Newsy Jacuzzi

In wacky world news this week… It's summer in the northern hemisphere and that means prime tourist season in many places, but in Spain – we have a special report – about people who are so sick of tourists, they're taking to the streets in protests. Speaking of demonstrations, after Paris wins a big football championship celebrations turns nasty. We have the story from the French capital.  In the UK, a piano prodigy is invited to the Royal Academy of Music – you'll never guess how he learned to play the keys. And talk about weird – in Panama monkeys are acting beyond odd, abducting other… well, you gotta listen to find out. That's not the only oddball either, in Japan, businessmen give professional cheerleading a new meaning. All that and more!

In this episode of world news… We give you the dope on the pope with special reports from BOTH Rome and Chicago, where the world's first US pontiff comes from. We'll also try to explain India and Pakistan's conflict – the aerial dogfight (which is not at all as cute as it sounds) and ceasefire. China and the US agree on some new, cheaper tariffs. The Australian dog lost on Kangaroo Island is trapped and found – confused? Don't worry, we'll tell you all. And we'll also tell you why those kooky Kiwis love the ugly blobfish. 

Kid News This Week: A massive prize is being dangled in front of code-breakers and linguists (you know, those people who are foreign language experts) – how much and for what in this episode. Plus, we give you the BREAKING NEWS about the Indian Army's strike on targets in Pakistan. Also, heard the one about the man who loves snakes so much he's willing to be bitten endlessly? Well, you'll never believe what good is coming out of that “sssssssssssssssussss” love. The world's first human and humanoid robot marathon took place in China – guess who (or what) won?And talk about a wild – or dangerous taxi ride – meet the octopus who jumped on the back of… wait – you gotta listen till the end to hear this one! 

In world news for kids… It's the end of an era for the Catholic church as Pope Francis – known for his kindness that also caused some controversy – passes away. It's the return of the prehistoric wolf puppies – three to be exact. Yes, the once extinct dive wolf returns thanks to the magic of science. We'll tell you how.In tech, or should I say, the world of fashion – AI models are replacing humans.In the US a bookstore moves location, one book at a time, thanks to some helpful book lovers.And – heard the one about the wiener dog stranded on an Australian island? Well, you gotta listen to the end to find out whether this story has an odd or a happy ending…

The important and wacky world news for kids this week… The US taxes the world – we'll have the lowdown on what tariffs are and what they mean. Asia celebrates MANY happy new years – yes, you heard me right – new years (as in plural!), and a special report on celebrations in Cambodia. Are you a junk food addict, do you have tons of junk food stored away, do you take it to school sometime? Well imagine inf your school banned it. Well, that's what's happening in Mexico. Rats to the rescue. (We love our good old rat stories – well, I do at least.) This story is about a big rat as it fights disease in Africa. And who – or what – in the world is Ghibli and why is everyone sending cartoon messages and calling it Ghibli??? Well, you gotta listen to find out!

This episode is a packed and punny one… A real flying car takes flight – according to a California aeronautical company that released footage of the “high-way” drive. The two NASA astronauts stuck in space for nine months splash back down to Earth. A quarter of the world celebrates the Islamic Eid festival – we have the lowdown on the festivities. We also have a special report on the marvels of 3D printing in Japan where a train station can be “printed” and then constructed in just six hours! And the US President is walking on eggshells over the high price of eggs and a certain European country he needed a favor from… All that and more this episode!

In wacky world news this episode… The biggest street parades and parties are underway – we'll tell you where and why in our Mardi Gras explainer. We'll also give you the low-down on diplomacy – what it means and why it matters – AND what it's got to do (or not) with Donald Trump and the new world order. Big environment news with an innovative sponge that might help solve the world's microplastic pollution problem. And, lost at sea… a couple deep sea creatures are showing up on the surface – you gotta listen to the end to find out which ones and where!

We have another packed episode for all you, newsies! Half a billion people attend the biggest peaceful gathering in the world – right here in India. Yes, we're talking about the mega – or should I say, “Maha,” Khumb Mela. We'll give you the low-down AND have a special report from a kid correspondent who was there. Ever wondered how polar bears can go in and out of ice-cold water without their fur freezing? Well, some Norwegian scientists did and they found the answer. Heard about Valentine's Venus – yep, it's a thing and it's still happening. We'll tell you all in our space news. `And some heroic rodents who were beavering away in the Czech Republic save a town a million dollars – but you gotta listen till the end to find out how!

After our lonnnnnnnnng winter break, we're back!! And boy are we back with a bang – we have a seriously packed and very special episode of Newsy Pooloozi – The New Pod for Kids. First up, we have two special – and touching – on-the-ground reports from both sides of the divide in the Israeli war. Plus, climate change is drastically impacting education with more kids missing school than ever before because of extreme weather. Millions celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Snake. We'll give you the lowdown on what that means. In India a strange court case brings up a bizarre debate in the world of sports: is a horse an athlete or just part of the equipment? We discuss! And finally, scientists are bottling old bones. Yep. But you gotta listen to the pod to find out what this wacky practice has to do with solving crime!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas… But just what that might look like in the southern half of the world might surprise you? Never fear, we have special reports from our teams of Australian and New Zealand correspondents on how they spend December 25. Hint: there are no roasting chestnuts! It's cold and cozy up in Germany though – where they take their advent calendars to new heights – like human-sized heights, in fact. The world has a new chess champ, and India is over the moon… why? He's Indian, of course. And the youngest to boot! We'll go to his hometown of Chennai for that one. And finally, well, there's a new fashion for…  killer whales. Salmon, anyone? Confused? Well, listen to the end to hear this fishy tale!

World news in this episode… Well, it's official. The Australian government bans its teenagers from using social media – sparking relief in some, anger in others. We'll have not one – but two – reports from teens down under. In nature news, conservationists are worried giraffes are going bye-bye – yes, we mean endangered. Hear the details in this week's episode. Also, good news in Paris where the Notre Dame cathedral reopens five years after a major fire. In entertainment news – it's a tidal wave of sales for Moana 2. And, finally, hamsters don't run amok but FLY amok in a plane over Portugal. What on earth am I talking about? Well, you gotta listen to the end to find out!

This episode's world news for kids… Donald “trumped” Harris in the race for the US White House – we give you the lowdown and look forward to what the next four years might have in store for us. Elsewhere, Spain is rocked by a crazy torrent of rain that led to deadly floods – we'll have a special report on the clean-up from Barcelona. Plus, conservationists to the rescue in New Zealand where their beloved kiwi bird is under threat. And you won't believe what some very dumb art thieves did to four Andy Warhol paintings they stole from a gallery in the Netherlands. 

Special festival episode as we look at the dark side of autumn with a dive into Halloween, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)and the Hungry Ghost Festival which give off those skeleton and ghoul vibes… But over in India it's a totally different story with festivals of light and hope. Which one do you prefer? Have a listen – it will help you decide. That's not all, we also have seasonal news as crops of pumpkins and cocoa aren't in good shape. Plus, ever heard of “ghost poop?” Apparently, it's a thing. Tune in to find out more. 

In world news for kids this episode we take a deep dive into the charged-up world of batteries, we're talking about mammoth batteries the size of skyscrapers – or is that skyscrapers that double up as batteries – a re-look at using wood to make batteries, plus solar strips – not panels – that could charge us all up. Oh, and did we mention the “powerful” deep sea rocks and the fool's gold that might not be so foolish but in fact pretty precious – all that and more this episode!

In kids news this week we're talking tech and social media which are getting a ticking off – all over the world – yes, we're talking restrictions, limitations and outright bans being placed on social media and tech. Never mind the ill effects of too much tech on your rearend… that's right, ever heard of dead-butt-syndrome? Stay tuned and you will!

We get spacey this week… Well, I mean there is a LOT of space news this week. Like those two NASA astronauts who are... stuck in space! Find out WHY and when they're coming back home to Earth! Plus, Space X's Dragon Capsule makes history. In entertainment news, Taylor Swift gets political – saying who's she's gonna vote for and why she's announcing it, but that's not all… She also has a big “hit” for getting out the vote. Plus, it's time to talk about book-banning – find out what censorship means and why it's such an important issue this week. That's not all… the planet Saturn is going to lose something iconic – but is it all just an illusion of grandeur? No idea what that means or has to do with space news? Well, you gotta listen till the end to find out!

In wacky world news for kids this episode, the US election and the debate over THE debate, Paris Olympic wow continues, Harry Potter back-to-school “boo” in London and “leaf” it to the Fins to take tree-loving to new heights – all that and more in this packed episode!

Yes, we're back. Our summer travels are over – five countries in two months (we love this wacky world of ours!) and we're back in the news pool! First up, yes, it might have been a week ago (or, uhhh, a little more – sorry we also got sick last week, further delaying us), but we give you the highlights of the wonderous 2024 Olympics – the highs, the lows and many little fabulous factoids we bet you didn't even know. Also, New Zealand races to make the WHOLE country rodent-free. But just why might surprise you. In entertainment news, the world's biggest pop star is under threat – well, her concerts were. We'll tell you more about the latest Taylor Swift concert saga. And the spooky story of a little girl who was afraid of the dark – because of the monsters in her room. She wasn't all wrong either… You gotta listen to the whole episode to get the buzz on this crazy story and more!

Hello there Newsies! Yep, we're still on our summer break... But we have another episode swap for you with another podcast from the fab Kids Listen Community. That's a group of producers making audio content for kids. Check out their website kidslisten.org to hear a ton of great podcasts – from factual, like ours, to fictional stories that spark the imagination and some that are a mix of both fact and fiction. This episode swap is with Storypillar where Sneak, Bean and Meg tackle the sticky situations kids face as they grow and change, like this episode, The Bunny and the Crow, set in The Yukon and about siblings driving each other crazy. Enjoy - and see you in mid-August! 

Hi Newsies! As you know, we're on a summer break... But we're not leaving the news pool high and dry. Oh, no! We have a few episode's swaps in store for you with other podcasters, who are part of the fabulous Kids Listen Community. That's a group of producers making audio content for kids. Check out their website kidslisten.org to hear a ton of great podcasts – from factual, like ours, to fictional stories that spark the imagination. And some are a mix of fact and fiction – real information along with made-up entertainment – like Dorktales Storytime, who were swapping with this podcast. Dorktales is a kids podcast of social emotional fairy tales, hidden hero histories and lores where anything-is-possible. In this episode they uncover the life of Maya Lin, the visionary artist and architect behind one of the most visited memorials in America. Enjoy! And see you in August!

In world news this episode, it's World Environment Day – and that means – bring on the good dirt and soil. Plus, results are in from the world's largest election ever held, yes, we're talking about India. And, think you know your continents? Well, is Zealandia on your list? It should be as scientists map a newly discovered continent – hear our special report from “down under.” Also, feeling hungry? How about a handful of snails? They love them so much in Spain that thousands gather for a snail festival. And, finally, hear why some New Yorkers are getting scary with their laughs!

On kid news this week...An orangutang in Indonesia is found doing something fascinating with a leaf after he get a wound on his face we're talking break-through self-medication! Remember our story on whale-talk? Well, we have an update on efforts to decipher the code. Plus, an update on the man who got a pig kidney transplant. Also, way down under they're blasting rockets to the sky-find out where and why. And heard the one about the Great Dutch racoon escape? Well, you will if you stay tuned till the end!      

In wacky world news for kids this week… We have a double dose of board game news – from the release of a new, noncombative Scrabble edition to a new Indian teenage superstar on the chess scene. We give you the lowdown on both, plus some backstory about the games. Also, learn how scientists are going to use AI to translate whale-speak. Staying with nature – two freakishly huge fossils are found that might creep you out. And a stowaway cat uses one of her nine lives and gives new meaning to a prrrrrrfect parcel – to find out what happened, you gotta listen to the podcast!

In honor of Earth Day we have four environment and nature stories… Talk about grasping at straws – wait till you hear about the new cages being used to protect and rebuild Florida's dying coral reef! Speaking of the environment, you won't believe what a big group of Swiss grannies did to get their eco-warrior credentials. Taylor Swift releases her 11 album – hear what records she broke doing so. Hear a special report about a different kind of “swifty” from Indonesia gives new meaning to “spit and sawdust” when it comes to making their nests. And in Turkey a dog-squad are on the prowl in a major airport to help relieve stressed out travelers. All that and more this week!

In world news for kids this week... Fake diamonds are on the rise, but it's not all as dodgy or criminal as it sounds... Also, a US man and a genetically modified pig kidney make history in a ground breaking transplant, a Scottish grandmother turns into a game rand wins a fan - following despite, or because of her grumpiness and in France the beloved breakfast bun- the croissant -is "crossbread" in more ways than one!   

In kid news this week… Researchers uncover amazing ancient and medieval tools... from the 1700-year-old egg (that still has its slimy yolk intact!) and a map that proves how well people got along. Plus, the results are in on how effective a four-day-week is, plus Ariana Grande and her grand gran break records, Major League Baseball is wrapping up its spring training before the official start of the season – we have a special report from Arizona – and two UK soccer teams give new meaning to the phrase, “pull your socks up!” Have a listen to hear all that and more in your regular dose of wacky world news!

This week in kid news from around the world – new, wild looking aquatic species are discovered off the coast of Chile, scientist also discover the world's tiniest loud fish from Myanmar – and when we say loud, we're not joking! Plus, NASA observes a new planet covered in hot water, Daylight Saving (or is it Savings?!) explained and the shroom-sprouting frog India. Yes, you read that correctly. But to find out what that actually means, have a listen to this episode now!

In kid news this week – mobile phones are banned in UK schools in line with European cell phone bans, India's massive solar and wind park in the salt plains of Gujarat, the world's biggest cruise ship takes week-long jaunts and Spain's tiniest escape room creeps us out! All that and more on your wackiest wrap of world news.

Gong xi fa cai, everyone! Say what? Happy Chinese New Year, of course. Hear our Year of the Dragon special with reports from China, Taiwan AND South Korea this year from our team of kid correspondents – find out how their families celebrate the biggest event of their year and the story of the first “monster” that inspired the celebrations! Plus, find out what's causing the “blood rain” in the United Kingdom and what dust from the Sahara Desert dust has to do with it. And hear how a town in Italy is using DNA for a “poop patrol” to locate and fine lazy pet owners.

In world news for kids (and adults!) this week… India sees the grand opening of the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but not everyone is happy – we dive deep to explain why. Also, a major discovery is found hidden beneath the Amazon rainforest – not just remains of the Upano people, but – thanks to laser technology – it's discovered they were a vast and sophisticated civilization. And did you have any idea how dirty fast-food fumes can be, never mind posh cooking in big, fancy kitchens too? Well, some clever scientists in Sweden have an innovative solution – the Lepido device – for upcycling food fumes. And in Britain a zoo tries – again – to stop foul-mouthed parrots from creating a naughty pandemonium!

Happy Lohri and Pongal, everyone! No idea what those are? Never fear – this is your round-up of South Asia's winter sun harvest festivals. Plus, scientist find miracle volcanic clay caused ice ages and in strict Singapore cats finally get credibility and can be pets in public housing after all. All that and more this week on the best news pod for kids, Newsy Pooloozi!Also – did you hear our call-out last week? We're expanding our team and accepting applications for MORE kid correspondents from anywhere all over the world – as long as you speak clear (and enthusiastic!) English and are curious about the world! Send us a voice note stating your name, where you're from and where you live now (if they're different) along with the answers to these three questions: What do you like doing in your spare time, what is your favorite class in school and which Newsy Pooloozi story has stuck with you the longest? Send the voice note to contact@newsypooloozi.com  and we'll be in touch. We're also looking for any older kids or adults who'd like to join our content writing team and/or our social media team. Drop us a line if so! 

Hello and happy new year, everyone! Firstly, we want to say THANK YOU for being such dedicated, steadfast listeners to our wacky world news podcast! It's a lot of work but a labor of love we're not ready to give up. However… we ARE going to make some changes to our output in 2024, so have a listen to our special announcement to find out the details. More importantly, we are also opening applications for new kid correspondents and writers to join the Newsy Pooloozi team so we can keep this international curiosity club going! Listen for more details and write to us at contact@newsypooloozi.com if you're interested.

As we get ready to dive into a new year, we wanted to look back at the past 12 months – the highs and lows – of news and current events. Yes, we're talking about the Best of our Big New Stories – from the heavy stories of war and natural disasters to many stories of progress and hope. And, well, ChaptGPT which sits somewhere in the middle of it all, doesn't it? Enjoy the reflection – we'll be back with regular world news (the big, the wacky and all that in between) soon!

As a little holiday gift, we bring you... laughter, of course. Yes, have a listen to the wackiest world news stories from the last 12 months in this Best of Oddball round-up episode. It's guaranteed to make you smile more than once!

It's that time of year for our Best Of's - listen back to our best nature and animal stories of 2023! From the resurrection of the wholly mammoth to giraffes that do math, squirrels that sniff out more than nuts, goats that help fight fires and why chimpanzees gesture - this is the best wrap of wacky world animal stories you'll hear anywhere. Plus have you heard the beautiful - if not a little weird - sounds of the ocean? Or the giant seaweed blob that was headed for Florida? And if none of that appeals - two words: cat vaccine. But this revolutionary innovation is for your cat to take, not you! 

In kid news this week… Good news on the environment and innovation front - natural resources are being used to capture nasty carbon dioxide - from using limestone to suck it up in California to Italy's cyanobacteria that likes to snack on it. Also, the latest dinosaur news in both Brazil and Mongolia, the history and wonder of Germany's Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt!) and China's sleepy students lean into that doozy post-launch feeling with the help of new desk-beds!

In world news this week… Wild “super pigs” are on the rampage in North America, bears are on attack in rural Japan, blue whales return home to the Indian Ocean and a green mamba venomous snake is on the loose in the Netherlands - all that and more this week!

This week in world news for kids… Creepie crawlies – love them or loath them – we need them! But they're on the threat of extinction, which is why a new study is being launched in the US. Over in Indonesia, though, it's good news – their echidna mammal has come back from the brink of extinction. India scores another Guinness Book of World Records entry for its many-many Diwali diyas. And up in a northern Swedish city there's a campaign to be neighborly – by just saying… oh, well, listen to find out!

 We give you a special rerun this week of our Autumn Festivals Capsule -- from Asia's Hungry Ghost Festival, Diwali, Guru Nanak to the West's Halloween, Day of the Dead, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving and more!

In kids news this week… We've all heard of electric cars, but what about electric ROADS? Well, this is happening in Sweden where they're charging on the move! In entertainment news, find out what new chart – typically dominated by middle-aged men – popstar Taylor Swift enters. And most of us have heard the expression (phenomenon!) of being “Rickrolled,” well in our second offering of Slange Explained we give you the entire wacky backstory. And did you know a small town in Pennsylvania had its very own mummy? Well, not anymore. Find out why on this week's episode of Newsy Pooloozi! 

This week in world news for kids… France is facing an infestation of bedbugs that's causing national anxiety, Australia rejects a referendum to give Aboriginals more of a “voice” in politics, plus FIFA announces a very mixed-up world cup is planned for 2023 and Austrian researchers discover the curious camouflaging of the Wallace's flying frog – all that and more this week!

In world news for kids this week… Israel wages war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the militant group bombards it with bombs and terror attacks, Kenyan's marathon record breaker, US fast food outlets sued and a very elderly skydiver tries to break a world record – but just how old? You gotta listen to the pod to find out!

This week in your favorite mix of wacky world news, goats and AI are used to fight fires in California, Swiss glaciers are melting at a record rate, humans have more of a Neanderthal mix than thought and animals are on the loose – from a bear that crashes a Mexican picnic to crocodiles in India and Malaysia that were not where they're supposed to be, oh, and the alligator "support pet" that was not allowed into a major league baseball game… All that and more this week! 

This week in news for kids... Koreans say "Chuseok jal bonaeseyo!" as they celebrate their autumn harvest festival, aka Thanksgiving. Also, NASA says hello to rocks from the Bennu asteroid, completing a seven-year mission to bring back the samples and Australia gets ready to host a Taylor “Swiftposium” – inspired by the US popstar's songs. Also in Australia – some pets are not allowed to surf - find out which one this week in Newsy Pooloozi!

In kid news this week… We hear the "voices of the ocean" and sounds of the sea (it's a noisy place!) and find out what they mean, also ancient cave art is discovered in Spain, a stolen Van Gogh is returned in a bloodied pillowcase in the Netherlands and the Laziest Citizen Competition nears a month – of participants just lying down – in Montenegro. All that and more in the coolest pool of news and information!

In world news this week – a 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Morocco, thousands die in Libya floods caused by Storm Daniel, India concludes the G20 and world leaders decide to let the Africa Union into the big economic club, Thailand's big-but-small dinosaur discovery and “barking mad” police in the US use a creative way to catch car thieves – all that and more on Newsy Pooloozi!

In kid news this week we decode the international summit – the G20 – as world leaders head to host-country India, after landing on the moon the Indian Space Research Organisation sends a spacecraft to explore the sun, in our debut segment of “Slang Explained” we give the story behind the popular slang word “slay,” and the quirky English are at it again – this time holding the World Gravy Wrestling Championships, because everyone likes to roll around and wrestle in gravy, right? All that and more this week!

This is a fun, feline-packed episode with pets to the rescue in Ukraine, a breakthrough cat allergy vaccine (that your cat takes - not you!) and cat yoga with an adoption twist makes for the purrrrrfect pose, plus India's 1st World Surf League (WSL) competition takes place in Tamil Nadu - all that and more this week!

Kid News This Week: There's a new space race to the south side of the Moon, weather woes from wildfires to fast-floods rattle the world, is Spain's soccer championship betrayed by a kiss, and a Texas woman is caught in the middle of a fight between a Harris hawk and snake - that fell from the sky! All that and more this week! 

Sadly, summer is over… but happily we're back in action next week! Yes, from next Wednesday we'll be bringing you a weekly round-up of the world's most important – and most weird – world news. Until then, enjoy the Kids Listen Summer Sampler and discover some cool new pods to add to your playlist!

Hey folks! We've been going non-stop for almost three years at Newsy Pooloozi and we're (finally) taking a little time off world news podcasting to do some real world traveling! This week we'll leave you with a darling new storytelling podcast, Suzie with a Z, for curious kids who like mysteries. Then for a few weeks there won't be any new episodes, swaps or even quick dips of news.  But never fear, in July we'll be back in your feed with more wacky world news from your favorite fun news pod, Newsy Pooloozi!