07/09/2016 Newsround

This is Newsround, on Wednesday, 7th September.

And it's a big one, because tonight the Paralympic Games kick off

with the opening ceremony in Brazil.

After a rocky build up to the Games, people are starting to get excited.

Martin is in Rio for Newsround and sent us this report.

UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS

Well, I couldn't come all the way to Rio

and NOT hold the Paralympic torch, could I? Ah!

And I'm not the only one.

Hundreds of kids at a school for blind children in the city have

been given a chance to get up close to the Paralympic torch.

It has four sides, which represent the Paralympic values,

courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

So, what do these guys think?

TRANSLATION: It's beautiful. Beautiful, very pretty.

It's the prettiest torch! It's really cool!

It is really easy to touch, easy to read.

It's very interesting.

This is one of the torch's last stops on its week-long

tour of Brazil.

And even though some people were worried

that the Rio Paralympics wouldn't be a success, kids here can't wait

for the Games to start.

Yes, I'm very excited. It's very interesting.

It's very important, the Paralympic Games.

TRANSLATION: I'd like to watch the swimming.

I love football! I'm looking forward to judo!

That is it.

The torch will now make its way to the Maracana Stadium

for the opening ceremony and it is clear that the people

here in Rio are getting pretty excited about the Paralympic Games.

And Martin will be live in Rio bringing us all the latest

medal news from the Paralympics and from the British team.

You can keep up to date with all the action on Newsround online.

Head there now to read our quick guide to every Paralympic sport,

and check out Britain's top ten gold medal hopes too.

And one of Britain's greatest paralympians, Lee Pearson, has

been named as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony

at the Maracana Stadium tonight.

Lee, who's won ten equestrian gold medals, was chosen in a vote

by his team mates.

I'll go out to Rio really quietly and do my best and be really subtle.

And then all of a sudden, it's like "ta-dah!"

You're back on the world stage again!

But nobody would decline this opportunity.

It genuinely is just a privilege.

And sticking with sport - it was a brilliant night

for Marcus Rashford as the Manchester United striker

scored a hattrick on his debut for England's Under-21 squad.

His three goals helped the team to a 6-1 victory against Norway.

Watching was Sam Allardyce, manager of the England senior squad,

who was probably wondering why he dropped the star

from his full squad for last Sunday's World Cup qualifier.

More than 4,000 refugee children who have come to England

by themselves are being looked after by local councils.

That's gone up by two thirds in just a year.

Many of the children have escaped from danger and wars

in countries like Afghanistan, Eritrea or Iraq and are looking

for safety in England.

The largest group are boys aged 16 and 17.

The Government say protecting children is really important

and more money has been set aside to help them.

Next to a tough little truck that could change the way people

in remote places in Africa and Asia get around -

but it's been designed by someone who's more used

to making sports cars. Jenny has this one.

It might not look like it but this little truck

is a revolutionary vehicle.

It's an Ox - not to be confused with the animal -

and it could make a big difference for people living in some

of the remotest parts of the world.

But the man behind it is more used to designing super expensive

and super snazzy cars.

So what was it like for ex-Formula One car designer,

Gordon Murray, making it?

This ranks above everything else I've ever done.

Designing expensive sports cars - that reaches a few people.

This thing will help thousands of people with mobility.

This is no ordinary vehicle, it has a serious mission...

It's a cheap truck designed to provide reliable transport

in the world's remotest places.

It's tough enough to cope with the heat, ruts, rocks and dust that make

up so many roads across Africa and Asia.

AND it flat packs just like furniture.

This makes it cheaper to transport to the countries that need it

and just three people, with a little bit of know-how

and basic tools, can build it in under 12 hours.

It's hoped the OX will help transform transportation

in the third world.

How about this for a rare sighting?

Scientists in Australia got a treat when they came

across a baby white whale!

Only a few of this particular species -

the Southern Right Whale are born white.

Eventually they change to grey.

You can see this one swimming along happily with its mum.

Next, check this out... This is the final of

the World Paragliding Acrobatic Championships in France.

Competitors don't just paraglide from high in the sky -

they have to do an acrobatic routine in the air too.

Ooh, I feel dizzy...

That's it, Newsround's back at 4:20pm with Martin,

live in Rio for the start of the Paralympic Games.

Bye-bye!