Biting through though layers, the “Coconut Peeler”, Andres Gardin is able to peel 500 coconuts in six hours using only his teeth and hands! But he has a complaint to make.

This 64 year old have been training for over five decades and have shredded (if you are on a computer, you can double click on any word to know it’s meaning) more than 100,000 coconuts!

On a worn out basketball court in a small town on Panama’s Caribbean coast, Gardin demonstrated how he shredded a single coconut in just 8 seconds!

This man definitely has talent!

No doubt would he be a world record holder for amazing speed in which he peels cocoanuts with his mighty jaws.

Peeling coconuts is no easy task!

“To peel coconuts, you’ve got to have jaw power. You’ve got to have teeth power. And you’ve got to have God’s power,” says Gardin.  

Gardin wants to get into the Guinness Book, and he knows he is able to! However, no one has come to verify his achievements.

His neighbors are surprised that his achievements have not brought him the record or greater rewards.

Gardin says he has even tried to get the President’s office involved, so far without luck.

But that day should come soon- look now he is on The Whiz Times already!

Featured Image: RODRIGO ARANGUA / AFP

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becoming a three time Prime Minister!

Election results from recently held elections in Pakistan are mostly out and Pakistan Muslim League (N) party (PML-N) led by Mr Nawaz Sharif looks all set to form the government.

Mr Nawaz Sharif was the former Pakistan leader for two terms previously and is now likely to continue into his third term after Pakistan election results 2013 are out formally.

Click to read the story on why these elections in Pakistan were being called historic.

For a country that has been ruled by army generals for half of its existence, these elections were really a big deal.

It is not formal yet, but Mr Sharif gave a victory speech late Saturday to hundreds of overjoyed supporters at PML-N headquarters in Lahore.

Sharif was thankful that nearly 60 percent of the 86 million electorate turned out to vote despite polling-day attacks by the Taliban that left 24 dead.

There were the three major parties in Pakistan elections 2013:

• Mr Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N),
• Ex Cricketer Mr Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),
• and The Bhutto clan’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Mr Sharif appealed to all political parties to work together. He asked them to come to the table with him and solve the country’s problems.

Analysts said the PML-N would most likely have to team up with its opponents from the outgoing PPP government to form a coalition government, but many are hopeful that  PML-N would get the largest majority votes on its own so it does not need to tie up with others.

Want to understand What is democracy? Click to read this story on democracy. What would happen if classrooms were run like a democracy?

Mr Sharif has big task of addressing issues of terrorism and bringing back the economy on the path to progress.

His winning brought celebrations throughout Pakistan, especially the youth. They were seen dancing on the streets holding stuffed tigers, PML-N’s election symbol, and people offered each other celebratory sweets.

Do you want to add to this story? Feel free to add your comments below.

Featured Image: AAMIR QURESHI / AFP

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apartment to Mars is not the only problem

NASA is planning to bring humans for the first time to walk on Mars.

Not only that, they are planning to build a full two story apartment on Mars too. After all, if humans go there all the way, they need to stay somewhere right?

Anyways the price of housing is hitting Mars on Earth :p

This is no simple task. In fact, it is one of the biggest technological hurdles for any future manned mission!

Why is this a complicated task?

Along with that, it is estimated to weigh around 40 tonnes, with its supply of food, water and oxygen for the astronauts.

Taking all this stuff there is only half the battle won. The key would be to land these items safely on the surface of Mars.

But Curiosity Rover did it, didn’t it?

Surely, if you read The Whiz Times regularly, you must have heard of Curiosity Rover. If you have not, you can read it here!

AFP PHOTO / NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Last year, NASA landed a robot, Curiosity Rover, onto Mars. The rover weighing 1 tonne has been on Mars for 9 months ever since.

They landed the Rover using a sky crane and supersonic parachute.

This was such an amazing accomplishment but it was just a baby step to the bigger mission- Sending astronauts to space to walk on Mars!

Would it be possible?

Curiosity Rover landed on Mars using a sky crane and supersonic parachute.

Though many are doubtful, one of the inventors behind Curiosity stays optimistic!

Adam Stelzner, one of the inventors behind Curiosity’s space crane, says that the project just requires “a little more creativity” in using the technological materials at hand.

After all, in the summer of 2003, just eight years before Curiosity’s launch, NASA did not know how to land a ‘robot car’ on Mars. And now, the success of Curiosity is for all to see.

The cost for this manned mission will be huge and the effort would likely require international cooperation, but if accomplished, it will definitely a record-breaking accomplishment!

Featured Image: – / NASA TV / AFP

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This was no ordinary robbery. This was not something you would have seen in a thrilling action movie, yet. Well, the robbers did not even have a need for guns or masks for attempting to rob banks!

Last week, cyber bank robbers, who had been planning their game since months, attacked banks in the United States, logging into their computer systems and ATMs fooling the computer systems and stole $45 million, all in a matter of hours! All they needed was laptops, internet and an understanding of how the ATM cards and bank computer systems work.

How did they rob a bank through laptops?

Cyber thieves require  precision, speed and coordination.

First, the cyber thieves hacked into debit card companies and lifted the withdrawal limits of cards.

Their accomplices made counterfeit cards to be used in the bank ATMs. They would then immediately withdraw as much money as possible from ATM machines, helping themselves to the cash!

The gang of thieves first hacked the computer systems of international corporations, before going throughout Manhattan stealing millions of dollars from hundreds of automatic cash machines (ATM) in a matter of hours!

THAT’S TERRIBLE!

Are the thieves caught?

This was a bit operation by the thieves. They are not based in one country, but spread out in various countries. This makes the task of police a bit difficult, but the Police catches up pretty soon with thieves.

Seven people have already been arrested for stealing $2.8 million in cash across 26 countries! They are now facing charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and money laundering.

Hopefully all these cyber thieves will be caught soon, putting a stop to this criminal act!

Featured Image: AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

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You may know certain words with the same meaning, sounding alike, but in different languages.

For example, “Father” in English and “Pater” in Latin.

Photo: PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP

This new research says that commonly used words like pronouns (he, she, it…), are quite likely to remain unchanged over thousands of years.

In many languages, words that are used everyday such as “I”, “You”, “We”, “Man”, and “Bark” has had the same meaning and nearly same sound for thousands of years!

After studying more than 7,000 languages, it was seen that everyday words which were similar sounding, meant pretty much the same thing and were being used over thousands of years!

Another study by a researcher named Mr Mark Pagel looks into similar patterns in how language is used and why some words stay in while others disappear over time.

He found out that we could be able to read and understand certain words from the Ice Ages, from thousands of years back!

Featured Image: Flickr User Horia Varlan

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China is regularly hit by seismic tremors. Around 200 people were left dead or missing by a quake in Sichuan province last month, and hundreds of thousands have been killed in major disasters in the past.

The earthquake authority of Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province in the east, keeps dogs since they will “act abnormally when an earthquake is coming”, sometimes up to 10 days in advance, an official said.

He further added, saying that chickens and ducks could be effective as well!

“Yawn! I haven’t slept entire night. Got a night job you know!”

But neighbours are complaining about the animals’ nightly howling, according to the news website Dajiang.

“The compound of the Nanchang earthquake authority has I don’t know how many dogs, every night at 11 pm they start barking over and over,” it quoted one as saying.

Will the quake dogs be useful?

Do you believe that animals have special powers to predict natural phenomenon like earthquakes?

Featured image attribution

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We just saw the elections in Malaysia, and now, it is voting time in Pakistan. Today, on 11th May, 2012, Pakistan goes to vote for a new government.

It is an historic, yet unpredictable event. Though everyone has their favorite parties; which party will win these elections is anyone’s guess.

Here are key facts about Pakistan elections 2013:

Who are the candidates?

There are 4,670 candidates competing for 272 seats available.

Out of the total candidates, 161 women will be contesting for the 60 seats which are reserved for woman (This means only women candidates can contest these seats) and 10 for non-Muslim minorities. (Muslims form the majority of population in Pakistan)

More than 600,000 security personnel including 50,000 troops will be deployed to guard against any terrorist attacks.

Who are the voters?

Out of a total population of 180 million, there are 86.2 million registered voters. 37.6 million are women and 48.6 million are men.

Where to vote?

There are around 70,000 polling stations set up!

Voters must present their ID cards and their fingers are inked after voting.

Why are political elections violent? Your thoughts?

After the voting

After the voting, the ballots will be counted by hand at the individual poll stations.

First results are expected to be released at 10pm, and final results will be released within one week!

Who will win?

Whichever political party gets a majority of 172 out of 272 directly elected seats is the winner and can form a government.

Tens of thousands of locals and people around the world will be observing this election!

Want to know more about what is democracy? Read here about ‘classroom’ democracy: a simple, safe, fun explanation.

Featured Image: AAMIR QURESHI / AFP

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And they have a unique strategy for keeping his daughters from getting tattoos: threatening to get the same design, along with his wife, and turning it into a family YouTube moment.

When kids grow up, they want to do their own thing. Some want to wear torn clothes, some shape their hair in different forms and then some- they get Tattoos. All of this really irritates parents sometimes. But some parents take it their stride and jump in themselves. Like US President Barack Obama.

Loving the stories at The Whiz Times? The Whiz Times is the only family friendly channel with custom News, Enrichment and Entertainment for kids and families! Sign -in or register to get full access to numerous stories and hours of good engagement. 

“And we’ll go on YouTube and show it off as a family tattoo,” he said. “Our thinking is that it might dissuade them from thinking that somehow that’s a good way to rebel.”

The post Obama to daughters: if you get tattoos, so will we! appeared first on The Whiz Times.

inspiration!

They say mom’s cooking is the best. Really?

Well, if you go by what the owners of the top restaurants in the World have to say, the answer is a thumping YES!

Just like the owners of Celler de Can Roca. They said their inspiration was their mom’s cooking!

Previously, the world’s best restaurant was El Bulli, a Catalan restaurant.

However, the restaurant closed four years ago, bringing Celler de Can Roca to the top.

“The best restaurant in the world does not exist, each one has its own thing, so you have to look at it with a bit of perspective,” Joan Roca, 49-year-old founder of Celler said.

The Roca brothers, Joan, Jordi, and Josep, amaze diners worldwide with their technique and cooking rooted in Spanish and Catalan traditions.

The brothers have been working together for 16 years now, making an impressive team!

Joan is the founder of Celler de Can Roca, Jordi, 35-years-old, is the restaurant’s pastry and desert chef, and Joseph, 47-years-old, is in charge of a cellar (a place wine bottles are kept) of 35,000 bottles.

Not only is their food good, the brothers know how to keep the restaurant clean and presentable!

The restaurant has its clean lines and large glass walls, and a gigantic kitchen where 35 cooks from around the world prepare dishes for 45 diners.

Prices of food ranges between 135 euros and 165 euros ($175 and $215), coming along with wines at 55-85 euros.

Wise words from chef Joan: “Cooking will be good if it comes from the heart. At the end of the day what my mother does is not so different from what we do.”

People eat in this restaurant not only for the food, but more for the experience.

Flickr User daniel.julia

A dish of mushroom can be made so simply. Just chop some mushrooms, put them in a pan, and stir it with some sauce.

But the chef at Celle de Can Roca wouldn’t do just that. They go the extra mile, extracting “active aromas” from earth from a nearby forest!

Celle de Can Roca combines daring cooking and family traditions.

They believe in free-style cooking, at the same time keeping the memory of their ancestors, who were all dedicated to feed people.

This is not simply eating good food. Eating at Celle de Can Roca bring diners back childhood memories and a specific place in their past! And their inspiration? Their mom!

It is time to show our appreciation to our mothers for all they have done!

The Whiz Times wishes all mothers a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Featured Image: Flickr User e_calamar

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In central Africa, the number of elephant herds has decreased tremendously due to gangs of ivory poachers.

APF PHOTO / JEAN LIOU

How much effect do ivory poachers have on Africa’s population of elephants?

The 3000-square-kilometre southern Zakouma National Park in the African nation- Chad has already lost 90 percent of its elephants in last 10 years!

In fact, the numbers plunged from 4,300 in 2002 to some 450 a decade later!

Now Zakouma National Park has taken action. Their plan is to use paramilitary-style tactics.

With 60 guards who act like soldiers and a new 15-member rapid reaction force, their methods are proving to be successful.

Since 2011, only 13 elephants have been lost, a great improvement from earlier years! What’s more, the previously stressed animals have begun breeding again!

But who are these cruel poachers?

It has been confirmed that these poachers are based in Sudan. They are heavily armed, well-organised and have a good knowledge of the bush.

But no matter how many guards are available, the land area is huge, making it difficult to track the poacher’s locations.

JEAN LIOU / AFP

In response, the park has added tracking devices to 14 of its elephants and worked with locals to obtain information of poachers’ locations. This will enable them to put the guards in the right place at the right time.

The situation might have improved, but the fight is still not over.

It is feared that once the gangs have torn through the region’s easier targets, they will return to Zakouma!

Featured Image: APF PHOTO / MICHAEL LORENTZ

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chilli in his face.

SYDNEY, May 2013 (AFP) – A quick-thinking worker at a takeaway food store in Sydney (Australia) has stopped an attempted robbery by throwing a bucket of chilli at a would-be thief, leaving him with minor burns, Australian police said Monday.

A man walked into the store on Sunday and ordered some food, but then argued with staff over payment and walked behind the counter and attempted to open the cash register!

The man struck the female worker across the chest as she tried to stop him from getting to the money. But this was one tough lady. She did not give in- but fought back! What did she do?

Well, she threw chilli in his face!

“It appears that she’s just fought back with whatever was close at hand,” Inspector Ralph Deans told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“As you can imagine with a face full of chilli, he’s received some burns to his face, and he was quite red-faced at the time police arrived to arrest him.”

Well, this sounds funny, but is quite serious. The lady in this case was a grown up woman and reacted with her instinct. She was brave indeed, but things could have turned for the worse with the robber.

Especially for young people, sometimes you can be brave by not reacting according to your instincts. You can ask grown-ups for help or call the police after the incident. Yes! Safety comes first, though bravery is more glamorous.

The post Would be robber gets chilli in his face! appeared first on The Whiz Times.

during annual migrations could die!

Researchers have warned this week, that this could be a reality. It has been reported that the population of migratory birds have lost 30-80 percent of its population!

Why is this happening?
This is due to rising sea levels and land reclamation!

During their journey, the birds will need to stop by coastal wetlands to rest and eat. Unfortunately, this is the reason many of these birds face death.

How and why is this so?

Wetlands are very vulnerable (Double click on word to know the meaning- if you are on a computer) to the rise in sea level. If water level is too high, birds will not be able to find their food.

These shorebirds, just like us human beings, need food to give them energy for their journey. Without energy, they will not be able to make it to their destinations.

These are some of the species that are facing greater trouble:

• Bar-tailed godwit
• Curlew sandpiper
• Great knot
• Grey-tailed tattler
• Lesser sand plover
• Red knot

The tidal wetland habitat is so important to shorebirds that a small amount of habitat loss can lead to a large decline in bird populations.

Now that scientist have found out why shorebirds are disappearing so quickly, it is time for a second study to find out the best way to save these disappearing shorebirds and get a control over the problem!

Featured Image: MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP

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most active volcanoes in Philippines erupted.

How serious is the eruption? What is the name of the Philippines Volcano?

MANILA, May 7, 2013 (AFP) -Mount Mayon, a volcano in Philippines, threw up a giant ash cloud on Tuesday. Up to 20 climbers and guides, including foreigners, were on Mount Mayon when it erupted!Five people were killed and seven others injured, according to latest reports.

 

Mount mayon is 2,460-metre (8,070-foot) in height.

It rained like hell with stones. It was sudden and there was no warning

 Mr Marti Calleja, a local tour operator who had gone to climb Mt Mayon said.

Seismologist (Scientists who study Earthquakes) Renato Solidum said people living around Mount Mayon did not need to evacuate. He said this happened because of ash deposits at the mouth of the volcano made contact with rain.

Mayon spewed a thick column of ash 500 metres (1,600 feet) into the air, people who were near the scene said.

There was no lava or magma (rocks that melt because of intense heat and then flow out from the volcano, causing major destruction)

Residents in towns around the picturesque volcano famous for its near-perfect cone said they were surprised by the sudden activity, which came as many were having breakfast.

“It was so sudden that many of us panicked,” Jun Marana, a 46-year-old bus driver and father of two, said.

Marana said the ashes were dispersed (Double click on word to know the meaning, if you are on a computer) by winds after about an hour, but said he was not taking his chances and was prepared to leave his home anytime.

Mayon, about 330 kilometres (200 miles) southeast of Manila (capital of Philippines), has erupted 48 times in recorded history.

In 1814, more than 1,200 people were killed when lava flows buried the town of Cagsawa.

In December 2009 tens of thousands of villagers were displaced (double click on word to know the meaning, if you are on a computer) when Mayon spewed ash and lava.

The volcano also erupted in August 2006. There were no direct deaths caused by the explosion, but the following December a passing typhoon unleashed an avalanche of volcanic mud from its slopes that killed 1,000 people.

 

Pictures and story source: AFP

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Don’t you just hate the sight of oil layering over seas, polluting water?

Not only are they unsightly, they take away the lives of many sea creatures and birds!

Well, scientists have found a solution for this unsightly problem!

If you are a Geek Whiz, here is a little more explanation of their solution:

The scientists have come out with a lightweight and reusable material called White Graphene. 

They have developed extremely small ‘sheets’ (called Nano-Sheets) of a material called boron nitride. This is what is White Graphene. This has groups of atoms, between one and 100 nanometres big.

The white graphene that scientists have produced, has many large pores and can absorb up to 33 times its weight! It will be able to soak up a wide range of spilled oils, dyes, and even chemicals!

The nanosheets work in a fast and effective way, it can be reused, and what more, they is NOT expensive!!

Once dropped on an oil-polluted water surface, they immediately absorb the brown oil, turning the nanosheet dark brown. In fact, all it takes is two minutes before all oil is taken up by the nanosheets!

After absorbing oil from water, the sheets can be easily picked up from the water surface. To recycle the nanosheets, just clean it by burning, heating or washing it. Simple as that!

This new material will definitely make a great positive impact on the environment!

Featured Image: Wikipedia

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Have you heard of a solar plane?

A solar plane is one that can fly in the air without the use of fossil fuels!

What’s so special about this plane is that it can fly both by day and night!

For usual solar-powered planes, batteries would be charged in the day using solar energy from the sun, and the planes can fly at night.

Solar Impulse, on the other hand, uses electrical energy for flight while charging in the day, and uses stored solar energy by night.

Solar Impulse weighs as light as a small car and bear 12,000 solar cells that will convert energy from the sun into energy for its flight!

If there could be a plane powered solely by energy from the sun flying in the air, there definitely can be future cars powered by solar energy too!

What the plane is capable of:

Solar Impulse is capable of flying non-stop for three days at the speed of 43 miles (70 kilometres) per hour!

But unfortunately, the plane can only carry one pilot, which means they would have to make occasional stops to allow the pilot to rest.

Therefore, they have limited the maximum flight time to be 24 hours.

Ultimately, the project aims to showcase what can be accomplished without fossil fuels in an “around-the-world” flight in 2015. It will stop at each country for a period of 10 days before taking off.

You can find out more about Solar Impulse and the flight embarked here!

Featured Image: AFP PHOTO/Josh Edelson

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people crying foul?

The results are out for a hard fought election battle in Malaysia. The winners are taking it all, while many people are crying foul.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6, 2013 (AFP) – Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional coalition managed to retain its 56-year hold on power in a hard-fought election on Sunday.

A bitter opposition leader Mr Anwar Ibrahim said there was cheating in the elections and refused to accept the results.

Mr Anwar ibrahim. Photo: MOHD RASFAN / AFP

You must have been following the coverage of the Malaysia elections by The Whiz Times. Read more on some easy and explanatory stories here.

The ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition led by Prime Minister Najib Razak won 133 seats out of 222 seats in the Parliament of Malaysia. Since they got the majority votes, they were announced as the winners of this elections.

Mr Najib, 59, said that all Malaysian people should reconcile (Double click on word to know the meaning- if you are on a computer) and sort out all the differences amongst themselves.

“This is the decision of the people,” he told cheering supporters in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

But Mr Anwar was in no mood to accept the results.

“It is an election that we consider fraudulent and the EC (Election Commission) has failed,” an exhausted-looking Mr Anwar told reporters.

The opposition parties ended with 89 seats.

A Malaysian woman showing the ink mark as a proof of voting once (Source: AFP)

This was denied by the agencies.

Some people also said that foreigners were being employed to vote for the ruling party.

But all said and done, it seems Mr Najib is set for another term of being the Prime minister, as some experts believe.

Mr Anwar, on the other hand, will probably end his career with these elections. Now 65, he had said earlier that he would step aside as opposition leader if his parties under Pakatan failed to win these elections.

Featured image and story credit: AFP

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It is finally the day for Malaysians to vote for the party they want ruling Malaysia.

Could the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) continue their ruling as the longest-serving government of will the opposition Pakatan Rakyat Alliance take over their position?

Lets recap…

On 3^rd April, Prime Minister Najib Razak dissolved from parliament.

After which, violence began in Malaysia, accumulating to total of 387 cases of violence by April 25^th!

On 20^th April, the 2-week official campaign kicked off.

Finally, today is the day most Malaysian have been awaiting for the past month; the day of election!

Voting Opened!

From 8:00 AM in Malaysia, more than 8,000 polling centres around the nation opened for voting.

The Malaysian parliamentary election polls will close at 5:00 pm in Malaysia today, with first results expected within hours.

Here are some facts of Malaysia you may find interesting!

• Capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur.
• Malaysia is located in in the heart of South East Asia, near the equator.
• They had a population of 28.3 million in 2010.
• National language of Malaysia is Malay.
• Main religion in Malaysia is Islam consisting 61.3% of population.
• Main ethnic race in Malaysia is ‘Malay’ consisting 54.4% of population.

Featured Image: GOH CHAI HIN / AFP

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revealed!

For a long time, scientists have been curious where lemurs disappear to during wintertime.

Finally, they have found out the secret to Lemurs’ disappearing act!

The fat-tailed lemurs in western Madagascar was already known for hibernating in tree holes for seven months of the year.

Have you seen Madagascar the animated movie? Then you must know that Madagascar is a tropical island, with sunny beaches and lots of rain.

But the mystery was: where exactly do the dwarf lemurs from Eastern Madagascar disappear?

You don’t see them, trap them or find them. They had to go somewhere, but where exactly?

Scientists thought these Lemurs in Eastern Madagascar hibernated in trees too. But this new discovery proved otherwise.

Eastern Lemurs do not hibernate in trees. Instead, they snuggle in the soil for months, sleeping!

That makes Lemurs the only primates in the world known to hibernate underground.

How did scientists find out the lemurs’ hiding spot?

The team fitted radio-transmitter collars on 12 Subree’s Dwarf Lemurs and Crossley’s Dwarf Lemurs in summer, and waited.

Finally in winter, they set out with the expectation of finding the lemurs sleeping in tree holes. But to their surprise, the signals came from under the ground!

At first they thought the lemurs had lost their collars. But as they started digging, guess what they found?

A sleeping furry ball, the dwarf lemur!

Why is this finding so surprising?

It is common for animals in colder climates such as polar bears, hedgehogs or squirrels to hibernate during winter.

Polar Bear Hibernating (FLickr User Michael Bentley)

But it is uncommon for animals in tropical regions like Madagascar!

Let’s find out why dwarf Lemurs hibernate during winter!

Dwarf Lemurs hibernate from anything between three and six months, 10 to 40 centimeters under a spongy layer of tree roots, soil and decaying plant matter.

During the Madagascar winter, lemurs are exposed to drastic daily temperature fluctuations of as much as 30 degrees Celsius!

As underground hibernation provides more insulation than holes or nets, it definitely makes sense for these lemurs to hibernate underground!

Featured Image: AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA

The post The (almost) unbelievable truth about Lemurs! appeared first on The Whiz Times.

Greece produces honey of a unique aroma and taste; Greek Honey is so unique it cannot be found in any other country. But what makes their honey so special?

The answer is by pesticide-free farming!

ARIS MESSINIS / AFP

Why do farmers use pesticides?

To keep pests such as rats, insects, or even weeds away from their plants.

All over the world, people have begun using pesticides when farming.

But did you know this harms and even kill the insects, such as bees, that pollinate (Double click on a word to find out its meaning- that is if you are on the computer) on them?

Greece, on the other hand, has stayed away from pesticides when farming. They consider it as ILLEGAL to use pesticides. This is the reason for their top grade honey!

Honey produced in Greece is not sold to other countries. They are only sold within Greece, to locals and people staying there.

Greeks are the top consumers of honey in the world, with an average consumption of 1.7 kg per person compared to 0.4 kg in the United States.

Sweet Fact about Honey!

According to Greek mythology the god of love Eros dipped his arrows into honey before shooting them, the golden liquid has been flowing in abundance in this country, free of genetic modification and gleaned from vast, uncultivated lands.

But things may be about to change!

A vote was conducted in Brussels against the ban of pesticides, but many were not in favour. As a result, the ban was not adopted.

But not to worry, there would be another voting to be conducted this summer.

Hopefully, the ban of pesticides will prevail and continue bringing aromatic and sweet honey in Greece!

In Greece, beekeeping is for life. You are born and die as a beekeeper. They love their occupation would never want to change it.

Whether or not this ban takes place, the results for votes to be received this summer would affect the lives of the 20,000 beekeepers in Greece!

Have you read how Coffee-drinking bees can save the planet? Read more here!

 Featured Image: ARIS MESSINIS / AFP

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Whiz user, Christian F. Cortes from United States submitted these cartoon series to The Whiz Times. And we are happy as ever to promote a Whiz.

You guessed it. This is a cartoon series about a cat. Well, a giant cat, to be precise. In every cartoon strip, a quirky twist opens up.

In this strip:

Another cat cartoon #1

Another cat cartoon #2

Another cat cartoon #3

Share the cartoons and support the artist.

Do you have a talent that you want to show to the world? Go ahead and send your stuff to us.

The post Another Cat Cartoon #4 (User submission) appeared first on The Whiz Times.

For more than 30 years, it has been believed that a mother would be nearly twice better than fathers in recognizing their baby’s cry, mainly due to “maternal instincts”.

Is it true after all? French researchers on Thursday shows otherwise.

The new study says that both men and women are equally skilled at this. It all depends on how long you send with your child.

The experiment that proved believes to be untrue.

Nicholas Mathevon conducted a research with his team at the University of Saint-Etienne.

The babies were from different cultures, in both Africa and Europe, to test if culture plays a part as well.

All the mothers, and half of the fathers, spent more than four hours a day with their baby. The other fathers spent less than four hours daily with the child.

The parents were asked to listen to a recording of three different cries from five babies of a similar age, one of which was their own. There were two sessions of experiments.

Moms and Dads, equally skilled.

Mothers were 98 percent accurate, and fathers who spent more than four hours with baby per day were 90 percent accurate.

Fathers who spent less than four hours daily with the infant were only 75 percent accurate.

Culture plays a part as well!

It seems like parents who were exposed to other babies each day were less accurate in recognizing their own children’s cries. Africans have a extended families, making parents exposed to many other babies.

In fact, the research showed that only 82% of the parents from Africa were able to recognize their baby’s cries.

It’s all about the time spent with your baby!

Flickr User Jon Ovington

The study says that the “maternal instinct” assumption is inaccurate, as the studies from the late 1970s and early 1980s failed to take into account the amount of time the fathers spent with their kids.

Men and women are “cooperative breeders“, so the idea that one gender is better than the other at a basic mechanism to protect the baby is inappropriate.

Both fathers and mothers can reliably and equally recognize their own baby from their cries. The only crucial factor affecting this ability is the amount of time spent by the parents with their own baby.

Featured Image: Flickr User storyvillegirl

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We have heard stories of people planning attacks on Presidents. But have you heard an animal attacking a President? Well, this might be the first!

Last week, Botswana President Ian Khama was seen with a plaster on his face.

Why?

Because he had received two stitches on his face after being clawed by a cheetah!

How did that happen?

The incident happened at Botswana Defence Force base.

Mr Khama was standing in an enclosure where the cheetah was being fed. Unfortunately, the cheetah somehow managed to get his claws onto the President’s face!

According to a government official Mr Jeff Ramsay, this was a freak accident, not really an attack.

Which are the most dangerous animals you can think of? Write your thoughts below!

Featured Image: Christophe Beaudufe / AFP

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Bollywood would be celebrating their 100^th birthday later this week!

In this article, we will be taking a look at its milestone for the past decade, and films that made Bollywood win the hearts of movie-mad Indians!

India produced almost 1,500 movies last year and the industry is expected to grow from $2 billion to $3.6 billion in the next five years.

Let’s take a look at the key dates in the life of Bollywood! 

One of the unique things about Bollywood movies is the songs and dances.

Bollywood films often involve stars breaking into songs in a location with beautiful sceneries all of a sudden; Something that may confuse Western viewers. A typical Bollywood movie has high drama, focus on relationships, and songs and dance routines.

These do make these movies different from movies made in other countries. However,  there are many different kinds of movies too- from movies for children, to action movies and even animation movies. Bollywood is always changing and adapting with the audience.

They might not have big budgets but they certainly are not short of enthusiasm and talent to deliver a great movie experience!

Do you know a song from a bollywood movie or can act or even dance like one? Let us know and we are going to feature you on The Whiz Times. You can use this form (Click) or send us an email at BeWhiz at TheWhizTimes.com

Featured image: STRDEL / AFP

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you probably did not know

We all know the sun is that big ball of fire we see everyday. As a matter of fact, it is the only star we can see in the day. But do you know the real power of the sun?

What you are about to find out is how powerful the sun is:

Featured Image: Source- Wikipedia

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It is quite a common sight to see the stunning fast-speed luxury Ferrari in Dubai.

But whose car is this? I bet you’d be surprised to know, it belongs to the Police in Bubai!

This green and white Ferrari was showcased at the foot of the Burj al-Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The Ferrari will be joining the Lamborghini, which joined the police force earlier!

The introduction of luxury Italian cars to the police force is being seen as a sign of economic recovery!

Female police officers would be using the Ferrari to patrol tourist areas.

Now nobody would be able to escape a car chase with the Police in Dubai!

Featured Image: AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

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how many cup noodles do people eat in a year?

Well, the global sales of cup noodles have reached 100 billion units annually!

To put that into perspective, it will amount to EACH PERSON on the planet consuming more than one month’s supply of cup noodles a year!

Why do people consume cup noodles?

For one reason, it is convenient. There is no need to spend time cooking this meal. All it takes is 2 minutes of your time and some hot water, and the easy-to-cook cup noodles will be ready to be eaten!

What more? It can be kept for long time without getting spoiled!

Instant noodles, comes dried or pre-cooked and can be boiled quickly with accompanying flavour packets.

Instant noodles have become a standard dish worldwide, with top consumers from China, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam.

Here is the number of cup noodles consumed by the top 4 countries:

The amount of people consuming cup noodles is expected to continue increasing. 

Featured Image: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP

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make the iMAC, iPAD and iPhones. Guess how much

are people willing to pay for one hour of his time?

There is an auction going on, selling something you cannot find in any supermarket, shopping centre, or anywhere else

A personal coffee meeting with Mr Tim Cook!

The winner of this auction will be entitled to spend 30 minutes to an hour with Mr cook over coffee at the Apple headquarters in Cupertini, California.

Not only that, the winner will be able to bring along two other guest along with them!

They would have to pay for their own travel and accommodation charges, but it would definitely be worth it.

This is no ordinary auction!

The money that the winner will be paying would not be going to Tim cook or Apple. Instead, it will be going to a Washington-based charity organisation, Robert F. Kennedy Center, for Justice and Human rights!

Auction for coffee with Mr Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

As of Friday 26th April, the highest bid was $230,000! 

The center is also raising money with other celebrities, such as a lunch with famed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola in California wine country, and time with actors Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, Alec Baldwin, or William Shatner.

It was the first time that Mr Cook made his time available as part of the annual fund-raising event. People would be willing to pay thousands of dollars for a special and valuable time with the chief of Apple.

 Featured Image: Flickr User Iglec

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After two or three years of bedtime battles, most parents have got story negotiations down to a fine art, handing over their successful systems to babysitters and grandparents when necessary.

But by the time the little ones hit the toddler years, the storybooks are piling up on the shelves. Some of them can be pricey, too – and invariably, after four or five years they’ll soon be unnecessary as your child outgrows them.

Hence, many parents are turning to apps available on their own iPad or Android tablet in an effort to conserve space and funds, when it comes to bedtime stories. 

Here are our top 5 recommendations for bedtime storytelling apps, and where to find them.

1. Oceanhouse Media apps

The best way to take advantage of all this developer has to offer is through an iPad. Apple customers can track new releases, follow favourite collections, and take advantage of limited release periods, However, most apps are available with other tablet providers, so if you have an Android tablet or Windows tablet then you can still make use of these apps. With a vast range of titles – some famous, some less well-known – the apps produced by Oceanhouse Media won’t disappoint. With the option of autoplay as well, you can relax and enjoy the story if you want a break from character voices and theatricals for one evening.

Google Play

2. Bo’s Bedtime Story

Google Play’s Android app has won awards for its graphics, audio, and ingenuity. Designed for children aged 2 to 6, the app encourages interaction with Bo the Giraffe, mimicking bedtime routines. With fun songs and a child-appropriate interface, this app is a popular educational bedtime alternative.

 iTunes

3. Aesop

The Aesop app is available for Android and Apple users. With narration, interactive activities, and availability in a variety of languages, this app is certainly worth paying a couple of pounds for. The swipe system and easy-to-use contents include versions of the classic fables. This is a must have for any bedtime routine.

 iTunes and Google Play

4. The Original Tale of Peter Rabbit

The classic Beatrix Potter tale has undergone a digital makeover and is available from iTunes. With musical accompaniment and touch-screen interactivity, this classic is not to be missed. Children can explore the story with 3D enhancement and games, a narrator option, and beautiful illustrations.

 iTunes link

5. Nighty Night, Little Sheep! HD

Another Apple app, this one has been well-reviewed by a variety of critics. For toddlers aged 2 to 5, this app is set on a farm at night, encouraging little ones to help each farmyard animal to settle down to sleep. Additional app features can be added at a later date for less than £1, bringing you back to the app again and again.

 iTunes link!

Note: The Whiz Times does not take any commission or fee of any kind from these apps. These are compilations from our storytellers. Please use your best judgement and what suits you best.

Featured Image:

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animals. But how far can they go?

Imagine living with the Woolly Mammoth from Ice Age, Tasmanian dog-like “tigers”, and Giant Moas.

Mammoth from the Horniman Museum (Flickr User Jim Linwood)

If you have never heard of these animals, it is most probably because they have been extinct for thousands of years! (and you’ve seen them in some animated movies like the “Ice Age”)

But now, some biogeneticists say it would be possible to bring extinct species back to life! Yes, bringing back no-longer-existent creatures back to life! How cool is that??

Are they using some sort of magical powers or a time machine? No!

This is possible through science. 60 years ago, Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the DNA, a double-helix genetic code of life. Every species of living things on earth has a unique code, different from any other.

DNA Double Helix (Source: Wikipedia)

What the bio-geneticists are going to do is called “cloning”. Cloning involves using the DNA of the species, and creating the exact same code to form the new creature.

So in years to come, would we be living along side dinosaurs??

Sadly not. The new advancement (Double click on a word to find out its meaning- that is if you are on the computer) will be able to bring us back to 200,000 years ago, but not far enough to revive Jurassic Park’s dinosaurs.

Some animals that have been brought back by cloning after they became extinct:

We now know that this is possible. Not something of just the imaginary.

But should it be done? Many people think we should not bring back extinct animals.

The problem is that these animals became extinct because it was not able to adapt to disruption of their natural habitat. Will they be able to survive if brought back to the world once again?

But then there is the group that says we should go for it!

Simply, it is and Imagine watching a extinct animal that you only saw in movies or comic books!

But that is not the only reason. Some people believe that the revival of mammoths to Siberia could turn the empty and mossy lands into fertile grasslands it was thousands of years ago!

What do you think? Should we bring back extinct species back to life? 

Featured Image: Flickr User Dave Catchpole

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Why do people fight during times of elections? Well most do not, but there are some people that want their parties to win so badly that they would do anything. And for those who do indulge in acts of violence, the police catches up on them.

Now, at least 15 people have been arrested for political violence!

Earlier on April 13, Prime Minister Najib’s dissolution from parliament also brought some hundreds of violent incidents.

Mr Najib Rajak is the head of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), which have been in power for 56 years! The UMNO is a part of a coalition (a group of politial parties that come together) called the Barisan Nasional (BN).

BN is made up of 13 parties

This time, there are speculations (Double click on any word to know the meaning of any word, if you are on a computer!) that for these general elections 2013 in Malaysia, it might not be easy for them (Barisan Nasional) to win the elections. If they do not win, this will be the country’s first change in ruling party since independence. The supporters of Barisan Nasional, though, feel confident they will win again.

The main opposition coalition (A group of parties) is Pakatan Rakyat. It is headed by Mr Anwar Ibrahim. Pakatan Rakyat is made up of 3 parties.

Why do you think people indulge in fights and violence when there are elections? What can be done to stop them?

Featured Image: STR / AFP

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A strong 7.0-magnitute earthquake hit Sichuan province, China earlier last week! 

The massive China earthquake has destroyed at least 10,000 homes, triggered landslides, injured 11,500 people, killed 179, and has left 24 people missing!

The earthquake struck at 8am, brought many residents out into the streets in their slippers and pyjamas. 

See a Short animated video on What is an Earthquake

In 2008 the same area experienced a similar earthquake, where 87,000 people were reported dead or missing!

Also in April 2010, a 6.9 magnitude killed 2,700 and injured 12,000!

This Earthquake in China came with more than 260 aftershocks.

Now, there are more than 17,000 soldiers and police officers on a mission to rescue the people under the collapsed buildings and houses.

Help also came from a source that might come as a surprise to some.  JAPAN!

Why does it come as a surprise that Japan has offered its help to China?

You know, recently, Japan and China have been at bad terms. Since September last year, the two countries’ disputes over the Senkaku / Diaoyu islands has been intense creating tension between the two countries.

But between countries, diplomacy (double click to know meaning, if you are on a computer) is an important tool to ease tensions and create better relations. Mr Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, has offered their help to China in this earthquake. He sent a message to the Chinese President and Premier expressing sympathy for the victims and hopes the communities recover as soon as possible.

Mr Shinzo Abe (TORU YAMANAKA / AFP)

“Japan is ready to offer its maximum support,” said Mr Abe.

Surprise, surprise! How nice of Japan to have offered their help to China despite having had misunderstandings and disputes. That’s the way it should be!

Recently, there have been other earthquakes hitting Japan and Taiwan. Find out why earthquakes happen here!

Featured Image: STR / AFP

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