Latest Stories
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Cancer survivor swims Channel FOUR times
Is this the hardest challenge in the world? Sarah Thomas fought off illness, jellyfish and strong currents to swim between England and France, four times in 54 hours.
- Sport
- Reading Band 8
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Fame can be a curse, says X Factor winner
Is fame really a curse? Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out reveals how cyberbullying ruined the singer’s life after she won The X Factor in 2011. In fact, her mother wishes...
- Health
- Reading Band 14+
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Seals, dolphins, porpoises thriving in Thames
Does nature always bounce back? The Thames was declared dead, without oxygen, in the 1950s. This summer, 138 seal pups were spotted basking on the banks, and swimming among new marine life.
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‘It’s MY car now and I live here!’
Do we love humans more than animals? Every year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award shows us the very best pictures of the animal kingdom, from chasing cheetahs to curious raccoons.
- Culture
- 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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Top writer imagines going back 500 years
Does life always get better? In a new thriller out this week, Robert Harris imagines that modern civilisation has collapsed and history has to start again. Our luxuries are just dim memories.
- Culture
- Reading Band 11
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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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Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel
Do you believe in the Loch Ness monster? After running tests at the Scottish loch, scientists think that they might know the truth about the mysterious creature. And it’s very surprising.
- Science
- Reading Band 5
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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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Scientists create human-monkey cross
Should animals ever be part-human? There are not enough organs for doctors to use in life-saving operations, so they are turning to animals with human DNA. Some say it is cruel and unnatural.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Scientists find there is no gay gene
Are experiments like this harmful? Scientists believe lots of different things help to decide whether a person has relationships with the same gender. It is much more complex than we thought.
- Science
- Reading Band 11
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50 years since man’s ‘greatest achievement’
Was the Moon landing the greatest scientific achievement of all time? Fifty years ago, humans walked on the Moon for the first time — using less computing power than the average smartphone.
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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The bold plan to build a new home on the Moon
Would you want to live on the Moon? Fifty years since we first walked on the Moon, humanity is considering going back — this time to stay. What would life on a Moon base be like?
- Science
- Reading Band 14+
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Have your say in Earth’s message to the stars
If aliens call, what should we say? Scientists are asking the public how — and if — we should reply to a message from intelligent life. The decision could change the course of human history.
- Culture
- Reading Band 11