Latest Stories
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From churl to chav: shaming the underclass
A new book suggests we enjoy ridiculing people at the bottom of the heap for everything: their accent, their behaviour and even their clothes. Often by using the word 'chav'.
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Young and old in the UK face growing care crisis
Many people in the UK, from children to old people, need care. But some councils say they can't afford it and care companies are running out of money.
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‘Genderless’ baby kicks up a Storm
A baby? Lovely! Boy or girl? What do you mean you're not saying? The intriguing tale of a family who want to bring up their baby, Storm, to make its own decisions about becoming a he or a she.
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Oprah bows out of self-made stardom
With 25 years of tears, laughter and soul-baring on her TV talk show, Oprah Winfrey has inspired millions. Survivor, media and business phenomenon, and America's best friend: what's her story?
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Great poets: it’s not their job to be nice
A new book reveals much about the English poet Philip Larkin. He was far from perfect as a man. But should that affect how we read his poetry?
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Creating a problem for China: art and music
Outspoken artist Ai Weiwei has disappeared in China, where Bob Dylan has been forced to play a censored list of songs. The regime fears they are giving 'a voice to the voiceless'.
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World’s oldest cave paintings to become screen stars
A 3D documentary takes us inside the closed cavern of Chauvet in the south of France, where lions, mammoths and bears painted by our ancestors 32,000 years ago come to life.
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Old Masters go high-tech for virtual viewing
A new project means the world's art treasures are now online and users can see more detail than ever before. It's top technology but is it the real deal?
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Make-up! Lipstick! Mirrors! And ‘Mr Sahara’
It’s a beauty contest with a difference. The men dress up and the women judge. Poverty and bling meet in the deserts of West Africa.
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The font of all knowledge is really ugly
Research claims we don’t remember writing that's too easy to read and learning should be struggle. So is clear writing the enemy of discovery?