Around the world
Basque Country, Spain New language rules for schools
Pupils in Spain’s Basque Country may be taught in the local Basque language instead of Spanish, if a new law is agreed. The Basque Country is an area covering parts of northern Spain and south-west France, which has its own food, language, music and traditions. The suggested law is expected to be formally agreed later this year.
Atanquez, Colombia
Library keeps local culture alive
A small library in Atanquez, Colombia, has been recognised for preserving the culture of an indigenous people (people who have always lived in an area, rather than coming from somewhere else) called the Kankuamo. The library runs visits to ancient sites and meetings with elders, where young people learn about traditional music and food.
Macchu Picchu, Peru
Ancient city has different name
New research suggests that the ancient city of Machu Picchu, in Peru, has been called the wrong name for more than 100 years. After studying old maps and documents, researchers now think the city was known as Huayna Picchu – the name of a peak that overlooks it. The site attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Sri Lanka Exams delayed
Young people in Sri Lanka can’t take their usual end-of-term exams because of a shortage of paper. The country is facing economic problems and prices for fuel and food have gone up sharply. It has also affected the government and now it can’t afford to buy enough things from overseas, such as paper. This has led to exams being put off for millions of students, and no one knows for sure when they might take place.
Çanakkale, Turkey Landmark bridge opens
On 18 March, the Turkish president, Tayyip Erdoğan, opened the world’s longest suspension bridge. The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is named after a battle that took place in 1915 and connects the Asian side of Turkey to the part that is in Europe. It is 4,608 metres long and crosses a stretch of sea called the Dardanelles Strait. The road has six lanes for traffic and is suspended by cables from two towers.
Kabul, Afghanistan Girls’ schools close
On 23 March, girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan were closed hours after reopening. Girls were told to stay at home until a new school uniform had been designed. Last year the Taliban (an extreme military and political group) took control of Afghanistan and stopped teenage girls from going to school. Following the closure, young women protested in the capital, Kabul, chanting, “Education is our right”.
The world No. 1 women’s tennis player, Ash Barty, has shocked fans by retiring from (giving up) the sport at the age of 25. The Australian is the reigning champion of Wimbledon and the Australian Open, two of tennis’s biggest tournaments. Barty said she had been thinking about retiring for a long time. She felt she had “given tennis everything” and felt “proud and fulfilled” by her achievements.
Tokyo, Japan In-person Tokyo Fashion Week returns
Japan’s Tokyo Fashion Week took place in person after being held virtually for two years because of the pandemic. Designers showed off new creations, featuring bright colours and unusual dresses. The event included 30 shows that displayed the work of 54 clothing brands and allowed new designers to show their work.
Shanghai, China
China’s largest city enters lockdown
China’s largest city, Shanghai, with a population of around 25 million people, has gone into lockdown after a steep rise in Covid-19 infections. Infections are at their highest since the start of the pandemic. The lockdown was due to take place in two stages, starting with the eastern side on 28 March, followed by the western side on 1 April.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Coral damaged by mass bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced a mass bleaching event for the fourth time in six years. Bleaching happens when coral becomes stressed because of rising sea temperatures, and it gets rid of the algae (tiny living organisms) that live inside it. Without the algae the coral turns white and is at greater risk of disease.