A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

A high-energy, fun way for upper primary and secondary students to learn about current issues and events in their world. Each program is built around major news stories of the week.

News and current affairs for students.

News and current affairs for students.

News and current affairs for students.

News and current affairs for students.

Iran Deal One of the biggest news stories of the week was US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of an international agreement with Iran. It was made back in 2015 because lots of countries were worried that Iran was trying to make nuclear weapons. While many world leaders said the deal was the best way to bring about peace, others said it didn't do enough to stop Iran making weapons. We find out why ditching the deal is a really big deal for the US and the world. Hawaii Volcano One of the world's most active volcanos has been causing havoc in Hawaii. Mt Kilauea has been spewing out ash and rivers of lava which has destroyed homes and property. We find out more about the volcano and meet some local kids who live in the shadow of the volcano. Aussie Space Agency This week's federal budget contained an exciting announcement for space enthusiasts. The government is planning to put $41 million into the space industry and, for the first time, the country will get its very own space agency! We find out what Australia's future role in space might look like and why so many countries put money into exploring the cosmos. Young Archies We meet nine-year-old James, who is one of the finalists of this year's Young Archie competition. It's the junior version of Australia's most famous portrait prize, the Archibald, and it asks kids to draw or paint someone who's important to them. We find out more about the Archibald and meet the art teacher who inspired James to paint his masterpiece. BTN Investigates: Toilet water BTN viewer Pollyanna asked us to find out where toilet water goes, so we decided to investigate! Amelia goes on a fascinating, but slightly smelly tour of a waste water treatment plant to find out what happens when we flush the loo.

Budget 2018 Next Tuesday is budget day - when the federal government outlines how it's planning to spend Australia's money. It's one of the biggest days of the year for Aussie politicians but it's also an important day for ordinary Aussies, because the budget affects us all. We find out what the budget is and why keeping everyone happy can be a difficult job. Korea Talks Over the past few weeks there's been some good news about North and South Korea. For the first time in a decade the leaders of the two countries have met and they say they're working towards a peace treaty. We find out why that's a big deal by having a look at the history of North Korea and South Korea. Free Range Eggs For a long time there's been debate in Australia about chickens and eggs - that is - how chickens are farmed and how eggs are labelled. Many customers are willing to pay more for eggs that are "free range", but there's been some confusion about exactly what free range means. Now some new laws have come in which aim to clear that up. We visit an egg farm to find out more about the news laws and how they could affect Aussie farmers and Aussie breakfasts! Bionic Builder We find out about a year 8 student from Melbourne who challenged herself with a Christmas holiday school assignment. She looked into bionic technology and 3D printing and managed to build a bionic arm from scratch! Ask a Reporter: Why Do We Listen to Music? BTN viewer Isabelle asks is the intriguing question; "Why do people like music so much?" Jack goes on a musical journey to find out more about the story of song and why the tunes that we love get our toes tapping.

Banks Behaving Badly A royal commission into Aussie banks has put some of our most powerful financial institutions under the spotlight and some seriously dodgy dealings are being uncovered. We'll look at the important role that banks play in the lives of Australians, why the royal commission came about and why its findings have made a lot of people angry. Villers-Bretonneux Centenary This Anzac Day marked 100 years since thousands of Australian soldiers fought to free a tiny French town from German occupation during World War I. Its name is Villers-Bretonneux and the battle that took place there is recognised as an important turning point in the war. We find out more about what happened in Villers-Bretonneux and why the town still has a special connection to Australia. BTN Kids Contribute Survey Results Recently we asked kids around Australia to tell us how they contribute at home, at school at in their communities. More than 11,000 took part in the survey and now the results are in. This week we'll tell you more about how kids are contributing and how it makes them feel. Composting Kids Did you know that next week is International Compost Awareness Week? It might not be on everyone's calendar but experts say composting is a process we should all know more about. We meet some school kids who explain how compost can scrap pollution and build healthier soils. Corny Business We meet Sam, a young entrepreneur, whose popcorn business has taken off since it launched late last year. Sam tells us what it's like to run a business and whether there's any such thing as too much popcorn!

Cricket Ball Tampering It's the controversy that's had the whole country talking. Some of our biggest Australian cricket players have now apologised after being caught breaking the rules during a test match in South Africa. Facebook Data The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has said sorry after more than 50 million of his social media site's users had their personal information taken. He's also announced changes to help better protect privacy. But that hasn't stopped some people from saying it's time we logged off Facebook for good. Aboriginal Flag History After a long fight, the Alice Springs Local Council has voted to fly the Aboriginal flag on Anzac Hill. It's actually the area that inspired the flag's design. Here's more on the decision and the history behind the flag itself. Viking Myths A new museum exhibition in Melbourne is hoping to debunk some of the myths surrounding Vikings, a group of people that lived in Northern Europe from the 8th to the 11th century. E-sports League Schools around the country have been asked to submit teams for the first ever National High School E-Sports league starting later this year. The competition will pit teams against each other in League of Legends.

NSW and Victoria Bushfires A closer look at the bushfires that hit Victoria and New South Wales last weekend. Here's an update on where things are at now and what help is still needed. What is the Commonwealth? The Commonwealth Games are just around the corner and this time the Gold Coast is hosting right here in Aus! Athletes will soon be arriving from around the world. But who decides which countries are actually invited? Voting Age Experiment Results As voters around South Australia went to the polls for the 2018 state election, hundreds of 16- and 17-year-olds were having their say as well. We told you all about it a few weeks back. But now, the results of this unique experiment are in. Mars Class Have you ever wanted to go to Mars? Well one group of high school kids get to go there every Thursday morning. Well, kind of. Easter Bilbies You probably remember seeing a lot of chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and tasty bunnies in shops leading up to Easter. But did you know, there's an Easter symbol that's a little more local - the bilby. I went to meet this threatened creature and found out how buying the chocolate version can help the real thing.

Tariffs US President Donald Trump got the whole world talking about tariffs last week, after announcing a new one on steel and aluminium imports. It got many countries around the world fired up, so we're going to take a closer look at what tariffs are and why the US introduced this one. Hawking's Life World-famous scientist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. He was a pioneer in cosmology and theoretical physics. We'll find out how he made such a big impact on scientific thinking around the world. Australia's Population: A BTN two-part special Our next 'Ask a Reporter' topic In part 2 of BTN's special look at Australia's population, we'll investigate where our population is headed and take a look at both sides of the growth debate. Then on Friday following the show, join us live for Ask a Reporter, where Jack and Amelia will answer all of your population questions. Amelia Earhart New research has concluded that that bones discovered on an island in the Pacific in 1940 are likely those of Amelia Earhart. She was a legendary aviator that disappeared on an around-the-world flight attempt. We'll take a look back at her life to find out why she's still an inspiration today. BTN Investigates: How do planes fly? Following on from Amelia Earhart's story, one of our viewers wants to know "How do planes fly?" We sent Matt out on a wing and a hunt for the answer.

Voting Age Experiment Our next 'Ask a Reporter' topic In Australia, no one can vote in an election until they turn 18. But what would happen if that age was lowered? That's something that South Australia's Commissioner for Children and Young People is aiming to test during the upcoming state election there. The group are asking school students aged 16 and 17 to vote, before adding those unofficial results to real ones to see what effect it would have had. Australia's Population - a BTN two part special Over the next two weeks, BTN will join the rest of the ABC in taking a special look at Australia's population. In the first of our two part special, we're going to take a look back at our long journey to 24 million people. We'll follow that with an investigation into where our population is headed and the debate around whether that growth is good. BTN's Kids Contribute Survey How much good do Australian kids do in their homes, schools and communities? That's exactly what we want to find out with the first ever BTN Kids Contribute Survey. Watch our story all about a young volunteer - and then jump online to fill in our short survey about all the things you do for others. Plastic Campaign Meet a 12-year old on a mission to reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans. Arlian has been dubbed the 'plastic-free boy' and he hopes to inspire kids around the country with his own documentary, 'Plastic Alarm'. Record Message The world's oldest message in a bottle has been discovered in Western Australia, 132 years after it was dropped in the ocean. It's an incredible find - and it's telling historians a more than you might expect.

The Coalition Our next 'Ask a Reporter" topic Recently the federal National party elected a new leader, named Michael McCormack. Soon after, the Australian Government swore in a new Deputy Prime Minister, also named Michael McCormack. That important role is always given to the leader of the Nationals as part of its agreement with the Liberal party. But when did this agreement start? And what's in it for both sides? International Women's Day The 8th of March is International Women's Day, when we're encouraged to learn more about the inequality faced by women and girls everywhere. But it's also a time to celebrate some of the amazing contributions women have made. To get you started, we'll run through some of the major milestones in the fight for women's rights and find out about a new ABC kids podcast that highlights the inspiring stories behind some of Australia's most inspiring women. Mardi Gras History It's a celebration attended by hundreds of thousands of people every year and this year it turns 40. But how did Sydney's Mardi Gras festival actually begin? We'll take you back in history to find out. Dingo Heroes A new study has found that sometimes dingoes can become unlikely heroes to small native animals. The wild dogs hunt feral predators like foxes and cats and, in the process, protect smaller native mammals that would usually be their dinner. Racing Class This weekend Australia's best V8 Supercar drivers will take part in the Adelaide 500. But before they hit the track, they'll be grilled by a group of school kids as part of a junior press conference. We tagged along to find out how these rookie reporters go - and discover what other lessons these kids can be taught in pit lane.

Gun Campaign Tragedy has inspired a group of young people in America to campaign for stricter gun control. The leaders of this movement were caught up in last week's school shooting in Florida. And now they're taking their message right to the President's door. Recycling Issues Our next 'Ask a Reporter' topic We're previewing Clean Up Australia Day on the 2nd of March with a special look at recycling. Last year, we revealed that some of it is being stored in warehouses and some is being shipped overseas for processing. But now, China has announced that it's banning these imports, leaving Australian recycling companies worried about the future of the scheme. Aussie Seeds Australia will soon make its biggest deposit of seeds into the doomsday vault. We'll find out what that is and why locally-grown seeds could one day help save the world. BTN Investigates: How do eyes work? One of our viewers has asked us to find out how our eyes work. We will give you some insight! Poetry Prodigy Last year, 13-year old Solli Raphael became the youngest ever Australian Slam Poetry Champion. But what is slam poetry and how is it different to the forms of poetry you'd be more used to? We've asked Solli to explain.

Cape Town Drought After a long-running drought, the capital of South Africa is now just weeks away from running out of water. We'll take you there to find out how the residents of Cape Town are responding. Mungo Man: Our next 'Ask a Reporter' topic The oldest skeleton ever found in Australia, known as Mungo Man, has been returned to his home 40,000 years after his death. He spent the past 40 of those years being studied by scientists. But while he's now been laid to rest, the fight over his remains isn't finished yet. Heatwaves Queensland is suffering through a massive heatwave this week, with record temperatures predicted. It left us we wondering - how do heatwaves like this actually happen? We asked ABC's weather experts to give us the down low. BTN Investigates: How does gravity work? This week, BTN viewer Zia asked us how Gravity works. It's a pretty heavy question Zia, but we're going to throw our weight into finding the answer. Harley Windsor 21-year old Harley Windsor has made history as the first Indigenous Australian to compete at the Winter Olympics. He put in an impressive performance in pairs figure skating. So we're going to introduce you to him and let him tell you how he got into this unique sport.

The Cabinet Files There's been a lot of discussion over the past week about some top secret documents called the Cabinet Files. They were found in two filing cabinets sold in a second-hand furniture store. We'll find out why the release of these documents is such a big deal. We'll also reveal how it could be illegal to do so in the future. Apology 10th Anniversary Today marks 10 years since Kevin Rudd said sorry to the stolen generations. We'll take a look back at the big moment and the reasons why it happened. Cryptocurrencies: Our next 'Ask a Reporter' Topic Cryptocurrencies have hit the mainstream following the sudden rise, then fall, of the value of bitcoin. But what actually is a cryptocurrency and how are they different to regular currencies? Chinese New Year Friday, February 16, marks the beginning of Chinese New Year. But you might be wondering why it's celebrated a month after the official change of year in Australia. Tune in for the answer. Surf Classes Recently some kids with a vision impairment in New South Wales got an awesome surfing masterclass from a record breaking Paralympian. Matt Formston wants to inspire others in a similar position - and the results speak for themselves.

Rage takes you back to the '90s as we count down Double J's Best 50 Australian Albums of the '90s. From Silverchair to Spiderbait, INXS, the Whitlams, Crowded House and Kylie Minogue it was a great decade for Australian music. Playlist Frente, Ordinary Angels Frente, Accidently Kelly Street Skunkhour, Up to Our Necks in It Vika and Linda, Hard Love Hunters and Collectors, True Tears of Joy Hunters and Collectors, We the People The Mark of Cain, Interloper The Mark of Cain, LMA INXS, Suicide Blonde INXS, Bitter Tears Deborah Conway, Alive and Brilliant Tumbleweed, (Sundial) Mary Jane Tumbleweed, Acid Rain Ruby Hunter, Let My Children Be Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes, You're Just Too Hip Baby Single Gun Theory, From a Million Miles Single Gun Theory, I Am What I See Tiddas, Malcolm Smith (live) Crowded House, Locked Out Crowded House, Distant Sun Beasts of Bourbon, Chase the Dragon Beasts of Bourbon, The Low Road The Falling Joys, Jennifer The Falling Joys, Lock It Christine Anu, My Island Home Christine Anu, Come On TISM, (He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River TISM, Greg, the Stop Sign!! Custard, Anatomically Correct Custard, Nice Bird The Superjesus, Down Again The Superjesus, I'm Stained Alex Lloyd, Black The Sun Archie Roach, City Streets Archie Roach, Took The Children Away Frenzal Rhomb, Never Had So Much Fun Frenzal Rhomb, We're Going Out Tonight Baby Animals, One Word Baby Animals, Break My Heart (live) Ed Kuepper, The Way I Made You Feel Pnau, Discone Pnau, Journey Agent Silverchair, Shade Silverchair, Israel's Son Paul Kelly and the Messengers Don't Start Me Talking Paul Kelly and the Messengers, Keep It To Yourself Underground Lovers, Losin' It Underground Lovers, Las Vegas Died Pretty, Sweetheart Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Into My Arms Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, (Are You) The One That I've Been Waiting For? Kylie Minogue, Did It Again Kylie Minogue, Some Kind of Bliss Yothu Yindi, Tribal Voice Yothu Yindi, Treaty Something for Kate, Whatever You Want Something for Kate, Hallways The Whitlams, No Aphrodisiac Kasey Chambers, Runaway Train The Dirty Three, The Restless Waves The Dirty Three, Backwards Voyager You Am I, Tuesday You Am I, Good Mornin' The Cruel Sea, Seems Twice The Cruel Sea, Black Stick Jebediah, Teflon Jebediah, Jerks of Attention Midnight Oil, Blue Sky Mine Midnight Oil, King of the Mountain The Clouds, Hieronymus The Clouds, Soul Eater Spiderbait, Hot Water and Milk Spiderbait, Calypso Grinspoon, Just Ace Grinspoon, Repeat Silverchair, Ana's Song (Open Fire) Silverchair, Anthem for the Year 2000 Crowded House, Chocolate Cake Crowded House, Fall at Your Feet You Am I, Purple Sneakers You Am I, Cathy's Clown Regurgitator, Polyester Girl Regurgitator, Black Bugs The Living End, Prisoner of Society The Living End, All Torn Down Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Loverman Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Red Right Hand Powderfinger, Already Gone Powderfinger, Passenger

Twenty-seven music students and eight dancers from schools around NSW come together to work with London Symphony Orchestra animateur Paul Rissman to recreate Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

Ten years has passed since a fire broke out in Paris - leaving only a mask behind. As the love story continues in Coney Island, NY, The Phantom's undying love has grown for the soprano singer, Christine Daae. Christine, her 10-year-old son, Gustave, and husband, Raoul, the Viscount de Changy, travel to Coney Island where Christine is scheduled to sing for Hammerstein, but ends up singing for the mysterious Mister Y. They don't know what lies ahead. Christine and Erik confess about their past. Christine and Raoul reunite with old friends; and Christine sings for her mysterious masked man once more.

The members of the Amphion String Quartet join Maestro Maull for this opportunity to experience an entire movement of classical music.

Nureyev's Sleeping Beauty performed here by the l'Opera national de Paris. Tchaikovsky's score performed by Paris Opera Ballet Orchestra, directed by Karoui. Aurora: Eleonora Abbagnato. Prince: Mathieu Ganio. Florine: Myriam Ould-Braham.

The crossroads of the Bosphorous strait has cultivated civilisations for thousands of years, giving rise to a sprawling metropolis that has nurtured a variety of religions, cultures, languages, cuisine ... and has a rhythm that is all its own. This is Istanbul - the City of the World's Desire, and we'll be checking out its sights ... and sounds on this episode of Music Voyager. Creative pop star Nil Karaibrahimgil takes us to her favourite trendy boutique, treats us to unplugged performances of some her best-known songs and gives us an exclusive invitation to her private residence where we see firsthand how Turkish pop stars live. We've got a backstage pass as rock legend Sebnem Ferah shows off her shredding skills in front of 20,000 screaming fans. And famed clarinettist Husnu Senlendirici invites us to picturesque Maiden's Island for a jam session by the sea. We toast our exploration of Istanbul's past and future with a hearty glass of raki, the famed Turkish liqueur, as we are serenaded by street musicians at a traditional Istanbul cafe.

Join Max as we watch this incredible authorised documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington, to his success and downfall with the iconic grunge rock band, Nirvana.

Our anthems showcase iconic songs for this lands First Peoples from some of our very best song men and women.

Dean, a gay Aboriginal male, is banished from home by his father but goes on to become a celebrated cabaret performer as Dee the Performer. In between the conflict is Dean's mother, who feels torn between her husband and son.

The personal and professional struggles the members faced while the band was apart are revealed, and it chronicles the group's dramatic reunion in 1994, as well as its resurgence in recording and performing throughout the next two decades.

In this intimate, meticulously crafted patchwork of rare archival material, concert footage and never-before-seen home movies explores the evolution and enduring popularity of The Eagles, all the way from the band's creation and rise to fame in the 1970s to its breakup in 1980.

Jamaican reggae hit the world like a hammer in the 1970s, but where did reggae come from? How did this appealing, soulful sound develop, and where do the roots of this powerful tree extend? In this episode, Jacob Edgar explores the history of Jamaican music, from its African roots to the cusp of the reggae revolution. Edgar heads to the jungle for an entrancing kumina drumming session with the Akwaaba Drummers, that reveals the African underpinning of the island's music. Edgar is joined by Reggae Sunsplash founder Ronnie Burke on a journey across the island to Negril to meet Gilzene and the Blue Light Mento Band, who set up in a picturesque beachside setting to play some classic Jamaican mento. Along the way, Burke and Edgar stop at the Peter Tosh Memorial for a conversation on the life and legacy of this reggae revolutionary. Back in Kingston, Edgar connects with guitar legend Ernest Ranglin for a lesson on the development of ska and rocksteady, and an all-star jam session with Sly Dunbar and other greats. The episode ends at the magnificent Strawberry Hill resort for an intimate concert with Marcia Griffiths, a member of Bob Marley's band and a star in her own right.

Simon Butteriss examines how a quarrel over the cost of carpet proved fatal to Gilbert and Sullivan's musical partnership.

Simon Butteriss explores the success of The Mikado and the rewriting of Ruddigore.

A uniquely creative collaboration between a group of South African musicians and composer Jonathan de Vries of a sequence of songs, each expressing a different phase in the life of Nelson Mandela.

As tensions between the pair threatened to tear Gilbert and Sullivan apart, impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte makes the decision to move the company.

Australia's answer to the Buena Vista Social Club, this documentary tells the joyous and poignant story of an Aboriginal women's choir and their historic tour of Germany.

This NAIDOC Week we celebrate the music of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Playlist Christine Anu, My Island Home Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, Dawn Yothu Yindi, Djapana Baker Boy, Marryuna Shakaya, Cinderella Jimblah, Brotherman Thelma Plum, Young in Love Briggs featuring Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Hunt Coloured Stone, Dancing in the Moonlight No Fixed Address, From My Eyes Archie Roach, City Streets Warumpi Band, Blackfella Whitefella Southeast Desert Metal, Desert Metal Blekbala Mujik, Come N Dance Kev Carmody, Thou Shalt Not Steal Jessica Mauboy, Can I Get a Moment?

In October 2012, Ella Havelka, a descendant of the Wiradjuri people, became the first Indigenous dancer to be invited into The Australian Ballet in its 50-year history.

Opera star Simon Butteriss presents a lively look at the beginnings of great Victorian double act, Gilbert and Sullivan, and how they produced some of the most famous operas to date.

Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, features as the highlight of the Salzburg Festival: the stirring work centred around Leonore, who frees her incarcerated spouse Fidelio from prison, is timelessly relevant with powerful emotional situations and jarringly human pleas of anguish from Leonore: "Whoever you are, I want to rescue you. By God! You shall not be a victim!" In German.

New York, 1929, a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Dan is in possession of a new and deadly weapon, the dreaded 'splurge gun'. As the custard pies fly, Bugsy Malone, an all-round nice guy, falls for Blousey Brown, a singer at Fat Sam's speakeasy. His designs on her are disrupted by the seductive songstress Tallulah who wants Bugsy for herself. How is Bugsy to get the girl and help Fat Sam defend his business against the deadly Dan and his dastardly tricks? With an all-child cast placed in a mobster era, armed with custard instead of bullets and belting out some superb songs, this is simply entertainment at its best!

Get in tune with Morgan who is about to meet ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Vance Joy who explains how he was inspired to get into music, plus gives away a secret about his name (hint: it's not his real one).

Opera star Simon Butteriss presents a lively look at the beginnings of great Victorian double act, WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

This documentary brings Hollywood's premier composers together to give viewers a privileged look inside the musical challenges and creative secrecy of the world's most widely known music genre: the film score.