Learning English from the News
Episodes
Iran war puts global food production at risk, says fertiliser boss
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Global food production is being threatened by an interruption to the supply of fertiliser, according to the boss of one of the world's biggest fertili...
Trump shooting attempt
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An attempt to shoot US President Donald Trump took place at the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents' dinner. This dinner hap...
Mass shooting at Mexican pyramids
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A lone gunman attacked tourists at Mexico's historic Teotihuacan pyramids. One person was killed and at least 13 people were injured. The shooter then...
Hungary election landslide
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Péter Magyar has won a historic victory in Hungary's elections, bringing to an end Viktor Orbán's 16 years in power. Orban had been a close partner ...
Artemis II takes humans further from Earth than ever before
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Astronauts on the Nasa spacecraft Artemis II are on their way back to Earth after travelling around the Moon.The spacecraft broke the record for the f...
US Court: YouTube and Meta built addictive platforms
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Meta and YouTube have been found legally responsible for creating addictive platforms. Meta is the company that owns Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp....
Our World in English: Fighting child marriage through football
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Though illegal, child marriage is widely practiced in India. UNICEF’s latest estimate is that 216 million girls and women in India today have been m...
Earth ‘pushed beyond its limit’ UN warns
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The latest report from the World Meteorological Organization, part of the UN, shows concerning statistics around climate change. Learn about the news ...
Cuba protests: millions without power
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cuba was receiving a third of its oil from Venezuela until a US operation removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in January. No fuel had entere...
Global impact of US-Israel war with Iran
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US-Israel war with Iran continues. The US military says it has "eliminated" 16 Iranian mine-laying ships in the area.Iran continues its strikes ac...
US-Israel war with Iran
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, at least 1,097 civilians have been ...
Violence after Mexican drug leader killed
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nemesio Osegura Cervantes – known as 'El Mencho', head one the most important criminal organisations in Mexico, was killed by Mexican security force...
Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny with frog toxin, UK says
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Learn language from the news headlines about this story. Two years after opposition politician Alexei Navalny died, European scientists have tested sa...
Our World in English: The battle for the cowboy way of life
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
People in Montana, US worry that they will lose the land the makes the place special. Nearly half of all the land in the American west is owned by the...
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The singer Bad Bunny has made history by performing the Super Bowl half-time show almost entirely in Spanish. The 14-minute set, which invited celebri...
Women secretly filmed with new tech
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Men are secretly filming women on nights outs and then posting these videos online to make money in so-called 'walking tours' videos. Meanwhile, some ...
Doomsday Clock: Highest ever disaster risk
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Experts have warned that the world is the closest it has ever been to disaster. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.c...
Greenland: Trump clashes with allies
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US President Trump's latest comments about Greenland have led to criticism. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFi...
Iran protesters killed
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
More than 2,400 people have been killed after a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, according to a US-backed rights group. Phil and Pippa d...
US seizes Venezuelan president Maduro
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US military attacked the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday and arrested its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.Find full subt...
2025: The year's big news stories
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Neil and Pippa look at some of the biggest headlines from the year. Learn about this story and some useful vocabulary from the headlines. Find full su...
Japan bans baby names like Pikachu and Kitty
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Japan changes the law to stop parents giving their children names considered strange. Learn about this story and some useful vocabulary from the headl...
Australia teen social media ban
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's social media ban for under-16s has started.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/...
Our world in English: Love in a warzone
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How far would you go for love? When Czech writer Adela falls in love with artist Konstantin Zhorkin, she moves to Kharkiv, in Ukraine, to be with him....
Syria: One year since Assad's fall
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 8th of December marked a year since Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was forced to leave the capital, Damascus.Find full subtitles and a worksheet ...
Deadly fires in Hong Kong investigated
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hong Kong leader orders investigation into deadly fires which killed at least 151 peopleFind full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https...
First treasure recovered from $20bn sunken ship
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A ship that sunk in 1708 is thought to have $20bn worth of treasure on it. Hear about the expedition to recover the treasure, and learn some vocabular...
Death penalty for former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this...
COP30: Are climate talks effective at fighting climate change?
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
International leaders gather for COP30 climate talks, but some important people are not attending. Hear about this story and learn some vocabulary fro...
Fastest glacier melt in modern history
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An Antarctic glacier shrunk by 50% in just two months - this is the fastest retreat recorded in modern history. Hear about this story and learn some v...
'Storm of the century' hits Caribbean
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hurricane Melissa, the strongest hurricane in modern history to hit Jamaica, has caused severe damage in the Caribbean. Hear about this story and lear...
Historic jewels stolen from Louvre
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Historic jewels, worth millions of euros have been stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris. Hear about this story and learn some vocabulary from the he...
Hostages released in Gaza ceasefire agreement
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees were exchanged on Monday as a ceasefire deal is agreed to end the war in Gaza. Hear about this story and le...
Solar and wind beat coal for first time
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More electricity has been generated through wind and solar power than coal for 1st time.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https...
Taliban cut off internet
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Internet and many telephones services have been cut in Afghanistan, on the orders of the country's Taliban government.Find full subtitles and a worksh...
Trump's unproven autism claim
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has made the unproven claim there's a link between autism and Tylenol, known as paracetamol elsewhere. Find full subtitles and a workshee...
Israel committing genocide in Gaza: UN commission
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An investigation by the United Nations, called a 'commission of inquiry', has found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. I...
'God's influencer': First millennial saint named
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Catholic church names 15-year-old boy the first millennial saint. Learn to talk about this news story in English with Beth and Phil.Learn about this n...
Earthquakes hit Afghanistan
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earthquakes in Afghanistan kill over 1,400 people. Learn about this news story with Neil and Beth. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episod...
Heatwaves speed up ageing process, study says
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A study in Taiwan has found that peoples' biological age increases when they experience heatwaves.Learn about this news story with Phil and Georgie. F...
Ukraine: Presidents discuss end to war
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Zelensky met President Trump days after Trump met President Putin in Alaska. Learn about this news story with Pippa and Georgie. Find full s...
Is prostate cancer over-treated?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Prostate Cancer UK says some people are being treated when they don't need to be. Learn about this news story with Phil and Pippa.Find full su...
Hiroshima: 80 years since atomic bomb
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
80 years ago, on 6th August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The aim was to force a quick end to Worl...
Thailand-Cambodia conflict
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There have been military clashes at the Thailand-Cambodia border, with civilians killed. Learn about this news story with Beth and Phil.Find full subt...
War in Gaza 'must end now', 28 countries say
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A joint statement from 28 nations has demanded an end to the war in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for t...
India Air crash report doubts
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What caused the Air India crash? And why is the preliminary report being criticised?Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://w...
Texas hit by deadly floods
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Flash floods hit central Texas in the USA. Georgie and Phil discuss the story. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bb...
Deadly heatwave hits Europe
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many European countries are experiencing an extreme heatwave. Beth and Phil discuss and teach vocabulary.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this ...
Israel-Iran ceasefire
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A ceasefire is in place after over a week of missile strikes between Israel and Iran. Learn about this news story with Neil and Pippa.Find full subtit...
Israel-Iran strikes
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Israel has launched missile strikes on Iran. In response, Iran has launched strikes on Israel.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at:...
Los Angeles protests: Trump sends Marines
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump sends the Marines to Los Angeles after immigration raids lead to protest.Learn about this story and the vocabulary from the news headline...
North Korean secrets revealed by phone
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A North Korean smartphone smuggled out of the country has revealed details about how the regime controls its people.Learn about this story and the voc...
Global warming increases risk of cancer in women: Study
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Global warming increases the risk of cancer in women, a new study has foundLearn about this story and the vocabulary from the news headlines with Neil...
Human consciousness: Where is it in the brain?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Where is consciousness in the brain? Two theories have been put to the test by scientists.Learn about this story and the vocabulary from the news head...
Weight loss drugs reduce cancer risk, study finds
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Weight loss drugs could reduce the risk of cancer by 50%. Learn about this story and the vocabulary from the news headlines with Neil and Georgie. Fin...
Octopuses and fish work together
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scientists have discovered fish and octopuses that work together to hunt for food. Learn about this story and the vocabulary from the news headlines w...
Huge power cuts in Spain and Portugal
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What caused this huge power cut? Learn about this story and learn vocabulary from the news headlines with Beth and PippaFind full subtitles and a work...
Pope Francis dies
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens after the Pope dies?Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learn...
Sudan war: 'World's worst humanitarian crisis'
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The war in Sudan is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world today, say charities.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https:/...
World reacts to Trump's tariffs
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How are Trump's latest tariffs affecting the global economy? Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningen...
Myanmar mourns earthquake dead
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Myanmar has begun five days of national mourning following an earthquake in the country.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https...
Turkey protests after political rival jailed
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There have been protests in Turkey after the president's main political rival was jailed. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: htt...
Astronauts home after 9 months in space
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After nine months in space, two Nasa astronauts have finally arrived back on Earth. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https:/...
Woolly mice: Are woolly mammoths next?
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After creating woolly mice, researchers plan to create genetically-altered, mammoth-like elephants in the future. Find full subtitles and a worksheet ...
50% adults overweight or obese by 2050: Global study
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More than half of all adults and a third of children, teenagers and young adults around the world are predicted to be overweight or obese by 2050. Fin...
Is vaping as bad as smoking cigarettes?
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new UK study has found that vapes are just as bad for health as cigarettes. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc...
Ukraine war: US-Russia peace talks
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US and Russia have agreed to start negotiations for ending the war in Ukraine Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www...
Gaza ceasefire at risk
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ceasefire which started in Gaza in January is at risk of collapsing. Learn vocabulary from this story. SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles...
Trump's tariffs
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why has US President Trump started imposing tariffs on imports into the USA? Listen to find out SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a work...
DeepSeek: Chinese AI app shocks tech world
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why has this Chinese AI app shocked the tech world? Listen to find outSUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at...
Trump returns to power
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has returned to power as US president SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co...
Kumbh Mela: 400 million to attend world's largest festival
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A festival so big that it can be seen from space.SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.u...
North Korea hypersonic missile claims
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has North Korea launched a hypersonic missile? SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/...
The face of the real Santa Claus
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have produced images of the man who Santa Claus is based on.SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode ...
7,000 steps can reduce risk of depression
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People who have a higher daily step count have a lower risk of depression, according to a new global study.SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitle...
Rebels defeat Assad in Syria
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Syrian rebels have taken control of the country after defeating Bashar al-Assad's forcesSUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet fo...
South Korea's martial law crisis
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
South Korea's president is facing a political crisis after failing to impose martial law. Beth and Phil teach you vocabulary from news headlines about...
Laos: Six dead from possible methanol poisoning
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Six people have died of suspected methanol poisoning in LaosMORE Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learni...
Ukraine fires US-supplied missiles into Russia
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden has approved the use of US missiles against targets in Russia. SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes to h...
Pakistan's worst ever smog
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The smog in Lahore, Pakistan, is at its worst level ever. SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes to help you with your En...
Donald Trump wins the US Election
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election against Democrat Kamala Harris.SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes t...
Lost Maya city found in Mexico
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How has nobody noticed this huge Maya city before? Pippa and Beth teach you vocabulary from the news headlines about this story.SUBTITLES Find full s...
India: Bomb threats delay flights
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A large rise in hoax bomb threats has caused chaos around the world with flights having to land in the wrong places or turn around.SUBTITLES Find full...
Earth's climate defences failing
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scientists have found problems with the Earth's natural defences against climate change. SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more progr...
AI critic wins Nobel Prize... for AI
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A man has won a Nobel Prize for his work on AI, though he now warns of its dangers.SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes ...
Iran attacks Israel after invasion of Lebanon
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Israel invades Lebanon. Iran fights back. Beth and Phil teach you some vocabulary from the news headlines.SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episo...
MrBeast named in lawsuit
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
YouTuber MrBeast has been named in court documents about the treatment of TV contestants. SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more pro...
Shanghai: Worst typhoon in 75 years
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The worst typhoon since 1949 has hit Shanghai. Beth and Phil walk you through this storySUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more progra...
Australia plans kids' social media ban
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Australian Prime Minister announces plans to ban children from social media sites.SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes t...
German far right wins state election
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The far-right party AfD has won a state election in Thuringia, Germany. SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programmes to help yo...
UN: Rising sea levels disaster for all
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The UN Secretary-General has warned that rising sea levels are going to be disastrous.SUBTITLES Find full subtitles for this episode and more programm...
Chimps chat like we do
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Study reveals that chimps take turns in conversation, just like us!TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you ...
Ukraine fights back inside Russia
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ukrainian soldiers hold towns in Russia in military operationTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with y...
Bangladesh protests: PM quits
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to hel...
Venezuela election chaos
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Maduro has claimed victory in the Venezuelan elections, but is the result fair?TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more ...
Biden out, Harris in
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Biden drops out of the US presidential race and announces support for Vice-President Kamala Harris.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ...
Trump assassination attempt
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The US reacts to an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with yo...
Third of adults inactive
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Around 1.8 billion people in the world are physically inactive, according to WHO studyTRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more prog...
Trump legal ruling
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New ruling means Trump cannot be punished for official actions committed as president(Image via Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)TRANSCRIPT Find a...
Julian Assange walks free
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange walks free from US court(Image via Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and...