Right now you can only get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you're 12 or over but that COULD change. Pfizer is now asking to have it's vaccine approved in the US for kids aged 5 to 11. It says it's safe and effective for kids in that age group. Pfizer has been busy trialing its vaccine over in the US on primary school-aged kids. Pfizer say that kids developed the same level of protection as teens and adults did with a much smaller dose and they've now applied to US authorities to approve it. If all goes well, Europe and the UK will follow. So far Australia's regulator, the TGA, hasn't received an application for the same thing to happen here. But some reckon it would provide more protection to kids and adults as schools open up again.

FRIENDS BUBBLE
Kids in lockdown in New South Wales can now have two friends over to visit! The state government has brought in new rules allowing under 18s to form "friend bubbles" of up to three people who can visit each other. There are some conditions - it has to be the same three people all the time and everyone in your household over 18 has to be fully vaccinated. They also have to live within 5 kays of each-other or in the same LGA.

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Australia's Prime Minister has flown to New York for the UN General Assembly. like last year a lot of world leaders are there in person for the big meeting. And they'll be covering some big issues like climate change and covid, of course, along with political tensions and conflicts around the world.

KOALA THREAT
They're about as Australian as Chris Hemsworth eating vegemite flavoured fairy bread, but our marsupial mates might be in trouble. A new study has show that since 2018 Koala numbers have dropped by about 30% Australia-wide and according to conservationists like Deborah Tabart from the Australian Koala Foundation. There's a few reasons why like bushfires and droughts. And of course, there's the usual reasons like dogs, cars, disease all those things. Australia used to be home to millions of Koalas. But back in the old days they were killed for their fur and while that doesn't happen anymore they face heaps of other threats their numbers have dwindled to around 50,000 which is why conservationists want them to be listed as endangered. Last year the Aussie government announced an 18 million dollar project to help the koalas by saving habitat, monitoring populations and improving koala health.

MAGELLANIC PENGUINS
These guys are Magellanic penguins and were rescued by a conservationist group in Argentina. When they were found they were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration and hypothermia. But after a few months in rehab, they're happy, healthy and ready to hit the surf.

BETTONGS
I bet you can't guess the name of this marsupial that is now doing a lot better. It's the brush tailed bettong! These furry little guys are critically endangered and didn't exist on Australia's mainland, until now! About 40 of them were brought from Wedge Island where they aren't under the threat of predators and released into a sanctuary on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia where they're now thriving!

PANDA CUBS
Say hello to these twin panda cubs at Chongqing Zoo on China. The two fluffy bundles of fluff are 100 days old, but this is the first time visitors have caught a glimpse of them. They don't have names yet and the zoo is asking the public to send in suggestions.


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For the past 50 years, Behind the News has been helping to break down current issues and events for young people all around the world. The program is a high-energy, fun way for people to learn about the stories we see in the news while providing background information that isn’t usually given by other news bulletins.

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