Kid News Weekly Summary: December 13, 2024

This week’s edition of Kid News covers a diverse array of global events, ranging from the superstition of Friday the 13th to historic achievements in sports and intellectual competition.

The Superstition of Friday the 13th

As the world observes Friday the 13th, the broadcast explores the linguistic curiosities behind the date. The fear of the number 13 is known as "triska-decafobia," while the specific fear of Friday the 13th is called "paraskevi-decatryophobia." Despite the spooky connotations, scientists from the University of Helsinki maintain a "matter-of-fact" stance, noting that "no data exists and will never exist to confirm that 13 is an unlucky number." This scientific perspective serves as a reassurance for events like the scheduled SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.

Sports Headlines: Bill Belichick’s New Chapter

In a major shift for collegiate football, legendary coach Bill Belichick is set to become the head coach at the University of North Carolina. Valued at $50 million over five years, this move is described as a "homecoming" of sorts, with plans for his son, Steve Belichick, to join the coaching squad. For the 72-year-old coach, this role provides a new challenge as he moves away from broadcasting and continues his pursuit of NFL-related milestones, currently sitting at 333 career wins.

Politics and Media: Time’s Person of the Year

President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time’s Person of the Year for 2024. The magazine selects the individual who has done the most to "shape the world and the headlines" over the year. Time noted that while the selection process is often difficult, the choice was clear for 2024. This marks Mr. Trump's second time receiving the honor, following his first recognition in 2016.

Resilience and Community: The Long COVID Kids Choir

Amidst an "arctic blast" bringing "bone-chilling weather" across the U.S., the broadcast highlights the inspiring efforts of the Long COVID Kids Choir. This virtual group provides a space for children to find "connection and healing." Member Anouk Shillam emphasizes that there is "no pressure" to participate, allowing members to manage their energy levels. Their recently released song, Rollercoaster, serves as a powerful medium to give voice to the "up and down ride" that children living with Long COVID experience.

Historic Achievement in Chess

18-year-old Gukesh Domeraju from India has made history as the youngest world chess champion ever. Following a "nail-biting finale" in Singapore, Gukesh secured the win after an error by his 32-year-old opponent. This victory breaks Gary Kasparov’s 39-year-old record and earns Gukesh a significant portion of the $2.5 million prize pool.

A Cautionary Tale: The Sydney Ice Sculpture Incident

In a lighthearted "Kid News Kicker," the broadcast recounts an incident in Sydney, Australia, where a man attempted to lick an ice sculpture at a mall. Mirroring a scene from A Christmas Story, the man found his tongue stuck to the display. The ordeal served as a humorous but necessary reminder from the energy drink company involved: "We never thought we'd have to say this, but don't lick ice sculptures in public."

Conclusion and Looking Ahead

As the Kid News team prepares for a three-week holiday break, they extend birthday wishes to Lilla Skironic and provide shoutouts to various classrooms across the U.S. The team will return to the airwaves on Monday, January 6, 2025.