Conflict
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Summer holidays back on as lockdown lifts
Are foreign holidays really worth it? Many families are looking forward to heading off on summer trips after the government lifted travel restrictions for more than 50 countries on Friday.
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Zoos reopen after devastating lockdown
Do we really need zoos? The government has announced that animal attractions in the UK can open their doors again – but many zoos are in trouble after missing out on months of visitors.
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Social media stands up to racism
Can social media be a force for good? Last week, millions posted black squares across channels in support of the Black Lives Matter movement – but critics suggest it is not enough.
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Europe marks 75 years since World War II
Was it right to celebrate VE day? Despite the current lockdown, Britain marked 75 years since the end of World War II in Europe with 1940s’ tea parties, sing-alongs, and bunting.
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Pandemic puts Olympics on hold
Organisers have postponed the Olympic Games due to the threat of the coronavirus. Now, they face the enormous challenge of rescheduling one of the largest sporting events in the world.
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The race to save the Great Barrier Reef
For the third time in a decade, the Great Barrier Reef has suffered mass coral bleaching. A recent survey found widespread damage as a result of a hot summer and rising sea temperatures.
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The Syrian boy who helps pupils with English
Should we all learn new languages? Eleven-year-old Mohammed is very good at it. A video about how he helps his classmates to understand English is very popular online.
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Anger as protests in Hong Kong turn violent
Will China ever be a democracy? This week, thousands took to the streets of Hong Kong to protest a controversial new law. “The people’s voices are not being heard,” said one teenager.
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Trees can help predict famines and wars
Scientists are finding that tree ring patterns are a time-map of rainfall and drought, accurately going back thousands of years. These might help us predict future famine and conflict.
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South Africans celebrate 25 years of freedom
Is Nelson Mandela’s work done? Twenty-five years ago, the hero activist was elected president, spelling an end to the racist apartheid era. However, South Africa is still deeply unequal.
- Conflict
- Reading Band 11
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Mosque attack prompts clampdown on extremism
Who is to blame for the terror attack which took place in New Zealand last week? The world is still mourning the deaths of 50 Muslims who were killed during Friday Prayer.
- Conflict
- Reading Band 14+
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More people are in slavery than ever before
Can modern slavery be stopped? More than 40 million people around the world are living in some form of modern slavery, according to the latest figures. Around a quarter of these are children.
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Botswana in shock elephant poaching crisis
Are Botswana’s elephants in danger? The country in southern Africa has been widely praised for protecting wild animals. However, a new report claims the government is hiding a poaching problem.
- Conflict
- Reading Band 11
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ISIS bride: people should have sympathy for me
Should Shamima Begum be allowed back to Britain? The teenager was 15 when she left London to join the terrorist group ISIS in Syria. Now, the government says that she cannot return home.
- Conflict
- Reading Band 14+
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Protesters broke the law to fight for justice
Are the “Stansted 15” heroes or criminals? Two years ago, they lay down on a runway to stop a plane taking migrants back to their home countries. This week they narrowly avoided jail time.
- Conflict
- Reading Band 14+