Happy Halloween! This week’s links are all Halloween themed, but not all spooky. Whether you celebrate or not, I’m sure you will find something interesting in amongst these stories.

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Do you believe in ghosts?

Even if you are one of the many people who doubt the existence of them, there is no denying the creepy feeling and strange events from Britain’s most haunted house. While you’re watching this video that will get you in the Halloween mood, you will hear an interesting accent from the UK which might be a test of your listening ability!

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Due to some access issues, we will be moving future meetings to Google Meet.

Find out more in this update post.

An ancient landmark and icon of the British countryside was destroyed recently, causing strong reactions from the public. Find out about this strange story in this week’s links

Is social media causing a distrust in scientists? The success of sensationalism and controversial topics on social media means that ideas can spread quickly, and sometimes the truth is not a contributing factor.

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The AI boom has been a growing threat to creative industries and media platforms have been flooded with AI generated content. To stop this, one music streaming service is stopping AI generated music from making any money on its platform — Could this be an answer to the developing problem of artificial content?

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How often do you just write down your thoughts about something? Not just writing reminders or to-do lists, but actually your thoughts about something you have experienced, read, or learned?

Some people might even wonder what you gain from this kind of writing, but there are many reasons for this including better writing, expression, and more.

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The battle for the “right to repair” has been successful on some grounds — In Europe, new phones will need to have batteries that are easy to replace and components that are available for purchase by the consumer. But how many people are really repairing their own devices anyway? And what if it is not only phones and laptops?

Maybe the right to repair will be coming to your local fast food chains too…

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The mystery of the disappearing TV show: What is happening to so many big budget series and why are they being cancelled?

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Barbie was a box-office and cultural success, but what is the secret to its popularity? How long does it really take to recover when you have a bad night’s rest? How much stuff do you own, and do you need it?

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A varied collection of stories this week, in the hope that you find something that interests you here. Maybe you already know about these stories, and maybe you will learn something new. As always, try and use this as a learning opportunity — note some new words or interesting expressions and bring them to the class. Remember, the best way to learn new language is to use it!

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Is this Netflix dating show progressive or ableist? How could your phone help you in a survival situation? Do you have what it takes to become a spy?

Find out more about these topics with this week’s collection of (very different) links

Read the story of how one company is trying to make grocery delivery more eco-friendly in London | A new law change in the UK could mean more flexible work, but what does that really mean? | Have you ever wondered about the impact of next-day delivery?
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As a dangerous heatwave sweeps across the world, is it time to think about the safety of working in the heat?

Along with an article on this, you can find stories about the problems of digital nomads and the story of a deaf business owner.

How would you feel if an AI company was using your work to improve and train their projects? Many authors, creators and developers are now asking AI companies to stop using their work without permission — but will it work? What is the next step in air travel?

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We might not see the current impact of the Hollywood writer’s strike, but it will definitely affect media in the coming months and years. With new developments in this story, one big question remains for many fans:

What will the future of streaming look like?

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One of the most controversial sporting events is planned for 2024, but what makes it so problematic?

Find out about this, and more, in this week’s articles for conversation.

As millions quit smoking, is vaping really the better alternative? Is regular tourism too boring for the ultra-wealthy? Why are people so fascinated with ghost towns?

Some of these topics are very relevant given recent news stories, so you may have already formed some opinions about them.

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Should AI generated music be able to win awards?

Whether you are personally interested in AI technology or not, it is something that is always in the news at the moment. Read through the article included in this post and find out about this could affect award shows.

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Should you be afraid of AI? Why are terms and conditions so complicated? Are expiration dates a bad idea?

Once again, a collection of different topics for this week. Check them out in this week’s post!