Kid News This Week: Hear from Israeli and Palestinian kids, extreme weather hurts education, happy year of the snake, horse debate, bottled bones help solve crimes
After our lonnnnnnnnng winter break, we’re back!! And boy are we back with a bang – we have a seriously packed and very special episode of Newsy Pooloozi – The New Pod for Kids. First up, we have two special – and touching – on-the-ground reports from both sides of the divide in the Israeli war. Plus, climate change is drastically impacting education with more kids missing school than ever before because of extreme weather. Millions celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Snake. We’ll give you the lowdown on what that means. In India a strange court case brings up a bizarre debate in the world of sports: is a horse an athlete or just part of the equipment? We discuss! And finally, scientists are bottling old bones. Yep. But you gotta listen to the pod to find out what this wacky practice has to do with solving crime!
EPISODE 191
This week, is the Israeli war nearing the end? We hear from kids on both sides of the divide. Plus, extreme weather is hurting education, happy year of the snake, the debate over athletic horses and bones get bottled to solve crimes.
OPENING STING – LEELA: “Hey, hey, hey. Listen up. New, new, newsy – Newsy Pooloozi!”
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: Hello, yes, we are finally back! Profuse apologies, all you Newsies, our winter break lasted a little longer than we intended.
MAMA: Yes, please forgive us, there wasn't just family halfway around the world to see and presents to deliver, but a monumental birthday to mark as well as a funny tummy episode that got in the way of our return. So sorry...
LEELA: Never fear, we are back in action and ready to give you all the news that matters.
MAMA: And even some that doesn't but is just too funny –
LEELA: Or just weird –
MAMA: Not to include.
LEELA: Yep. I’m your host Leela Sivasankar Prickitt and, as ever, I’m joined by the big story explainer and sound effects finder – otherwise known as my… mama!
MAMA: Hello, hello! I’m also called Lyndee Prickitt
LEELA: At the top of the news in this pod for kids, we look at the Israeli war against Hamas militants, in Gaza, and ask if the end is in sight. But also… we have special on-the-ground reports from both sides of the divide.
Climate change is drastically impacting education with more kids missing school than ever before because of extreme weather.
Millions celebrate the Lunar New Year and, in case you didn’t know, it’s the Year of the Snake. We’ll give you the lowdown on what that means.
In India, a strange court case brings up a bizarre debate in the world of sports: is a horse an athlete or just part of the equipment?
And finally, scientists are bottling old bones. Yes, you heard me right. But you gotta listen to the end to find out what this wacky practice has to do with solving crime!
LEELA: OK then, let’s dive on in. First up, it’s the…
BIG NEWS STORY STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The Big news story of the week!”
MAMA: So, usually, during a winter break,winter for those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere,
Anyway, it's what we call the slow new season. Sometimes we can even say the silly new season.
Happens also in the summertime. When people are just so busy out visiting family and friends,
There’s not a lot of work getting done, and so not a lot of real news. But that wasn't the case this year, was it?
LEELA: No, not at all. For starters, there was the Palisade fires, which affected Los Angeles and California.
MAMA: No, not at all. For starters, there was the Palisade fires, which affected Los Angeles and California.
LEELA: Including an attack on a music festival and the taking of 251 hostages.
MAMA: Israel vowed revenge and has hammered Gaza ever since in its attempts to root out the perpetrators and, quote, “crush Hamas” so that it’s no longer a threat.
LEELA: But thousands of innocent Palestinian people living in Gaza have also died.
MAMA: Yes, we’re talking more than 45,000 Palestinians according to the UN. Never mind, their communities are flattened.
LEELA: And wait, weren’t Hamas elected by the people to rule the Gaza Strip?
MAMA: By a majority, yes, though not everyone, of course. But, yes, it’s complicated, that’s for sure.
LEELA: You’re telling me!
MAMA: Well, for the full lowdown and background of this war, our listeners can go back and have a listen to Episode 161.
LEELA: Even I’ve gone back to relisten to it because, well, like we said, it’s complicated!
MAMA: The good news is that the latest ceasefire –
LEELA: Which means when both sides agree to put their weapons down and stop, or cease, to fire them.
MAMA: Yep, thank you. So, this latest ceasefire seems to be sticking… It’s not only set up to free the hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
LEELA: But also, there’s hope this deal will pave the way for a permanent end to the fighting.
MAMA: Yeah, and this took months and months of talking, debating, negotiating, compromising…
LEELA: More talking and debating and debating…
MAMA: It’s like a Jenga game with everyone holding their breath carefully, carefully…
LEELA: Careful!
MAMA: Carefully removing the obstacles hoping the whole thing doesn’t come tumbling down and fighting starts again.
LEELA: I cannot imagine how stressful it must be living there right now. Not just in Gaza – although I guess most of those people are in refugee camps, which has to be awful – but even those living in Israel or the neighbouring areas.
MAMA: Well, we’re gonna find out. Because this episode of Newsy Pooloozi – the News Pod for Kids we have special reports from an Israeli child and Palestinian child.
LEELA: That’s right. Let’s kick it off with Nai Nasseraldin, who’s a Palestinian living in Jerusalem. She’ll be 10 years old in a few days and wants to be a journalist when she grows up, so this probably won’t be the last time you hear her on this podcast.
NAI: [NOT TRANSCRIBED]
LEELA: Wow, thanks a lot for sharing that, Nai! I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you and other kids in that part of the world right now, especially those living in Gaza or refugee camps.
MAMA: Absolutely. And let’s not forget the fear that Israeli kids live with too – that a rocket or terror attack is always possible anytime-anywhere with sirens going off – warning of possible danger – being a regular part of life.
LEELA: Yeah, that’s gotta be hard.
MAMA: Well, let’s hear from 11-year-old Yair Back from Herzliya in central Israel. [YAY’EAR BUCK – FROM HERZILLIA]
YAIR: [NOT TRANSCRIBED]
LEELA: Gosh, thanks a lot for letting us hear what you’re experiencing.
MAMA: Yeah, thanks for sharing – both of you! It really helps others get a sense of what it’s like living in a place we hear about on the news all the time but becomes hard for us to grasp what it’s really like being there.
LEELA: Here’s hoping this ceasefire sticks and things get less tense soon.
MAMA: Well, yes, totally. But, well, there is a new and somewhat bizarre development to this story.
LEELA: Oh, please don’t say the ceasefire has been broken?
MAMA: No… it’s a comment from US President Trump who’s just said he wants the US to 'take over' Gaza and own it 'long term' with Palestinians resettled.
LEELA: Own it? Is it for sale?
MAMA: No…
LEELA: And resettle the Palestinians where?
MAMA: Well, Trump thinks neighboring countries can take some of them in.
LEELA: Uhhhh…
MAMA: Jordan and Egypt have strongly rejected the idea. And one thing we know about Trump is he says a lot of outlandish things which never really come too much.
LEELA: Still… Well, watch this space, Newsies.
MAMA: Indeed.
[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5klgv5zv0o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce85enjjlzro
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15944.doc.htm
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/clyn05y9x2xt]
NATURE STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The call of nature. Get on your safari suit. Or squeeze into your scuba gear. And get ready to hop into a jeep. Or submarine. Submarine. Because Mother Nature is calling! Nature.”
MAMA: I never realized just how appropriate our sting is… Mother Nature is indeed calling.
LEELA: And by that, you mean.
MAMA: Well, a new study just came out from UNICEF…
LEELA: That would be the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. Boy, that’s a mouthful!
MAMA: Yes, most international organizations are! Well, according to UNICEF, last year roughly 242 million children in the world were out of school due to, well, Mother Nature!
LEELA: Wow, really? But – just to be clear – you´re talking about extreme weather, like floods, typhoons and heatwaves… not just a random snow day.
MAMA: Correct. I’m talking about the big stuff. Massive flooding. And heatwaves that made it downright dangerous for kids to be in schools learning.
LEELA: I mean, everyone likes a day off school, but – as COVID taught us – NOT being in school kinda stinks.
MAMA: It does! And guess what? We humans played a huge role in these off days!
LEELA: Oh, oh – so not just Mother Nature’s fault.
MAMA: Nope – this is a classic case of wrath a mother can yield if you tick her off!
LEELA: Ooohhhh…
MAMA: Yes, thanks to climate change brought on by our excessive use of polluting fossil fuels to power things like planes, cars, ACs and blow-dryers, last year, 2024, was the hottest year on record!
LEELA: Well, I do know that in parts of India where we live, yes, last year some schools had to shut down because it was just too dang hot.
MAMA: Yeah, and did you know, young bodies – as in pre-pubescent, as in pre-puberty…
LEELA: Yes, yes, we know what you mean. Got it, thanks.
MAMA: No, seriously, pre-pubescent bodies, as in bodies that haven´t gone through puberty, heat up faster and take longer to cool down than adults.
LEELA: Maybe because they don´t sweat?
MAMA: Exactly! Young bodies are at higher risk of overheating because they don´t sweat. And that’s why in places like the Philippines, Bangladesh and Cambodia, kids were kept home from school because of the heat.
LEELA: But not all the kids were affected by heat, right?
MAMA: That’s right. Some kids, like those in parts of Africa and Southern Europe, were dealing with floods.
LEELA: Right! We talked about those Spanish floods in Episode 188!
MAMA: We did! So, kids in Southern Europe, East Asia, East Africa and Southern Africa were all affected by floods.
LEELA: You also mentioned typhoons?
MAMA: Which brings me to typhoons! Typhoon Yagi affected 16 million children in East Asia and the Pacific!
LEELA: So, what will happen now? We all know how hard it is to stop an angry mother…! I mean, we can´t exactly control Mother Nature!
MAMA: Very true. And in low and lower-middle income countries, where schools are not always fancy enough to keep the effects of the severe weather outside, well, it’s ironic or a bad coincidence that Mother Nature seems even stronger there. Her impact more severe.
LEELA: I guess that means it’s more important than ever to make sure we humans get our act together.
MAMA: Yep – we need to find ways of living on this Earth without wasting its precious resources!
LEELA: Or angering Mother.
MAMA: Quiet! Always a good policy, that!
https://apnews.com/article/climate-weather-children-school-unicef-eb93150ca5c1f79a663f7c6755be3196
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1158621
https://www.unicef.org/stories/heat-waves-impact-children]
WORLD WRAP STING – LEELA: “What’s that? I’ll tell you what. That’s the halftime bell! Which means… it’s time to hear what’s making news around the rest of the world. Hold on tight, it’s around the world in 80 seconds.”
MAMA: Hundreds of families are in mourning after an American Airlines regional jet collided with a US Army helicopter last week. No one survived when both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C.
The United States Agency for International Development, otherwise known as USAID, is being overhauled as President Trump moves to dismantle the foreign aid agency. Not only are about 10,000 people losing their jobs, but crucial aid that helps many underdeveloped countries get food and healthcare will be stopped.
If you’re in the US and buying goods from China – you know, those dirt-cheap clothes and electrical accessories – well, think again as. The US Postal Service has stopped accepting parcels from China after President Trump closed a loophole that had allowed packages under $800 in value being sent to the US without paying tax or fees.
And super star Beyonce finally took home the award for Album of the Year, for Cowboy Carter. It’s a big deal for the singer. While she might hold the record for winning the most Grammy Awards, she’d never won the album of the year category.
[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w83x38zvwo
https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/dc-plane-crash-live-updates-salvage-operations/?id=118393207
https://people.com/2025-grammys-beyonce-wins-album-of-the-year-8779512
LEELA: Well, thank you so much for that – wait for it… that whippity-whappity-zippity-zappity wrap of what’s making headlines elsewhere in the world, Mama.
MAMA: Did you miss saying that the last few weeks?
LEELA: Oh, you know I did…
MAMA: I missed hearing it, believe it or not! And, by the way, a shout out to Frankie from New Orleans… a total stranger whose mom spotted us in a restaurant recently – can you believe – and said she and Frankie’s sister, Pia, were big fans.
LEELA: TOTALLY made our week. Well, year, really.
MAMA: I will probably be telling that story the rest of my life, seriously. And guess what she could totally bust out a fast “whippity-whappity-zippity-zappity wrap of what’s making headlines,” couldn’t she?
LEELA: That was so cool.
MAMA: I mean, I sometimes get worried that people can't understand what you're saying there.
Oh no, she totally understood it and could emulate it. That's a fancy way of saying copy.
LEELA: Oh, yes, she could. I was super impressed. She gave me a run for my money, as the saying goes.
MAMA: She sure did. In fact, we might be hearing more from her after that impressive homage or tribute to our little podcast that she did there in the restaurant.
LEELA: She’d make a great addition.
MAMA: She would.
ACE STING – LEELA/MAMA: “Now it’s the ace part of our podcast: Arts, Culture and Entertainment. Darling.”
MAMA: And when we say culture, we mean the big party that took place for a quarter of the world in the last few days.
LEELA: Oh, yeah, we’re talking about the Chinese New Year which, as any Newsy Pooloozi listener would know, is based on the lunar calendar
MAMA: As in the cycles of the moon, which is why the date changes every year.
LEELA: And in case you missed it – this year is.. the year of the sssssssssssssssnake.
MAMA: But what, pray tell, is the meaning of this creepy creature sticking around the entire year as the symbol?
LEELA: Well, here to tell us all is our trusty Taiwan correspondent, Yuching Liu, who’s in the capital Taipei.
MAMA: Well, over to you Yuching
YUCHING: Thanks guys! This year is the Year of the Snake, and it’s associated with wisdom, charm, and elegance.
When the Year of The Snake arrives, it is said that you shed off all of the bad energy and memories brought to you the past years.
It is believed that people born in the Year of The Snake appear calm, observe their surroundings, and work quietly. Just like a snake!
SFX OF A SNAKE
However, they are also kind and will help others if it’s needed. When they meet new people, they will likely assist them!
To prepare for the new year, we clean the house, buy new clothes, and buy firecrackers. Lastly, we hang up spring couplets.
It’s like people’s saying of “New Year, new me!”
We also stay up late during New Year’s Eve!
Traditionally, it is believed that when children stay up late with their elders on Chinese New Year's Eve, it symbolizes filial respect and blessings, wishing their parents good health and longevity.
To celebrate The Chinese New Year, we visit our family and have a delicious feast together. After the meal, the children go play with firecrackers! With the adults’ supervision, of course.
In my opinion, the best part about the Chinese New Year is that we get red envelopes! Red envelopes are filled with money, and they give good wishes and luck for the new year.
There is a bad thing about the Chinese New Year though. During the Chinese New Year, traffic is so busy! Everywhere is crowded, too. It’s kind of hard to go places.
Happy Year of The Snake!
Wishing you great fortune in the Year of the Snake.新年快樂，蛇年行大運。
From Taiwan, this is Yuching for Newsy Pooloozi!
LEELA: Wow – thank you for that super informative and really interesting report, Yuching!
MAMA: Yep, fabulous as ever. Thanks, Yuching. And a big shout-out to all our Taiwanese listeners – you’ve always been big fans and supporters, and we love y’all for it too!
LEELA: We sure do.
SPORTS STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “It’s time to play ball… Score… Sports News!”
LEELA: Guess what kind of sport story we’ve “reined” in for you today?
MAMA: Good one, Leela. I should say, you’re just “barn” with this talent for making funny puns!
LEELA: Let’s get straight to this story, what do you say? Yay, or “neigh”?
MAMA: Alright, alright, I bet everyone’s got the hint already. Today, we’ve got a super interesting story that involves something you’ve probably seen at a fancy sports event – horses! But... there’s a big question we need to ask… Are horses athletes, or are they just you know part of the sports equipment?
LEELA: I know, it sounds like a tricky question, right? Do horses run races like athletes, or do they just carry the riders? That’s what people in the sports world especially here in India are debating about right now. I personally think that they should be free animals.
MAMA: Well, that's another debate, but an interesting one, Leela. But here in India, this question of
is a horse an athlete or equipment? Is being discussed in a courtroom?
LEELA: So, we need someone to explain all this “horse-talk” to us in a way we can actually understand.
MAMA: That would be none other than our Indian sports correspondent right here in New Delhi.
LEELA: Oh, yeah. That’s you, Yuvraj Sanhi. Take it away.
YUVRAJ: Thanks, Leela!
You’re right this story is all about horses, but your ordinary barn-yard horses, oh, no.
We’re talking about horses in the world of sports those in events like racing, showjumping and even something called dressage as in how well the horse walks, trots, canters or maneuvres.
But here’s the big question: Are horses the “athletes” in these sports or are they just equipment used by the riders to win?
Some people argue that horses are like any other athlete they run, jump and perform tricks.
In other words, they do most of the hard work in the competition.
On the other hand, some think of horses as tools, like how a football player uses a ball.
They’re important, definitely, but it’s still the human riders who end up getting the medals!
Believe it or not, this debate became such a big deal that it ended up in a courtroom!
The Indian government wanted to decide how to classify horses in competitions.
Are they athletes or are just tools?
I know what you’re wondering – why does it really matter, anyway?
Because if horses are seen as athletes, they’d not only get recognition for their skills and hard work.
They’d also get better care and protection – unlike the pretty cruel treatment that some racehorses get now.
However, others warn that giving horses the status of athletes could complicate things in the future.
Like what? Well, like rules here that only Indians can represent the country team.
So… Does that mean the horses have to be Indian born too?
Suffice to say, all this debate was heard in a court case (between two sporting federations in India) that really had nothing to do with this question!
So don’t expect a verdict on this anytime soon.
Which means we may have been wait for it putting the cart before the horse as that quaint old expression goes!
From New Delhi, this is Yuvraj Sahni, reporting for Newsy Pooloozi.
LEELA: Oh, very literary, Yuvraj!
MAMA: Yes... Putting the cart before the horse is an old idiom, or expression, meaning putting things in the wrong order as we all know the horse has to go first if it’s gonna pull the cart right? So, yeah, interesting debate even if the court case won’t give us a verdict.
LEELA: And finally, let’s see what the lucky dip machine has for us this week.
ODDBALL STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “Step right up, step right up… Have a go at the lucky dip machine… What’s it gonna be today, eh? An oddball, no doubt!”
LEELA: Oh yes, this is odd alright. But not just that.
MAMA: Not only odd?
LEELA: No… it’s also pretty, well, ummm… morbid, I gotta say.
MAMA: Oh! And by morbid you mean something that’s related to death or dying.
LEELA: Exactly. So, there are these sniffer dogs in Belgium….
MAMA: And as we know, sniffer dogs are not only used in airports to sniff out people trying to travel with illegal substances but also by they are used by rescue and recovery workers after a disaster, like an earthquake.
LEELA: Or even to find people who may be trapped under rubble or rocks. Buuuuut now in Belgium, police are training dogs to sniff out human bones that may have been buried in the earth for decades!
MAMA: Okay, so we know dogs love bones, but human bones. That's the morbid bit, right?
LEELA: It totally is!!
MAMA: It must be a tough job though because bones, as you may or may not know, are porous.
LEELA: Yep, that means they’re filled with tiny, tiny holes.
MAMA: Yes, so I guess, over time when bones start to decompose, or disintegrate, into the earth, they might absorb bits of soil, which would make them smell different than “fresh” bones right?
LEELA: Right. And again, morbid. Fresh bones…
MAMA: Leela, you are laughing at the story that is morbid. I think you're reading way too many murder mysteries.
LEELA: Yes, I do love reading murder mysteries, like a good old Agatha Christie.
MAMA: All right, I'll live it on with it.
LEELA: Yes, interesting term, fresh bones, but yes, you are totally right. Scientists say bones that are three years old smell very different from bones that are 20 years old. So, get this.
To take different bone samples, I'll make them into different scents.
MAMA: Yes, why on earth would they do that?
LEELA: Well, they then let the dogs, well, study those smells the various scents, so they learn the difference.
MAMA: Again, why would they do that?
LEELA: Oh well, to help solve crimes, of course, super dogs. Being able to sniff out old bones would be a real bonus to police trying to crack a case, especially when new evidence to an old case comes into light.
MAMA: Oh, like something that might point to where a body was buried long ago, but never found.
LEELA: Exactly.
MAMA: Well, I guess that would be the smell of success.
LEELA: A very morbid version of it, yes.
[SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ty3xqFUl74
https://ddnews.gov.in/en/scientist-bottles-smell-of-bones-to-help-solve-cold-cases/]
FAB FACTS STING – LEELA: “And it’s time to wrap up the podcast with the top five fab facts heard today. Here goes…”
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 1 – After months of Israel fighting Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, the two sides have agreed to a ceasefire while Israelis taken hostage are released in exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. When did this war begin?
October 2023
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 2 – Last year, more than 240 million kids were out of school because of extreme weather, according to a report from UNICEF. What does UNICEF stand for?
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 3 – And why does extreme hot weather affect children more than adults?
Because pre-pubescent bodies heat up faster and take longer to cool down than adults.
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 4 – In India there’s a debate over whether horses should be considered athletes or part of the equipment when they’re used in races or in events like showjumping and dressage. What is dressage?
How well a horse walks, trots, canters or maneuvers
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 5 - Sniffer dogs in Belgium are learning to smell bones that have been decomposing for years, a rather morbid topic. What does morbid mean?
Something related to death or dying
And don’t forget, if you want to test yourself later on, then go to the Lucky Dip page of our website, newsypooloozi.com, that’s pool-o-o-z-i, and take this quiz online in your own time!
LEELA: And that almost brings us to the end of this episode of Newsy Pooloozi! But first…
MAMA: We’re doing an inventory of our reviews and being a world news podcast that means checking out many, many different country hubs and we’ve recently discovered a few from Apple in the UK…
LEELA: As a big fan of many podcasts, who’s written in to my favorites, I know what it’s like to not have them read out, so please accept our deep apologies for the delay…
MAMA: Yes, well said. OK then, here we go then this five-star review is from Esmeats, who writes, “So engaging and beautifully done. My 10-year-old and I love this catch up on world news. Smart, well-paced and completely accessible. LOVE IT.”
LEELA: Wow! Thank you so much!
MAMA: REALLY! That awesome.
LEELA: Definitely and this from Happyhannah, who also gives us five stars, she writes, “Such a fun way to learn what’s happening around the world. I’m from Scotland but live in Australia. BYEE.” Love that.
It's so fun.
MAMA: Bye, I spoke with two E's, very, very cool. You know, I just have to say thank you so much for all these reviews and feedback. Honestly, it's hearing things like this that keeps us going.
LEELA: Definitely. And our love of news… but mostly your reviews!
MAMA: Yes, true. Ok, we’d also like to thank Jyoti Chauhan for her production help and Julie Noce for helping write this episode!
LEELA: Y’all rock!
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: If you enjoyed this dip in the coolest pool of news and information then HIT that subscribe button on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Alexa or wherever you get your podcasts.
MAMA: While you’re at it… Give us a good rating. Or better still, leave us a review! Go on – we’ll read it out loud if you do…
LEELA: And don’t forget to check out our website – that’s newsypooloozi.com – p-o-o-l o-o-z-i.com
Alrighty then, see you next time in the happy, splashy giant Newsy Pooloozi!
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