Tuesday 29 December 2015

Stars pay tribute to Motorhead's Lemmy

Music stars and celebrities have paid tribute to Motorhead frontman Lemmy, who has died at the age of 70.


Lemmy died at home in Los Angeles on Monday, two days after learning he had cancer.
He formed Motorhead in 1975 and recorded 22 albums, including the classic Ace of Spades.
The band said on its Facebook page: "Our mighty, noble friend Lemmy has passed away after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer."
The band added: "We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words."
They urged fans to play Lemmy's music loud and "have a drink or few", saying: "Celebrate the life this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.
"He would want exactly that."
Lemmy, who was the only constant member of Motorhead, had been diagnosed with cancer on Saturday - two days after his 70th birthday.


'Warrior and legend'

Todd Singerman, Motorhead's manager, told the BBC News channel that Lemmy had had cancer "in his brain and neck" and that his sudden death had come as "a massive shock".
He said the singer died while sitting in front of his favourite video game with his family.
Singerman described Lemmy as "the pinnacle, he's up there with one of his idols, Elvis".
"He was was one of the last true rock stars left, this guy lived it every day."
While Lemmy was known for his hard-living lifestyle and his penchant for Jack Daniels, Singerman joked that in recent years, the frontman had "switched to vodka and orange - he thought it was healthier!"

Thursday 17 December 2015

New emojis collection set for 2016


Thirty eight new emojis will be released next year, including clown face, wilted flower and "call me" hand.

Emoji
Emojis, which are symbols that help described feelings or emotions, are used by millions of people around the world in texts, online chats and on social media.The new list of additions are expected to be available from the summer of 2016.It comes just a month after the unveiling of the Unicode 8 update which included additions of emojis with different skin tones and a taco.
Here are some more fun Emojis in the new list:
  • Face with cowboy hat
  • Clown face
  • Nauseated face
  • Rolling on the floor laughing
  • Drooling face
  • Lying face
  • "Call me" hand
  • Selfie
  • Handshake
  • Clown face
  • Wilted flower
  • Bacon (From CBBC Newsround)

Friday 4 December 2015

Fossils of Star Wars-like mammal found in Spain

Fossils of a mammal that looks like something out of the Star Wars films have been found in Spain.

Researchers discovered the fossils at the La Retama fossil site within the Loranca Basin in the Iberian Peninsula. 
The first palaeomerycids – which all have three horns - were originally described on the basis of fossils from Goergensmund, Germany.
Since then, others have been founds across Europe, with a diverse range found around the Iberian Peninsula and stretching to China.
To work out how the new find fits into the group, Israel M. Sánchez and his team paid particular attention to the creature's T-shaped horn, as well as cranial fragments and teeth. (MailOnline)


Xenokeryx amidalae
The giraffe-like animal has three horns on top of its head. One is much bigger than the rest.
The animal has been given the scientific name Xenokeryx amidalae, meaning strange horn of Amidala. (CBBC Newsround)
It is part of an extinct family of animals related to the giraffe living up to 16 million years ago and has been named in honour of Star Wars character Padme Amidala due to the similarity of its horn to the character's headwear in The Phantom Menace.  

Researchers paid particular attention to the creature's T-shaped horn, as well as cranial fragments and teeth. Cranial remains of Xenokeryx amidalae, including the strange T-shaped horn (A and C) are shown above
Researchers paid particular attention to the creature's T-shaped horn, as well as cranial fragments and teeth. Cranial remains of Xenokeryx amidalae, including the strange T-shaped horn (A and C) are shown above (MailOnline)

Xenokeryx amidalae lived between 16 and 11.5 million years ago, during the middle Miocene, according to researchers from Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC in Madrid.
It is part of a group of animals called palaeomerycid - strange three horned Eurasian ruminants that have a specialised stomach designed to ferment food.(MailOnline) 

Queen Amidala from Star Wars
The giraffe-like animal has three horns on top of its head. One is much bigger than the rest.
The animal has been given the scientific name Xenokeryx amidalae, meaning strange horn of Amidala.(CBBC Newsround)

Wednesday 2 December 2015

Police officer gives donkey a lift in his car

This police officer in Oklahoma, USA picked up an unusual furry character wandering the streets.


Donkey in a car
'Squishy' the miniature donkey escaped its enclosure and decided to go for a wander down the middle of a busy road.
Officer Kyle Canaan was called out to collect the poor lost fella, and eventually managed to get him safely into his police car, with the help of a few treats!
He then drove Squishy to a local donkey sanctuary, where it will stay while they look for its owner.
From CBBC Newsround

Friday 27 November 2015

Adele's 25 makes UK chart history with 800,000 album sales

Adele's new album 25 has sold more than 800,000 copies in its first week of release - the highest ever figure for a single UK chart week.

Adele
Adele's first-week sales were more than eight times those for any other album this year

The album shifted more copies than the next 86 albums in the chart combined, and has become the first album to sell more than 100,000 downloads in a week.
In fact, 252,423 of the album's 800,307 sales were digital with the rest on CD.
Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said: "The statistics surrounding the album are staggering."
He added: "No album has ever sold 800,000 copies to reach number one in the history of British music."
The previous record was held by Oasis's Be Here Now, which reached number one with sales of 696,000 in 1997. However that album only went on sale three days before the end of the chart week.
Adele - 25

Adele's record-breaking sales

  • Before this, no album had sold 100,000 copies in a single week this year. Adele's 25 has sold 800,307.
  • That is more than the combined sales of the last 19 number one albums in the weeks they topped the chart.
  • More than 300,000 people bought 25 on its first day of release.
  • Ed Sheeran held the previous record for weekly digital album sales, with 95,709. Adele's 25 has eclipsed that with 252,423 downloads.
  • 25 has reached double platinum status already.
  • It still has some way to go to match the sales of Adele's last album 21, which is owned by 4.8 million people in the UK.


Monday 23 November 2015

One Direction named Artist of the Year at American Music Awards

One Direction picked up the top award at the American Music Awards winning the Artist of the Year award for the second year in a row.



They also won best group even though they're due to take a break next year.


"Wow, this is incredible, to win two years in a row. It's a testament to how incredible our fans are so thank you, thank you, thank you," said Louis Tomlinson.
Liam Payne added: "We can't believe we get to win awards like this."
One Direction
One Direction performing "Perfect"
From CBBC Newsround

Thursday 12 November 2015

Skateboarding bulldog breaks Guinness World Record

A bulldog called Otto has broken the Guinness World Record for skateboarding through the "longest human tunnel" in Peru.
Otto passed through the legs of 30 people and was presented with an official certificate.(BBC News)


Wednesday 4 November 2015

Amazing chocolate clothes on catwalk



If you love chocolate check this out!


Models in Paris have taken to the catwalk dressed in clothes made entirely from chocolate.
The designs were made by stylists and famous chocolate makers called chocolatiers.
They were worried their creations might melt under the bright lights. So they had to think of ways to keep the models cool.
They said it was one of their biggest challenges.

Tuesday 3 November 2015

What is Bonfire Night? The history of November 5

Why do they have Bonfire Night and fireworks displays every November 5 in the UK? 


Fireworks display

What is Bonfire Night?

On November 5 people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night.
There are small fireworks parties in back gardens along with big organised displays in public parks.
The reason they do it is because it's the anniversary of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament led by a man called Guy Fawkes.
It's called the Gunpowder Plot, and bonfires are lit to burn the "Guy" - a kind of dummy that represents Fawkes.

Image captionGuy Fawkes and conspirators of the Gunpowder PlotGuy Fawkes (second from right) and the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot

What was the Gunpowder Plot?

Guy (Guido) Fawkes led the Gunpowder plot in 1605. It was a plan to blow up King James I and his government. 
Fawkes and his group put 36 barrels of gunpowder in cellars under the Houses of Parliament in London, ready to set off a massive explosion.
One member of the group sent a letter to his friend who worked in Parliament, warning him to stay away on November 5.


Fireworks display
Image captionThe plot was to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London

The King's supporters got hold of the letter and the plot was rumbled!
Guards broke into the cellars where the gunpowder plotters were waiting. They were arrested, tortured and executed.
The Gunpowder Plot was about religion. England was a Protestant country, and the plotters were Catholic.
The group wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. They thought they could do this by killing King James I and his ministers.
Bonfire
  Bonfires are lit all over the UK every November 5

From CBBC Newsround

Monday 2 November 2015

Pugs dress-up in costume for Halloween

Check out this special Halloween costume parade with a difference, it's just for pug-dogs.

Cute aren't they?


The parade was held in Ukraine, where about a hundred pugs showed off their finest costumes.
The devilish-doggies dressed up as spiders, angels, dragons and Halloween themed film characters.
It's simply pug-tastic! (CBBC Newsround)

Friday 30 October 2015

The history of Halloween - how it all started

Halloween began as the festival of Samhain. It was part of the ancient Celtic religion in Britain and other parts of Europe.


At the end of summer, the Celts thought the barrier between our world and the world of ghosts and spirits got really thin.
This meant weird creatures with strange powers could wander about on Earth.
The Celts had a big party. It was all about scaring away the ghosts and spirits.
Later, with the Christian religion, the day became known as All Hallows' Eve - the day before All Saints' Day on 1 November.

America picks up the pace

It's in America that Halloween has really taken off.
Irish immigrants to the United States raised the popularity of Halloween during the 19th century.
During the 20th century it became more and more popular, with traditions like pumpkin carving and trick or treating becoming part of TV shows, books and movies. (CBBC Newsround)


Saturday 10 October 2015

Stray dogs on the rise in Greece


Animal charities are warning that there are now more than one million stray animals on the streets in Greece.

Greece has borrowed loads of money over the last 10 years or so - both from European banks and from other countries' governments.
Now the country owes billions of pounds, and has signed a deal to help try to get it out of debt.
But this has had a knock on effect on the people living in Greece, and has meant that some of them don't have a lot of money.
Animal charities think this might be one of the reasons why there are more stray dogs and cats on the streets in Greece, as their owners can no longer afford to take care of them.
A group of vets from the UK has flown out to try to help rescue some of the stray animals.

From CBBC Newsround

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Beard and Moustache Championships

The Championships first started in 1990, and have increased in popularity every year. Now 350 bearded competitors are competing.


Meet the hairy competitors


A host of bearded competitors
Bearded competitors from all over the world are gathering in Austria, for this year's annual Beard and Moustache World Championships.
Around 350 contestants from 20 different countries have signed up to show off their hairy facial sculptures, in the hopes of being crowned champions.
Hairy competitors can take part in 18 different categories, including best goatie, best stubble and best fashion beard.
Here is a closer look at some of the whiskered wonders who will be competing...
take a look at this moustache that looks like tusks
The championships take place in a different country every year, and the UK even held one in 2007. Take a look at this mighty tusk moustache!

Saturday 3 October 2015

Sam Smith's James Bond song makes chart history

Singer Sam Smith has made history by topping the charts with his latest single Writing's On The Wall.

The song is the official theme for the new James Bond film called Spectre, and is the first theme from the Bond films to ever get a number one.
It soared straight into the top spot with 70,000 combined sales and streams, pushing it 13,000 ahead of closest competitor, Justin Bieber"s What Do You Mean?
The only other artists who have come close are Adele with Skyfall and Duran Duran's View To A Kill, which both reached number two.
Sam said he was "so proud" of the song, and being number one was "crazy".
From CBBC Newsround

Thursday 1 October 2015

Thirsty leopard gets head stuck in pot for six hours

An unlucky leopard got its head stuck in a metal pot after wandering into a village in India on Wednesday.
Local media reported that the leopard was thirsty and had become stuck after trying to drink water from the pot.
It took forest officials more than six hours to temporarily put the leopard to sleep and then free it from the pot.
The animal was later released back into the wild.(CBBC Newsround)


Tuesday 8 September 2015

'Biggest' Stonehenge site discovered

Archaeologists have found around 100 huge standing stones buried near Stonehenge.


Experts think the discovery could be the 'biggest' prehistoric monument ever built in Britain.
The stones were uncovered using special equipment that scans below the Earth's surface.
Researchers said finding the stones was "fantastically lucky".
Radar scanning at Durrington Walls, Wiltshire
Special radars were used to find the large stones at Durrington Walls

What is Stonehenge?

  • It's a circle of massive stones, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in the south west of England.
  • No-one knows exactly why it was built but there is a link to the sun's movements during the year and there are burial sites nearby.
  • It's thought to have been built in prehistoric times, with the stones being put up about 2,500 BC.
  • People go to the site at certain times of year, during the summer and winter solstices, when the sun lines up with gaps in the stones.
Large stones at Durrington Walls
The stones could have measured up to 4.5m in height
The latest discovery was made about 1.8 miles (3km) from Stonehenge, on the edge of the Durrington Walls "henge", or bank.
It's an area which had not yet been studied by researchers and it's thought the stones may have originally measured up to 4.5m (14ft) in height.
Lead researcher, Vince Gaffney said the stones were "lost to archaeology" but found thanks to modern technology.

Large stones at Durrington Walls
The row of stones were standing over the edge of the bank of the henge
The findings are being announced later on the first day of the British Science Festival being held at the University of Bradford.

From CBBC Newsround

Sunday 6 September 2015

One Direction's Harry Styles corrects fan's grammar

There might be an easy way to get Harry Styles to spot you when you're at a One Direction gig...

Harry Styles on stage holding up the correctly spelt sign
Make a mistake on your homemade banner!
A 1D fan had made a sign saying: "Hi Harry, your so nice".
Harry noticed the grammar mistake and corrected it himself!
It happened at the band's gig in Philadelphia.

From CBBC Newsround
The poster with the words written in thick black pen, complete with Harry's autograph, is now hanging on the fan's bedroom wall. 
Poster says

Monday 31 August 2015

MTV Video Music Awards: Taylor Swift picks up four prizes

Taylor Swift took home four MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) on Sunday night at a big event in Los Angeles, USA.

Model Gigi Hadid, actress Serayah, recording artist Taylor Swift, director Joseph Kahn, model Lily Aldridge accept the Video of the Year award for 'Bad Blood' onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

She won the night's biggest prize, the Video of the Year award, for 'Bad Blood'.



"I'm just happy that in 2015 we live in a world where boys can play princesses and girls can play soldiers," the 25-year-old singer said accepting her award.
Swift also won Best Pop Video and Best Female Video for 'Blank Space'. (From CBBC Newsround)


Thursday 20 August 2015

Vancouver black bear relaxes in hot tub in Canada

A family had to share their swimming pool with an unexpected visitor at their home in Vancouver, Canada

A black bear decided to take a dip in their pool then climbed into the adjoining hot tub where it seemed to relax for a while.
After around 15 minutes, the bear, which had been tagged by wildlife officials, strolled off, back through the hole it had made in the family's fence. 
 From CBBC Newsround


Wednesday 19 August 2015

The new electric surfboard that doesn't need waves

 

This amazing electric surfboard, made by a Spanish company, allows the rider to surf over the water without the need for waves.

WOW!




Aquila Boards have spent the last few years developing an electric jet board for their brand Onean, with the help of product engineering company Bizintek. The boards make it possible to surf without any waves.(From Contemporist)

The boards are 100% electric and also almost completely silent.
They work on rivers, sea, lakes and only take two hours to fully charge.
The company, Onean, who are based in Spain made two boards.
They're called the Carver, which is speedier and the Manta which is for a gentler ride. (CBBC Newsround)