Nicer people are poorer, says study
16th October - "Easier"
New research shows that nicer people are likely to be poorer than people who are not so nice.
Malaysia to abolish the death penalty
14th October - "Harder"
The Malaysian government has stated it intends to abolish the death penalty in a move that has been welcomed by human rights campaigners.
France wants its prisons blurred on Internet maps
12th October - "Easier"
France's government has asked Google to blur all images of French prisons on the Internet.
Anger over horse race ad on Sydney Opera House
10th October - "Harder"
There is public outcry in Australia over controversial plans to use the Sydney Opera House as a "billboard" to advertise a horse race.
World-famous Tsukiji fish market closes
8th October - "Easier"
Tokyo's world-famous Tsukiji fish market has closed after 83 years of trading. It shut permanently at noon on Saturday.
University to replace clapping with hand-waving
6th October - "Harder"
A university in the UK has voted to replace hand clapping with 'jazz-hand waving'.
Restaurants forced to give all tips to staff
4th October - "Easier"
Restaurants in the UK will soon have to give all tips to their staff.
Baghdad University gets into world rankings
2nd October - "Harder"
The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
French fries will be 3cm shorter
28th September - "Easier"
A poor potato harvest in Europe this summer could mean French fries are up to three centimeters shorter than usual.
Rugby players to hide tattoos in Japan
24th September - "Harder"
Rugby players with tattoos are being asked to cover them up during next year's World Cup in Japan.
Restaurant bans customer for eating too much
20th September - "Easier"
A sushi restaurant in Germany has banned a customer for eating too much food.
Tanzania's president advises against birth control
16th September - "Harder"
Tanzania's President John Magufuli has advised women in his country to stop taking birth control pills.
U.S. to spend $2 billion on artificial intelligence weapons
12th September - "Easier"
The USA is going to spend up to $2 billion on artificial intelligence weapons.
Nike uses NFL protest player in ad campaign
8th September - "Harder"
The sportswear maker Nike has announced it will use American football player Colin Kaepernick in its advertising campaign.
Astronauts plug space station hole with finger
4th September - "Easier"
Astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station have fixed a hole in the shell of the International Space Station.
Air pollution damages intelligence, says study
1st September - "Harder"
Scientists have revealed that air pollution may be responsible for a significant reduction in intelligence.
Honey better for coughs than antibiotics
28th August - "Easier"
Doctors in the United Kingdom have some new advice for people with coughs.
Australian Muslims pray for rain during Eid
25th August - "Harder"
Tens of thousands of Muslims in Australia have gathered to pray for rain for Australia's drought-afflicted farmers.
New Pakistan prime minister makes many promises
22nd August - "Easier"
The new prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has made many promises to change his country.
Are countries trying to end US dollar's power?
19th August - "Harder"
Russia's Foreign Minister suggested the U.S. dollar could be losing its status as the world's most important currency.
Tonga prime minister challenges leaders to lose weight
16th August - "Easier"
The prime minister of Tonga has challenged leaders of other Pacific nations to lose weight.
French theme park uses crows to pick up litter
13th August - "Harder"
A theme park in France has established a novel and environmentally-friendly way of keeping its grounds free of litter.
UK politician says burka is 'bank robber' clothing
10th August - "Easier"
The United Kingdom's former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of racism.
People get surgery to look like Snapchat filters
8th August - "Harder"
More people are seeking and having facial procedures to look like their Snapchat selfies.
Scientists solve mystery of Stonehenge
6th August - "Easier"
Scientists say they have uncovered details about who built the 5,000-year-old prehistoric monument Stonehenge.
France bans smartphones in schools
4th August - "Harder"
France has voted to ban smartphones and personal tablets from schools.
Most British people take tea bags on holiday
2nd August - "Easier"
Over half of British people take tea bags with them when they leave Britain to go on holiday or go on a business trip.
Sleeping with a fan could be bad for us
31st July - "Harder"
Many people cannot sleep without using a fan, but scientists say this could be bad for us.
Scientists record the sounds of the Sun
29th July - "Easier"
What does the Sun sound like? Perhaps you have never thought about what kinds of sounds the Sun makes, but scientists have found out.
Doctors warn over application of suntan lotion
27th July - "Harder"
Doctors are warning people to use suntan lotion correctly or risk serious burns or skin damage.
University ends use of Mr, Ms and Mrs
25th July - "Easier"
A university in South Africa has decided to no longer use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs.
Moon landing items to be auctioned
23rd July - "Harder"
Space enthusiasts will soon have the chance to purchase a piece of space exploration history.
World's oldest bread recipe found
21st July - "Easier"
Researchers have found the world's oldest example of bread in Jordan.
New Mexico President takes 60% pay cut
19th July - "Harder"
Mexico's president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is leading by example in his country's austerity drive.
France win 2018 FIFA World Cup final
17th July - "Easier"
France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Moscow on Sunday night.
Flying 'car' could be on sale next year
15th July - "Harder"
Humanity is set to enter a new era of transport as a flying car could go on sale next year.
Bright pink is the world's oldest colour
13th July - "Easier"
Scientists have found out that bright pink is the oldest known colour.
Newly-discovered Amazon wasp has giant stinger
11th July - "Harder"
Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to make a horror movie.
Philippines president to resign if someone proves God exists
9th July - "Easier"
The president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has made people angry. He said he would resign if anyone can prove that God exists.
Internet fury at woman who killed giraffe
7th July - "Harder"
Images of an American trophy hunter posing for a photo next to a black giraffe that she had shot and killed in South Africa have caused outrage online.
Thai soccer boys cave rescue planned
5th July - "Easier"
There is good news about the twelve boys and their football coach who are trapped in a Thai cave.
TV razor ad shows real body hair for first time
3rd July - "Harder"
A simple TV advertisement for a razor has created great debate online. The ad simply shows women shaving real body hair
China limits pay for movie stars
1st July - "Easier"
The Chinese government is putting a limit on how much pay its movie stars get.
New nation of Asgardia established in space
29th June - "Harder"
A Russian billionaire has attended his inauguration as leader of humankind's first ever nation in space.
Singer calls world leaders "cowards" over refugee crisis
27th June - "Easier"
British singer Sting has called world leaders "half-men and cowards" for their failure to solve the refugee crisis.
Birds' stomachs too full of plastic to eat
25th June - "Harder"
A BBC team has filmed disturbing footage of the devastating impact plastic pollution is having on seabirds.
Algeria turns off Internet to stop exam cheats
23rd June - "Easier"
Algeria has turned off its Internet all over the country to stop students cheating in high school exams.
Ex-US soccer player criticized for supporting Mexico
21st June - "Harder"
A former U.S. soccer player has justified his support of rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup.
U.K. politician blocks passing of upskirting law
19th June - "Easier"
A politician in the United Kingdom has blocked a new law on upskirting from being passed.
Japan lowers age of adulthood to 18
17th June - "Harder"
Japan's government has lowered the age at which people become adults. It is the first time since 1876 that this has happened.
Trump and Kim Jong-un could get the Nobel Peace Prize
15th June - "Easier"
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un could be in line for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Pope warns fossil fuels threaten humanity
13th June - "Harder"
Pope Francis has given a stark warning to around 50 of the world's top oil company executives about the threat to humanity from fossil fuels.
Scientists close to turning air into fuel
11th June - "Easier"
Scientists at the Canadian company Carbon Engineering have said they are close to making carbon capture work.
Women hold most government positions in Spain
9th June - "Harder"
Women are on the rise in Spanish politics. Spain's newly-formed government consists of eleven women and six men.
Man aims to swim across the Pacific Ocean
7th June - "Easier"
A French swimmer will try to become the first person to swim across the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese couples asked to take divorce exam
5th June - "Harder"
Authorities in China are asking couples who file for divorce to take an exam to reduce the rising divorce rate.
Malaysians give cash to help government
3rd June - "Easier"
Malaysians have helped their government with its money problems. They gave nearly $2 million to help the country.
Hotter weather lowers exam results
1st June - "Harder"
Hotter weather leads to lower exam results, and may reduce learning in both the short term and long term.
Korean boy band BTS No.1 in US album chart
30th May - "Easier"
A South Korean pop act has reached number one in the U.S. album charts for the first time ever with their new album, "Love Yourself: Tear".
Cockroach milk may be the next superfood
28th May - "Harder"
It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but scientists say cockroach milk could become a new superfood.
Scientists to use DNA to find Loch Ness Monster
26th May - "Easier"
Scientists from New Zealand will use a special technique to see if there really is a Loch Ness Monster.
Half of life on Earth gone since humans arrived
24th May - "Harder"
There are 7.6 billion people on Earth, but they represent just 0.01% of all living things.
No purchase needed to sit in Starbucks cafes
22nd May - "Easier"
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has announced that anyone can enter a Starbucks cafe in the USA without needing to make a purchase.
Humans causing big shifts in freshwater locations
20th May - "Harder"
The USA's space agency NASA has confirmed that human activity is responsible for a massive redistribution of freshwater across Earth.
Scientists close to cure for the common cold
18th May - "Easier"
British researchers say they are close to finding a cure for the common cold.
Time travelers invited to Stephen Hawking memorial
16th May - "Harder"
Time travelers have been invited to attend the memorial service for Professor Stephen Hawking.
Robo-caller fined for 96 million phone calls
14th May - "Easier"
America's Federal Communications Commission, the FCC, has fined a man who they say placed nearly 100 million robocalls.
Malaysia to have 92-year-old leader
12th May - "Harder"
Malaysia's former leader Mahathir Mohamad has staged a remarkable political comeback to end the six-decade rule of the Barisan Nasional party.
Carbon footprint of global tourism is huge
10th May - "Easier"
Climate scientists from the University of Sydney in Australia say tourism causes over 8 per cent of greenhouse gasses.
Number of Japanese children at record low
8th May - "Harder"
The number of children in Japan has fallen to its lowest number since records began.
Singapore-Kuala Lumpur world's busiest air route
6th May - "Easier"
A new report says Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is the world's busiest international air route.
Best to learn a new language before age of 10
4th May - "Harder"
New research suggests that to achieve native-like proficiency in a new language, people should start learning before the age of ten.
Every Indian village now has electricity
2nd May - "Easier"
All villages in India now have electricity. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on Monday.
Cold noodles help nuclear-free Korea talks
30th April - "Harder"
Historic talks have taken place between the leaders of North and South Korea, aided by the dish of cold noodles.
Amazon Alexa to reward kids who say 'Please'
28th April - "Easier"
A new device will encourage children to say "please" and "thank you".
Children are as fit as endurance athletes
26th April - "Harder"
Have you ever wondered why children always seem to have bags of energy and never run out of steam?
Get a job riding a Harley-Davidson all summer
24th April - "Easier"
There is a special job opening for eight people who love riding motorbikes, enjoy long, hot summers, and like feeling the wind in their hair.
Swaziland changes its name to eSwatini
22nd April - "Harder"
The king of the tiny African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini.
Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer Prize for music
20th April - "Easier"
The American rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar has become the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for music.
Social media site reverses LGBT ban after outcry
18th April - "Harder"
One of China's largest social media sites has reversed a ban on content related to LGBT issues.
Going to bed late shortens our life, says study
16th April - "Easier"
A new study says that going to bed late may be bad for our health. It may even shorten our life.
Japan finds enough rare-earth metals to last 700 years
14th April - "Harder"
Japanese researchers have discovered enough reserves of rare-earth metals (REMs) to satisfy global demand for up to 700 years.
France to help make Saudi Arabia's first opera house
12th April - "Easier"
Saudi Arabia will soon have its very first national orchestra and opera, with the help of France.
Former Brazilian president in jail
10th April - "Harder"
Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is in jail after surrendering to authorities on Saturday night.
Iceland's First Lady wears charity-shop jacket
8th April - "Easier"
The First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid, has turned heads at a movie awards ceremony by wearing a charity shop jacket.
Seed vault now has over a million species
6th April - "Harder"
A special vault storing the world's most precious seeds has now amassed over one million different plant varieties.
Children lack skill in holding pencils due to iPads
4th April - "Easier"
A study shows that new technology is reducing children's ability to use a pencil or pen.
Robots to help us make our own furniture
2nd April - "Harder"
Robots are taking over more and more aspects of our lives, and jobs. The latest occupation at risk is carpentry.
Men to be NFL cheerleaders for first time ever
31st March - "Harder"
Fans of the USA's National Football League (NFL) will soon be able to watch male cheerleaders for the first time ever.
China and Russia lead race to make hypersonic missiles
29th March - "Easier"
The USA is worried about China and Russia developing hypersonic missiles that can travel between five and twenty times the speed of sound.
Facebook apologizes after data breach
27th March - "Harder"
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg apologized for the data breach that was revealed last week. He took out full-page advertisements in broadsheet newspapers to make his apology.
Fears over USA - China trade war
25th March - "Easier"
The world is waiting to see if a trade war breaks out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did badly in Friday's trading because investors are worried.
World's last male northern white rhino dies
23rd March - "Harder"
Conservationists and animal lovers are in mourning today for the loss of Sudan the rhinoceros.
Stephen Hawking explained multiverses in final paper
21st March - "Easier"
The world-famous physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking published an important paper before he died last week.
Calls for everyone in England to speak English
19th March - "Harder"
A top British official has said the UK government should set a target date for everybody in England to speak English.
U.S. student walkout to protest gun violence
17th March - "Easier"
Students in the USA took part in a protest on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of high-schoolers walked out of their schools to protest against gun violence.
3D-printer homes to reduce homelessness
15th March - "Harder"
A revolutionary, low-cost use of 3D printers to construct houses may help the homeless in developing countries.
Disease X is a 'big risk' to the world
13th March - "Easier"
Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) say the world is possibly at risk from a deadly disease.
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to meet
11th March - "Harder"
A historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will take place.
Japanese robot-wolf to protect farms
9th March - "Easier"
Technology has come to the rescue of Japanese farmers. Engineers have invented the 'Super Monster Wolf' to scare away animals.
Thailand to close famous beach to protect coral
7th March - "Harder"
Thailand will soon close one of its world famous beaches in an effort to reverse the damage done to its coral.
Paris Metro fines woman for walking wrong way
5th March - "Easier"
A pregnant woman got into trouble while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way.
Malnutrition goals in Africa 'very far away'
3rd March - "Harder"
A new report shows that no country in Africa will meet goals set to end childhood malnutrition by the year 2030.
Egypt archaeologists find large 'city of the dead'
1st March - "Easier"
Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a huge cemetery hidden under the sands south of Cairo.
U.S. companies end ties with gun group NRA
27th February - "Harder"
An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to sever ties with the USA's National Rifle Association.
Airbnb enters luxury travel market
25th February - "Easier"
The online accommodation booking company Airbnb is going upmarket. It is moving into the luxury travel market.
NASA spacesuits with built-in toilet
23rd February - "Harder"
Fashion designers and clothing experts are wondering how a new suit might change their industry.
Black Panther movie breaks box office records
21st February - "Easier"
The new superhero movie Black Panther is breaking box office records. It is the highest moneymaking debut ever for a February film.
Household items as bad as cars for pollution
19th February - "Harder"
Everyday household items such as toothpaste, deodorant and perfume contain volatile compounds that help to cause pollution.
Woman thrown off plane for shouting at crying baby
17th February - "Easier"
A passenger on a flight in the USA was asked to leave the airplane because she complained about a crying baby.
American woman wakes up with British accent
15th February - "Harder"
An American woman has been diagnosed with the rare Foreign Accent Syndrome after waking up with a British accent.
Early humans were bad at drawing
13th February - "Easier"
An early species of humans who lived between 120,000 and 35,000 years ago were not as good at drawing as early modern humans.
Parents anger at $730 Armani school uniforms
11th February - "Harder"
Parents of a Tokyo elementary school are up in arms at being asked to pay $730 for their child's school uniform.
Monaco running out of space for millionaires
9th February - "Easier"
The tiny city-state of Monaco on France's Mediterranean coastline is having problems finding space for rich people.
Earth's magnetic poles are about to flip
7th February - "Harder"
Scientists have warned of the potential threat from Earth's magnetic poles flipping upside down.
Chinese women spend $30 million on virtual boyfriends
5th February - "Easier"
Chinese women are spending over $30 million a month on a dating app on which the partners are virtual boyfriends.
All New York prisoners to get free tablet computer
3rd February - "Harder"
All prisoners in the U.S. state of New York are to be given free tablet computers.
Japan makes banana with peel you can eat
1st February - "Easier"
Banana farmers in Japan have created a special technique for growing bananas with a peel we can eat.
Polish climbers in heroic Himalaya rescue
30th January - "Harder"
A team of elite mountain climbers from Poland made a hazardous night rescue on the 8,126-meter-high Nanga Parbat mountain in the Pakistani Himalayas.
'Nutella riots' in France after 70% price cut
28th January - "Easier"
There have been crazy scenes in supermarkets across France. Shoppers have been fighting and punching each other to buy jars of the hazelnut spread Nutella.
Centipedes eat animals 15 times their size
26th January - "Harder"
Centipedes use venom that packs a serious punch that can cause rapid paralysis and death in insects and small animals.
Japanese tourists call police over rip-off restaurant bill
24th January - "Easier"
Four Japanese tourists are very angry after a restaurant in Venice, Italy charged them €1,100 ($1,350) for a steak dinner.
Adolescence now lasts from 10 to 24
22nd January - "Harder"
Scientists have changed their estimation of when adolescence ends and adulthood starts.
Two Koreas to share flag for Winter Olympics
20th January - "Easier"
South and North Korea have agreed to use the same flag at next month's Winter Olympics.
Spain to replace USA as second most popular tourism location
18th January - "Harder"
Spain is set to replace the USA as the world's second most popular tourist destination.
Writing a to-do list may help you sleep faster
16th January - "Easier"
Scientists have an idea that could help us get to sleep faster. All you need is a pen and paper and write a to-do list.
Trump calls immigrant nations 'sh*thole' countries
14th January - "Harder"
US President Donald Trump has caused outrage worldwide after he reportedly made racially charged comments.
Bangkok street-food chef says no to international cooking honour
12th January - "Easier"
A street-food seller in Bangkok wants to give back a top international chef's award.
Nearly 600 volunteer to be absent father
10th January - "Harder"
A school in the USA asked for 50 male volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads".
Japan's $3,000 wagyu beef bento lunch box
8th January - "Easier"
The new Tottori Wagyu Complete Cow bento box contains 4.5kg of beef and costs $3,000.
Online deliveries clogging up city streets
6th January - "Harder"
The huge surge in the popularity of online shopping is creating chaos on the streets of our cities.
Hollywood women fight sexual harassment
4th January - "Easier"
Over 300 women in Hollywood have joined together to fight sexual harassment.
2018 to be a great year
2nd January - "Harder"
The year 2018 is just days old, but already there are indications it will be a great 12 months.
2017 was UK's greenest energy year ever
30th December - "Easier"
The United Kingdom is doing a lot to increase its use of renewable energy. It is moving away from fossil fuels.
Certain smells take you back to your childhood
28th December - "Harder"
Scientists have found out why certain smells recall feelings of nostalgia and can recall distant memories.
Too much gaming is mental health issue
26th December - "Easier"
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that too much gaming is officially a mental health problem.
Singing in groups could make you happier
24th December - "Harder"
Researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive effects on reducing anxiety and depression.
'Selfieccino' is the new art in making coffee
22nd December - "Easier"
A cafe in London has started a personalized way of making coffee. It is a new form of barista art called the "selfieccino".
You are what you eat, say scientists
20th December - "Harder"
Scientists have cast new light on the effects our diet has on our mental health.
New plants can produce light in the dark
18th December - "Easier"
Scientists have created plants that glow in the dark. They are hoping to produce plants that can light up our lives.
Mysterious space object could be monitoring us
16th December - "Harder"
Scientists believe there is a possibility that aliens are listening to us on Earth.
Social media 'destroying how society works'
14th December - "Easier"
A former Facebook executive has said social media is doing great harm to society around the world.
Video of starving polar bear goes viral
12th December - "Harder"
A video of a starving and emaciated polar bear collapsing in Canada's wilderness has gone viral on the Internet.
Scientists find a bone from Santa Claus
10th December - "Easier"
Scientists from Oxford University in the UK believe they have found a bone that belonged to Santa Claus.
Trump says Jerusalem is Israel's capital city
8th December - "Harder"
Donald Trump has announced that the USA officially recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel.
UN horror at slave trade in Libya
6th December - "Easier"
The United Nations boss has said he is horrified by reports of slavery in Libya.
Environmentalists call for worldwide ban on glitter
4th December - "Harder"
Scientists are highlighting the damage that glitter does to our seas, oceans and environment.
South Korea government to help people in debt
2nd December - "Easier"
South Korea is going to write off the debts of as many as 1.6 million people. The government wants to help people on low incomes.
Soft, robotic muscles 1,000 times stronger
30th November - "Harder"
Scientists from two of the USA's elite universities have pioneered a new method of creating artificial muscles.
France to try and end violence against women
28th November - "Easier"
French President Emmanuel Macron has started a new project to try and bring an end to violence against women.
Light pollution is taking away night's darkness
26th November - "Harder"
The amount and brightness of light from towns and cities around the world is at a high level.
Man to take rocket trip to show Earth is flat
24th November - "Easier"
An American scientist is going to try and prove his belief that the Earth is flat.
UK Queen celebrates 70th wedding anniversary
22nd November - "Harder"
The United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary on Monday
Thousands call for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to resign
20th November - "Easier"
Thousands of people are in the streets of Zimbabwe asking for President Robert Mugabe to resign.
Apology after Japanese train leaves 20 seconds early
18th November - "Harder"
The operators of Tokyo's Tsukuba Express line apologized for one of its trains leaving 20 seconds too early.
Millions more have high blood pressure
16th November - "Easier"
Millions more people around the world have high blood pressure.
Where do bugs like to live in your house?
14th November - "Harder"
Scientists have discovered where bugs most like to live in your house.
Lip-syncing video app sells for $1 billion
12th November - "Easier"
A Chinese media company has bought the hugely popular social video app musical.ly for $1 billion.
Malaria breathalyzer test could help millions
10th November - "Harder"
Scientists have developed a breathalyzer to test people for malaria.
Screen time before bed is bad for children
8th November - "Easier"
New research shows that it is bad for children to watch TV, tablet or mobile phone screens before bedtime.
Australia broadband network under attack from birds
6th November - "Harder"
Australia's high-speed, state-of-the-art broadband network is under attack from thousands of birds.
Hong Kong's poor live in homes smaller than prison cells
4th November - "Easier"
A new study shows that some poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes.
New Zealand to ban foreign home buyers
2nd November - "Harder"
New Zealand's government has announced a ban on the purchase of homes by foreigners.
Japanese school 'forces girl to dye hair black'
31st October - "Easier"
An 18-year-old girl in Japan is suing her local government after her school told her to dye her hair black.
Australian Deputy PM disqualified over dual citizenship
29th October - "Harder"
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been disqualified from his governmental position because he held dual citizenship.
UAE will train a million people in coding
27th October - "Easier"
The United Arab Emirates is starting a new programme to teach a million people computer coding.
China ends ban on smelly cheese
25th October - "Harder"
China has reversed an import ban on several types of cheese that get their flavor (and distinctive smell) from bacteria.
Pollution is the world's biggest killer
23rd October - "Easier"
A new study has found that pollution is now the world's biggest killer. One in six deaths worldwide is because of pollution.
Big rise in self-harm among girls
21st October - "Harder"
There has been a steep rise in reports of self-harm among young teenage girls.
Potato shortage causes 'chipocalypse'
19th October - "Easier"
Potato chip lovers in New Zealand could be in for a big shock. New Zealand is facing a possible potato shortage in the next few months.
World's 'most useless' airport opens
17th October - "Harder"
The first scheduled commercial airplane has landed on the remote British island of St Helena in the middle of the South Atlantic.
Baby talk is a world language
15th October - "Easier"
A new study has found that mothers all over the world speak to their babies in the same way.
Women stranded at airport after cosmetic surgery
13th October - "Harder"
Three Chinese women were left stranded at a South Korean airport after immigration officials said their passport photos did not match their faces.
Study finds why children don't eat their greens
11th October - "Easier"
Everyone knows that many young children don't like eating their greens. A new study may have an answer about why this is.
Airline boss promises pilots bonus to keep flying
9th October - "Harder"
The boss of Europe's biggest low-cost airline has promised better pay to stop pilots leaving the company.
Nobel chemistry prize for molecule photos
7th October - "Easier"
The 2017 Nobel Prize in chemistry has gone to three scientists for their work on photographing molecules.
Catalonia workers strike for independence
5th October - "Harder"
A general strike in Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona to a standstill.
Austria bans full-face veils
3rd October - "Easier"
A new law in Austria means there is now a ban on full-face veils.
Carrying the shopping makes over-65s stronger
1st October - "Harder"
There is new advice for older people to keep their strength up and live longer – carry your own shopping.
Botanic gardens 'best hope' for saving plants
29th September - "Easier"
Scientists say that many of the world's plants are in danger of dying out – of becoming extinct.
"Catastrophic" sleep is killing people, says scientists
27th September - "Harder"
New research shows that many people are not sleeping enough and that this is having a serious impact on health.
London bomber buys bomb parts from Amazon
25th September - "Easier"
U.K. police have said a man who put a bomb on a London subway train bought most of the parts for the bomb online.
Hotel opens in Taiwan just for gamers
23rd September - "Harder"
A new hotel in Taiwan has opened to cater to the needs of gamers.
Today's teenagers growing up more slowly
21st September - "Easier"
A new study says today's teenagers are growing up more slowly than previous generations.
Bald men are more attractive and confident
19th September - "Easier"
According to new research, men who are bald or going bald should not worry about their looks.
Written zero 500 years older than scientists thought
17th August - "Harder"
Scientists from Oxford University in England have discovered that the written use of the zero is 500 years older than previously thought.
Rohingya in humanitarian crisis, says UN
15th September - "Easier"
The United Nations has said Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar are facing a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation.
Cambridge University may end handwritten exams
13th September - "Harder"
The world-renowned Cambridge University is considering abolishing handwritten exams after 800 years.
New mummies found near Luxor, Egypt
11th September - "Easier"
Archaeologists in Egypt have found a tomb that has three mummies inside it. The ancient tomb is over 3,500 years old.
Hurricane Irma slams into Caribbean
9th September - "Harder"
A record-breaking hurricane is causing death and destruction as it passes through the Caribbean and heads towards the U.S. state of Florida.
Putin warns of 'global catastrophe' over N Korea
7th September - "Easier"
Vladimir Putin has warned that the crisis over North Korea could cause a "planetary catastrophe".
16 million children in need in South Asia floods
5th September - "Harder"
UNICEF has warned that an estimated 16 million children are in urgent need of life-saving support in the South Asia floods.
Why do people yawn?
3rd September - "Easier"
A new study from Nottingham University in the UK has found that yawning is contagious.
Irish TV station 'forced' to use Queen's English
1st September - "Harder"
Staff at Ireland's national broadcaster RTE are angry at being told to pronounce words according to the Queen's English.
New device can smell bombs and diseases
30th August - "Easier"
A Nigerian engineer and neuroscientist has created a revolutionary new computer that has artificial intelligence (AI).
Floyd Mayweather wins richest fight in boxing history
28th August - "Harder"
Floyd Mayweather has won what was billed as the fight of the century, and the richest fight in boxing history.
Google will check to see if you are depressed
26th August - "Easier"
The search engine Google will soon start a service that lets people check their mental health online.
Chile stops mining project to save penguins
24th August - "Harder"
The government of Chile has rejected plans for a billion-dollar mining project because it would disrupt marine life.
Jews in UK want to leave because of hate crimes
22nd August - "Easier"
Many Jews in Britain want to leave the country because of an increase in anti-Semitism hate crimes.
Binge-watching television causes sleep problems
20th August - "Harder"
New research shows that binge-watching television can adversely affect your health.
Man buys 5,000 people noodles for finding engagement ring
18th August - "Easier"
A Chinese businessman treated 5,000 people to a free bowl of noodles.
Smiley face emojis could hurt your career
16th August - "Harder"
New research suggests that using smiley face emojis in work emails could jeopardize your career.
Man swims to work every day to beat traffic
14th August - "Easier"
A German man has started swimming to work after he got fed up with commuting.
Trump fires up North Korea nuclear tensions
12th August - "Easier"
U.S. President Donald Trump has given North Korea another warning over its plans to fire its weapons.
Nano-chips may heal organs with one touch
10th August - "Harder"
The medical world sees another example of science fiction coming true.
Loneliness is becoming a big danger to health
8th August - "Easier"
New research suggests that loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of dying early by 50 per cent.
Charity warns against uploading photos of children
6th August - "Harder"
A child protection charity is urging parents to ask their children for permission before uploading photos of them.
New NASA job – to protect Earth from aliens
4th August - "Easier"
America's space agency NASA has an exciting new job opening to protect Earth from aliens.
Man paints own 'no parking' lines outside his house
2nd August - "Harder"
A man in New Zealand has taken road traffic safety into his own hands. He illegally painted yellow parking-restriction lines on the road outside his house.
Mobile phone ban while crossing roads in Honolulu
31st July - "Easier"
Honolulu in Hawaii has become the first major American city to ban pedestrians from walking across the road while looking at mobile phones.
Debate over US military transgender policy
29th July - "Harder"
President Donald Trump's desire to ban transgender people from serving in the USA military has already run into problems.
London police given 1,000 acid attack kits
27th July - "Easier"
Police officers in London have been given 1,000 special kits to deal with acid attacks.
Alternate history of Singapore wins comics Oscars
25th July - "Harder"
A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
Girl, 5, fined for selling lemonade
23rd July - "Easier"
A five-year-old girl in London was fined $200 by a local government in London for selling cups of lemonade.
Mechanic works 75 years to break record
21st July - "Harder"
An airline worker in the USA has broken the world record for the world's longest-serving airline mechanic.
Dirt is good for babies
19th July - "Easier"
It seems like common sense to most parents to make sure their baby is always in a clean place.
Water bears will survive until the Sun dies
17th July - "Harder"
A new study has revealed that a tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the end of the Earth.
House dust could make us fat
15th July - "Easier"
Scientists say house dust could make us fat. They say that people should keep their house clean if they want to avoid putting on weight.
Coffee drinkers may live longer
13th July - "Harder"
There is potentially good news for coffee lovers. Drinking three or more cups of coffee a day may help people live longer.
Scientists say life on Mars would be difficult
11th July - "Easier"
Scientists have discovered new things about the atmosphere and environment on Mars.
People now snorting chocolate to get high
9th July - "Harder"
A company in the USA has launched a chocolate powder that it says people can snort to get high.
Volvo will start making only all-electric cars
7th July - "Easier"
The car company Volvo has said it will start making all-electric cars. All new cars it makes from 2019 will have an electric motor.
Bank of England staff to go on strike
5th July - "Harder"
Workers at the United Kingdom's central bank, the Bank of England, have voted to stage a four-day strike.
Starbucks opens coffee shop with tatami in Kyoto
3rd July - "Easier"
Starbucks has opened a new coffee shop in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto. It is unlike any other Starbucks in the world.
Great Barrier Reef valued at $42.5 billion
1st July - "Harder"
Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been assigned a monetary value for the first time.
World Food Prize goes to Nigerian banker
29th June - "Easier"
The president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, has won the 2017 World Food Prize.
World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) changes name
27th June - "Harder"
The World Taekwondo Federation has changed its name to simply World Taekwondo.
The shape of eggs helps birds fly well
25th June - "Easier"
Scientists believe they know why birds' eggs are different shapes.
Strange deep-sea creatures found near Australia
23rd June - "Harder"
Scientists have found dozens of strange-looking deep-sea creatures off the coast of Australia.
YouTube has plan to fight online terror
21st June - "Easier"
YouTube has announced a plan "to fight online terror". It will find dangerous videos and delete them.
Jay Z receives top songwriting honor
19th June - "Harder"
The rapper Jay Z has been recognized for his prolific and influential songwriting career by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
New suntan drug could prevent skin cancer
17th June - "Easier"
Scientists have developed a drug that can copy the effects of sunlight. The new drug tricks the skin into making it darker.
Trendy names make vegetables look tastier
15th June - "Harder"
Researchers have discovered that people eat more vegetables if the veggies have trendy labels.
Mixed-gender events added to 2020 Olympics
13th June - "Easier"
There will be more mixed-gender events and more women at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sesame Street and IBM make vocabulary app
11th June - "Harder"
Sesame Street and IBM have teamed up to create a revolutionary new app for kids to learn vocabulary.
Indonesia attempts to count all its islands
9th June - "Harder"
Indonesia has embarked on the task of counting its islands in order to better protect its territory and marine resources.
Arab nations cut ties with Qatar
7th June - "Easier"
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut relations with Qatar.
Musk abandons Trump after U.S. dumps Paris Agreement
5th June - "Harder"
Elon Musk leaves Donald Trump's business advisory council after the US pulls out of the Paris Agreement.
The world is 0.28% more peaceful than a year ago
3rd June - "Easier"
A new report says the world is slightly more peaceful than it was a year ago.
Finland to reform education for the digital age
1st June - "Harder"
Finland is planning to reform its education system so that young Finns are better prepared for the digital age.
'Robocop' – first robot police officer starts work
30th May - "Easier"
The world's first robot police officer has started working. Its name is 'RoboCop' and it went into service for the Dubai Police earlier this week.
Fitness trackers 'poor at measuring calories burned'
28th May - "Harder"
A new report says fitness trackers are not so accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body burns while exercising.
Scientists find out how flamingos stand on one leg
26th May - "Easier"
Scientists believe they have found how flamingos stand on one leg. This has puzzled scientists for decades.
Author unhappy with use of the word 'meme'
24th May - "Harder"
Memes are becoming a growing part of our everyday life and popular culture, especially online.
Europe's top soccer leagues get first female referee
22 May - "Easier"
A German policewoman, Bibiana Steinhaus, will become the first female to referee in Europe's top leagues.
Holland's king reveals secret life as pilot
20th May - "Harder"
Holland's King Willem-Alexander has just revealed he has been secretly flying planes for the Dutch carrier KLM.
Microsoft blames U.S. spy agency for WannaCry
18th May - "Easier"
Microsoft has said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack happened because America's National Security Agency keeps cyber-weapons on its computers.
China outlines Silk Road plan for global trade
16th May - "Harder"
China's President Xi Jinping has outlined an ambitious project to regenerate global growth.
Maori haka and language may keep dementia away
14th May - "Easier"
The world-famous Maori war dance, the haka, and being bilingual may help Maori people keep dementia away.
FBI boss thought his firing was a joke
12th May - "Harder"
President Trump has fired James Comey, the now former Director and boss of the FBI.
Nicki Minaj to pay college fees for fans
10th May - "Easier"
The singer Nicki Minaj has told her millions of Twitter followers she would pay university tuition fees for some of them.
Swearing can make you physically stronger
8th May - "Harder"
Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or profane language can increase one's physical strength.
Exercise pill could replace exercising
6th May - "Easier"
Scientists are working on a new pill that could help people who do no exercise.
Abu Dhabi opens government 'Happiness Cafe'
4th May - "Harder"
The Abu Dhabi government has opened a special cafe for its employees that is dedicated to their happiness.
A third of the food we produce is wasted
2nd May - "Easier"
The British government has said that a third of the food the world produces is wasted and that this is unacceptable.
Plastic-eating worm could remove the world's waste
30th April - "Harder"
A natural solution to the growing crisis of plastic waste in the environment may be at hand via a tiny caterpillar called a waxworm.
China launches first Chinese-made aircraft carrier
28th April - "Easier"
China's navy is growing stronger and stronger. On Wednesday, it launched its first aircraft carrier that it built completely on its own.
Egg freezing offered as perk to female employees
26th April - "Harder"
Female workers in the UK are to be offered an unusual perk by their employers. British companies are considering offering egg freezing as a perk.
Families get government help with housework
24th April - "Easier"
Working families in two towns in Germany will get government help with the housework.
Exercise is contagious because of social media
22nd April - "Harder"
A new study has shown that physical activity and exercise are 'contagious' because of social media.
USA ends 'patience' with North Korea
20th April - "Easier"
The Vice President of the USA, Mike Pence, said on Monday that US-North Korea relations have changed.
High school changes 'sexist' Women's Studies course
18th April - "Harder"
A high school in Canada has come under fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it offered to its female students.
Man dragged off plane will sue United Airlines
16th April - "Easier"
An American airline is in trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers.
Dutch towns tell tourists how to behave
14th April - "Harder"
Villagers living in the area known as 'Old Holland' outside of Amsterdam have got together with local tour companies to create rules of conduct for tourists.
People lose money in online dating scam
12th April - "Easier"
There is a new scam on the Internet for those looking for love. Criminals are trying to trick people by using old love letters.
Jungle people with almost no heart problems
10th April - "Harder"
Researchers have discovered that the Tsimane people in Bolivia have almost no risk of serious heart disease.
Halal snack helps bring Australians together
8th April - "Easier"
A new kind of fast food is having a big impact in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people together.
Sales quotas exploit convenience store workers
6th April - "Harder"
A report from Japan says unrealistic sales quotas are being imposed on many part-time workers.
No shampoo may be better for your hair
4th April - "Easier"
Could shampoo be a thing of the past? is it necessary?
Scientists list 12 new types of cloud
2nd April - "Harder"
The International Cloud Atlas has recognized 'new' types of cloud for the first time since 1987.
Older mothers may raise happier children
31st March - "Easier"
New research suggests that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier.
Laptop ban goes into effect in certain countries
29th March - "Harder"
A number of airports in the Middle East have started implementing the ban on taking laptop computers on board planes.
Scientists find way to mass produce blood
27th March - "Easier"
Scientists from Bristol University in the UK say they have found a way to mass produce blood.
Funeral discounts for Japan's elderly who quit driving
25th March - "Harder"
A funeral home company in Japan is offering a 15 per cent discount on funeral services to any driver over 75 who quit driving.
Face recognition scanner to stop toilet paper thieves
23rd March - "Easier"
A park in Beijing has started a trial to try and save toilet paper and prevent thieves from stealing it.
Subway sues TV station for $210 million
21st March - "Harder"
The international sandwich chain Subway is suing a TV station following a report that said its chicken was only half chicken.
Climate changed the shape of our nose
19th March - "Easier"
The Earth's climate could have something to do with the shape of our nose.
Social media sites face heavy hate speech fines
17th March - "Harder"
Social media websites in Germany could be in for fines of up to 50 million euros for removing illegal content too slowly.
World Wide Web inventor worried about its future
15th March - "Easier"
The man who created the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, has warned of the dangers of the Internet.
World faces biggest humanitarian crisis since 1945
13th March - "Harder"
The UN says the world is facing its biggest humanitarian crisis since 1945.
How to become a memory champion
11th March - "Easier"
A new study says pretty much anyone can have an upgraded memory if they train their brain.
Trial of 'female' traffic signals starts in Australia
9th March - "Harder"
Signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of Melbourne now show walking red and green people in dresses.
Scientists say there could be life on TRAPPIST-1 planets
7th March - "Easier"
Scientists have been discussing whether planets in the TRAPPIST-1 solar system could contain life.
Japan attempts to ease working hours
5th March - "Harder"
Japan's government has backed an initiative to ease the pressure on Japanese workers and simultaneously boost consumer spending.
Bulgarian radio can play modern music again
3rd March - "Easier"
Radio listeners in Bulgaria can now start listening to modern music again.
Mothers get less sleep than fathers
1st March - "Harder"
A new study confirms that mothers get less sleep than fathers.
Fasting may lead to health benefits
27th February - "Easier"
Scientists have conducted tests on mice showing that fasting could have many health benefits.
Carlos Ghosn to step down as Nissan boss
25th February - "Harder"
Carlos Ghosn has announced that he will step down as Nissan Motor's president and CEO.
Slippery ketchup bottle helps zero-waste economy
23rd February - "Easier"
Scientists have invented a super-slippery surface that can be put on the inside of bottles.
Bio-terrorism could kill 30 million in a year
21st February - "Harder"
The former head of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has warned that the world could be in great danger from bio-terrorism.
Zealandia – The eighth continent?
19th February - "Easier"
We may have to change our thinking about how many continents there are. Geologists say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia.
Marriage makes you less stressed
17th February - "Harder"
A new study suggests that marital bliss has beneficial health effects. The research is from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA.
New, super-thin material cools buildings
15th February - "Easier"
A team of engineers has created a super-thin material that could help keep buildings cool.
Director for new Batman movie coming soon
13th February - "Harder"
There is a new Batman movie in the making and a director for it could be announced soon.
World's largest refugee camp must stay open
11th February - "Easier"
The High Court in Kenya has blocked the Kenyan government's attempt to close the largest refugee camp in the world.
TV maker illegally tracked and sold viewing data
9th February - "Harder"
The television maker Vizio has agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle claims that it collected data from 11 million people without their consent.
Size zero models have dangerous eating disorders
7th February - "Easier"
Many models have to get down to a very unhealthy weight to keep their modeling agency happy.
Astronauts' brains change shape during spaceflight
5th February - "Harder"
Researchers from the University of Michigan in the USA have found that the brain of astronauts changes shape during spaceflight.
Starbucks plans to employ 10,000 refugees
3rd February - "Easier"
Starbucks boss Howard Schultz has said his company would employ 10,000 refugees over the next five years.
Half a million at Washington D.C. Women's March
1st February - "Harder"
New figures reveal that as many as 500,000 people attended the Women's March on Washington on January 21st.
Scientists say end of world is 30 seconds closer
30th January - "Easier"
Scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BPA) have said the end of the world has come a little closer in the past year.
Cats are just as clever as dogs, says study
28th January - "Harder"
For whatever reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This notion has been called into question by scientists in Japan.
Worries about microplastics in our seafood
26th January - "Easier"
People who eat seafood may be also eating tiny pieces of plastic. The small pieces of plastic are called microplastics.
City plans to plant 3 million trees
24th January - "Harder"
The city of Manchester in England has embarked on an ambitious plan to plant three million trees.
Ants use the Sun to get from A to B
22nd January - "Easier"
Ants are some of the most impressive creatures on this planet. There are so many things we do not know about them.
Eating chili peppers helps you live longer
20th January - "Harder"
There is good news for lovers of hot and spicy food – the chili inside it can help you live longer.
Eight billionaires as rich as half the world
18th January - "Easier"
The world's eight richest men have as much money as half the world. Eight billionaires are as rich as the 3.6 billion poorest people in the world.
Animal rights pressure group buys LV shares
16th January - "Harder"
The animal rights pressure group PETA has purchased shares in the French luxury goods company Louis Vuitton.
Scientists make super-strong spider web silk
14th January - "Easier"
A group of researchers from Sweden has unlocked one of nature's biggest secrets. The scientists worked out how spiders make such strong silk.
Weekend-only exercise enough to live longer
12th January - "Harder"
There is good news for those who only have time to exercise at the weekend – the so-called 'weekend warriors'.
Zombies would wipe out humans in 100 days
10th January - "Easier"
Everyone knows that zombies only exist in horror movies. Or do they? A new article predicts that imaginary zombies would kill almost everyone on Earth in just 100 days.
Using cotton buds could damage your hearing
7th January - "Harder"
Doctors are now telling us what grandparents have known for decades - don't stick anything smaller than your elbow into your ears.
Language barriers holding back global science
4th January - "Easier"
New research says that language barriers are holding back science around the world.
USA and Russia in election hacking tit-for-tat
1st January - "Harder"
A new crisis is looming between the USA and Russia over U.S. allegations that Russia hacked Hillary Clinton's emails during the U.S. election.
Japan Prime Minister visits Pearl Harbor
29th December - "Easier"
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
Smartphone toilet paper at Japan airport
26th December - "Harder"
An airport in Japan has taken toilet cleanliness to a new level. A company has installed "toilet paper" for smartphones.
Women are better doctors but get paid less
23rd December - "Easier"
A new study from Harvard University shows that female doctors are slightly better than their male colleagues, but get paid less.
UK's Prince Harry vows to make a difference
20th December - "Harder"
Britain's Prince Harry has said he wants to make a difference in the world.
Scientists unlock secrets to seahorses
17th December - "Easier"
For the first time, scientists have unlocked the secrets to one of the world's most recognizable but least understood fish – the seahorse.
Syrian refugee top student in Australia school
15th December - "Harder"
A Syrian refugee who could hardly speak a word of English two years ago has just passed his school exams in Australia with flying colours and is in the top 4 per cent of all graduates in Melbourne.
Venezuela seizes 4 million toys for its children
13th December - "Easier"
The government of Venezuela has seized nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children.
Ivory Coast gets three-word postal addresses
11th December - "Harder"
Ivory Coast has adopted a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words.
1.2 million people accept birthday party invitation
9th December - "Easier"
A father in Mexico got a surprise after he posted an invitation to his daughter's 15th birthday party on Facebook - 1.2 million people have said they would attend the party.
New store lets you shop, walk out and pay later
7th December - "Harder"
Amazon just unveiled what it describes as the world's most advanced shopping technology.
Oil pipeline protest joined by military veterans
5th December - "Easier"
People in the U.S. state of North Dakota are angry because an oil company is building a giant pipe near their land.
Thailand has a new king
3rd December - "Harder"
Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father.
Christmas cards show nativity in war zone
1st December - "Easier"
A charity has released a series of Christmas cards with a difference. They have traditional Christmas scenes from the Holy Land but they also contain images of the war in Syria.
India to be a cashless society, says Prime Minister
29th November - "Harder"
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined his controversial plan to make India a cashless society.
Low social status bad for health
27th November - "Easier"
A new study shows that having a low social status can be bad for our health.
Man sells firewood to pay wife's medical bills
25th November - "Harder"
An Internet campaign has come to the rescue of 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced to selling firewood on the roadside to try and pay for his wife's medical bills.
Seriously powerful weather satellite put into space
23rd November - "Easier"
The USA has put into space the world's most advanced and powerful weather satellite. Scientists say it will revolutionize how we predict the weather.
Emergency junk food flown to earthquake town
21st November - "Harder"
The residents of a town cut off by last week's New Zealand earthquake have received a somewhat unusual but welcome air delivery.
Scientists change plants' sunblock to grow more crops
19th November - "Easier"
Plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent.
Mathematicians work out the perfect cup of coffee
17th November - "Harder"
Mathematicians are using their analytical skills to understand what makes the perfect cup of coffee.
Israel backs bill to make mosques quieter
15th November - "Easier"
Israel's government has approved a bill to make mosques quieter. Mosques may not be able to use loudspeakers.
Boys and girls react differently to stress
13th November - "Harder"
A study from Stanford University in the USA suggests that very stressful events affect the brains of boys and girls in different ways.
World leaders have mixed reactions to Trump victory
11th November - "Easier"
World leaders have congratulated Donald Trump on his surprise win in the U.S. Presidential election on Tuesday.
India cities experiencing hazardous air quality
9th November - "Harder"
Many of India's big cities are experiencing such hazardous air pollution that it almost defies belief.
Calls for Daylight Saving Time to be scrapped
7th November - "Easier"
There are calls to end the semi-annual practice of Daylight Saving Time - putting our clocks backwards and forwards an hour in the spring and autumn.
U.S. must be world policeman, says ex-NATO boss
5th November - "Harder"
The former chief of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has said America needs to be the world's policeman to make the world a safer place.
New UAE law gives workers time off to read
3rd November - "Easier"
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new law to get people to read more.
Broccoli and avocado slow down aging
1st November - "Harder"
New research suggests that eating green vegetables can ward off the signs of aging.
No putting on make-up on trains, says rail company
30th October - "Easier"
A 30-second video from a railway company in Japan has made many women angry. The video is aimed at stopping women from putting on make-up while riding on trains.
Myanmar and Iraq most generous countries
28th October - "Harder"
The Charities Aid Foundation has just stated that Myanmar and Iraq are home to the world's most generous and helpful people.
Three-quarters of British people commit micro crimes
26th October - "Easier"
A new report from a British market research company says there is a "wave of micro crime" in the country.
Dogs dream about their owners, says scientist
24th October - "Harder"
An expert believes she has uncovered the secret of what dogs dream about. Among other things, dogs dream about their owners.
Philippines to split from USA
22nd October - "Easier"
The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has announced his country will move away from the USA and work more closely with China.
Shanghai IKEA bans old people from dating
20th October - "Harder"
The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China.
Teen drivers most at risk of crashing
18th October - "Easier"
Teenage drivers are still the most likely to crash, according to a new study. Teen drivers are 1.6 times more likely to be in a traffic accident than adult drivers.
Nigeria president says wife belongs in the kitchen
16th October - "Harder"
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari is in hot water over sexist remarks he made about his wife belonging in his kitchen.
Sweet potato scientists win World Food Prize
14th October - "Easier"
Four scientists have won the 2016 World Food Prize for developing a way to grow sweet potatoes that have extra amounts of Vitamin A.
Samsung: Don't use dangerous Galaxy Note
12th October - "Harder"
Samsung has warned owners of the Galaxy Note 7 to turn off their phone after more reports of the device catching fire.
Vegetable gardens tested for Mars
10th October - "Easier"
Researchers from the U.S. space agency NASA are currently trying to find out what kind of plants could grow in the red soil on Mars.
Girls do 160 million more hours of chores than boys
8th October - "Harder"
It will come as little surprise to many that girls spend 40 per cent more time performing unpaid household chores than boys.
The world needs 69 million more teachers
6th October - "Easier"
A report from the United Nations (UN) says the world needs another 69 million teachers by the year 2030.
Donald Trump under fire for not paying tax
4th October - "Harder"
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is in trouble again following revelations about his tax returns.
Pakistan cinemas ban Indian movies
2nd October - "Easier"
Pakistan's major cinemas have banned Indian movies in Pakistan's biggest cities.
Male models earn 75% less than female models
30th September - "Harder"
A well-known modeling agency has claimed that male models are paid as much as 75 per cent less than female models.
Giving babies peanuts and eggs may avoid allergies
27th September - "Easier"
Researchers say that feeding eggs and peanuts to babies may stop them getting allergies when they are older.
Sad movies help reduce pain
24th September - "Harder"
Watching sad movies can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered and may increase our tolerance to pain.
Internet addiction sign of mental health problems
21st September - "Easier"
A new survey suggests that people who use the Internet too much may have mental health problems.
First all-hijab collection at New York Fashion Week
18th September - "Harder"
History was made at the recent New York Fashion Week. For the very first time, there was a collection in which every model walked down the catwalk wearing a hijab.
Dolphin language may have grammar
15th September - "Easier"
Humans may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each other.
Fresh hopes as ceasefire is agreed in Syria
12th September - "Harder"
There is a fresh but tentative hope for a cessation of hostilities in Syria. The United States, Russia and Syria have signed an agreement.
Facebook puts back censored Vietnam photo
9th September - "Easier"
Facebook has reversed its decision to block a famous photograph of the Vietnam War on its website.
Brown shoes could mean you fail a job interview
6th September - "Harder"
University graduates hoping to get a job as an investment banker in London could be disappointed if they wear brown shoes to their job interview.
Why do children go to school?
3rd September - "Easier"
A poll taken in the USA shows people have different opinions on why kids go to school.
Swimming with dolphins may be banned
31st August - "Harder"
Authorities in Hawaii are proposing a ban on the popular tourist activity of swimming with dolphins off the Hawaiian coast.
Colombia and FARC rebels sign peace deal
28th August - "Easier"
Colombia's government signed a peace deal with the rebel group FARC. The deal ends 52 years of fighting.
Study shows there are two divorce seasons
25th August - "Harder"
Couples might want to put a little extra effort into their marriage just before March and August every year.
What the 5,300-year-old Iceman wore
22nd August - "Easier"
Scientists studied the pieces of material that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago.
July was hottest month in recorded history
19th August - "Harder"
It's official – July was the hottest month on Earth since scientists started recording the planet's temperatures.
Scientists make self-repairing clothes
16th August - "Easier"
Humans have learnt many things from nature that help us in our daily life. The latest thing is self-repairing clothing.
Online gaming may improve school test scores
13th August - "Harder"
A new study shows that teenagers who regularly played games online improved their test scores at school.
People who read live longer
10th August - "Easier"
New research shows that people who read a lot live longer. The study was carried out by researchers from Yale University.
Men better at making up after a fight
7th August - "Harder"
A new study shows that men are better than women at making up after a fight.
Rio Olympics medal predictions
4th August - "Easier"
The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has made predictions about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Dietary supplements could be bad for you
1st August - "Harder"
Millions of people around the world take dietary supplements in the belief that they will boost their health.
Office workers need one hour of exercise a day
30th July - "Easier"
New research shows that office workers and other people who sit down a lot must exercise for one hour a day.
New Zealand to rid non-native pests by 2050
28th July - "Harder"
The government of New Zealand has declared war on countryside pests. It wants to make the country predator-free by 2050.
Anger at royal child feeding dog ice cream
26th July - "Easier"
A photo of the three-year-old son of Britain's Prince William has made animal rights groups angry.
Perfect body to survive traffic accidents created
24th July - "Harder"
A road safety organisation in Australia has created a mock-up of the perfect body needed to survive a car crash.
Trump employee apologises for plagiarising Michelle Obama speech
22nd July - "Easier"
An employee of the Trump Organisation has admitted plagiarism in helping to write Melania Trump's speech.
6,000 held after failed Turkey coup
20th July - "Harder"
The Turkish government is increasing its efforts to detain those it deems responsible for the weekend's failed coup attempt.
Educators recommend more outdoor learning
18th July - "Easier"
Researchers in Britain are telling schools that children should be doing more learning outdoors.
Boris Johnson – UK's controversial new foreign secretary
16th July - "Harder"
The new British Prime Minister Theresa May has caused a stir around the world with her appointment of the UK's new Foreign Secretary.
Woman had to go on honeymoon without husband
14th July - "Easier"
A woman had to go on her honeymoon alone because her husband could not get a visa for the trip.
Pokemon Go is the next big thing
12th July - "Harder"
The Japanese games giant Nintendo has released an app that is taking the world by storm with an augmented reality game called Pokemon Go.
Toyota closes elevators to save money
10th July - "Easier"
The car company Toyota is shutting down two elevators at its global headquarters to save money.
Italian town to use silent fireworks for stressed dogs
8th July - "Harder"
A small town in Italy has passed legislation requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations.
UAE tells citizens not to wear national dress abroad
6th July - "Easier"
The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has advised its citizens not to wear the country's traditional clothes when travelling overseas.
Plants can make intelligent decisions
4th July - "Harder"
Plants are a lot smarter than we thought. According to researchers, they are capable of making intelligent decisions.
Company pays its workers to sleep
2nd July - "Easier"
A company in the USA is paying its employees to sleep more. Staff at the insurance company Aetna will get $300 a year extra.
Card games can help recovery from strokes
30th June - "Harder"
A new report says that playing simple card games can help stroke patients with their recovery just as much as virtual reality gaming.
Glass slide opens 300 metres above the street
28th June - "Easier"
A very scary slide has opened to the public in Los Angeles. It is on the outside of a building, 70 stories high.
U.K. votes to leave European Union
26th June - "Harder"
The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is being seen as a political earthquake.
Fake tech support scams on the rise
24th June - "Easier"
Fraudsters are using a new method to trick people into parting with their money.
U.N. says refugee numbers at record level
22nd June - "Easier"
Last year was the worst year on record for the number of people who became refugees.
We may not meet aliens until the year 3500
20th June - "Harder"
Scientists say it could take at least 1,500 years before humans make contact with species of aliens.
Italian restaurant named as best in the world
18th June - "Easier"
A restaurant in the city of Modena, Italy, has been named as the best restaurant in the world.
Gay men refused as blood donors after Orlando shooting
16th June - "Harder"
Hundreds of gay men eager to give blood in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting have been turned away by blood centers.
UK leaving Europe is bad for science
14th June - "Easier"
People in Britain will soon vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU).
Scientists turn CO2 emissions into stone
12th June - "Harder"
Scientists have come up with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone.
World's 'most wanted' people smuggler arrested
10th June - "Easier"
Police in Sudan have arrested one of the world's most wanted people smugglers.
Swiss vote no to free monthly income for all
8th June - "Harder"
Voters in Switzerland have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have meant introducing a guaranteed basic monthly income for all citizens.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74
6th June - "Easier"
Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74.
Breaking News English good to go on mobile devices
4th June - "Harder"
The website Breaking News English.com has upgraded its pages to be easier to use on mobile phones and tablets.
U.S. police to look into shooting of zoo gorilla
2nd June - "Easier"
Police in the US state of Ohio are going to look into the shooting of a 17-year-old gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo. They will investigate the facts around the killing of Harambe the gorilla.
International Space Station gets air-filled extension
31st May - "Harder"
NASA has successfully inflated a new, experimental room for crew members to use in space.
Anger over racist Chinese advert
29th May - "Easier"
There is a lot of anger on social media because of an advertisement for a Chinese detergent. Some newspapers are saying it could be the most racist advert ever.
New product tests for spiked drinks
27th May - "Harder"
A British businessman has developed a product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or 'spiked'.
President Obama to visit Hiroshima
25th May - "Easier"
On Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama will become the first American president to visit the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
Women wearing cosmetics are paid more
23rd May - "Harder"
Researchers have discovered there could be a good reason why women spend so long in the morning getting ready for work.
Get an electric shock to stop buying things
21st May - "Easier"
A British firm has developed a new product to help us save money. The product is a wristband that gives us an electric shock if we spend too much money.
Scientists make see-through wood
19th May - "Harder"
Scientists have come up with a revolutionary new use for wood. They have devised a way to make it transparent.
Abandoned puppy gets job at baseball club
17th May - "Easier"
An abandoned puppy has been given a new home and a new job. The 7-week-old pup was left at the stadium of ...
72-year-old woman gives birth
15th May - "Harder"
A 72-year-old woman from Amritsar, India is celebrating the birth of her first child. Daljinder Kaur and her husband Mohinder Singh Gill, 79, posed for photos...
Budweiser beer renamed 'America'
13th May - "Easier"
One of the word's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best-selling beer. Budweiser is going to be called 'America'.
Men developed deep voices to scare other men
11th May - "Harder"
Scientists have cast new light on why some men have deeper voices than others. It was traditionally thought that...
Russian weapons maker now a fashion brand
9th May - "Easier"
The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is branching out into fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one of Russia's most famous companies.
Stealing food is not a crime, says Italian court
7th May - "Harder"
An Italian court has ruled that food theft brought about by hunger is not illegal. Italy's highest court of appeal...
Leicester City in football fairytale win
5th May - "Easier"
Football fans in the English city of Leicester have been celebrating a fairytale win for their club. Leicester City won England's Premier League for the first time.
Duchess of Cambridge on Vogue cover
3rd May - "Harder"
A British princess has made her debut as a model on the front cover of the fashion magazine Vogue.
New gym opens to train robots
1st May - "Easier"
A group of business people has opened a kind of gym for robots. The group is headed by Elon Musk, who is the boss of the electric car company Tesla Motors.
Venezuela introduces 2-day working week
29th April - "Harder"
Venezuela has taken a drastic step to deal with the country's growing energy problems. It has told all state employees to...
Worries over eating disorders in Japan
27th April - "Easier"
A health group in Japan is worried about people with eating disorders. The Japan Society for Eating Disorders (JSED) said that most people...
Massive coral reef found in Amazon River
25th April - "Harder"
An international team of scientists has discovered a huge coral reef in the Amazon River. The team from the universities of Georgia in the USA and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil...
Rock superstar Prince dies at 57
23rd April - "Easier"
The rock superstar Prince has died at the age of 57. He passed away on Thursday at his home in Minneapolis.
Over-the-counter medicine may shrink brain
21st April - "Harder"
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is a common part of our lives. Many of us pop into the local pharmacy for cold and headache tablets, cough syrups or allergy treatments.
McDonald's restaurant to offer all-you-can-eat fries
19th April - "Easier"
A new McDonald's restaurant that will soon open in the USA will offer all-you-can-eat French fries. The new store in St. Joseph, Missouri, is set to open in July.
The Czech Republic to be renamed Czechia
17th April - "Harder"
The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a snappy short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and around the world.
Ancient mummy found wearing Adidas boots
15th April - "Easier"
An ancient mummy that was found in Mongolia has gone viral online because it seems to be wearing Adidas boots. Many people have been tweeting that...
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