29/01/2013 Newsround

Hi. You're just in time for Newsround on CBBC. Here's what's

coming up - paying more for pop - we hear what you think. And, the

monkey sent into space. But first, to something that's really got you

going on the Newsround website - the call to make you pay more in

tax for your favourite fizzy drinks, to help pay for healthier options

like fruit at school. We've had tonnes of comments on both sides of

the debate. Hana in Lancashire says, "We should pay more". While Emily

in Liverpool reckons, "We already pay enough". Your average can of

sugary fizzy drink contains around none cubes of sugar and charities

and medical groups want you to pay more and drink less in a bid to

improve health. The companies that make the drinks say 10p from every

60p can of fizzy drink already goes to the Government in taxes, but the

charities say an extra 20p of tax on every litre of pop would raise

�1 billion every year to help fund free fruit and healthy meals in

schools. The only benefit is the excess calories and it's not a

benefit, because we have an obesity crisis in the country. Well, as I

said, you guys have been getting in touch and opinion is really divided

on this one. Olivia in Lancashire isn't happy about the idea. "We

should have our own free choice on drinking pop. I am sensible and do

not need to be forced to drink less by making pop too expensive!" Ben

in Hampshire says, "Soft drinks are very fattening and there should be

a small tax on them to try and get people to drink a healthier

alternative like water." But Jake, in says Waterlooville says, "I

think that fizzy drinks cost too much already. If the price goes up,

they will be bought a lot less and the Government won't get any tax."

We'll keep an eye on this one for you. Next, the Government has

announced that up to 350 British troops are going to be sent to Mali

and neighbouring countries in north-west Africa. French forces

have been there for three weeks already, helping Mali's government

stop Islamist rebels from taking control of the country. The British

are joining to help the French with things like transport and

communication, as well as training West African soldiers. They won't

be fighting on in front-line combat like they do in Afghanistan. I'll

have a full report on that in our next update. Next, visiting space.

For many humans it's an impossible dream - but officials in Iran in

the Middle East claim to have successfully sent a monkey into

orbit and brought it safely back to Earth. Some people have said that

Iran's experiment is no more than animal cruelty, but there's a long

history of animals being sent into space. Joe's got more. When you see

a rocket blasting into space, you would expect it to be piloted by an

astronaut with years of space training, but this Iranian rocket

has a monkey on board. The Government say their animal

astronaut is a big step forward for their space plans. Iran is keen to

flex its muscle by testing rockets and missiles, which has got tuns

like the United States -- countries like the US and United Kingdom

worried. Iran aren't the first country to do this. Flies were the

first animals sent into space in 1947. Scientists in the United

States wanted to find out about the effects of radiation at high

altitudes. In 1951 the first monkey went through a space flight. Mica

the dog has become one of the most famous animals. She travelled on

the famous Soviet Russian spacecraft Sputnik, but died a week

into the journey. Some people think it's cruel, especially if they

don't make the journey back. But the knowledge gained in these early

days helped pave the way for human space travel. In Iran, officials

say the monkey was unharmed, but critics say it was more about

showing off their strength than real space research. Finally, to

Australia, where torrential rain and flooding in the north-east of

the country has led to some dramatic rescues. In Bundaberg,

Queensland, the city worst hit by the floods, emergency crews

launched around 1,000 rescue attempts, pulling people to safety

after the river that runs through town broke its banks, sending fast-

moving, muddy water pouring into streets and homes. The flooding -

caused by Tropical Cyclone Oswald - has also hit the neighbouring state