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Mixed Topics | Level: B1

Halifax will disappear from the UK high street as Lloyds stops using the bank brand after 173 years

The company says it will stop opening new accounts under the Halifax name and move existing ones to Lloyds.
Published 1 July 2026 BUSINESS B1
Halifax will disappear from the UK high street as Lloyds stops using the bank brand after 173 years

Call to suspend new EU border system during busy holidays

Airlines and airports say passengers face long queues and some flights are leaving with empty seats.
Published 1 July 2026 BUSINESS B1
Call to suspend new EU border system during busy holidays

Can you solve it? Dotty data and silly sentences

When numbers and sounds are not what they seem
Published 22 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
Can you solve it? Dotty data and silly sentences

Inflation risks have gone down, says US Federal Reserve chair

Oil prices drop as US president says he is getting along well with Iran; talks are reportedly happening in Doha.
Published 1 July 2026 BUSINESS B1
Inflation risks have gone down, says US Federal Reserve chair

Northern rail project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

The £45bn scheme to link cities across north of England with new or upgraded lines has no convincing or properly costed plan, committee says
Published 30 June 2026 BUSINESS B1
Northern rail project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn

UK house prices stall for the second month as agents warn of a summer slump

The average price of a typical home changed very little in June, says Nationwide, while housebuilder shares fell.
Published 1 July 2026 BUSINESS B1
UK house prices stall for the second month as agents warn of a summer slump

What if doing more isn't always the answer?

It's tempting to treat feeling overwhelmed with quick fixes, but that might be part of the problem.
Published 28 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
What if doing more isn't always the answer?

People with strong chest and back muscles are less likely to have a heart attack, analysis suggests

Researchers think people with more muscle in their torso area, who also live longer, exercise more
Published 30 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
People with strong chest and back muscles are less likely to have a heart attack, analysis suggests

Did you solve it? Dotty data and silly sentences

The solutions to today’s puzzles – and the winner of the Anguish Languish contest
Published 22 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
Did you solve it? Dotty data and silly sentences

Millions of stars seen in the largest picture of the Milky Way's centre

The bright image from the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope is the start of a new time for finding planets.
Published 24 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
Millions of stars seen in the largest picture of the Milky Way's centre

Changes on 1 July: The minimum wage will increase, and there will be changes to pay day, super, and parental leave for the 2026–27 financial year.

A tax cut, new rules against high prices, and changes to text messages to stop scams will also happen.
Published 2026-07-01 BUSINESS B1

Look what literally landed: more pointless words that we use

Readers on the unnecessary words they dislike.
Published 26 June 2026 SCIENCE B1
Look what literally landed: more pointless words that we use