Latest Stories
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Planet Earth: ‘the best TV series ever made’
The final episode of David Attenborough’s wildly popular Planet Earth II was shown on Sunday. Is it just a bit of fun, or do programmes like this make a difference to how we see...
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China recreates the Titanic as theme park
The ocean liner Titanic was the world’s most famous ship. When it sank in 1912, 1,517 people died. Now tourists will be able to pretend they are on board. Is this...
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Harry Potter gets political in new prequel
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a tale of quirky magical creatures causing chaos in New York City. It is also a warning about Donald Trump. Should children’s stories be political?
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BFG: Dahl remake ‘too childish’, say critics
The BFG should have been one of the biggest films of the summer — in more ways than one. Families enjoyed Roald Dahl’s classic tale on screen. But some film reviewers were unsure. Why?
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Menace: world’s naughtiest boy set for remake
Dennis the Menace is back on TV. The boy who ignores the rules is still popular 65 years after he was first drawn. Why do many of us love a rogue more than someone who does the right thing?
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People using fewer words as Twitter turns ten
Twitter recently celebrated its tenth birthday. Around 200 billion messages are sent on it each year. People are using fewer words than ever to express themselves – should we be worried?
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Star Wars sets record as fans debate meaning
The Force Awakens is set to become the highest-grossing film ever in North America this week. The series is a global phenomenon – but can we learn anything from its story?
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Hollywood bidding war for A Christmas Carol
In 2017, Universal Pictures will release a new film adaptation of Charles Dickens’s famous Christmas novel. What can we learn from this 170-year-old story?
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Church anger as prayer ad banned in cinemas
A Church of England advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer will not be seen in most cinemas after an agency refused to show it. Should religions be able to advertise?
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Nation split over ‘man on the moon’ TV advert
The argument is raging. The annual John Lewis Christmas TV advert has been released. Is it an honest attempt to make a better world? Or bigger profits? Or might it do both?
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Nobody owns Happy Birthday song, says judge
Until this week, the most-used song on the planet was earning Warner Music about £1.3m a year. Now a court challenge has been won to make the song free to use. Will this help music?
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New Harry Potter play to hit London
Next summer, a new Harry Potter story will be told for the first time in a theatre in London. What made the world fall in love with the books about the young wizard?
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Who were the Vikings?
Viking fever is everywhere, as exhibitions and TV programmes explore these ancient raiders and sea-farers. Were they savage plunderers like pirates or deeply...
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Pop stars unite for Band Aid 30 charity song
Some of today’s biggest pop acts, including One Direction and Ed Sheeran, joined together to sing a song to raise money for charity. Has it make the world a better place?
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Paddington Bear brought to life for new audience
The lovable, bumbling bear from Peru has had a makeover for a new film. It is one of many recent remakes of children’s classics, but will it spoil the original?