Latest Stories
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Magic and daemons in Philip Pullman TV series
Do we all have animal spirits? His Dark Materials, a popular book series adapted for TV, is set in a parallel world where everyone’s spirit lives inside an animal companion called a daemon.
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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TikTok passes one billion downloads
Is TikTok a good thing? The app lets people share short videos with each other. They can work together with other users to make new jokes and songs. Is it creative or a waste of time?
- Technology
- Reading Band 14+
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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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Toy Story 4 explores what it means to be alive
Why are we alive? This is the surprisingly serious question posed by a new character in Toy Story 4, which is released today. The film tells the story of a spork that comes to life.
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Jay-Z is the world’s first hip-hop billionaire
Is hip-hop the most exciting style of music? Rap legend Jay-Z has been named the world’s first hip-hop billionaire. He started life in one of New York’s roughest neighbourhoods…
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Eurovision: the ultimate battle of the bands
Is Eurovision silly or serious? Tomorrow, around 200 million people will tune in to watch the grand final of the world’s most outrageous singing competition: the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Secrets and wisdom of The Avengers
Avengers: Endgame has finally hit cinemas, a year after the devastating losses caused by the villain Thanos. The film ends over a decade of epic superhero films. What have they...
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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Kylie Jenner is youngest self-made billionaire
Is she a good role model? Aged 10, Kylie Jenner was a reality TV star who stood in the shadow of her sisters. Now aged 21, she is one of the world’s most successful businesswomen.
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Introducing... Marvel’s first female superhero
Are superheroes the best role models? Today, Marvel releases its first movie with a female lead. Captain Marvel has alien powers which make her stronger than Iron Man, Thor or Black Panther.
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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Fashion world mourns ‘giant’ Karl Lagerfeld
Can clothes change the world? Fashion lovers are mourning Karl Lagerfeld: a designer with a sharp wit and cutting-edge style. The world has lost “a giant among men,” says the editor...
- Culture
- Reading Band 5
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Kids save divided Britain in new Arthur film
Can a child really change the world? In The Kid Who Would Be King, 12-year-old Alex must take up King Arthur’s sword to fight an evil enchantress who returns when Britain is...
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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2019: Brexit, royal baby and the fate of Thanos
Will 2019 be a good year? They say that predicting the future is a fool’s game — but here are some big events coming up in the next 12 months, including films, sports and a new royal baby…
- Culture
- Reading Band 14+
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The deeper meaning behind Watership Down
Is Watership Down “just a story about rabbits”? Richard Adams’s much-loved tale will soon be back on our screens in a new film. For decades, fans have tried to...
- Culture
- Reading Band 8
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Attenborough: Our civilisations could collapse
Is that really true? The TV presenter David Attenborough made a dramatic speech warning that civilisation may “collapse” if we do not fight climate change. It would not be the first time.
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BBC breaks Attenborough’s golden rule… twice
Should nature documentaries save the lives of the animals they film? David Attenborough has always said that he will not change the course of nature. Yet the crew of...