Author: Joyce Grant

News Science

King Richard III’s Bones Discovered Under A Parking Lot

He was the king in Shakespeare’s play who uttered the famous words, “My kingdom for a horse!”

His name was Richard III, and he ruled as King of England from 1483 to 1485. He died in battle at age 32 at a place called Bosworth Field near Leicester (pronounced like “Lester”), England.

His body was buried by King Henry VII in a monastery (a place where monks live). Later, the monastery was destroyed and no one ever knew what became of Richard III’s bones.

News Sports

Wrestling Likely To Be Dropped As An Olympic Sport

The International Olympic Committee is planning to drop wrestling as an Olympic sport as of the 2020 Summer Games.

Some countries will feel the loss more deeply than others.

Many Iranians view wrestling as their national sport.

The governments of Iran and the United States don’t normally agree on much. In fact, they are currently in a major disagreement about weapons.

But they are standing together on the issue of wrestling. They both want it put back in the Olympics, and they are willing to work together to make it happen.

News Science

Meteorite Lands In Russia

Hundreds of people can walk by your front door every day.

The only time you may notice someone, however, is when they knock. Last week, the universe knocked on Earth’s door.

Thousands of asteroids and meteoroids streak pass planet Earth every year. Some of them enter Earth’s atmosphere where most of them simply burn up—those are called meteors. Any that land on Earth are called meteorites.

When a meteorite landed in the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia last Friday, the world took notice. That’s because it was a particularly large meteorite; one chunk was about the size of a van.

News

Belgium To Issue Chocolate-Flavoured Stamps

People who are sending mail from Belgium will soon have a special treat to add to their package—chocolate-flavoured stamps.

The country’s postal service, BPost, is issuing half a million stamps that smell and taste like chocolate. The glue on the stamp will taste like chocolate. The varnish on the picture will smell like cocoa.

Belgium is a country in western Europe. It’s known for many things, including being host to the headquarters of the European Union.

It’s also known for producing some of the most delicious chocolate in the world.

There will be five chocolate stamp designs that celebrate chocolate in a number of forms including chocolate spread and sprinkles.

Health

McDonald’s Answers Canadians’ Questions

Have you ever wondered exactly what’s in a McDonald’s hamburger?

Or why the food at McDonald’s doesn’t look the same in the advertising as it does in the store?

Or whether McDonald’s food is good for you?

If so, you’re not alone.

McDonald’s has a website that posts questions answered by Canadians—and answers from McDonald’s staff.

Over the years the restaurant chain has taken a lot of heat for its food which tends to be fast, cheap and not necessarily always good for you.

However, it is everywhere. There’s hardly a city in North America—or the world—in which you can’t find a McDonald’s restaurant.

News

The Pope Steps Down

In a historic move, the Pope has resigned his position as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

He is the first pope to resign in 600 years.

Pope Benedict XVI (Benedict the 16th) announced his decision on Monday.

He said he has been losing strength and can no longer perform the tasks required of him. He is 85 years old.

News Science

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Debuts Song From Space

Before he left for the International Space Station, Hadfield wrote a song with singer Ed Robertson.

It’s called I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing?). ISS can also stand for “International Space Station,” which is fitting since the song is about what it’s like to leave the Earth and go into space.

Hadfield has done some incredible things during his time on the ISS. He has made his experience in space accessible to the people on Earth.

He has tweeted messages, conducted live media conferences, sent photos and kept people up-to-date on what the astronauts on the Space Station are doing.

What Hadfield is doing is unique. No astronaut has ever brought space so close to Earth before.

News Sports

The Baltimore Ravens Win The Super Bowl

The Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl on Sunday, edging out the San Francisco 49ers.

The Super Bowl is professional football’s biggest and most important game.

Baltimore won 34 to 31.

Going into the Super Bowl, neither team was heavily favoured to win.

However, by half-time the score was 21 to 6 for the Ravens.

At the beginning of the second half there was an interesting play.

Jacoby Jones returned the opening kick-off for a 108-yard touchdown. It is tied for the longest kick-off return ever made.