Learning English from the News

Putin in North Korea

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vladimir Putin has met Kim Jong Un in North Korea. They have agreed to help each other if attacked.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode...

Far right performs well in EU election

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The far right has performed well in the latest European Union elections.TRANSCRIPT Find a a video version of this podcast and more programmes to help ...

DNA study: better coffee?

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Italian researchers have created a complete genetic map of Arabica coffee. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comTRA...

Computer made with brain cells

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have created a computer system that uses living brain cells to complete tasks.Find the video version of this podcast and more programmes to...

Iran's president killed in crash

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Find the video version of this podcast and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/new...

Georgia's 'foreign agent' law passed

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

(Images: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images)TRANSCRIPT Find the language from this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at...

Brazil floods

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Southern Brazil has been hit by the worst flooding in 80 years. Beth and Georgie discuss this news story. For more great language tips and programmes ...

Healthy living and DNA

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists believe a healthy lifestyle could increase life expectancy, despite genes.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:Visit our website ✔️ https://w...

Milan ice cream ban

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us ✔️https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/fol...

Banning smoking for life

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The UK government has voted to ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2009. Beth and Neil discuss the language in the news headlines.FIND BBC LE...

Hottest March ever

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last month was the world's warmest March on record.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your Englis...

Israel protests

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands take part in anti-government protest in Israel calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign.(Images: Amir Levy, Sean Gallup, Alexi Rosenfe...

Baltimore bridge collapse

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Six people are missing after a ship caused a bridge to collapse in Baltimore, USA.(Images: Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post, Demetrius Freeman...

Putin claims election victory

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vladimir Putin has claimed his fifth term as president after winning 87% of the vote, according to Russian election officials. Beth and Georgie discus...

Haiti: Gang violence crisis

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

(Images: Guerinault Louis/Anadolu, Jacques Langevin/Sygma/Sygma, Spencer Platt, Giles Clarke via Getty Images)

France protects abortion

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Image: Adnan Farzat/Nur Photo via Getty Images

Sweden joins Nato

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sweden is to join Nato after 200 years of neutrality.

Cyber hackers hacked

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The website of ransomware cybercriminals Lockbit has been seized by authorities

Women working more since pandemic

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Women are working more and men are working less since the pandemic.

Senegal's democratic crisis

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Senegal's president has postponed the country's upcoming elections.

Elon Musk's brain chip

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Elon Musk's company Neuralink has successfully implanted a chip in a human brain.

US and UK strike Houthis

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The US and UK have launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Taiwan election angers China

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwan has elected William Lai as president. (Image: Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)

Dog meat banned by South Korea

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The killing and sale of dogs for their meat has been banned in South Korea.

Earthquake hits Japan on New Year's Day

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Search for survivors after New Year’s Day earthquake hits Japan.

Richest 1% harm planet most

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The lifestyles of the wealthy are closely connected to climate change

2,000 new species on extinction list: COP28

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2,000 more species have been added to the Red List of Threatened Species.

Faked accident: YouTuber jailed

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An influencer has gone to jail after crashing a plane for video views and money.

India tunnel rescue

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All 41 workers who were trapped in a tunnel in India for 17 days have been rescued.

Bad bosses make people quit

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New research says people are quitting their jobs because of a bad boss.

Iceland prepares for volcano

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A state of emergency has been declared in Iceland amid a series of earthquakes.

Israel-Gaza War: One month on

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's one month since the Israel-Gaza war broke out. Learn the language in the news.

Friends say goodbye to Matthew Perry

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Perry, most famous for playing Chandler Bing in 'Friends', has died.

Nature destroying nature

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A news report says non-native animals and plants are destroying biodiversity.

Amazon water emergency

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Amazon has its lowest water levels in 121 years. Learn how to talk about the story.

Junk food addiction

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some scientists think ultra-processed food should come with a warning.

Covid vaccine scientists win Nobel

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The scientists who made mRNA Covid vaccines possible have won a Nobel Prize.

Lego gives up on recycled bricks

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lego has stopped its plan to replace the plastic in its toys bricks.

Improving maths with music

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Music could improve your maths skills according to a recent study.

Rubiales quits: Kiss scandal

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Luis Rubiales resigns. Image by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez via Getty Images.

Banning 'steak'

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plant-based food can no longer have meat-based names in France.

Is laughing good for your heart?

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laughter can make your heart stronger, according to new research.

Is laughing good for your heart?

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laughter can make your heart stronger, according to new research.

Antarctic ice melting

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ice the size of Greenland is missing from Antarctica because of climate change.

Shift work linked to depression

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new study has found that working shifts can lead to depression and anxiety.

Green flights? Impossible

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can flying ever be green? Scientists say no.

Trump charged for third time

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump charged with trying to change the 2020 US presidential election result.

8 ways to live longer

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A US research project has found 8 habits that can help you live longer.

Alzheimer's drug hope

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New drugs mean that Alzheimer's could soon be treated as easily as asthma and diabetes.

Hottest week ever

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first week of July had the highest average global temperature ever measured, UN says.

Fukushima water release

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The UN have said it's safe to release water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.

Rainforests: Destruction gets worse

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An area of rainforest the size of Switzerland was lost last year. Beth and Phil discuss.

Naps: Good for your brain?

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Research says that naps are good for our brains. Learn vocabulary related to this story.

Could we live to 140?

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists from the University of Georgia think humans alive today could live to 140.

New blood test for 50 cancers

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists from Oxford University say the test results have been encouraging so far.

Can diet improve memory?

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could apples, berries and cacao improve our memory as we get older?

First Arab woman in space

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rayyanah Barnawi is part of a crew of space tourists who are visiting the ISS.

Japan learns to smile again

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People in Japan have been taking lessons on how to smile again.

King Charles's Coronation

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Charles III has been crowned King of the UK and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Hollywood writers strike

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could your favourite shows stop? Hollywood writers strike over pay and conditions.

Sudan crisis

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humanitarian crisis in Sudan as thousands try to leave the capital, Khartoum.

Life on Pacific garbage patch

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have discovered creatures living on an island made of rubbish.

Exam cheating with AI

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some people are worried that advances in AI could lead to a rise in exam cheating.

Trump arrested

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has become the first ex-US president to be arrested.

Prince Harry: Why was he in court?

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Prince accuses Associated Newspapers of illegally gathering private information.

Could caffeine cut obesity?

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caffeine could reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Joe Biden breaks oil promise

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No more oil drilling? Joe Biden breaks his promise.

No university for Afghan women

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Universities have reopened in Afghanistan but female students are not allowed back.

US & Canada Government TikTok bans

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The US and now Canada have banned TikTok from government phones.

Turkey and Syria earthquakes

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another earthquake has hit Turkey, near the border with Syria.

Ozone layer improving

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The hole in the ozone layer is getting smaller, experts say.

'Spy balloon' row

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Was it a 'spy balloon' the US shot down? China says no

'Love hormone': New study

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are scientists wrong about the so-called 'love hormone'? Learn to talk about this story.

'Burnout': Jacinda Ardern Resigns

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister of New Zealand says she did not have the energy needed to continue.

Global economy slows down

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The World Bank predicts the global economy is getting closer to a recession.

Prince Harry's book

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prince Harry's autobiography, Spare, which reveals royal family secrets, is out on sale.

Warmest January day ever

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At least seven countries have reported the warmest New Year's Day on record..

Review of 2022

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Beth and Neil look back at your favourite news stories and vocabulary of the year.

Plastic-eating worms

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Could plastic-eating worms help the world’s pollution crisis?

The 'King of Crypto' charged with fraud

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to use the language from the latest news stories in your everyday English.

Do you know the word of the year?

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

'Goblin mode': Neil and Beth teach you this and other vocabulary

Vegan diet protects men from cancer

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Research has claimed that a plant-based diet reduces the risk of developing bowel cancer.

Rich to pay for climate damage

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich nations agree to pay poorer countries for damage caused by climate change.

World population reaches 8 billion

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are 8 billion people on Earth. Neil and Sian teach you the vocabulary you need.

Twitter: One million leave

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

1 million Twitter accounts have been deactivated since Elon Musk bought it last month.

Race to save the planet

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

COP27 - Radical changes needed to prevent climate disaster say experts

Rishi Sunak - new UK PM

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

45 days after the appointment of the last prime minister, the UK has a new prime minister

Cancer vaccine?

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Could a cancer vaccine be developed? Learn vocabulary to talk about this.

Protests in Iran

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Protests began last month when a woman died after being arrested by morality police.

Fast food: Bad for the brain?

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ultra-processed food affects people’s mental abilities, research has found.

Nasa smashes asteroid

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A new era for humankind - Nasa experiment smashes asteroid.

Late nights: Bad for you?

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you prefer late nights or early starts? One of those could be bad for your health.

Ukraine: A turning point?

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ukraine has made military progress against Russian forces.

New UK prime minister

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Truss has taken over from Boris Johnson, who resigned after a series of scandals.

Pakistan's climate catastrophe

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Floods in Pakistan have killed over 1,000 people and affected over 33 million others.

Dogs: Happy tears?

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do dogs cry happy tears? Neil and Beth discuss vocabulary about this story.

Long Covid: Three types identified

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists in the UK have identified different types of long Covid.

Trump home 'raided'

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The FBI have searched former President Trump's home. Neil and Sian teach the vocabulary.

Record oil profits

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The five biggest oil companies made profits of 60 billion dollars in just three months.

Mystery child disease: Cause found

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to use the language from the latest news stories in your everyday English.