SHOPS?
Top GEAr: STIG HELmET projECTIon
ALArm CLoCK
WWW.IWAnTonEofTHoSE.Com £29.99
THIS is a fantastic gift for any Top Gear fan. This projection
alarm clock is in the shape of the mysterious test driver, The
Stig. The current time is displayed on the visor and the time
can be projected onto the ceiling with the press of a button!
The clock also features an alarm, which can be set to play
the Top Gear theme tune.
CHECK IT OUT
LEGo: STAr WArS DArTH vADEr KEyLIGHT TorCH
WWW.pLAy.Com £6.99
STAr Wars fans are going to love this little guy. The Darth vader
keylight is ready to take on the galaxy! Just press the button on his
chest to turn on the amazing lights in his feet and let him guide
you through the dark!
DoCTor WHo TArDIS muG WITH LID
WWW.fIrEBox.Com £12.99
CHeCK out this Doctor Who Tardis mug with lid. It’s big enough for a
very generous cuppa – and is the perfect gift for any Doctor Who fan.
Thanks to the handy lid, it’ll even keep your drinks hot for longer!
for more information go to
www.hello.org.uk

FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 1o November 2011 Advertisement feAture
23
THE WIZARDING NEWS
KNIGHT BUS
SPOTTED IN
STORES!
tHe Knight Bus has
been seen speeding its
way through the cobbled
streets of diagon Alley
and into the high street.
Witnesses reported the
chaotic sights as witches
and wizards dived out of
the way to avoid the big
purple bus.
Daily Prophet reports
have confirmed that this is
the final year muggles will
be able to bag new LeGo®
Harry Potter sets – so seek
them out before they fly off
the shelves.
The collectible minifigures
in the range and the
amazing sets already
WHO ARE THEY?
it’s your last chance to own your
very own LeGO® Harry Potter
sets, but can you name these
minifigure collectibles?
2
4
Prices
from
£10.49
1
released, including
this iconic bus, The
Forbidden Forest
and Hogwarts,
will still be
available,
but only
Dumbledore
knows how long
for!
DoN’T mISS
THESE GREAT
lEGo® SETS
The Knight Bus
Hold on tight when you ride The
Knight bus!
Harry and his owl Hedwig need a
ride back to Hogwarts but, as the
purple, triple-decker Knight bus
screeches to a halt beside them,
are they ready for the bumpiest
journey in the wizarding world?
Set includes Stan Shunpike, ernie
Prang, Hedwig and the shrunken
head. rebuilds into a regular bus.
3
the Knight Bus
(4866 rrP £35.99)
5
Prices
from
£10.49
the forbidden forest
(4865 rrP £10.49)
The Forbidden Forest
Lord voldemort and his followers
have captured Hagrid and tied
him to a tree. When Harry enters
The Forbidden Forest to face his
destiny, voldemort attacks. Will
voldemort defeat Harry Potter once
and for all? Will Narcissa betray
the Dark Lord? Includes Harry
Potter, Lord voldemort, Hagrid
and Narcissa malfoy minifigures.
Accessories include wands, a snake,
owl and a mushroom!
Hogwarts
Hogwarts castle is a place of magic
and mystery. explore the castle to
discover your favourite moments
from the Harry Potter films, including
the room of requirement, Professor
Lupin’s office, the Astronomy Tower,
the Divination room, the mirror of
erised, and an exploding bridge!
The set includes Harry Potter, Neville
Longbottom, Professor Sprout,
Professor Lupin, Gregory Goyle, Death
eater and Dementor minifigures.
Hogwarts
(4867 rrP £49.99)
Find out more at:
HARRYPOTTER.LEGO.CO.UK
Answers: WHo Are THeY? 1) Dumbledore,
2) Hagrid, 3) Harry Potter, 4) ron Weasley
5) Hermione Granger
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2011 The LEGO Group. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR

24 FirstNews Issue 283 4 – 10 november 2011
ANIMALS
CRAZY BUT TRUE
GREEN
Cub-cam capers
15
Crocodile
tears
16
Baaa-rilliant news!
21
I love
what
I do
as the 2012 Olympics and
Paralympics approach, some
of the UK’s top sportsmen and
women have been telling us
why they love their sport. World
champion triathlete alistair
Brownlee (left) took his turn this week.
“Triathlon requires a lot of training, but I love training, so that makes
it perfect for me and Jonny (Alistair’s brother Jonathan, who is also a
triathlon world champion). We get to spend all day outside training, plus
we get to travel all over the world to race. I love what I do, and I can’t
imagine doing anything else.
Trying not to get injured is the hardest thing about triathlon, but I have
a great physiotherapist who helps me to avoid injuries. When you’re
injured, you can’t train and I hate that!
Triathlon encourages people to live a really healthy lifestyle and, to
fit in three sports, you have to learn to be organised. because of that,
triathletes usually do really well at school too!
To be a triathlete, you have to become super-fit. Another good thing
is that, because of all the training, you get to eat whatever you like! Also,
since it’s an olympic sport, if you’re good at it then you could go to the
olympics one day.
If you want to see if triathlon is for you, there’s a great programme
called Kids of Steel. It goes to schools with a lorry-load of bikes, to let kids
have a go at their first triathlon. I went to the event in Leeds last year and
it was brilliant. Triathlon is such good fun, so you should definitely give it
a go, because you get the chance to try three sports, not just one!
For spectators, triathlon is really exciting to watch. At the olympics it is
also one of the few sports that you can watch for free, so come and see
me and Jonny on 7 August 2012 in Hyde Park!”
GET INVOLVED
To find a local triathlon club, see www.britishtriathlon.org/clubs.
The british Triathlon website also has more details about the Kids of
Steel programme. If you’re interested, you can ask a teacher to email
info@britishtriathlon.org for more details.
SPORT NEWS IN NUMBERS
1.24 million pounds is
how much golfer rory mcIlroy
(right) won this week. He beat
Anthony Kim in a play-off to win
the Shanghai masters and claim
the sport’s biggest cash prize.
22 years ago was the
last time that Chelsea let in
five goals at home in a league
match. That was when Liverpool
visited Stamford bridge and
won 5-2. This week, Arsenal
were the visitors, and they
went home satisfied with a 5-3
victory. robin van Persie (right)
got a hat-trick, meaning that he
has now scored 28 goals in his
last 27 league games.
Getty
Getty
Getty
100 years is how
long norwegian club molde
have been going, although
they had never won a
league title until this week.
ex-man Utd striker ole
Gunnar Solskjaer took over
at the start of the season,
his first ever management
job. Solskjaer is most fondly
remembered by United’s
fans for his winner in the
1999 Champions League
final, which sealed a historic
treble of league, FA Cup
and Champions League.
He also scored four goals in
just 12mins when he came
on as a sub in United’s 8-1
thrashing of notts Forest.
Getty
11 is the number of
Grands Prix that Sebastian
vettel (left) has won this
season, out of 17 races. The
first ever Indian Grand Prix
was held this week, with
vettel finishing 8.4secs
ahead of Jenson button.
4 games to three in favour
of the St Louis Cardinals
(right) was the final result
in this year’s baseball World
Series. The losers were the
Texas rangers, who also lost
last year’s series to the San
Francisco Giants. now they
have made it to two World
Series, and lost both of them.
Getty