The Week Junior USA - 12 August 2022

32 Pages·2022·33.2 MB·English

This week’s big news
UN declares climate rights
The United Nations (UN, a
group of 193 nations working
for peace and cooperation)
officially recognized on July 28
DID YOU that access to a “clean, healthy,
KNOW? and sustainable environment”
Senator Joe Manchin wjohintieIcenmhd 2 patm0hiem1oer5a rsP,et ut1a ot9rrhe i6psas r n Anef ragv3otre.mi6eone°nt rm Fsgis. le ionnbgta, l Senator Chuck iU“csohN auis ncgtaotlorlrliiebecdas” latt ohhn uetdam dukearegcn ile mardirgma ahtleitlo d. nTia htee
of West Virginia Schumer of New York action to protect the planet.
Major climate deal in the Senate
US lawmakers have put forward a new bill to and warm the planet) and speed up the country’s Republican, said the bill is “not helping you
combat climate change (long-term changes in transition to clean energy. Tax credits will be given put gas in your car, not helping you afford your
weather patterns, largely due to human activities). to companies or farms that use clean energy or groceries.” Democrats celebrated the agreement.
If it passes, the Inflation Reduction Act will be the reduce emissions. Families could get money back Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey said there
most significant climate legislation in US history. for making their homes more energy-efficient was “a sense of joy that we’re really doing the
or for buying an electric vehicle. More than most significant bill on climate change in the
What happened?
$60 billion is devoted to supporting communities history of our country.” Biden said the US is
The bill was written by Democrats in the Senate
that are affected most by climate change. Experts “facing up to some of our biggest problems”
(one half of Congress, the branch of government
say the bill could bring the US close to meeting its and taking “a giant step forward.”
that makes laws), who took 18 months to finalize
goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030.
it because members of the party disagreed over
What will happen next?
What else is in the bill?
what to include. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat
When The Week Junior went to press, the full
from West Virginia, refused to vote for earlier The act provides about $100 billion for healthcare,
Senate was set to vote on the bill within a
versions of the bill because they would which will help reduce costs for low-
few days. A majority vote will be required to
have raised taxes and affected the income Americans and lower the price
pass it. There are currently 50 Republicans,
coal industry in his state. Many of medications. As a compromise
48 Democrats, and two Independents (a
people thought the bill would with Manchin, the legislation
third political party) in the Senate. Every
never be completed, but on also allows for more drilling
Republican senator is expected to oppose the
July 27, Manchin made a of oil and gas in the Gulf of
bill, which means all 48 Democrats and both
surprising announcement: He Mexico. Tax increases, especially
Independents will need to approve it, as will
and Senator Chuck Schumer from for US companies that earn more
Vice President Kamala Harris, who can vote
The US Capitol
New York, the top Democrat, had than $1 billion a year, will help the
building when there is a tie in the Senate. Senator
reached a compromise. The plan government pay for the programs.
Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, a Democrat who
commits about $433 billion to climate, energy, President Joe Biden said taxes would not be raised
has voted against tax increases in the past,
healthcare, and other programs. for anyone making less than $400,000 a year.
had not yet said whether she will support the
How will the bill address climate change? How did people react?
new package. If it passes, it will then go to
The bill calls for $369 billion to address climate Republicans criticized the bill for spending so the House of Representatives (other half of
issues. It will help lower emissions of greenhouse much money and raising taxes. Senator Mitch Congress) for a vote. If it passes there, it would
gases (gases that get trapped in the atmosphere McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate’s top go to Biden to be signed into law.
2 The Week Junior • August 12, 2022
This week’s big news
WHO names new
A rendering of
the ISS in orbit
health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO, the
agency responsible for international public
health) has declared the hMPXV virus, known
as monkeypox, to be a global emergency.
More than 20,000 cases of the virus have been FIRST CREW
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mostly spreads through close physical contact.
Symptoms commonly include fever, headache,
Russia to leave space station
back and muscle aches, and a flat red rash.
People with the virus usually recover within
weeks, and the risk of death is low.
On July 26, Russia announced that it will end its that Russia’s decision is a reaction to economic
Two vaccines (medicine given to prevent an
participation in the International Space Station sanctions (punishments) against the country by the
illness) are available to help prevent infection in
(ISS) after 2024. The ISS is a joint project among 15 US and other nations. These were put in place after
people who are at risk of the illness. The vaccines
countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Russia, Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
were originally created to prevent smallpox
and 11 other European nations. Russia’s space program has also faced millions
but are up to 85% effective against hMPXV. US
The space laboratory orbits 250 miles from of dollars in lost income recently. Until 2020, Russia
officials have ordered nearly 7 million doses.
Earth and has been continuously occupied since was the sole provider of the rockets used to send
its completion in 2000. Several astronauts from astronauts to and from the ISS, and other countries
different countries live on the ISS together for paid for the service. However, private space
months at a time. They make joint spacewalks, companies are now providing that service too.
perform scientific experiments, and maintain When The Week Junior went to press, a specific
ATE the ship. NASA (the US space agency) and other date had not been set for Russia’s departure from
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GE: Russian leaders said the country is pulling com that the agency remained focused on the
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August 12, 2022 • The Week Junior 3
National news
RECORD
RAINFALL Heat wave breaks records
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Extreme heat has hit the Pacific
Northwest. The temperature
reached 102° F in Portland,
Oregon, and 94° F in Seattle,
Washington, on July 26. Many
homes lack air-conditioning
because the region is typically
cooler. Officials opened cooling
A view of homes
centers and created heat action
submerged in floodwater
in Kentucky on July 28 plans to help people in the future.
Kentucky responds to flood damage
In the eastern part of Kentucky, government What else happened? governor (top leader) of Kentucky, established
officials and rescue workers are working a flood relief fund to help those affected. The
Several other states, including Missouri, also
to help those in need after widespread and mayor and residents of Bremen, Kentucky,
experienced severe flooding. On July 26, a
historic flooding devastated the area. Other a city that was devastated by a tornado last
record level of rain—more than 9 inches in 24
parts of the country are also recovering from year, organized trucks full of supplies to be
hours—hit parts of St. Louis. Many residents
damage caused by extreme flooding. distributed to people living in flooded towns.
had to leave their homes, and about 70 people
Additional helicopters have been sent from
were rescued by firefighters. Two people died
What happened in Kentucky?
Tennessee and West Virginia to help with
due to the flooding. Experts said the extreme
Heavy rainfall (nearly 11 inches in some areas) on
rescue efforts. At least 10 shelters have been
rainfall and dangerous flooding that are
July 27 caused massive flooding. The deep water
opened in Kentucky for people who aren’t able
occurring this summer is due to climate change,
ruined hundreds of homes, caused at least 28
to return to their homes.
the long-term changes in weather patterns,
state roads to become impassable, and destroyed
largely due to human activity.
What will happen next?
or damaged as many as 50 bridges. More than
How are people being helped?
25,000 homes and businesses lost power. When The search for people in Kentucky will continue,
The Week Junior went to press on August 2, at President Joe Biden issued a major disaster power will be restored, and roads will be repaired.
least 37 people had died and rescue workers were declaration for Kentucky, bringing federal relief “The damage suffered is enormous, and recovery
searching for people who remained missing. workers and aid to the area. Andy Beshear, the will be a long-term effort,” Beshear said.

WORD WEEK THE WEEK IN HISTORY
OF
THE Tim
Berners-Lee
August 6, 1991
ELECTRIC
World Wide Web opened to public
Electricity is a modern invention, but it has On August 6, 1991, scientist Tim Berners-
been studied for a thousand years. In ancient Lee introduced the World Wide Web to the
Greece, people found that by rubbing amber, public. The first website explained how to
or elektron, with a piece of cloth, they could use the internet. Berners-Lee had begun
pick up light objects, such as a feather. This creating the technology 10 years earlier, as
electrostatic friction, called “electricity” after a way to organize and share computer files.
the Greek word for “amber,” was studied By 1992, the internet had 10 websites. By
through the years, eventually leading 1996, there were more than 2 million sites.
to today’s electric cars. Today, there are nearly 2 billion.
The Week Junior • August 12, 2022
National news
A rendering of an
electric vehicle
USPS to buy more electric vehicles
The US Postal Service (USPS) has announced that at
least 40% of the new delivery vehicles it purchases DID YOU
will be electric. This is a significant increase from the KNOW?
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A gallery inside
new vehicles will begin servicing postal routes in 2023.
the museum
Jackie Robinson Museum set to open
Amanda Lee
After about15 years of planning and building, He went on to lead the Dodgers to six National
the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York League championships and one World Series
City is complete. The museum is dedicated to the title. In 1962, he became the first Black American
life and legacy of Jackie Robinson, the first Black inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in
American to play for Major League Baseball (MLB). Cooperstown, New York.
A ceremony was held on July 26, and the museum Throughout his career and life, Robinson
First female pilot for Blue Angels
will open to the public on September 5. advocated for the equal treatment of Black people.
An elite US Navy squadron called the Blue Angels has Jackie Robinson was born in Georgia in He took part in civil rights protests, including the
selected its first female pilot, Lieutenant Amanda Lee. 1919 and was a star athlete in high school historic 1963 March on Washington led by Dr.
The mission of the flight team, founded in 1946, is to and college. After serving in the Martin Luther King Jr., and supported
showcase the abilities of the military by performing at air US military, he began playing Black-owned businesses. “A life
shows and other events. For years, women served in the baseball professionally for is not important except in the
Blue Angels in a variety of ways but never as pilots. Lee the Negro Leagues. At that impact it has on other lives,”
will fly an F-18 fighter jet during the 2023 season. time, an unwritten rule Robinson once said. He died
kept MLB teams from in 1972 at age 53.
Y; hiring Black players. At nearly 20,000 square
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CKION said they would work hard to bring it back in the future.
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August 12, 2022 • The Week Junior 5
Around the world
United Kingdom
Rail workers go on strike
Thousands of railroad workers across the UK went
on strike (stopped working as a form of protest)
last week to demand higher pay, resulting in
disrupted train service. The UK is experiencing the
highest level of inflation (price increases) for basic
goods like food and electricity in 40 years. Rail UK railroad
One of the workers
workers are planning strikes through August.
baby lemurs
County Cork, Ireland
Rare lemurs are born
Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of three black-
and-white ruffed lemurs. This species of lemur is critically
endangered, which means they are at a high risk of becoming
extinct. There are fewer than 250 black-and-white ruffed
lemurs, which are originally from Madagascar, in the wild. The
species helps to pollinate plants when drinking nectar. Other
conservation parks are also trying to grow the population.
Some of
the artifacts
Mexico City, Mexico
Ancient sculptures returned
Artifacts found in storage at a museum in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, are being returned to Mexico, their country of origin.
The figurines, bowls, and sculptures are believed to have been
made in western Mexico between 300 and 600 BCE. A Mexican
government official said the objects “are important elements of
memory and identity for our native communities.” They will be
displayed at an institute of anthropology in Mexico City.
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6 The Week Junior • August 12, 2022
Around the world
Germany
Cities make energy cuts
Several German cities have introduced measures
designed to save energy. These include turning
off lights on monuments, using only cold
water in the bathrooms of public buildings,
and turning off public fountains. Germany is
Lights will facing an energy shortage because Russia is
The ship
be turned off.
limiting its gas supply to the country.
leaves Odessa.
Odessa, Ukraine
First grain ship departs from Ukraine
On August 1, a ship loaded with corn left the port of Odessa
in Ukraine after being stranded there for almost six months.
Russia had been stopping ships from leaving Ukraine since it
invaded the country in February. Russia’s block on Ukraine’s
ports led to food shortages and rising food costs around the
world. A deal struck between the two countries means ships
carrying grain can now leave Ukraine to go to other ports.
An impression
of the city
Saudi Arabia
Plans for megacity are revealed
Plans for a new city within two horizontal skyscrapers known
as The Line have been revealed. The Line is the idea of Saudi
Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The planned
city would be car-free and use renewable energy. The buildings,
which are covered in mirrors, will extend in a straight line from
the Red Sea across the desert for more than 100 miles, and more
than 9 million people are expected to live there.
Zimbabwe
Giraffes tracked
A group of conservationists
(people who work to protect
animals and nature) in
Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Damage from
the earthquake
Park have fitted 14 giraffes
with GPS trackers in the form of
Philippines
lightweight ear tags. The trackers,
Residents get relief after earthquake
powered by the sun’s rays, will
Rescue workers dropped relief supplies by plane in the Abra
allow the conservationists to
province in the northern Philippines, where an earthquake
better understand the movements
struck last week. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit northern
of giraffes in the wild and how
Luzon, one of about 7,000 islands in the Philippines. Six
they use their habitat. The giraffes Giraffes in the
people were killed, and more than 270 were injured. More
will be monitored online. national park
than 3,000 food packets have been distributed so far.
August 12, 2022 • The Week Junior 7
The big debate
Is planting trees hurting nature?
Many people want to regrow forests. But
some say they’re going about it all wrong. DID YOU
What you need to know KNOW?
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This helps slow climate change.
(cid:79) Each year, at least 10 million hectares
of tree cover, an area about as large
as Kentucky, are lost to deforestation.
(cid:79) Billions of new trees are being
planted in an attempt to make up
for the destruction.
(cid:79) Native trees are those that have
been growing in a place for a long
time. They are an important part of
the location’s ecosystem.
An estimated 15 billion trees are lost every year Yes—it’s wrong for the environment No—all trees provide benefits
to deforestation (when people cut down trees It’s not about how many trees we plant, it’s about Planting any trees is better than planting no trees.
for building or agriculture) or wildfires. That loss which trees we plant. Native trees provide animal All trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere and
has a major effect on the planet. To help, many habitat, support other plants, and enrich the soil. release oxygen. They also provide shade, which
companies are pledging to plant a tree for each But many native trees are being replaced with reduces temperatures—especially in cities. When
product sold, and groups like the Trillion Tree non-native trees that don’t have the same positive it’s not as hot out, people don’t need to use as
project are planting as many trees as possible. But effect on the ecosystem. In fact, companies are much energy to cool their homes, which also helps
some experts say it’s not about the numbers. They planting the same few tree species everywhere slow climate change. When companies plant trees
say it’s more important to plant the right trees in because they’re better for lumber or other uses, for every purchase, it increases consumer
the right ecosystem (a group of living things that which puts other kinds of trees at risk of dying out. awareness of deforestation and other climate
rely upon one another). Trees planted where they When people help plant trees, they think they’ve issues. Those people will make better choices for
don’t belong might not provide the right home or done their part to help the environment. They the planet, like reducing their use of fossil fuels.
food to wildlife and could even cause harm. What should also focus on reducing fossil fuels, creating Trees aren’t the only way to slow climate change,
do you think? Is planting trees hurting nature? less trash, and protecting other natural resources. but they are a major part of the solution.
Three reasons why planting trees is Three reasons why planting trees is
YES NO LAST WEEK’S POLL
hurting nature not hurting nature
Last week, we asked whether
1 The types of trees being planted don’t 1 It’s better to plant non-native trees than
abstract art is better than
always fit into local ecosystems and can not to plant any trees at all. All trees clean
realistic art. Most of you prefer
even harm them. the air and generate oxygen.
art that looks
2 If only the same few species of trees are 2 Trees create shade, which lowers
like real life:
planted, other kinds of trees could die out. temperatures and reduces energy use.
70% of you
3 Planting trees makes people think they 3 Tree planting programs make people aware
said no, and
are saving the environment, which means of their impact on the environment and
they might not take other steps to help. inspire them to take other steps too. 30% said yes.
What do you think?
The goal of the big debate is to present two sides
of an issue fairly in order to stimulate discussion and
Now that you’ve read a bit more about this issue, have a parent or guardian visit
allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on
theweekjunior.com/polls with you so you can vote in our debate. Vote YES if you think this page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and GES
A
planting trees is hurting nature or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week. M
the page is not funded by third parties. Y I
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8 The Week Junior • August 12, 2022
People
Breaking baseball barriers
Baseball manager Rachel Balkovec is blazing a trail for women in baseball.
Last April, when Rachel Balkovec took It has been a long road for Balkovec. At
over as manager of the Tampa one point, she wrote “Ray” on her résumé
Tarpons, a New York Yankees affiliate instead of “Rachel,” fearing teams wouldn’t
minor league team, she became the first consider her because she is a woman. “I
woman in baseball history to serve as a wanted to give up many times,” Balkovec
full-time manager of a minor league has said. “If you take those big risks,
team. While she’s said the job you’re gonna get a big payoff.”
has its challenges, it’s also Her first game as the
been an opportunity to Tarpons manager was met
learn and grow. with excitement. Fans
Balkovec, age 35, began asked for her autograph, a
her sports career as a player. “Let’s go, Rachel!” chant
She played college softball at broke out in the stands, and,
Balkovec signs
Creighton University and the an autograph. during the pre-game lineup, MAKING
University of New Mexico. In she received a standing HISTORY
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woman to work as a full-time hitting coach general manager, she also recently said,
for a minor league team. “The goal is just to get better.” Rachel Balkovec
A sculpting legend
OVERHEARD
Artist Claes Oldenburg, famous for his gigantic
sculptures of everyday objects such as brooms
and clothespins, died on July 18 at the age of 93.
Oldenburg was born in Sweden and moved to the
US in 1936, at age 7. He rose to fame in the New
York City art scene during the 1950s and 1960s.
He famously collaborated with his wife, Coosje, on
more than 40 projects, including the iconic cherry
balancing on a spoon at the Minneapolis Bellen Woodard
Sculpture Garden. Oldenburg once told NPR, “I’ve
Colors for everyone
always been very interested in deriving my art
from my surroundings, from my daily experiences.”
Y Bellen Woodard, age 11, is working to change
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August 12, 2022 • The Week Junior 9
Animals and the environment
Why thumbs are rare
Primates evolved thumbs to help
them grasp branches. Monkeys,
apes, lemurs, koalas, and humans
find them useful for holding many
other objects, too. So why don’t
most animals have thumbs?
Scientists think it’s because they
would get in the way when
walking and could be easily
DID YOU injured during daily life.
KNOW?
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The panda diet is
A lemur
nearly all bamboo.
How pandas survive on bamboo
For such a big bear, the giant panda’s favorite Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in years ago. While some primitive bears also had
food—bamboo—is surprising. It’s a tough, California. But the pseudothumb is shaped like a big wrist bones, Ailurarctos seemed to be one of
stick-like plant with relatively few nutrients, hook, and it helps the bear tightly grasp stalks of the first animals to actually use its pseudothumb.
so the panda has to eat it all day bamboo as it chews them. The researchers believe that in a crowded
long just to sustain itself. That For many years, researchers jungle, where Ailurarctos had to compete with
amounts to about 30 pounds a have wondered how the ancient elephants, apes, and deer for food,
day for a 300-pound panda. pseudothumb evolved. Very being able to eat bamboo helped the bear stay
How do they do it? few fossils of panda paws alive. Bamboo was available in large quantities
The answer is in their have been found, so the and it grew quickly, so the bears could snack on
paws. Each one has a sixth earliest evidence scientists the plant as much as they wanted.
digit, which scientists call a could find was from about The team thinks that the beneficial bone
“pseudothumb.” It is actually an 150,000 years ago. But in never evolved into a real thumb because it
extension of the panda’s wrist 2015, Wang and his team would be too difficult for a panda to walk on all
An illustration of
bone. “It’s not nearly as good of a discovered a spoon-shaped piece of four paws without crushing a larger digit. “We
a panda’s paw
thumb as ours, so they can’t make tools bone belonging to Ailurarctos, an think the pseudothumb is an evolutionary
or complex movements,” said Xiaoming Wang, a ancestor of modern pandas that lived in the balancing act,” Wang said. “You need it for
paleontologist (scientist who studies fossils) at the Miocene Epoch, about 6 million to 7 million grasping, but you also keep stepping on it.”
PLACE OF THE WEEK
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Native Americans once believed that a dune in Sleeping Bear
Dunes, on the shores of Lake Michigan, resembled a sleeping
mother bear, giving the park its name. Today, there are dunes
rising more than 400 feet above the lake. Also within the park
are forests, lakes, and marshes. Michigan’s only species of bear,
black bears, live here, and white-tailed deer and red foxes are
commonly seen. Numerous species of frogs, such as the northern
leopard frog, and grasshoppers inhabit the park. Bald eagles nest
A grasshopper
on Lake Michigan’s shoreline and fly above, hunting for fish.
10 The Week Junior • August 12, 2022