Learning English from the News

Is social media 'the new smoking'? 27.05.2026 9мин

A group of senior doctors in the UK compare the harms of social media to smoking, not because it has the same physical health impacts, but because they believe it’s an important health issue that people need to take seriously. Learn about this story and learn some vocabulary from the headlines with Pippa and Georgie. Get a free worksheet for this episode to practise what you've learnt: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260527. We have lots of programmes ton the topic of technology to help you improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/topics/technology

Deadly Ebola virus spreads 20.05.2026 8мин

An Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo was announced by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. Ebola is a serious disease caused by a virus caught from wild animals and is usually found in certain parts of Africa. It spreads from person to person when you come in to contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, urine and vomit.Officials in Uganda reported that the deadly disease had spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The total ⁠number of suspected cases means that this outbreak is already one of the largest on recordGet a free worksheet for this episode to practise what you've learnt: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260520Develop your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on our website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/skills

Hantavirus ship evacuated 13.05.2026 7мин

All passengers have now left the Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius after a voyage that lead to the death of three passengers from hantavirus. The virus is usually found in rats. One passenger is thought to have caught the virus while birdwatching in Ushuaia, Argentina, where the ship's journey began.Get a free worksheet for this episode to practise what you've learnt: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260513Navigate BBC Learning English content by level on our website. Find the 'easy', 'medium' and 'hard' buttons here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/Try our series 'Our World in English' - BBC documentaries, made easier for you: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/our-world-in-english

Iran war puts global food production at risk, says fertiliser boss 06.05.2026 8мин

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 fertiliser producers. Fertiliser is something that farmers put on fields to help plants grow.When the United States and Israel struck Iran on 28 February, the Strait of Hormuz, which is a narrow waterway between Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, effectively shut down. About one-third of the world's fertiliser trade normally passes through the strait.Less fertiliser means less food is grown, and if there is less food available, then prices rise.The UN World Food Programme estimates that the Middle East conflict could cause 45 million additional people to experience severe hunger in 2026.Learn about the news in a level of English you can understand with Neil and Georgie. Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260506 Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

Trump shooting attempt 29.04.2026 8мин

An attempt to shoot US President Donald Trump took place at the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents' dinner. This dinner happens every year and political journalists are invited.Alongside Trump, Frist Lady Melania Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and other White House officials were rushed from the hotel ballroom after gunfire was heard.There have been two previous unsuccessful attempts to kill President Trump. Both of these happened while he was campaigning for election in 2024.Learn about the news in a level of English you can understand with Becca and Pippa. Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260429Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

Mass shooting at Mexican pyramids 22.04.2026 8мин

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 killed himself. Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country.The attacker has been named as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez. On 20th April 1999, 13 people were killed in an attack at Columbine High School in Colorado. It has been suggested that Ramirez was inspired by this attack.Learn about the news in a level of English you can understand with Becca and Phil. Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260422 Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

Hungary election landslide 15.04.2026 9мин

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 of US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Whereas Magyar wants a better relationship with the rest of the EU and Ukraine.Almost 80% of people who could, turned out to vote, which broke records. Magyar’s Tisza party has won a huge majority, which will allow him to change both Orbán's increasingly unpopular domestic policies and Hungary’s global relationships. Learn about the news in a level of English you can understand with Georgie and Phil.Get a free worksheet for this episode here:https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260415Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

Artemis II takes humans further from Earth than ever before 08.04.2026 8мин

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 furthest distance humans have travelled into space, reaching 406,771km away from the Earth.While the crew did not land on the Moon, this is the first time humans have travelled to the Moon since 1972.Learn about the news in a level of English you can understand with Georgie and Pippa. Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260408 Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

US Court: YouTube and Meta built addictive platforms 01.04.2026 8мин

Meta and YouTube have been found legally responsible for creating addictive platforms. Meta is the company that owns Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp.Kaley, known only by her first name, started the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube in Los Angeles in the US, claiming that they had negatively impacted her mental health. She received $6m in damages.Meta argued that it’s worked over the years to fight these problems and promoted safe experiences for young people. However, a separate trial in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375m for misleading people about the child safety of their platforms.Learn about the news in language you can understand with Georgie and Becca. Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260401Learn about all our podcasts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts

Our World in English: Fighting child marriage through football 27.03.2026 13мин

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 married before they turned 18. But some girls and young women are trying to resist the practice. In this short documentary, we meet Munna, who found an unusual way out of becoming a child bride - through playing football.This episode of is based on the documentary India's sportswomen playing to be seen from Assignment on the BBC World Service. The original programme was reported by Divya Arya and produced by John Murphy. Find the original programme here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6rcv Get our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Earth ‘pushed beyond its limit’ UN warns 25.03.2026 8мин

The latest report from the World Meteorological Organization, part of the UN, shows concerning statistics around climate change. Learn about the news in language you can understand with Phil and Becca.Get a free worksheet for this episode here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260325Try 6 Minute English here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-englishSign up to our weekly newsletter for more tips to improve your English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599Find us on social media @bbclearningenglish

Cuba protests: millions without power 18.03.2026 8мин

Cuba was receiving a third of its oil from Venezuela until a US operation removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in January. No fuel had entered the country in three months and the capital, Havana, has seen blackouts of up to 15 hours a day.Protests in Cuba come as a reaction to electricity blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine, which have been worsened by a US blockade on oil. This has affected hospitals, public transport, education, rubbish collection and heavily impacted Cuba’s economy.It’s been reported that the protest began peacefully but grew more destructive as people started throwing rocks and starting fires. Five people have been arrested in the central city of Moron over the weekend after destroying Communist office buildings.Find full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260318Are you scared of speaking English? Listen to this episode of Beating Speaking Anxiety: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcast Practise your listening skills with The Listening Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_listening_room FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters For more of our podcasts, search for these in your podcast app: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories

Global impact of US-Israel war with Iran 11.03.2026 8мин

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 across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. People in Tehran have told BBC News Persian about heavy strikes and powercuts. Meanwhile, three commercial ships have been damaged by "unknown projectiles" in the area.Find full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260311Are you scared of speaking English?Listen to this episode of Beating Speaking Anxiety: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcastPractise your listening skills with The Listening Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_listening_roomFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglishFollow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersFor more of our podcasts, search for these in your podcast app: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories

US-Israel war with Iran 04.03.2026 7мин

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 killed in Iran, says a human rights organisation based in the US.The US and Israel are continuing to carry out air strikes in Iran, and Iran has responded by firing missiles at Israel and other countries in the region with links to the US. Iran has hit military targets, but it has also hit airports and other civilian sites like luxury hotels and shopping malls.The lack of detail in US President Donald Trump’s plan has been criticised by politicians in the US congress. Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260304 Try Our World in English - BBC documentaries adapted in simple English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/our-world-in-english Find out about our latest programmes. Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Violence after Mexican drug leader killed 25.02.2026 8мин

Nemesio Osegura Cervantes – known as 'El Mencho', head one the most important criminal organisations in Mexico, was killed by Mexican security forces on Sunday. Following his death, violence erupted across a number of Mexican states leading to the death of at least 74 people and over 9,500 troops have been deployed across the country in response to the violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that normality has returned, but several foreign governments are still warning against travel to some states.Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260225Try Our World in English - BBC documentaries adapted in simple English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/our-world-in-englishFind out about our latest programmes. Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny with frog toxin, UK says 18.02.2026 8мин

Learn language from the news headlines about this story. Two years after opposition politician Alexei Navalny died, European scientists have tested samples from his body. They say they believe he was killed by a poison found in frogs. Russia denies it killed Navalny and says he died of natural causes, but UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said there was no innocent explanation for the poison being found on Navalny’s body.Find a transcript and worksheet at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260218Try Our World in English - BBC documentaries adapted in simple English: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/our-world-in-englishFind out about our latest programmes. Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u178220599

Our World in English: The battle for the cowboy way of life 13.02.2026 12мин

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 federal government. Some people want to change that and sell the land to build houses and businesses.But in Montana, a western state known for wide open spaces and cowboys, lots of people rely on the government land. They worry that their cowboy way of life is under threat.In this short documentary, we meet Brud Smith, who owns a farm in Montana, and hear about how the place is changing.Transcript and vocabulary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/our-world-in-english/260213This programme is based on the documentary The real Yellowstone: A battle for the cowboy way of life from Assignment on the BBC World Service. The original programme was reported by Ellie House and produced by Josephine Casserly. Find more about Assignment here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsn0

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show 11.02.2026 7мин

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 celebrities to dance alongside him, had only one line in English: “God Bless America.” Some people have praised the performance for its message of pride and love for his home country, Puerto Rico. But others have been critical of the show, calling it "un-American", and President Trump described the performance as "terrible."Find a transcript and worksheet for this programme at https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260211If you want to learn English from music, watch and listen to our series: 'My Song, My Home' available on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/my-song-my-homeGet our latest programmes. Subscribe to our free email newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters

Women secretly filmed with new tech 04.02.2026 8мин

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 women have been filmed without their consent by men using Meta glasses. These videos have then been posted online and attracted comments which the women have found offensive and upsetting.For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260204 Are you scared of speaking English? Listen to this episode of Beating Speaking Anxiety: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcast Practise your listening skills with The Listening Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_listening_room FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters For more of our podcasts, search for these in your podcast app: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories

Doomsday Clock: Highest ever disaster risk 28.01.2026 8мин

Experts have warned that the world is the closest it has ever been to disaster. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260128 Are you scared of speaking English? Listen to this episode of Beating Speaking Anxiety: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/beating_speaking_anxiety/making_mistakes-podcast Practise your listening skills with The Listening Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_listening_room FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters For more of our podcasts, search for these in your podcast app: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories