Press "Enter" to skip to content

News Roundup: South Africa Protests, Venice Ships, & Huge Goldfish

Deadly Violence in South Africa After Ex-President Is Jailed

South Africa has been shaken by days of deadly violence and looting after Ex-President Jacob Zuma began a 15-month jail sentence last Thursday. Protests broke out in several areas, including Mr. Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where he is still quite popular.

Mr. Zuma was sent to jail for “contempt of court” after he refused to help an investigation that was looking into charges of corruption during his nine years as president of South Africa.

😕

This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.

South Africa has been shaken by days of deadly violence and looting after Ex-President Jacob Zuma began a 15-month jail sentence last Thursday. Above, Mr. Zuma speaks to supporters on July 4, before he was sent to jail.

The protests soon turned violent. Large groups of people began breaking into stores, damaging property, and taking things. The rioting has gone on for days. Over 70 people have been killed and nearly a thousand people have been arrested.

On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa encouraged people to take part in “peaceful protest”. But as the violence continued, the South African army sent out soldiers on Monday to help police deal with the situation.

😕

This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.

The protests soon turned violent. Large groups of people began breaking into stores, damaging property, and taking things. The rioting has gone on for days. Above, people taking things from a store in Durban on Tuesday.

Though many people are still upset about Mr. Zuma going to jail, most of the rioting and looting happening now is no longer connected to protests over Mr. Zuma.

To Protect Venice, Italy Bans Cruise Ships

For years people have complained about the large cruise ships visiting Venice. Venice, sometimes called the “Floating City”, is built on 118 separate islands connected by hundreds of canals and bridges.

Many people worry that the waves from large cruise ships are wearing away the land that keeps the city above water. Others complain about the 20 to 30 million tourists who invade the city every year.

In Venice, people get around using boats and bridges, instead of cars and bicycles.
Venice, sometimes called the “Floating City”, is built on 118 separate islands connected by hundreds of canals and bridges. Many people worry that the waves from large cruise ships are wearing away the land that keeps the city above water.
(Source: Peter K Burian, from Wikimedia Commons.)

Now, Italy’s cabinet has named the waters surrounding Venice a “national monument”, and has banned large cruise ships from entering these waters, starting August 1. The move was welcomed by people who live in Venice.

The government plans to work quickly to create a new place nearby for cruise ships to dock. Until the new docking location is ready, the government will pay cruise companies and other tourism companies to help make up for the lost business.

Queen Elizabeth, Venice
Now, Italy’s cabinet has named the waters surrounding Venice a “national monument”, and has banned large cruise ships like the one above from entering these waters, starting August 1.
(Source: bass_nroll, via Flickr.com.)

Town Catches Huge Goldfish, Says, “Don’t Dump Pet Fish”

The town of Burnsville, Minnesota has warned people not to dump their unwanted pet goldfish in local lakes. To prove its point, the town posted pictures of huge goldfish caught recently in Keller Lake.

When goldfish are in tanks, they usually only grow to be about 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. But the goldfish from Keller Lake were bigger than footballs. The post said, “Please don’t release your pet goldfish into ponds and lakes! They grow bigger than you think…”

A huge goldfish is being held in two hands, with a lake in the background.
The town of Burnsville, Minnesota has warned people not to dump their unwanted pet goldfish in local lakes, saying, “They grow bigger than you think.” To prove its point, the town posted pictures of huge goldfish caught recently in Keller Lake (above).
(Source: Burnsville, Minnesota, via Twitter.)

The goldfish are able to survive the tough winters and grow large. But they are also an “invasive species” – a kind of fish that doesn’t belong in these lakes at all. They take food needed by the fish that live in the lake naturally. They also pull up water plants and stir up dirt, making the water quality worse.

Goldfish have been found in lakes in several states across the US. Last year, over 50,000 goldfish were removed from the waters of another county near Burnsville. In 2013, it was reported that a goldfish nearly 18 inches (46 centimeters) long had been caught in California’s Lake Tahoe.

Two very large goldfish (one orange, one green) are being held up above a large tub holding other large goldfish.
The goldfish are able to survive the tough winters and grow large. But they are also an “invasive species” – a kind of fish that doesn’t belong in these lakes at all. They take food needed by the fish that live in the lake naturally.
(Source: Burnsville, Minnesota, via Twitter.)
Share:

Settings

Most news on NewsForKids.net is appropriate for all ages. When there is news that may not be suitable for all ages, we try to tag it. You can use the setting below to control whether content tagged in this manner is shown.