Culture
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Tracy Beaker show breaks TV record
Should she have a fairy tale ending? A show about Tracy Beaker and her daughter was watched 2.1 million times in its first week. Does Tracy deserve the ending she has always dreamt of?
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Ancient horn plays music after 17,000 years
Is music our greatest invention? Experts have produced three notes on an ancient shell once used as a musical instrument. It is the first time the horn has been played for 17,000 years.
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Millions celebrate the Year of the Ox
Do the planets control your future? On Friday, a quarter of the world’s population will welcome in a new lunar year. Many hope the ox will bring stability and positivity for the year ahead.
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Great Big Art Exhibition puts creativity on show
Can anyone be an artist? A new project organised by famous galleries and artists is encouraging people to make art and display it in their windows. Is art something everyone can create?
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The folk songs taking TikTok by storm
Should we sing more? Traditional sea shanties have gone viral after a Scottish postman performed one on TikTok. Fans say that making music brings people together in difficult times.
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Medals for sport, health and community heroes
Is it a good idea to celebrate individuals? This year’s New Year’s Honours list is filled with famous faces and everyday heroes. Some argue we should honour whole groups of people instead.
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New Year: Olympics, Disney and Moon robots
Will 2021 be a good year? Some are looking forward to enjoying many of the events that have been cancelled over the past 12 months. But others say trying to predict the future is pointless.
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Wasted: sprouts, Sellotape and six million trees
Should we all have a green Christmas this year? We create around a third more waste during the festive season than at any other time. Some say it is time to rethink how we celebrate.
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People, animals and art unearthed in Pompeii dig
Were the Ancient Romans just like us? Recent excavations have unearthed two more people frozen in time, taking shelter from the volcano that erupted above the city almost 2,000 years ago.
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‘Reading is cool’, says football star
Can anyone be a writer? Marcus Rashford has set up a book club to spread the joy of reading to young people. One of the first books on the list will be one that he has written himself.
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Boomerang and bubble tea in new emoji release
Are emojis better than words? After a new update this month, there are now more than 3,300 emojis. Some people argue that the little icons help us express ourselves better than words do.
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Santa visits go virtual as grottos close
Should Santa embrace modern technology? Pre-Christmas visits are cancelled due to lockdown. But video calls mean he can share the festive spirit all the way from the North Pole.
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Fossil footprints reveal Ice Age tale
Would you like to meet Zoe? Scientists have discovered the longest trail of fossilised human footprints. They tell a story of a young child’s dangerous journey in difficult weather.
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Halloween horror! Millions of pumpkins wasted
Should we give up carving pumpkins? Supermarkets are preparing to sell more than 24 million pumpkins this year for the popular Halloween tradition. But more than half will be thrown away.
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France says 'no' to performing animals
Should wild animals be banned from all circuses? Last week, France announced a ban on animals travelling with the circus. Some people think every country should make similar laws.