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In this issue
Well of Martyrs Facebook and WhatsApp Cleaning Mount Everest Forbes billionaire list Chinas air pollution

6th March 2014 British English edition

Issue Number 218

Anti-government protests in Venezuela Prehistoric Sistine Chapel Spending on defence Mardi Gras Keplers exoplanet haul Deciphering the Voynich manuscript The Earths oldest rock Draft protest in Israel
A man waves a Russian flag and a Russian navy flag in front of the Ukrainian navys headquarters, in Crimea

RUSSIA

AND

UKRAINE

Obama meets the Dalai Lama Doomsday vault seeds Chiles whale graveyard Mexican walking fish found UNs Syria aid vote Mobile World Congress Glossary Crossword and Wordsearch Puzzle

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, organised a press conference on 4th March. It was held at his home near Moscow, the countrys capital city. Five days before gunmen had seized government buildings in Simferopol. This city is in Crimea, a peninsula on the northern coast of the Black Sea. Crimea is part of Ukraine. The flag on the main government building in Simferopol was replaced with a Russian flag. Soon afterwards, thousands of armed men wearing uniforms took control of Crimeas two airports. They also surrounded military bases used by the Ukrainian army, navy and airforce. The armed men do not have any badges on their uniforms. However, most people in Ukraine are sure they are Russian soldiers. When asked, Mr Putin said the armed men in Crimea were self-defence forces. Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraines president,

is now in Russia. He suddenly left Kiev, Ukraines capital city, on 22nd February. The Russian president said that Mr Yanukovych had asked for help. Mr Putin told news reporters that he would protect all Russian-speaking people in Ukraine. For many years Ukraine was part of the Russian-led Soviet Union. It became an independent country in 1991. This was when the Soviet Union began to break up. However, Ukraine still relies on Russia for many things. Most of the oil and gas the country needs comes from Russia. Ukraine grows large amounts of wheat. Russia buys much of it. The families of many people who live in Crimea and eastern Ukraine originally came from Russia. Crimea was part of Russia for over 200 years. One of Crimeas cities, Sevastopol, has a large naval base. Russian navy ships at Sevastopol became known as the Black Sea

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fleet. Today, more than 75% of the Kiev. The demonstrators insisted They began to take control of govpeople in Crimea speak Russian. that the deal with the EU must be ernment buildings. Mr Yanukovych Nikita Khrushchev was the signed. The protesters built a large fled to Russia. Within a few days leader of the Soviet Union between camp in the centre of Kiev. Smaller the protesters set up a temporary 1953 and 1964. His father worked in protests were held in several other government. It voted to remove Mr Ukraine. In 1954 Khrushchev gave cities. As the demonstrations grew, Yanukovych from power. New elecCrimea, as a gift, to Ukraine. Then, those taking part demanded that Mr tions, it announced, would be held it was thought that Ukraine would Yanukovych resign, or step down. at the end of May. always be part of the Soviet Union. They accused him and his governThe USA and EU countries deWhen Ukraine became an inde- ment ministers of being dishonest clared their support for the new govpendent nation a special agreement and corrupt. ernment. Yet many Russian-speakabout Sevastopol was ing people in Crimea and BELARUS made. The naval base eastern Ukraine were RUSSIA was leased to Russia. angry about what had So, even though Crimea happened. Many said Kiev was not part of Russia, they would not obey the its Black Sea fleet could new government. Some continue to use Sevasbegan waving Russian UKRAINE topol. The agreement flags. Most people in says Russia can have Crimea welcomed the up to 25,000 troops in arrival of the armed men ROMANIA Crimea, but they have to in uniforms. stay in Sevastopol. Barack Obama, the Crimea Ukraine has two president of the USA, Simferopol Sevastopol Black Sea main political groups. telephoned Mr Putin. Russian as a native language: < 5% 5 24% 25 75% > 75% Mr Yanukovych leads He asked him to withone. Many of his supporters live On 20th February shooting draw his troops from Crimea and in eastern Ukraine. Most are pro- started in Kiev. Several gunmen on not to send any soldiers into eastern Russia and speak Russian. The other top of buildings began firing at the Ukraine. Mr Obama said the Ruspolitical groups supporters mainly crowds below. Yet the protesters re- sian soldiers in Crimea were a viospeak Ukrainian and live in the west fused to leave the city centre. Over lation of Ukrainian sovereignty. The new Ukrainian government of the country. They are anti-Russia. the next two days 88 of them were has demanded that all Russian In 2010 Mr Yanukovych won shot and killed. Senior government officials from troops return to the Sevastopol naval the presidential election. The recent problems in Ukraine began France, Poland and Germany trav- base. Some people worry that a war over three months ago. At the end elled to Kiev on 21st February. Rus- will break out between Russia and of November, government officials sia sent an envoy. They arranged a Ukraine. Others say Ukraine will prepared a deal, or agreement, with meeting between several protest lead- split. Crimea and eastern Ukraine the European Union (EU). The deal ers and Mr Yanukovych. An agree- could become separate countries, or would make it easier for Ukraine ment was made. The shooting would even part of Russia. On 5th March Sergei Lavrov, and the EUs 28 member countries stop. A new unity government would to trade and work with each other. A be formed. This would include min- Russias foreign minister, and the few days before the agreement was isters from both main political par- USAs secretary of state, John Kerry, to be finalised Mr Yanukovych said ties. Some of the presidents powers met in Paris, the capital of France. he would not sign it. He explained would be taken away. There would be Mr Lavrov said the USA and the that a different trade deal would be a presidential election in December. EU were wrong to support the temWhen the tens of thousands of porary government in Kiev. He inmade with Russia instead. Hundreds of thousands of peo- protesters in Kiev heard about the sisted that Mr Yanukovych was still ple demonstrated in the centre of agreement they refused to accept it. the lawful president of Ukraine.
POLAND
MO LD A OV

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ammunition for the rifles used by the sepoys. The bullets were inside paper cartridges. These were covered in grease. This made it easier to fit them inside the rifle. However, before doing this, soldiers had to bite off the end of the cartridges. This was to release the gunpowder inside them. The grease on the cartridges contained a substance called tallow. This could be made of animal fat from both cows and pigs. Muslims are not allowed to eat pork and Hindus must not eat beef. Rumours began. One said that the British had put animal fat on the cartridges to destroy local religions. The rebellion lasted for just over one year. Eventually, British forces managed to defeat all the soldiers who had mutinied. Afterwards many of the sepoys who had rebelled were executed. The archaeologists suspect that the bones in the well are remains of Indian soldiers who died in the rebellion. They may have been deliberately shot by the British. Their bodies were thrown into the well, which was then covered in earth. Military medals, coins and belt buckles were found among the bones. Local people said there were stories about bodies being put in an old well. They called the place the Well of Martyrs. An official from a nearby temple said that the sepoys had been fighting for their freedom. He recommended that a special military funeral be held to bury their bones. After the fighting ended the British changed many things in India. The East India Company was closed down. British government officials then ran the colony. In 1947 the UK government agreed to leave India. The colony was split into two independent countries. India was the largest, where

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WELL OF MARTYRS
Archaeologists in India have been digging in an old well in the north west of the country. At the beginning of March they said that they had discovered around 50 human skulls and many bones. Its believed that the bones are the remains of Indian soldiers, who died just over 150 years ago. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were once all part of a large British colony. It was known as India. The British ruled this part of the world for more than 250 years. When parts of India first became a colony the area was run by a UK trading organisation called the East India Company. The company set up a number of armies. Many of the soldiers were local men who were both Hindus and Muslims. These Indian soldiers were called sepoys.

most people were Hindus. The other, Pakistan, had a Muslim majority. At that time Pakistan also included an area called East Pakistan. This part of the country became a separate nation in 1971. Its name then changed to Bangladesh.

FACEBOOK BUYS WHATSAPP

On 19th February the Facebook Company announced that it would buy WhatsApp, the smartphone messaging company. Facebook has become the worlds most famous social networking website. It has around one billion users. People have to register to use Facebook. After this they can set up their own profile and add other Facebook users as friends. Messages can be exchanged. Users can also set up or join other groups. Mark Zuckerberg and several other students founded Facebook when they were at university in 2004. Two years ago the company held an initial public offering (IPO). This meant the companys shares (or stocks) were sold to the public for the first time. Not all the shares in Facebook were sold in the IPO. The total amount of money raised from the share sale was about US$16 billion (9.6 billion).

Painting of fighting during Indias First War of Independence (Indian Mutiny)

In 1857 many Indian sepoys rebelled or mutinied. They refused to obey the orders of their British officers. This led to a number of battles and sieges. The rebellion is known by several names. In India it is called Indias First War of Independence. In the UK it is known as the Indian Mutiny. Other names include the Sepoy Rebellion and the Uprising of 1857. There were many reasons for the rebellion. One was a new type of

When one company buys another it is often called an acquisition. The price that Facebook has agreed to pay for WhatsApp is US$19.5 billion (11.7 billion). The only other large acquisition Facebook has made is Instagram. This company offers a picture and video sharing

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because he was worried about WhatsApp. The messaging app, they say, was becoming a competitor to Facebook. This may explain why Facebook agreed to pay such a high price.

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service. Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 for US$1 billion (600 million). Facebook makes money from advertising. Companies pay Facebook to display their adverts. Jan Koum and Brian Acton set up WhatsApp five years ago. Mr Koum grew up in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. He moved to the state of California with his mother in 1992. Then, he was 16 years old. As a teenager he taught himself computer networking. He did not have his own computer until he was 19. In 1997 he started working for Yahoo. At Yahoo he met Mr Acton. Later the two men left and started WhatsApp. WhatsApp has about 50 employees, or workers. The company offers a messaging service. It works on mobile phones and tablets. People using the service send messages, photographs and videos to other WhatsApp users over the internet. By using WhatsApp people avoid paying text message charges to mobile phone companies. Around 450 million people, all around the world, use WhatsApp. Some people expect the messaging company to have one billion users within a few years.

Some business experts were surprised at the news. They think Facebook is paying far too much. WhatsApp has many users, but it does not make money. Facebook will not pay all the money immediately. The bosses of WhatsApp will get US$4 billion (2.4 billion). The remainder will be paid in Facebook shares. However, it will not be possible to sell these shares for several years. Many people think that Mr Zuckerberg arranged the acquisition

are normally calmer and the weather is clear. This is just before the rainy season begins farther south, in India. After the rainy season starts heavy snow falls on the mountain and it becomes too difficult to climb. Even though many people now reach the summit of Mount Everest CLEANING EVEREST it can be dangerous. The weather can change very quickly. Around On 3rd March officials in Nepal 220 climbers have died either on the announced new rules for people way up or down. climbing Mount Everest. For several years climbers have had to bring all their rubbish back down the mountain. The new rules mean that each climber must now pick up an extra eight kilograms (18 pounds) of garbage. This is rubbish that has been left on the mountain in previous years. Aerial view of Mount Everest Mount Everest is on the border As the mountain is so high there between Nepal and Tibet, which is a region of China. At 8,848 metres is very little oxygen in the air near (29,029 feet) it is the worlds high- the top. Nowadays, nearly all climbest mountain. The first people to ers use special oxygen tanks when get to the top were Edmund Hillary they are close to the summit. Climb(1919 2008) and Tenzing Norgay ing expeditions often employ Sher(1914 1986). Hillary was a New pas to carry many of the things they Zealander. Tenzing (also known as need. These include tents, food, fuel, Sherpa Tenzing) came from Nepal. and oxygen tanks. The Sherpa peoThe two men reached the summit on ple live in the area around Mount Everest. So they are used to living 29th May 1953. Since the mountain was first high in the mountains where there is climbed nearly 4,500 people have less oxygen. Climbers follow one of two routes got to the top. In recent years more and more people have been climb- to the top of Mount Everest. One is ing Mount Everest. Expert climbers on the Nepal side and the other is in organise group expeditions to the Tibet. Most climb the mountain from mountain. Each person must have Nepal. At a height of about 5,300 a permit. The Nepalese government metres (17,388 feet) there is a flatsells these. Each one costs about ter area. Called base camp, climbing groups often use it to set up their 15,000 (US$25,000). For ten months of the year tents. They then wait for good weathbad weather makes it impossible er before trying to get to the top. Over the years many climbers to reach the top of the mountain. Climbing permits are made out for have left rubbish on the mountain. late April and May. At this time the The worst place is base camp. Some winds at the top of Mount Everest people have described it as the

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large amounts of money to help find cures for diseases such as malaria. It also helps to reduce poverty and provide computer-related education. When wealthy people give money for good causes in this way it is called philanthropy. Carlos Slim is second on the billionaire list. Mr Slim is from Mexico. His net worth is now US$72 billion (43 billion). Mr Slim controls over 200 different companies. Most are in Mexico. They include banks, airlines, shops, building companies, and restaurants. He also owns the largest telephone company in Mexico and one of the biggest mobile telephone operations in Latin America.

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worlds highest rubbish dump. The garbage includes old tents, food packaging, cooking gas canisters, oxygen tanks, and human waste. When climbing Everest people have to pay a deposit of 2,600 (US$4,000) to local officials. The money is returned when the climbers show they have brought back their own rubbish. Now, the deposit will only be repaid if climbers collect an extra eight kilograms (18 pounds) of garbage. Officials say this should not include oxygen tanks or human waste.

BILLIONAIRES LIST
Forbes is an American publishing company. It is well-known for its twice-monthly business magazine. Each year it publishes a list of billionaires. These are the worlds wealthiest people. Forbes 2014 billionaire list was announced on 3rd March. The people on Forbes list are dollar billionaires. So their wealth has been worked out in American dollars. Many of them own large numbers of shares, or stocks, in the companies they set up or run. These shares go up and down in value. Therefore, if there is a rise in the companys share price, their wealth can suddenly increase. Top of the list is Bill Gates. He is a co-founder of the Microsoft Company. Forbes says that Mr Gates owns assets that have a total value of US$76 billion (45.5 billion). Forbes describes this as Mr Gatess net worth. In 2008 Mr Gates stepped down as the boss of Microsoft. He wanted to spend more time working with the charitable foundation that he set up with his wife. Called the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it gives

invest in and the best time to do so. His net worth is now US$58.2 billion (35 billion). In 2006 Mr Buffet arranged for part of his fortune to be given to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation every year. Forbes says there are now 1,645 US-dollar billionaires in the world. Most, or 492, are in America. China is next with 152 billionaires and Russia third with 111. Of the 1,645 billionaires, 172 are women. This is higher than last year. Then there were 138 women billionaires. The worlds wealthiest woman is Christy Walton, who is from the USA. She is 9th on the Forbes list. Ms Waltons net worth is US$36.7 billion (22 billion). Her husband died in 2005. He was one of the sons of the man who set up the WalMart Company. WalMart is the worlds largest retailer.

AIR POLLUTION IN CHINA

Bill Gates

For the last four years Mr Slim has been top of the Forbes billionaire list. However, the recent increase in value of Microsoft shares means that Mr Gates has overtaken him. The third richest person is Amancio Ortega. He is a Spanish businessman. Mr Ortega set up a large clothing company. It is best known for its Zara clothing shops. Mr Ortega has a net worth of US$64 billion (38.4 billion). Fourth on the list is Warren Buffet, who is an American businessman. For over 45 years Mr Buffet has run a company called Berkshire Hathaway. His company invests money in many other large companies. Mr Buffet has become famous for choosing the right companies to

At the end of February many people living in Beijing, the capital of China, welcomed a change in the weather. For the first time in over a week, winds blew some of the citys smog away and cleared the air.

Smog in Beijing

The word smog is used to describe heavy air pollution over cities. It is a mix of the words smoke and fog. The word became commonly used in the UK in the 1950s. Then, many people burned coal to keep their

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shut and flights could not take off or land. This year Chinas air pollution has also affected other countries. On 26th February large parts of Japan were covered in smog. This had drifted over the sea from China. In Osaka, Japans second largest city, the PM2.5 levels were 104 micrograms per cubic metre. On the same day people in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, complained about smog blowing in from central China.

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houses warm. Smog would form if the weather was foggy and there was little wind. Smoke particles became attached to the water droplets in the air. It was difficult to see very far in the thick smog. Breathing in the smoke particles made some people ill. In China, the air pollution often gets worse when the weather is colder and there is not much wind. Several types of pollutants cause the smog. Much of the electricity that China needs is made by power stations that burn coal. Many of the countrys industries, such as steel and cement making, put large amounts of pollution in the air. Most of Chinas many trucks use a lowgrade type of fuel. This adds to the air pollution. Roads in the cities are full of cars and buses. The World Health Organization (WHO) is part of the United Nations (UN). Its job is to give public health advice to governments around the world. Air pollution monitors or sensors measure the levels of microscopic PM2.5 particles in the air. These are particles that are less than 2.5 microns (or 2.5 millionths of a metre) across. The WHO says these are dangerous because they are small enough to get into a persons lungs and bloodstream. Breathing in too many of these particles can cause serious illnesses. The WHO says that a PM2.5 level of 25 micrograms per cubic metre is safe. Yet anything above this could be dangerous. Some cities in northern China have been recording over 500 micrograms per cubic metre. To try to reduce the air pollution in Beijing government officials ordered over 140 factories near the city to close. Most people have been wearing special masks. Schools did not open and people were advised to stay inside. Several main roads were

PROTESTS GROW IN VENEZUELA

On 2nd March thousands of people took part in an anti-government protest in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. The protest was one of many that have taken place in the country over the last four weeks. The demonstrators want Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, to step down, or resign. Nicolas Maduro became Venezuelas president after Hugo Chvez died last year. Chvez had been president for 14 years. He died of cancer. Before his death Chvez said he wanted Mr Maduro to succeed him. One month after the former president died a special election was held. The two main candidates were Mr Maduro and Henrique Capriles.

not happen. About 50.7% of the people who took part voted for him. Mr Capriles got 49.1%. Roughly 15 million people voted in the election. So Mr Maduro only won by a small margin, or around 235,000 votes. Venezuela uses an electronic counting system in presidential elections. Mr Capriles claims that in many places the electronic system did not record the votes correctly. Venezuela is very dependent on oil. It has the largest proven, or known, oil supplies in the world. Of Venezuelas total economy around 95% of the money it makes comes from oil.

Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas president

However, Venezuela has many problems. Nowadays there are frequent blackouts, or electricity power cuts. It is not unusual for some food shops to be empty. In recent months there have been shortages of items such as flour, milk, butter, sugar, and even toilet paper. Many of the things Venezuela needs are imported from other countries. The number of crimes, or the countrys crime rate, is very high. Inflation is over 50%. Venezuela now has one of the highest inflation rates anywhere in the world. Inflation is when a currency loses value and the cost of things increase. Governments that keep printing more and more banknotes usually cause Anti-government protest in Venezuela it. The more banknotes there are in a Before the day of the election country the less they are worth. many people predicted that Mr MaChvez often described the way duro would win easily. Yet this did in which he ran the country as a

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The Cave of Altamira is about 300 metres (985 feet) long. Mr de Sautuola began digging in the cave close to its entrance. While doing this, his nine-year-old daughter went farther inside. When she returned she told her father that there were paintings on the roof of the cave. Her father realised they were pictures of bison. Mr de Sautuola knew that there had been no bison in this part of Europe for thousands of years.

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socialist revolution. He arranged for the government to take control of the oil, electricity and large food companies. He said most of the money that these businesses made should be used to help less wealthy people. When he became president Mr Maduro said he would run the country in the same way that Chvez did. The demonstrators now blame Chvez for ruining the countrys economy. They say the governmentrun companies are badly managed and their bosses are dishonest. Mr Maduro claims that businessmen are causing the economic problems. Some demonstrators set up barriers and burned tyres. They threw fireworks and rocks. National guard soldiers were sent to control the crowds. Many people expect there to be more protests in future. Mr Maduro, who was elected for a sixyear term, insists that he will not step down.

Bison painting in the Cave of Altamira

FAMOUS CAVE REOPENS

A few people were allowed to visit the Cave of Altamira on 27th February. The cave is in northern Spain. It contains some of the best examples of prehistoric art in the world. The cave has been closed to visitors for the last 12 years. Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola discovered the cave paintings in 1879. He was a local lawyer, who was interested in archaeology. The caves entrance had been blocked by a rockfall. This is thought to have happened about 13,000 years ago. The cave was discovered when a tree, which was growing on the pile of fallen rocks, fell down. When the tree came down its roots pulled some rocks away. This revealed the caves entrance.

Some of the caves ceiling is covered in animal pictures. They include bison, horses, red deer, and boar. The animals are painted in red, black and ochre (a brownish yellow colour). Several are over two metres (6.5 feet) long. Mr Sautuola was sure the paintings were many thousands of years old. Yet few believed him. The Cave of Altamira paintings were the first prehistoric art to be discovered. Then, most people did not think that ancient humans could create these types of pictures. Some even suspected that Mr Sautuola had painted the caves ceiling. It was not until 20 years later that people began to agree with him. This was after similar prehistoric cave paintings had been found in France. The paintings are thought to date from a period called the Upper Palaeolithic. This was between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. This period is also known as the Late Stone Age.

Recent scientific tests show that some of the caves paintings are at least 25,000 years old. The Altamira paintings have been described as the Sistine Chapel of Palaeolithic Art. The Sistine Chapel is in the Vatican. This is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, in Rome. A well-known Renaissance artist called Michelangelo painted the chapels ceiling. In 1977 it was discovered that the cave paintings were being damaged by carbon dioxide. This came from the breath of people who visited the cave. In 2002, to stop further damage, the cave was closed. One year before, a nearby museum was opened. It contains copies, or replicas, of all the caves paintings. Each year thousands of people visit the museum. Officials have now installed new sensors in the cave. They want to find out if it can be reopened to visitors. The sensors record small changes in temperature and humidity. If these increase, the pictures might be damaged. People visiting the museum were invited to enter a draw. Five were selected. They were then taken inside the cave. Their visit lasted for only 37 minutes. All had to wear special clothing.

Replica ceiling paintings in Altamira museum

As a test, over the next year, around 190 people will be selected to go inside the cave. The officials will then be able to discover if these visitor numbers have affected the paintings.

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The Cold War ended when the Soviet Union began to break up. Most countries that used to be part of it are now independent nations. As there was no longer a threat of war between the Soviet Union and the USA, many countries in Western Europe cut defence spending. The number of their soldiers, military planes and navy ships were all reduced. The USA still has the largest military budget in the world. Last year the country spent US$600 billion (360 billion) on its armed forces. Next is China. Over recent years Chinas defence spending has been increasing. In 2013 it spent US$112 billion (67 billion) on its army, navy and air force. On 5th March Chinese leaders announced that they planned to increase the defence budget by 12.2%. The increased size of Chinas military forces has affected other nearby countries. Some of them now think China is a threat. Defence spending in the rest of Asia has gone up by more than 20%. Asian countries that have been increasing their military budgets include Vietnam and Japan. At US$68 billion (41 billion) Russia has the third largest military budget. In fourth place is Saudi Arabia. Last year its military spending increased to US$60 billion (36 billion). This may be because its leaders believe there is a threat of war with Iran. One reason for the USA cutting its defence spending is the end of the war in Afghanistan. By the beginning of 2015, nearly all the American troops in Afghanistan will have left. Some people wonder if Chinas military budget will ever match the USAs. Experts say, if it does, it is unlikely to do so for at least another 20 years.

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DEFENCE SPENDING
Officials in the USA have outlined plans to reduce the size of its army. The number of people in the army will go down from 520,000 to around 450,000. The last time the USAs army was this size was just before America entered the Second World War in 1941. The amount of money a country spends on its army, navy and air force is known as its defence, or military, budget. When a country decides to spend more it increases its defence budget. If it reduces the size of its military forces, the budget is cut. Nowadays, operating new military planes and ships is very expensive.

MARDI GRAS
Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, is an important date in the Christian calendar. This year it was on 4th March. Nowadays, Mardi Gras is associated with carnivals, street parties and parades. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived 2,000 years ago in what is now Israel and the West Bank. Stories in the Bible (the holy book of the Christian faith) describe how Jesus spent 40 days in the desert where there was little to eat. Every year Christians around the world mark this 40-day period. Called Lent, it starts the day after Mardi Gras. Some people decide to give up eating certain things during Lent. Examples are bread or sweet things such as biscuits, cakes and chocolate. This is meant to remind them of the hardship suffered by Jesus when he was in the desert.

American navy ship and helicopter

The size of a countrys military budget can depend on many things. If the country is involved in a war defence spending will probably go up. The budget may also increase if the government of a country thinks there is a threat of war. Once a war ends, or the threat is over, defence spending is often reduced, or cut. An example is the Cold War. This was not a real war. Instead it is the name given to the period between 1947 and 1991. During this time many people worried that a war might break out between the Russian-led Soviet Union and the USA. If this had happened the USAs allies in Western Europe would have been involved. These countries include the UK, France and Germany.

Samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro

Good Friday and Easter Day follow Lent. Christians believe that Jesus was killed for his beliefs. Their teachings say he was resurrected three days later. Christians mark Jesuss death on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is celebrated as the day he was resurrected and went up to heaven. Easter is whats known as a moveable feast. This means it is not on the same day each year. In the Catholic Church, Easter Sunday is linked to the cycle of the Moon and the spring

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Janeiros carnival is often described as one of the greatest shows on Earth. Many people from other countries travel to Brazil to take part. Over the years the Rio carnival has changed. New themes have been added such as the samba. This is a type of Brazilian music and dance. Nowadays, one of the highlights of the Rio carnival is a huge dance competition. Different samba groups, called samba schools, take part. Twelve samba schools usually enter the event, which lasts for two days.

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equinox. This is on 20th March. In the Northern Hemisphere many people say this is the first day of spring. At the spring equinox, day and night are of almost equal length. The Catholic Church calculates Easter Sunday as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. This year, Easter Sunday is on 20th April. As Easter is moveable, Mardi Gras and the beginning of Lent are also on different days each year.

KEPLER EXOPLANET DISCOVERIES

On 26th February researchers from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) made an announcement about Kepler. It said that the space telescope had found another 715 exoplanets. Planets that orbit a star outside our Solar System are called exoplanets or extrasolar planets. The first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.

Pancake race in the UK

In some English speaking countries Mardi Gras is called Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, Christians were expected to give up foods such as fat and eggs during Lent. So on Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday they needed to use up all these foods. In countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Day. In the past pancakes were made from fat and eggs. Many people, especially children, eat pancakes on this day. Some towns organise pancake races. Those taking part run along a street while tossing, or flipping, a pancake in a frying pan. Several cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil; New Orleans, in the USA; and Sydney, in Australia, organise huge Mardi Gras carnivals, or parades. The most famous is the Carnival in Rio. This year the Rio carnival began on 28th February and ended on 4th March. Rio de

Artists impression of Kepler space observatory

Kepler was launched in 2009. It is named after the famous German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571 1630). The space telescope, or observatory, was specially designed to search for exoplanets. There are two types of planets: gas planets and rocky planets. In our own Solar System, Mercury,

Venus, Earth, and Mars are all rocky planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are made mainly of gas. Scientists are interested in rocky planets, especially if they orbit their star, or sun, at a certain distance. Scientists believe that for life to exist on an exoplanet there probably has to be liquid water. This means the planet cannot be too far from its sun. If it were it would be too cold. Any water on the planet would probably be frozen. Equally, if the planet were too close to its sun it would be too hot. If there had been water on the planet it would have turned to steam and disappeared. Scientists say that for life to exist a rocky planet needs to be in the habitable zone. This is not too far from its sun and not too close. In our Solar System the Earth is in the habitable zone. Mercury and Venus are closer to the Sun and therefore very hot. Mars is much colder than the Earth, as it is farther away from the Sun. Some people call the habitable zone the Goldilocks zone. This name comes from the well-known fairy tale. In the story Goldilocks enters a house in which three bears live. She finds three bowls of porridge. The father bears porridge is too hot to eat and the mother bears porridge much too cold. Goldilocks eats the baby bears porridge because it is just right, or not too hot and not too cold. There are several ways of detecting exoplanets. The Kepler telescope uses the transit method. If an exoplanet transits, or passes in front of, a star it will block a small amount of its light. So if its seen at a certain angle, the light from the star will dim and then get brighter again. This indicates that a planet is going around the star.

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of a calf, or baby cow. Called vellum, this was used as a type of paper hundreds of years ago. The size of each page is about 23.5 x 16.2 centimetres (9.3 x 6.4 inches). Ancient handwritten books or manuscripts are often called codices (the singular is codex). The Voynich manuscript is therefore whats known as an illustrated codex. In 2009 special scientific tests, called carbon dating, were done on some of the vellum. These tests can find out how old something is. The results showed that the codex was probably made sometime between 1404 and 1438. The manuscripts name comes from a man from Poland who collected ancient books. In 1912, Wilfrid Voynich (1865 1930) bought about 30 old manuscripts from the owner of an old villa or castle, in Italy. One of them was the codex. Nowadays its thought that Rudolf the Second (1552 1612) and John Dee (1527 1608) both owned the codex in the past. Rudolf was the Holy Roman Emperor. He spent much of his life in Prague, which is now the capital of the Czech Republic. Dee was an astrologer. He advised Queen Elizabeth the First of England (1533 1603).

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The 715 planets that Kepler has recently found are all in multi-planet systems. This means they are in planetary systems that are similar to our own Solar System. The 715 exoplanets orbit a total of 305 stars, or suns. Most of the planets, or around 95% of them, are smaller than Neptune. Neptune is about four times bigger than the Earth. Only four of the exoplanets are in the Goldilocks zone. These planets are about two and a half times the size of the Earth. They are hundreds of light years away. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. (The speed or light is roughly 300,000 kilometres (186,400 miles) per second.) As the four planets are so far away it is impossible to know if any of them have liquid water. Keplers latest discoveries mean that the space telescope has now found over 1,000 exoplanets.

NEWSCAST
HOMEWORK HELP A four-year-old
boy from the UK was given some science homework. He needed to answer some questions. His father had an idea. He made a short video of his son asking his questions: How many stars are there? Who came second and third in the race to the Moon? Did any animals go to the Moon? They posted the video on NASAs website. A few weeks later, an email message from NASA arrived. Attached was a ten-minute video. In it a NASA scientist answered the boys questions. He also included a virtual tour of the place where he works. The answers are: About as many as all the grains of sand on the Earth: The USA with a Moon landing, then Russia and China with Moon rovers: No, but a Russian dog called Laika was the first animal in space. USA. The university has scanned the manuscript and put it online. So, now, anyone can try to decode it. Since Voynich bought the codex many experts have tried to work out what the text means. They include code breakers, who worked in both the First and Second World Wars. All failed. Botanists, or scientists who study plants, say they recognise some of the plant drawings. A few have claimed that aliens must have written the manuscript. Some people have suggested that the codex is a hoax or fake. Professor Bax is an expert in linguistics. He has tried to copy the way that a French scholar deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs nearly 200 years ago. At first, he looked for what he thought were certain words.

VOYNICH MANUSCRIPT
Stephen Bax, a professor who works at a university in the UK, says he has deciphered some of the words in the Voynich manuscript. This famous manuscript is often described as a 600-year-old mystery. Many cryptologists, or people who break codes, and language experts have tried to work out what it says. The manuscript has 240 pages. Some other pages seem to be missing. Each page is covered in a written text and hand drawn pictures or diagrams. The manuscript includes drawings of plants, stars going around flaming suns, and naked women. The text in the manuscript is written from left to right. It is in an unknown alphabet and language. The pages are made from the skin

Voynich manuscript

Voynich kept the manuscript until he died. It was then bought and sold by several other book collectors or dealers. In 1969 one of them gave it to Yale University, in the

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By studying the atoms, the scientists were able to work out when the crystal formed. The Earth beneath our feet is not solid all the way through. It has four main layers. At the centre is the core. A liquid layer called the outer core surrounds it. Around the outer core is a layer of molten rock (or very hot liquid rock) known as the mantle. The crust, which is the outermost layer, is made of solid rock.

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For example, there is some text near a drawing of a plant that resembles juniper. In the Roman alphabet this text looks like oror. This is similar to the Arabic word for juniper, which is pronounced arar Two of the juniper letters are in a word near a drawing of seven stars. This word could be Taurus. (A wellknown group of seven stars, called the Pleiades, are in the constellation of Taurus.) Professor Bax continued to compare the letters in words where its possible to guess what they might mean. He believes he has discovered the meaning of ten words and the sounds of 14 symbols. Professor Bax has put his findings online. He now hopes to get a group of linguists to use his method. If this can be done he thinks the complete alphabet, used to write the Voynich manuscript, can be worked out.

Fossilised stromatolites in the USA

The Earth is believed to have formed 4.5 billion years ago. At first it was a huge ball of molten rock. Soon afterwards, its thought that an object OLDEST PIECE OF THE EARTH the size of Mars crashed into, or collided with, the newly formed planet. Geologists, scientists who study This Mars-sized planet broke up. Bits rocks, have been studying a tiny zir- of the debris eventually joined, or con crystal. They believe that the coalesced, to form the Moon. Then, crystal was formed about 4.4 billion over millions of years, the Earth years ago. This means it is the oldest cooled and the crust appeared. Minerals like zircon could not piece of rock ever discovered. Zircons are very strong bits of form until there was a crust. When old rock. They are found inside the Earth was all molten rock no life coul could exist. This very early part newer rocks. The scientists, of the Earths history is ofwho work at a university in n ten called the Hadean. (The the USA, found the zircon name comes from Hades, crystal in western Australia. It one. th Greek god of the underthe was inside a piece of sandstone. The crystal is very small, The 4.4 billion-year-old world, or hell.) This is bezircon crystal cause the planets surface or about double the width was very hot, or like many people of a human hair. The zircon crystal contains both imagine hell to be. The crust, or outermost part, of uranium and lead atoms. Over millions of years the uranium atoms the Earth is made up of huge tecslowly change into lead atoms. This tonic plates. These plates are very is a bit like a slow moving clock. slowly moving apart, sliding past, or

pushing against each other. Weathering, or erosion, together with tectonic plate movement means not very much of the Earths early crust remains. Today most of the rocks on the Earths surface are no older than several million years. In a few places, such as Greenland and Canada, there are rocks that are about 3.5 billion years old. The zircon crystal formed about 100 million years after the formation of the Earth. This, the scientists say, means the planet must have cooled sooner than was previously thought. The earliest known signs of life on the Earth are stromatolites. Some date back to 3.4 billion years ago. Stromatolites are round or circular fossilised structures. They were created in shallow water by ancient types of bacteria. The zircon crystal suggests that there must have been a crust on the Earth 4.4 billion years ago. This means life might have begun on the planet much earlier than the stromatolite-forming bacteria.

CONSCRIPTION PROTEST IN ISRAEL

About 300,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews took part in a large rally, in Israel, on 2nd March. The protests closed many of the streets of Jerusalem. Those taking part were protesting about a change that may soon be made to one of the countrys laws. It would mean that ultraOrthodox men would have to do military service. With help from the USA and the United Nations (UN), the state of Israel was set up in Palestine in 1948. The state was to be a new homeland for Jewish people. Thousands of Jews living in Europe moved there.

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Ultra-Orthodox men and boys wear white shirts, dark suits and black hats. They spend nearly all of their time studying the Jewish religion. Most do not work. Ultra-Orthodox men say their religious studies are important. They claim that these studies help to preserve traditional Jewish heritage and culture. Since 1948 ultra-Orthodox Jews have not had to do military training. In recent years many people in Israel have complained about the conscription rules. They say the rules are unfair. They believe that ultra-Orthodox men should have to serve in the army like everyone else. Currently only a few offer to do so. Israels population is about eight million. When the country was first set up the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel was very low. Yet, traditionally, they have large families. The birth rate in their communities is much higher than in other parts of the country. Now almost 10% of Israels population is ultra-Orthodox. The Knesset, or Israels parliament, is expected to change the conscription law. This will make it compulsory for ultra-Orthodox men to do military service.

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Many of them had lost members of their families and suffered persecution during the Second World War (1939 1945). The formation of Israel caused several problems. It angered most Arab countries. Palestinians who lived in what became Israel were forced to leave their land and homes. Many went to live in refugee camps. The Jewish people had their own country but the Palestinians were left without one.

Ultra-Orthodox protest in Jerusalem

Wars broke out between Israel and the surrounding Arab countries in 1967 and 1973. Israel, supported by the USA, won them easily. Because of the threat of war Israel has a large army. Young men and women have to do military service. Men serve in the army for a minimum of three years. Women do two years military training. A period of compulsory service in the military is called conscription, national service, or the draft. In some countries it applies to all young, medically fit men and women. In others only men are conscripted. As well as Israel many other countries have conscription. These include Russia, China, Turkey, Norway, Thailand, and South Korea. When the government of Israel thinks a war might start it quickly increases the size of the countrys army. It does this by recalling all those of a certain age who have done military service.

Tibet is a mountainous region in southern China. Many Tibetans claim their homeland is a separate country. However, Chinese leaders have always insisted that Tibet is part of China. In the late 1940s China accused Tibetan leaders of treating their poor people like slaves. In 1950 Chinese soldiers marched into Tibet. Chinese leaders have always said they took over Tibet to help its poor people. A few years later some Tibetans staged an uprising against the Chinese authorities. This failed. Thousands of Tibetans were killed. Many, including the Dalai Lama, fled across the borders into northern India and Nepal. They eventually settled in Dharamsala. There, they set up a government-in-exile with the Dalai Lama as their leader. China says it has helped to improve the lives of many people in Tibet. Since 1950 many new buildings and roads have been built. A modern railway connecting Beijing, the capital of China, and Lhasa, the largest city in Tibet, was opened in 2007. This is the highest railway in the world.

OBAMA AND THE DALAI LAMA

The Dalai Lama met with the president of the USA, Barack Obama, on 21st February. Their talks took place at the White House, the home of the American president, in Washington DC. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, angered the leaders of China. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual, or religious, leader of Buddhists. He is 78 years old. For over 50 years he has lived in Dharamsala, a town in northern India. Yet he was born and grew up in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama and Barack Obama

In 2011 the Dalai Lama announced that he would retire. He said he would still be a spiritual leader, but no longer wished to make political decisions. The Tibetans living in northern India then elected their own prime minister. Since leaving Tibet in 1959 the Dalai Lama has visited many

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Tibets Buddhist customs and traditional way of life. Mr Obama has met the Dalai Lama at the White House before. Their last meeting was in 2011. Two years previously Mr Obama decided not to meet the Buddhist leader. Then, the American president was about to make his first visit to China. Many people suspected that he declined the meeting because he didnt want to annoy the Chinese government. Yet some Americans were angry with their president for refusing to meet with the Dalai Lama. The two men met in the Map Room in the White House. When world leaders visit the home of the American president, talks usually take place in the Oval Office. Normally, there is time for photographs. Newspaper and television reporters ask questions. However, no reporters were invited. Only a few
Svalbard Greenland

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countries. He is admired by millions of people around the world. The Dalai Lama is known as a man of peace. For example, he believes that any protests should be non-violent. During his travels he has met hundreds of world leaders. However, China says the Buddhist leader is a separatist. It accuses him of trying to get world leaders to support his plan for Tibet to become an independent, or separate, country. The Chinese government frequently asks leaders of other countries not to meet with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama insists that he does not want Tibet to be a separate country. Yet he and his supporters worry that the ancient Tibetan culture is being destroyed. The Dalai Lama believes that Tibetan leaders should be able to make some of their own decisions. This, he explains, would be the best way to protect

photographs were taken. Officials insisted that Mr Obama met with the Dalai Lama because he is a spiritual leader. Their discussion, they said, was not about politics.

DOOMSDAY VAULT SEEDS

On 26th February thousands of seeds were placed in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The seeds are from food plants, which grow in over 100 different countries. They included the first seeds from Japan to be put inside the vault. This day was the sixth anniversary of the vaults opening in 2008. Nicknamed the doomsday vault, the Global Seed Vault is in Svalbard. This is an archipelago, or group of islands, that is part of Norway. The islands are midway between Norway and the North Pole.

NORWAY RUSSIA CANADA UK UKRAINE ITALY USA SPAIN ISRAEL MEXICO VENEZUELA SYRIA NEPAL
Tib et

CHINA

INDIA

BRAZIL

AUSTRALIA CHILE

This map shows countries to which news stories refer in this issue. Visit www.newsademic.com for more detailed world maps.

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Behind the vaults entrance is a 125-metre (410 foot) long tunnel. This was dug into the side of a mountain. The tunnel is 130 metres (425 feet) above the level of the sea. Inside are four sets of airtight, or air-locked, doors. On the other side of the doors are three vaults. These are big enough to store two billion seeds. The seed vault cost 5 million (US$8.3 million) to build. The vault has been specially designed. All the seeds inside would survive any man-made or natural disaster. These include asteroid or comet strikes, sudden climate change and nuclear wars. This is why some people call it the doomsday vault.

money. They can also collect some of them at any time if they want to. The government of Norway paid for the vaults construction. It also pays to operate it. To help with the cost some other countries and organisations donate money. Much of the money needed to run the vault comes from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr Gates co-founded the Microsoft Company. He is one of the richest people in the world. In the past many countries have set up their own seed vaults, or seed banks. Some of them have been damaged by war or natural events, such as floods or earthquakes. More and more countries are now deciding to use the vault on Svalbard. For example, in recent years, thousands of seeds from Australia and Peru were placed inside it. Some of the seeds that have just been put in the vault include Japanese barley. This barley is used to make miso soup and beer. Both are very popular in Japan. Other seeds Svalbard Global Seed Vault entrance were: red okra and cherry tomatoes If any of these disasters occurred, from the USA, beans from Brazil and large areas of the world could be af- nearly 200 types of wild potatoes. fected. Certain types of food plants might all be destroyed. If this happened they could be regrown from WHALE GRAVEYARD EXPLAINED seeds kept in the Svalbard vault. The vault is in a very cold part of Three years ago a team of palaeonthe world. Inside, the temperature is tologists (scientists who study fosbelow zero. So, even without electric sils) began working in Chile. The power the seeds would be preserved. scientists, who were from the USA Its thought that some seeds kept in and Chile, uncovered the fossilised the vault could be regrown after a pe- bones of over 30 ancient whales. At the time, how and why these whales riod of hundreds of years. So far there are seeds from about died was a mystery. Now the scien800,000 food crops in the vault. It is tists think they know the answer. The whale graveyard was disbig enough to store samples of seeds from several million plants. Seeds covered next to the Pan-American from all the worlds food crops can Highway. This road runs from the southern tip of South America, in therefore be preserved. Countries can place seeds in the Argentina, to Alaska (which is part vault without having to pay any of the USA) in North America.

In 2010 some work was being done on the road in part of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world.

Whale graveyard next to the Pan-American Highway (Smithsonian Institution)

The workers found several whalebones sticking out of the rocks. They called the place Cerro Ballena, which means Whale Hill. One year later a decision was made to widen this part of the road. Therefore the scientists had an opportunity to investigate the bones. Most of the fossilised bones were skeletons of baleen whales. Today, baleen whales include blue whales and humpbacks. Baleen whales do not have teeth. Instead they have comb-like filters along their upper jaws. These are called baleen plates. Even though these whales are some of the worlds largest animals they feed on tiny shrimp-like sea creatures called krill. The whales take in huge mouthfuls of water. They then push it out through their baleen plates. The whales then swallow the krill, which were filtered out of the water. The whale skeletons were all complete. They are between nine and six million years old. Many were lying upside down and facing the same way. The bones were found in different layers of rock. This showed that the whales had not all died at the same time. As well as baleen whales the bones of several

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other sea creatures were found. bones were not all found in the same These included a dolphin-sized layer of rock. creature with a walrus-like face. The scientists are sure that there must be many more fossilised skeletons in this part of the Atacama Desert. A university in Chile is now planning to set up a special team to search the area.

AXOLOTLS FOUND
Palaeontologist uncovering bones of several whales at Cerro Ballena (Smithsonian Institution)

The scientists suspect that a type of toxic, or poisonous, algae killed the whales. Algae blooms, or large areas of algae, are known to produce poisonous gases. The whales bodies then washed onto the shore. The waves pushed them to the same place because of the coastlines funnel-like shape. As the bodies, or carcasses, were out of the water they were not attacked by meat eating sea creatures. Nothing fed on the carcasses, as few land animals live in the Atacama Desert. The bodies all rotted away and only bones remained. Gradually, the skeletons were buried under sand and mud. Over thousands of years this turned to rock. There are frequent earthquakes along the west coast of South America. When these happen it is not unusual for the land to be pushed upwards. This is how the Andes Mountains were formed. Over time, earthquakes moved the nearby seabed and shoreline, where the bones lay, upwards. This movement, the scientists explain, is why the bones were found inland and high above sea level. The whales were poisoned in four separate dying events. These took place over several thousand years. The scientists know this because the

Axolotls (pronounced axe-o-lot-uls) are bred in captivity. Their only natural habitat is in Mexico. It was feared that these strange newt-like creatures had died out in the wild. Yet researchers have recently announced that they have seen two of them in a waterway near Mexico City.

Axolotl

Axolotls are also called water monsters or Mexican walking fish. The creatures are an unusual type of amphibian. Usually amphibians, such as frogs, go through a number of growth stages. When they are very young they breathe through gills, like fish. However, as they grow older they develop lungs. This means they can live on the land. Yet axolotls never grow up like other amphibians. Instead they live underwater and their gills never change into lungs. To the south of Mexico City there used to be a large lake called Lake Xochimilco. The Aztecs used to live in this part of Central America. They made large mats out of reeds

and earth on which they grew crops. These mats floated on the lake. The Aztecs also made a network of canals. These lakes and canals were the axolotls natural habitat. In the days of the Aztecs, axolotls were a popular type of food. The Spanish arrived in this part of the world in the 1520s. Later, most of Lake Xochimilco was drained. Now only a few parts of the lake and some of the canals remain. So the axolotls natural habitat has been greatly reduced. Furthermore, in recent years, the remaining waterways and canals have become polluted Axolotls grow to a length of about 30 centimetres (one foot). They have four legs and a short tail. They use their legs to pull themselves along the bottom of the waterways. Their tails help them to swim. The creatures have external gills. These stick out just behind their heads. They look as if they are covered in thick hairs or fur. Axolotls feed on water insects and small fish. Scientists say axolotls are very important. This is because they are one of the few creatures that can regrow severed limbs. If one of their legs is cut off it grows back. Scientists have been studying axolotls to try to find out how they do this. Several years ago axolotls were listed as an endangered species. Researchers in Mexico were worried that their habitat was shrinking. In 1998 a survey showed that there were about 6,000 axolotls in one square kilometre (0.4 square miles) of water. However, by 2008 this figure dropped to 100. Another survey a few months ago did not find any. Many axolotls are kept in captivity in aquariums. Yet scientists say it would be wrong to release them into the wild. Many of those that live in tanks have been interbred. If

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UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (2014) Permanent member countries: France Russia China USA UK

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animals mate with their close relatives their young are often unhealthy. They also mutate, or change. Whats more, these axolotls may have a type of fungal disease. If captive bred axolotls mated with wild ones it could alter or damage the species. The researchers who saw the wild axolotls said they did not try to catch them. Now that two have been seen they hope to find more. In recent years special axolotl shelters have been built. Walls made from sacks full of rocks and reeds are used to enclose an area. Cleaner water is then pumped in. The shelters are also meant to protect the axolotls from non-native fish like carp, which are now living in the waterways.

Current non-permanent member countries:

Asia-Pacific Republic of Korea Jordan Latin America and Caribbean Argentina Chile Western Europe and Other Australia Luxembourg Africa and Arab Group Rwanda Chad Nigeria Eastern Europe Lithuania

SYRIA AID VOTE AT UN

On 22nd February the United Nations (UN) Security Council voted on a resolution, or formal proposal. It was about humanitarian aid in Syria. The resolution passed. All 15 members of the UN Security Council voted for it. This was the first time, since the war in the country began three years ago, that the Security Council has agreed on aid in Syria.

UN Security Council meeting

The UN was set up after the Second World War (1939 1945). Its headquarters is in New York City, in the USA. The UNs main job is to try to keep peace and security among all the nations in the world.

The UN has 193 member countries. However, its Security Council makes most of the important decisions. Only 15 of the UNs member states sit on the Security Council. Five are whats known as permanent members. These are the USA, the UK, Russia, France, and China. Four of them were the victors of the Second World War. The fifth, China, became a permanent member in 1971. The other ten countries on the Security Council (or non-permanent members) rotate, or change. These ten are from different parts, or regions, of the world. Each year there is a vote at the UN to choose which countries will be part of the Security Council. Those selected sit on the Council for two years. Others then replace them. The five permanent members can veto resolutions. This means that they can block any votes that they dont agree with. The fighting in Syria is between the Syrian army and several opposition groups. These groups are often called the rebels. The Syrian army supports the countrys president,

Bashar al-Assad, and his government. Mr al-Assads family have controlled the country for over 40 years. The rebels accuse the president and his government of being corrupt and dishonest. They want to elect new leaders. However, many people in Syria support Mr al-Assad. When the war began most people thought the UN Security Council would pass resolutions that would end the fighting. Yet this has not happened. The problem is that the five permanent members cannot agree on what should be done in Syria. Over the last two and a half years several countries have declared that they support the rebels. They include the USA, the UK and France. All three are permanent members of the UN Security Council. However, the other two permanent members, Russia and China, do not want the rebels to win. Traditionally, Russia has been an ally of Syria and a supporter of its government. Usually, China opposes any country helping opposition groups in other nations. Nearly all the previous UN Security Council resolutions on Syria

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1,900 exhibitors from 160 countries. Exhibitors are companies or organisations that set up stands in the hall. About 75,000 people visited the exhibition hall over the four days. Many of the bosses of mobile device companies attend the show. Some make speeches. Others take part in panel discussions. During these, members of the audience can ask questions. The bosses and senior managers of mobile companies often meet with each other at the event. Business deals, or arrangements between them, are then discussed. Apple is the only large mobile phone making company that does not attend the Mobile World Congress. It prefers to organise its own events. These are used to announce or launch Apples new products. At this years show new mobile devices made by Samsung, Sony, HTC, Microsoft, and Huawei were all unveiled. Huawei is a Chinese company. It develops mobile phones and networks. At the show the company displayed its new, very thin tablet device. Around four out of five smartphones in the world use the Android operating system. Google makes this software. Recently Microsoft bought Nokias mobile phone business. Microsoft also makes its own smartphone operating system called Windows Mobile. The bosses of Microsoft say they now want to challenge both Apple and Google. Three mobile companies from China, Huawei, ZTE, and Lenovo, will soon make phones that use Windows Mobile. Samsung, which is from South Korea, displayed its latest smartphone, the Galaxy S5. Samsung also used the show to launch two new smart watches. One uses Tizen. This is a new operating system that

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have been blocked by Russia and China. This is because they disagree with them. Often votes have not been taken because it was known that they would be vetoed. Until now only one resolution on Syria has passed. This was a proposal to persuade the Syrian government to get rid of its chemical weapons. The humanitarian aid resolution affects both the Syrian army and the rebel forces. Now both must let UN humanitarian aid convoys reach civilians in all parts of the country. These convoys will deliver food, water, medicine, blankets, and fuel. The UN believes that 9.3 million Syrians need help. Many have been forced to leave their homes. Most of them are now living in other parts of the country.

Samsung has helped to develop. So far, most of Samsungs smartphones use Android. Other new wearable mobile technology could be seen at the show. It included shirts that can measure the wearers pulse rate and temperature.

Mobile World Congress exhibition hall

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS

The Mobile World Congress is held in February each year. Mobile device companies from all around the world take part. This years Congress was in Barcelona, one of the largest cities in Spain. The four-day event began on 24th February.

A part of the Vodaphone Company demonstrated an easy to set up emergency mobile network. Vodaphone is based in the UK. It operates mobile phone networks in many different countries. The equipment for Vodaphones emergency network fits inside a rucksack. It can be set up quickly when all mobile networks are down. This can happen after a powerful tropical storm or earthquake. Not all companies at this years event make mobile phones or operate mobile networks. Ford, the American carmaker, was an exhibitor. It introduced a new car fitted with different types of mobile technology.

Mobile phone companies often introduce and display their new designs, products and services at the Mobile World Congress. They also make announcements about partnerships and working with other companies. The event is usually described as the worlds largest mobile phone show. The Congress is held in a huge exhibition hall. This year there were

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Editor: Rebecca Watson Acknowledgements:
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ISSUE 218 GLOSSARY PUZZLE

1 4

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the crossword. The answers are

highlighted in orange in the news stories. There are 25 words highlighted and you need 20 of them to complete the crossword. Once you have solved the crossword go to the word search on the next page

2 5

9 11

10

12 15 16

13

14

17

18

19

ACROSS

DOWN

4 Noun A person who predicts the future by the positions 1 Noun A group of stars in the night sky that appears to form a of the planets and Sun and Moon pattern and has been given a name 5 Verb Discovered the meaning of something, especially 2 Noun Things of cultural or historical importance to a group a code of people or country, such as traditions, languages, music and 7 Noun The power and authority to run a country buildings 10 Adjective Related to a period in European history 3 Verb Refused to accept or do something between the 14th and 17th centuries during which there 4 Noun (Plural) Tanks or pools or bowls filled with water for was a great revival of art, literature, and learning keeping live fish 11 Verb Refused to obey orders from someone in command 6 Adjective Describes something, such as a book or text, which 15 Noun (Plural) People who suffer death or hardship for is decorated with drawings and pictures their beliefs 8 Verb Brought back to life 16 Noun A trick played to deceive people into believing 9 Noun An act that disregards a rule or accepted way of something that isnt true behaving 17 Verb Showed or announced something for the first time 12 Noun (Plural) Things that has been made or built, especially 18 Noun (Plural) Groups of people or animals living in one large buildings place 13 Noun (Plural) Groups of vehicles or ships travelling together 19 Noun Treating a group or race of people cruelly or 14 Noun A collection of items, such as products or works of art, unfairly for public display

6th March 2014

Newsademic.com British English edition

page

19

ISSUE 218 GLOSSARY PUZZLE CONTINUED

C O N S O O A V Y X N D M V O Q H I Y S O A F Q Y S F F A K K E I T V I L I F J T E T E L L T E A U I I I T J Y T P V K I I I O N Y P J S T G C E E R I L P C N A S I A N E R B D D R E B L I I I T U D E C E D V C E R R U S V O V I K Q S A U C E H X I S D R M F C Z O D X

INSTRUCTIONS: Find 19 of the 20 crossword answers in the word search. Words can go vertically, horizontally, diagonally and back to front. After finding the 19 words write down the 20th (or missing) word under the puzzle. Demics are tokens that Individual and Family Subscribers can earn. They are awarded for answering this Glossary Puzzle and/or the Daily News question accessible by logged in users correctly. Demics earned can be used by Family and Individual Subscribers in the Newsademic online store.

U Y

N O I Z V

N N F O E P Z

C Z S V I C E

U S E L I

C C B

A O H N D

T G T O E U B U

P M X E I L E

S G W O E J A Y Z

M R G F

D Q E W G G E R R B T Q S C U

W T

H D M E

GET EXTRA DEMICS*

* Only applies to those who have purchased a
Newsademic Individual or Family Subscription

O N

U R U N H U H C M V R E I V I H C H H S R Y J T V E R J T X E T

E G A

H Q X G N H U X A R K R A M K O

C A D T I

C K Q E W E A G V I I L E L U S

C U S T R A

G V Y T

U Q T

Q Q O D N G

D K

R E

V O S W D S

N R Z

If you wish to earn additional Demics log in to www.newsademic.com, go to the Prize Competitions area and submit the missing word. Puzzle entries must be submitted by 10 pm on 19th March 2014 (GMT/UTC).*

MISSING WORD ANSWER =

ISSUE 217 ANSWERS

2 4 7 8 5

3 6

Y G X K K L V X

Y Z T J E

V A T B L

S B

Y S

D I

G K J E L

N D S E J L F V P T T

D S I

U U X D A E T A L R J T I F

N N

G M J

R E

N C G Q Y C K H Y

D E E A

Q S

9 10 12 14 11 13

Y O Z V A T S

U R C V

D O C A

R U G Q A S A A

H H Y S A I A B

A G T A E S U F I P Y

M H N E E I

D D Z

E Q H O M O N N X G Z I E B G Y L K E I H T

C W N N N F R Y O T T V F A P K L A P

R G W E H M Z K A E J L

C O X

C C W R E L F K J N T H O F K J J Y P S I S L X R J X

A W O M D

15

D R A O R R N T O X P N I H E W T

D T

H O A

16 17 19 18

M T P P E

U E G C I A Y

W N T

G A Q Y R Q E Y I

O M N D U T M E I E A P I B Y

U F D X

F G O R E G Z D N I J

D W N G H

N D O N E T G C

W G D

20

C N E

C N

O C N Q A