THE WORLD THIS WEEK:

Rare monkeys welcome visitors:

Two very rare twin monkeys are getting used to their new home after being born in a British Zoo. Cotton-top tamarins are an endangered species and normally live in forests in Colombia, but those forests are being destroyed. The parents of the twins, arrived at the zoo nine years ago.

Hippos and whales may be related:

Scientists say fossils show that both animals evolved from a creature that lived in the sea 50 to 60m years ago. They think the animal turned into two species, one that lived in the sea and the other on land.The sea-living animals that eventually moved onto land formed 37 different ty-pes of pig-like animals. But they all died out until only the hippopotamus was left, around 2.5m years ago.

PICK OF THE WEEK: Everest getting smaller?

Everest is to be re-measured after a recent survey suggested the summit is getting smaller because of global warming. In March, a Chinese climbing team will use satellite and radar technology to find out its actual height. The size of Everest has been in debate since it was first measured in 1856 as 8,839 m tall. But in 1954 an Indian survey recorded 8,848m and in 1999 a US study suggested it was two metres higher. Whatever the team discovers, the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates means Everest’s height changes a little each year.

ISS crew take first walk in space:

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have completed the first space walk of their mission. Space officials say Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov left their space craft on a mission to put new hardware on the outside of the station. The new additions include a work platform, a German-built robotic arm experiment and some science tools. They also looked at ISS exhaust vents to check for blockages suspected of causing air supply breakdowns. The operation started 19 minutes late after the astronauts delayed putting on their space suits, say reports. It lasted five hours and 28 minutes in total. Scientist’s hope the robotic arm installed by the astronauts, designed to be controlled from Earth, will one day be able to carry out some of the dangerous work done by the crew at the moment.

Wonderboy from Liverpool:

Wayne Rooney is a born and bred Liverpudlian. The son of a working-class family, he grew up in the suburb of Croxteth. Brought up in a three nine when he was spotted by Everton scout Bob Pendleton playing for the boys’ club — Copplehouse — in the local Walton and Kirkdale Junior League. In his last season with them he scored 99 goals before joining the Everton academy. His progress was so swift that he was playing for the under-19s side when still only 15.

icknamed “Roonaldo”, he ended 2002 as BBC Young Sportsperson of the Year, a remarkable achievement for a player who had been unknown only a few months earlier. 2003 started even more spectacularly when he received his first call-up for England. However, Toffees manager David Moyes has been keen to shield him from burnout and has ensured that he has not been overused or overexposed in the media.

He became England’s youngest-ever player when he came on at halftime against Australia, and his performance at Euro 2004 was exceptional. With Newcastle United bidding for Rooney in August 2004, Manchester United joined the chase and signed the Scouser on August 31 (transfer deadline day) for a sum that could cost the Old Trafford club up to £30 m.

Manchester United unveiled Everton striker Wayne Rooney as their latest signing just before the transfer window was due to close. The Red Devils have signed the 18-year-old in a deal that could eventually be worth £30m. Rooney has signed a six-year contract with the Red Devils and Everton will receive 25 per cent of any transfer fee if he leaves Old Trafford. United have paid the first £10m of the fee already with another £10m due on August 1. Contingent payments, dependent on club success, the player renewing his contract and his appearances at international level, could see the transfer fee rise to almost £30m. Wayne Rooney is the top goal scorer in Euro 2004, and has been described by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson as the greatest teenage talent to emerge at a soccer tournament since Pele at the 1958 World Cup. Still at only 18 his career has just started, Liverpool-born Ronney is a boy that everyone wants to be.

Rooney scored 15 goals in 67 Premiership appearances for Everton since making his debut for the club in August 2002 in the two-two draw with Southampton. The teenager’s record for England is outstanding-his excellent Euro 2004 displays brought his tally to nine goals in just 17 appearances for his country

Wayne become England’s youngest ever player (at 17 years 111 days) against Australia in February 2003. He became the European Championships’ youngest ever goal scorer when he netted the first of his brace against Switzerland in Coimbra, and went on to score two more against Croatia to become England’s highest goal scorer at the tournament. His achievements were recognised by the UEFA technical study group, who included him in the official Euro 2004 All-Star squad His life now is very different, though his superstardom doesn’t look like it’s gone to his head, he still looks like the boy next door, and if you passed him on the street you wouldn’t look twice, he certainly doesn’t carry the glamour of Beckham, but who cares? As long as he keeps scoring the goals, he’s a national hero.

GLOBETROTTER — iceland

Iceland is a North Atlantic island famous for natural features like glaciers, hot springs, active volcanoes and vast lava deserts. It also has a rich history and folklore tradition. Iceland has numerous active volcanoes made up of lava fields. Hot water is pumped from under the ground to supply a substantial proportion of the island’s heat. The standard of living of Iceland people is among the highest in the world. But it totally depends on the fishing industry. The country was ruled by Norway and Denmark. In 1944, it became an independent republic. The major festival celebrated in Iceland is Independence Day on June 17. It is celebrated with colourful parades, street music and dancing. Other events held are Sjómannadagurinn in June which is dedicated to seafarers, Midsummer on June 24 — tradition has it that the midsummer night’s dew possesses magical healing powers that can cure 19 different health problems — Sumardagurinn Fyrsti in April is a carnival-style celebration of the first day of summer.

The local festival Pjóðhátíð held in August is an earth-shaking event of immense bonfires, outdoor camping, dancing, singing, eating and drinking. Verslunarmannahelgi in August is celebrated with barbecues, horse competitions, camping out and excessive alcohol consumption. The attractions of the country are Reykjavik, Geysir, Gullfoss and Mývatn. Reykjavik is the capital city with an interesting old town, whitewashed wooden buildings and rows of brightly painted concrete houses. Geysir is the original hot spring. The great geyser ceased erupting after tourists tried to set it off by pouring rocks and dirt. After earthquakes in June 2000, the geyser erupts to no specific timetable.Gullfoss the most famous waterfall tumbles 105ft into a steep-sided canyon, kicking up a sheer wall of spray. Myvatn is considered as one of the natural wonders of the world. Most of the sights are volcanic but the reserve’s centrepiece is a lovely blue lake teeming with bird life. Icelandic cuisine is only for the truly adventurous. The traditional food of Iceland is “Hakari” — shark meat that is buried for up to six months to ensure sufficient decomposition. Other food includes “Svie” — sheep head boiled and eaten either fresh or pickled, “Slatur” — a mish-mash of sheep leftovers tied up in the stomach and cooked, whale steaks and seal meat. “Skyr” — a yoghurt-like concoction made of pasteurised skimmed milk and bacteria culture is a unique Icelandic treat. Drinking coffee is a national custom while beer, wine and spirits are also available. The traditional drink is “Brennivin” made from potatoes and flavoured with caraway.

Location: Northern Europe

Highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m

Climate: Temperate

Full country Name: Republic of Iceland

Government: Constitutional republic

head of the state: President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson

Major industries: Fishing, aquaculture, aluminium smelting and geothermal power

Major Trading Partners: Germany, Norway, UK, Denmark, Sweden and US

Major Imports: Machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs and textiles

Major Exports: Fish and fish products, animal products, aluminium, diatomite and ferrosilicon

Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK)

Population: 2,93,966

Language: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken

REligion: Evangelical Lutheran, Protestant, Roman Catholic, others

Poesy:

What is life?

Life is a game

That we play

Life is a home

Where we stay

Life is a kitchen

Where we cook food

Life is a school

Where we learn to be good.

Anusha Jha, Class III, VS Niketan,

Kathmandu

My School:

I like my school very much

I never found any other place beautiful like such

I always respect my teachers

But, I can’t say how much.

Our school is full of flowers

Where I read and learn good manners

There is a temple of Sarswati

We always to pray her for knowledge aplenty.

There is a big playground

Where we play and dance with sound

Many students study in our school

Some are wise and some behave like fools.

Bidisha Baral, Class VI, Arniko Higher Secondary School, Kathmandu

My Two Best Friends:

I have two people

Who are my best friends

They are very nice

And also very kind.]

We became friends last year

And we hope to remain friends

Even in the coming year

We enjoy our time together

Prabir Maharjan, Class VI, St Xavier College, Lalitpur

Peace:

It was a long time ago

That peace was lost

For there were wars

Battles and bombs

People killed their brothers

And sisters’ everyday

Thinking that they might come

In their way.

Some even lost

Their limbs and sight

When they joined the darkness

Leaving the light behind

Some joined their hands

In search for peace

But nothing was found

Except hope at least.

Many people still hope

For peace and joy

Who might it be

Whether a girl or a boy

So we might find

The peace one day

A basic need

Which shows the way.

Ojashwi Bista, ClassVII, GEMS,

Kathmandu

Life:

Life is short

Work is alot

Desires are high

Want to touch the sky.

There is no saying tomorrow

Because no one knows where we’ll go

Future is bright

When there is light.

There will be light

If we study hard

For success in future

Lets work together.

Life is precious

Without success we are failures

Work today

Tomorrow shall be a great day.

Manish Tuladhar, Class IX, GEMS, Kathmandu

Love and Tragedy:

I don’t know how far is the sky

How deep is the ocean

Neither do I know the relation between us

You said it is love in which we are lost

I don’t know what that really means

But I know what I feel for you is true

Love is happiness in life

But you gave me sadness

I trusted you through good or bad times

Instead you gave me sorrow and hurt only

Nishana Gurung, Class X, Deshtilak Memorial Higher Secondary School