Society
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Kaboom! Calls for a ban on noisy fireworks
Should fireworks be silent? You may have heard lots of noisy explosions this week. They can be scary for animals. Luckily, we have invented fireworks that do not make any noise at all.
- Society
- Reading Band 5
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Animal rights victory as fur bans sweep USA
Should fur products be banned? After California became the first US state to ban the sales of fur, US department store Macy’s has announced it will no longer sell fur clothing.
- Society
- Reading Band 11
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Happy birthday modern China, 70 this week!
Is China the world’s most important country? It certainly has the most people. And for most of history it has also been the richest — the inventor of paper, gunpowder and the compass…
- Society
- Reading Band 11
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Archie the adorable charms the world
Why do we love babies so much? Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on a royal tour of South Africa, but there is no doubt that it is four-month-old baby Archie who is stealing the show.
- Society
- Reading Band 5
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The woman who can see into the future
Is Margaret Atwood a prophet? She seems to have predicted recent attacks on women’s rights, President Trump, and the climate crisis. Yet she insists she sees only the present, not the future.
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The father who gave birth to his own son
What if all men could give birth? Freddy McConnell is legally male, but was born female and is biologically able to carry children. His mother says it is an experience all men should have.
- Society
- Reading Band 14+
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Diet of chips and crisps ruins eyesight
Have we forgotten how to eat? We know that many of our Stone Age ancestors enjoyed a great diet. In rich countries today, we live in luxury — but malnourishment is getting worse.
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Anger at Prince over private jet ‘hypocrisy’
Is the criticism fair? Some in the media are angry with Prince Harry for “preaching” about the dangers of the climate crisis, while enjoying a jet-setting, celebrity lifestyle.
- Society
- Reading Band 14+
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Old English sheepdog goes out of style
Should dog owners still buy purebreds? The Kennel Club says that old English sheepdogs are in danger of extinction. Not many people are breeding them. Some people think that this is a good...
- Society
- Reading Band 5
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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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The Salah effect: How Mo is tackling prejudice
Can role models like Mo Salah turn the tide on Islamophobia? The Liverpool star has won the Champions League. Now, new research shows that he is also winning the fight against hate…
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The very model of a modern royal family
It is the picture that says more than any words. The 93-year-old Queen greets with delight her three-day-old great grandchild, the first part Afro-American baby in the British royal family.
- Society
- Reading Band 14+
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A £1.6 billion thank-you for Mother’s Day
Are mums the most important people in the world? This Sunday is Mother’s Day in the UK. Millions of children will be buying flowers or making cards to say thank you to their mum.
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New fears of flying after plane crash kills 157
Should we be afraid of flying? It is one of the safest ways to get around — and yet two recent plane crashes have shaken people’s trust in air travel. What went wrong?
- Society
- Reading Band 14+
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World marks International Day of Happiness
What makes people happy? Wednesday is the International Day of Happiness! Many people disagree about exactly what makes us feel happy. What do you think?