17/08/2017 Newsround

Hi guys, it's Newsround and I'm Ayshah.

Here are your Thursday big stories - coming up:

Why Big Ben's bongs will be going quiet.

And is this the slippiest contest ever?!

First up, it should be silent from Monday, but there's bit

of a ding dong over Big Ben's bongs.

Have a look at this.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

Have a listen to this.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

And another.

Because you might not hear the dongs of Big Ben for a very long time.

That is because there is a row over some repair work

happening on the famous bell.

It's supposed to stop running on Monday for four years,

except for special occasions, to protect the hearing

of the people working on it.

--Stop ringing

But not everyone was happy about the plan -

including the Prime Minister.

Of course we want to ensure people's safety at work.

But it can't be right for Big Ben to be silent for four years.

Now, the plans are a bit up in the air while politicians

figure out what to do.

So while we've got a bit of time, here's all the things you might not

know about Big Ben in 60 seconds.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

Most people know Big Ben as the clock tower that's attached

to the Palace of Westminster, which is where Parliament sits.

But actually, Big Ben is the name of the giant bell inside it.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

The clock tower used to be called the, er, clocktower.

But it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of

the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

No one knows exactly why it's called Big Ben.

One idea is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall,

a politician who was around when it was built.

But others think it could be named after a boxer called Ben Caunt.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

Big Ben doesn't swing like normal bells.

Instead, it's fixed and struck by a hammer from outside.

BIG BEN PEALS.

The BBC first broadcast Big Ben's chimes to mark the New Year in 1923.

The clock has seen every New Year since, apart from in 1962,

when ice made it ten minutes late.

BIG BEN CHIMES.

There's a first for British Cricket happening right now in Birmingham -

it's the first ever day-night test, and England are batting

against the West Indies.

The match will play on late into the evening with a special pink

ball being used which shows up better under the floodlights.

Next up, millions of people around the world are getting excited

about Monday's solar eclipse.

Parts of America will see a total eclipse -

that's where the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon.

And one group of UK scouts is travelling to get

the best view possible.

Meet the Salisbury scouts.

They are off on a camping trip, but this year,

it is a little bit special.

We are going to America to see the solar eclipse.

The Yellowstone National Park.

The boys are on their way, making a mammoth journey

all the way from the UK to Yellowstone National Park

in the USA, where they will be able to witness this

incredible moment first-hand.

Excited for the solar eclipse, to see it and to be there in America.

I'm feeling really excited, yeah.

I'm really excited for it.

It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now check out this parachute team from Norway.

They set a new record for the most number of rings

of skydivers in formation.

They made five rings made up of 52 people.

You know when you lose something and can't

remember where you left it?

This granny found a diamond ring she lost 13 years ago stuck

on a carrot she dug up!

Mary Grams, who's 84, lost the ring while weeding in this

vegetable patch on her family farm.

Wow - the ring still fits!

How's this for a cool competition?

Children in the Netherlands have been taking part in the annual log

walking championships.

Here's Whitney.

The aim of the game is to walk between two river banks on a tree

trunk covered in soap without falling into the water.

The first round is easier because the pole is dry,

but then green soap is rubbed onto the log in the second round.

TRANSLATION: Almost everybody makes it to the other side without soap,

but now everyone is slipping.

It's funny because you see everyone falling off and it's nice

to try to get as far as you can.

So far, many people have tried to get across the river,

but only a few have succeeded.

Remember, guys, this is a safely organised event,

so don't try this for yourself.

Better luck next year!

That's all for now, but I'll be back at 07:40 tomorrow.

My favourite shows are Horrible Histories...