8-14 November 2014
Saturday
Private pain
Teachers at private schools may not have as cushy a life as their state school peers believe. An ATL teaching union survey revealed that many were working longer hours with tiny pay rises, despite larger fees.
Sunday
Lest we forget
The Queen and heads of government attended the annual Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph in central London. Strict security was in place amid fears of attacks by Islamic fundamentalists.
Monday
Stemming the brain drain
A number of big companies, including Nestl and Shell, said young people worried that science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects were too hard, which was starving businesses of skilled workers.
Tuesday
Can’t buy me love
If you think Valentine’s Day is commercial, try China’s “Singles’ Day”, when Chinese singletons are encouraged to buy gifts for themselves. Spending on online retailer Alibaba was expected to reach pound;5.14 billion.
Wednesday
Seeking immunity
Fears of poor precautions against Ebola prompted nurses in the US to strike, calling for more to be done to protect them. Two nurses who were infected after treating a Liberian man in Texas have since recovered.
Thursday
Flying high in Korea
Some 650,000 South Koreans sat the College Scholastic Aptitude Test, which decides whether or not students go to university. Planes are prevented from landing during the language listening test to ensure quiet.
Friday
Pudsey goes bananas
Terry Wogan will be on Britain’s television screens tonight to co-present the 35th annual “Children in Need” charity marathon. Millions are raised for children’s causes and newsreaders appear in silly costumes.
15-21 November 2014
Saturday
Spelling convention
Croydon is the unlikely setting for Witchfest International, “the largest witchcraft festival in the world”. Music will be provided by bands such as The Dolmen (pictured, right) and The Daughters of Gaia.
Sunday
Volcanic language lessons
Do you speak Viking? Why not celebrate Icelandic Language Day with your class? Coinciding with the birth of the poet Jnas Hallgrmsson, the event aims to celebrate and protect the sparsely spoken tongue.
Monday
Black day at the White House
“I am not a crook”. Today is the anniversary of the infamous moment in 1973 when President Richard Nixon denied any involvement in the Watergate scandal - the best pre-Bill Clinton presidential denial.
Tuesday
Ringing the changes
People were suspicious, but the first push-button telephones were introduced on this day in 1963. Residents in Pennsylvania, US, were the first to lose the old-school rotary dial phones. Fancy!
Wednesday
Just rewards
Hundreds of people working in youth justice will gather in Telford, Shropshire for the Youth Justice Convention 2014. The annual event will feature Lin Hinnigan, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board.
Thursday
Cogito, ergo sum
It’s World Philosophy Day, which aims to make philosophy more accessible and promote critical thinking. Descartes and his mates would have been happy (if indeed happiness exists at all, etc).
Friday
Season’s greetings
The Christmas season begins in earnest with the opening of Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park. Crowds are expected at the UK’s largest ice rink - parents, prepare yourselves with a tot of glhwein.
