Kid News This Week: Nuclear-powered submarines, Valentine asteroid heads to Earth, 95th Oscars with no red carpet, Fosbury Flopper dies
Kid News This Week: Aukus nuclear-powered submarine project upsets China, Valentine asteroid heading to Earth in 2046, the 95th Academy Awards show without the red carpet and the Fosbury Flopper who revolutionized the high jump dies – we share his inspiring story, plus the Fab Facts quiz and World Wrap of other news making headlines around the world!
Episode- 142
LEELA: In world news this week – nuclear submarines, a Valentine asteroid, the 95th Oscars and the Fosbury Flopper!
OPENING STING – LEELA: “Hey, hey, hey. Listen up. New, new, newsy – Newsy Pooloozi!”
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: Hello and welcome to Newsy Pooloozi – the news pool for curious kids and adults! 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: As Leela’s mom. Or, you know, Lyndee Prickitt.
LEELA: This week…
Nuclear submarines sound scary! Are they? We’ll find out as we report on why the US, UK and Australia are working on a nuclear-powered submarine project.
And speaking of things that sound scarier than they are – have you heard about the asteroid heading our way on Valentine’s Day?! OK – not for 23 years and, ummm, maybe not at all. But still – a Valentine asteroid, folks! Is it heart shaped?
The Oscars are over with some big surprises on the red carpet. Wait. What’s that about the red carpet… We’ll tell you all.
And, finally, the “Fosbury Flopper,” who turned his sport upside-down, passes away. We’ll tell you how he revolutionized jumping.
MUSIC UP
LEELA: Alrighty then, let’s dive on in. First up, it’s…
BIG NEWS STORY STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The big news story of the week!”
MAMA: So, Leela.
LEELA: So, Mama.
MAMA: Does the word Aukus mean anything to you?
LEELA: Nope.
MAMA: Well, I’m not surprised. It’s kind of an acronym actually, standing for Australia, the UK and US.
LEELA: Aukus – I get it. But what is it? Some new band?
MAMA: It’s actually a trilateral as in 3 security pacts between those countries.
LEELA: Okay.
MAMA: Can you think of another security alliance, like the most famous one in the world?
LEELA: Ummm…
MAMA: Come on – we’ve heard it a lot about it lately because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia was very worried Ukraine might join…
LEELA: Ahhhyaayaayaa – NATO!
MAMA: Very good. Which is mostly European countries and the US.
LEELA: And not Russia. Got it. I remember. So, this is a security alliance for the US, UK and Australia – but like they spread all over the world – what’s the point of that.
MAMA: China. More or less.
LEELA: Huh?
MAMA: China is the point. It’s an alliance to protect all three of those countries, and you could argue those regions, from China should it every flex its military muscles.
LEELA: And I guess China must be as happy about it as Russia is about NATO.
MAMA: You got it – they’re not happy at all. Especially not with the recent news.
LEELA: Daaa-daaa-daaaaaaaaaan! Ah, what news?
MAMA: The three countries have released details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
LEELA: What! Nuclear submarines?! That can shoot nuclear bombs from underwater. That’s terrifying!
MAMA: Hold on there, girl. I said nuclear-powered – that’s quite a different thing. Even US President Biden, when announcing this, wanted to make sure no one misunderstood this point.
US PRESIDENT BIDEN: These subs are powered – not nuclear armed subs. They’re nuclear powered, not nuclear armed. Australia is a proud non-nuclear weapon’s state and is committed to stay that way.
LEELA: Ummmm… I’m relieved, but, honestly, confused. What’s the difference?
MAMA: Well, nuclear armed means its armed with the weapon, a nuclear bomb.
LEELA: Horrible.
MAMA: But to be nuclear powered – well that just means they’re using nuclear energy. Do you know what it is? Didn’t you know there are nuclear energy power plants all over the world?
LEELA: Wait, no. I didn’t know that.
MAMA: Technically it’s like this: you have something called a nuclear reactor which contains and controls nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process called fission. That heat is used to make steam that spins a turbine to create…
LEELA: Electricity. I get it. Kinda.
MAMA: And guess what, it doesn’t produce any carbon emissions and or greenhouse gases.
LEELA: Oh… so it’s considered clean energy?
MAMA: Yes. Many say it’s the best way to go. But…
LEELA: What if there’s an accident? Could all that energy explode?
MAMA: That’s always the worry. And how’s happened these accidents at nuclear power plants and worse – the things to make nuclear energy gets into the wrong hands to make…
LEELA: Nuclear bombs.
MAMA: Right. And that’s why some people are worried about this deal. You see, Australia – which as we heard Biden say, doesn’t have nuclear weapons – but they’ll get these nuclear submarines that’ll be able to operate faster than the country's diesel-engine ones – and that means the US will be sharing its top-secret nuclear propulsion technology with a non-nuclear armed country.
LEELA: And the more people who know about such things, the greater the risk is?
MAMA: Exactly. But the Aukus countries say it’s a risk worth taking to counter China’s growing power.
LEELA: Bet China’s not happy.
MAMA: Correct. They say this hurts peace and stability.
LEELA: Daaa-daaa-daaaaaaaaaan!
MAMA: Alright, let’s propel ourselves out of here… And up for some…
[SOURCE: https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-101-how-does-nuclear-reactor-work
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-64945819]
SPACE NEWS STING – MAMA/LEELA: “Now let’s have the latest… space news!”
MAMA: So? For those of you who celebrate Valentine's Day and like to make your plans early, get ready because Valentine's Day 2046 could go off with a big bump.
LEELA: Excuse me?
MAMA: Yeah, haven't you heard -- an asteroid is heading our way for Valentine's Day.
LEELA: Ummm, please tell me this is more news that sounds more terrifying than it is?
MAMA: Totally. But I couldn't resist a story about a Valentine asteroid - though officially it's rather boringly called the 2023DW.
LEELA: Ummm, coming back to the point... It's not terrifying - right?
MAMA: First of all, it's only about the size of an Olympic swimming pool.
LEELA: OK. So, If it were to collide with us, it wouldn't be like doomsday?
MAMA: Right, it wouldn't have the same devastating effect as the asteroid that decimated the Earth's dinosaurs 66 million years ago. That was far bigger 7.5 miles or 12km.
LEELA: But if it lands in an urban area... holy moly, not good!
MAMA: Relax. It only has a 1 out of 560 chances of hitting Earth, according to NASA.
LEELA: Ok, not the worst odds, but still. Note to self: go to a deserted island – or an underground bunker– and take all over cats in the world in February 2046.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64919125]
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: A Russian fighter jet collides with a US drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea, near Ukraine. The large, unmanned Reaper drone was on a reconnaissance mission – as in a look-and-see – near the disputed territory of Crimea.
Moody’s – an agency that rates financial institutions, Moody’s, is warning of more pain ahead for US banks. This comes after loads of people rushed to withdrawal their money the Silicon Valley Bank. Investors fear other lenders may be hit by the fallout.
The southern African nation of Malawi is reeling from Tropical Storm Freddy that ripped through the country for the second time in a month. More than 200 people were killed as huge amounts of brown water flooded neighbourhoods and swept away homes.
And in North Africa archaeologists discover a sphinx-like statue with a smiley face and dimples in Egypt. They think the sphinx may represent Roman Emperor Claudius, who ruled in the first century.
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: (Funny voice) And now, well that would you sound
LEELA: You didn’t even try.
Mama: I would. (Funny voice)
LEELA: Exactly
MAMA: And now it’s time for…
ACE STING – LEELA/MAMA: “Now it’s the ace part of our podcast: Arts, Culture and Entertainment. Darling.”
LEELA: Yes, it was the 95th Academy Awards in California, otherwise known as "The Oscars," which is name of the trophy that's in the shape of a man, long ago nicknamed Oscar, did ya know?
MAMA: Ohh thank you very much for that fab fact.And we have a few highlights we thought our listeners would be interested in from our new West Coast correspondent, Anna Kelly.
LEELA: Well, welcome aboard, Anna. Take it away!
ANNA: Yes, it’s that time of year when you get to see film and pop stars dressed all fancy and parading down the red carpet.
Except. Hold on. There was no red carpet?!
For the first time in 62 years!
Crazy or what? Instead, it was beige.
Though they’re calling it “champagne,” if you please.
As for the big award of the night, the Best Movie went to Everything EverywhereAll At Once.
The wacky multiverse action comedy-drama (whew – that’s a mouthful!) is about an immigrant family in America with lots of martial arts and an evil bagel.
Yes, I said EVIL BAGEL.
Sadly, it’s rated 15+, so I’ll have to wait a few years to see it…
As for the Best Animated Film – well it was a close one one this year with Turning Red and Puss in Boots losing out to the slightly creepy animation of Pinocchio.
And finally, I bet there were parties in India as the song Naatu Naatu made history.
Yep, the showstopper from the Indian movie RRR was the first Indian film song to win an Oscar.
It even beat Lady Gaga and Rihanna!
Wow! Congratulations.
From the West Coast of America, I'm Annn Kelly, reporting for Newsy Pooloozi!
LEELA: Yes, if you haven't heard the song or seen the crazy dance that goes with it, it's certainly worth checking out. If you wanna Indian split. Thanks a lot, Anna.
[SOURCE:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/64937019
https://people.com/tag/academy-awards/
https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/rrr-at-oscars-2023-naatu-naatu-supremacy-blockbuster-hit-wins-best-original-song-3855527]
MAMA: And finally, let’s go over to the lucky dip machine and see what it has for our final stroy 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: Well, it’s definitely a little odd – considering this is a story about someone who literally turned his sport upside-down.
MAMA: Ok. I know you don’t use the word literally unless it literally fits – so I must say I’m intrigued.
LEELA: Not just that, it’s a story of determination and – you’ll like this too – thinking outside the box.
MAMA: Oh, yes, I love these kinds of stories! Go for it.
LEELA: I thought you would. But it’s also a little sad because this is technically an obituary.
MAMA: Obituary! As in a report that gives news of someone’s death and details of their life.
LEELA: You got it.
MAMA: Ok, so maybe let me get some gentle music for this one, then.
MUSIC
LEELA: So, his name is Dick Fosbury and he’s just died at the age of 76. But when the American was in high school, he was high jumper. Which, he said in an interview, he sadly wasn’t very good at.
DICK FOSBURY: “When I developed this technique it’s not that I was trying to win – but I was try to not lose. I was the worst high jumper on our team and in our league and I was very frustrated.”
LEELA: But he didn’t give up, oh no.
DICK FOSBURY: “I had that intensity and focus of my mind to succeed, and my body simply followed and adapted to the bar. And my body changed it positioned going from sitting up over the bar to laying flat on my back.”
MAMA: Wow – so back then most high jumpers would throw their legs over the bar, like straddling it, or dive over face-down, right?
LEELA: Yep. But not Mr. Fosbury. That just didn’t feel right to him. Instead, he ran diagonally to the bar, twisted in the air and threw himself backwards over the bar.
MAMA: Huh.
LEELA: And went half-a-foot higher doing so!
MAMA: Whoa. Hold on, though. This backwards glide – isn’t that how they all do it in the Olympics.
LEELA: Now, yes. But he was the pioneer – and took the gold in the 1968 Olympics too. And now the “Fosbury Flop” is the way to go.
MAMA: All because one guy was bad at something but didn’t give up.
LEELA: And didn’t care that he looked floppy in the process. Impressive.
[SOURCE: https://apnews.com/article/fosbury-flop-death-high-jump-eb1dee13fb2fec4072b9955545466d86
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 – US, UK and Australia agree on nuclear-powered submarine project as part their new security pact, which is called what?
Aukus
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 2 – True or False: a nuclear-powered sub is the same as a nuclear-armed submarine?
False! They are NOT the same.
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 3 – The 2023 Academy Awards has done away with its red carpet this year, opting for beige I mean, uhhh, champagne! What’s the nickname for the Hollywood film industry awards?
The Oscars
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 4 – The athlete who revolutionized the high jump, Dick Fosbury, who died at the age of 76. What is the name of the special report that gives news of someone’s death and details of their life?
An obituary.
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 5 – And what is the name of the backwards high-jump technique that Dick Fosbury pioneered, helping him win an Olympic gold medal in 1968?
The Fosbury Flop
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 brings us to the end of this episode of Newsy Pooloozi!
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, Stitcher, Alexa, podcast republic or wherever you get your podcasts.
MAMA: And have you told a friend about us? Or what about your teacher – they’d be impressed, you know they would.
LEELA: Go on – share your curiosity about the world and tell someone about Newsy Poolooozi – the only world news pod for kids! Alrighty then, see you next week in the happy, splashy giant Newsy Pooloozi!
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