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Learning English from the News

Learning English from the News

BBC Radio 378 Episodes Sep 2, 2026

Learn the language you need to understand news stories in English. Every week we talk about one big news story and the vocabulary in the headlines that will help you understand it. In our special Our World in English episodes, we share documentaries from around the world and across the BBC in simple English. Find more at bbclearningenglish.com.

Episodes

Nepal recovering from impact of flash floods
Nepal recovering from impact of flash floods Sep 2, 2026 519 More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead after last week’s flash floods on the border of Nepal and Tibet, according to Nepal’s disaster agency.Almost 4,000 people are still missing. Rescuers are trying to reach hundreds of workers who have been trapped in a large network of tunnels at hydropower sites.Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said on Monday that 279 people had been rescued from
AI hacking other companies by itself, causing security fears
AI hacking other companies by itself, causing security fears Aug 26, 2026 514 AI has been hacking other companies during tests, causing fears over safety. There’s been a series of hacks by AI software in recent months. A hack is when secure technology is broken into in order to steal data or cause disruption.The AI hacks have occurred during testing of security systems which have gone wrong. For example, in July, the company OpenAI said its AI models hacked a company called
Meta on trial
Meta on trial Aug 19, 2026 478 Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has gone on trial, accused of breaking state and federal laws around child privacy. The trial is expected to last around six weeks.The lawsuit has been filed by 29 US states, representing more than two thirds of the country's population. This is the largest of a number of lawsuits against Meta relating to child safety.This trial may require a pa
Europe's first solar eclipse since 1999
Europe's first solar eclipse since 1999 Aug 12, 2026 563 Many parts of Europe will experience a solar eclipse, when the Moon blocks the light from the Sun, on Wednesday evening. It will be the first in Europe since 1999.Total eclipses are rare events but in the next few years, there will be a few. Following this summer's eclipse there will be a total eclipse in Egypt next August, and a third in Australia and New Zealand in July 2028.Looking directly at
Ceuta migrant crisis
Ceuta migrant crisis Aug 5, 2026 499 Around 60,000 migrants swam around the border from Morocco into Ceuta, part of Spain. Spanish officials said almost all those who reached the enclave have now returned, but at least 72 migrants died attempting the journey. Many EU leaders called for an urgent meeting, asking for the end of policies that could encourage illegal migration. But Spain says the problems in Ceuta are not caused by its i
The end of PlayStation discs
The end of PlayStation discs Jul 30, 2026 470 New PlayStation games will no longer be released on discs from January 2028, the gaming giant has announced. It’s owner Sony said that games will still be able to be bought in shops, but they would come with a digital code. There has been criticism of the announcement from some gamers online. But Sony says it has to adapt to consumer trends and a growing preference for digital downloads over physi
Do people trust the news?
Do people trust the news? Jul 22, 2026 503 Trust in news around the world is the lowest it's ever been since annual reports began in 2015.The 2026 Digital News Report, published by the Reuters Institute suggests that public trust in the news it at 27%, three points down from last year.For the first time, social media and video networks are, on average, more popular than both TV and news websites and apps as sources of news. The use of AI c
Is coffee good for your brain?
Is coffee good for your brain? Jul 15, 2026 482 New studies suggest that coffee can help our brain in many ways - one of which is preventing memory diseases such as dementia. Learn English from headlines about this new research.Test what you've learnt with a free worksheet about this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260715Subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly tips and updates: https
Taylor Swift wedding
Taylor Swift wedding Jul 8, 2026 472 Taylor Swift has married American football player Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hear about this news story in simpler English and learn interesting vocabulary from the news headlines. Test what you've learnt with a free worksheet about this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260708Subscribe to our newsletter to get
Venezuela earthquakes: Search for survivors continues
Venezuela earthquakes: Search for survivors continues Jul 1, 2026 462 The search for survivors continues after two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela. Hear about this news story in simpler English and learn interesting vocabulary from the news headlines. Test what you've learnt with a free worksheet about this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260701Subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly tips and updates: ht
Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister
Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister Jun 24, 2026 469 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned. It's likely former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham will replace him. Hear about this news story in simpler English and learn interesting vocabulary from the news headlines. Test what you've learnt with a free worksheet about this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260624Subscribe to our newsletter t
US-Iran peace deal
US-Iran peace deal Jun 17, 2026 501 The US and Iran have agreed on an initial deal to end the war between their two countries. Hear about this news story in simpler English and learn interesting vocabulary from the news headlines.Test what you've learnt with a free worksheet about this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260617Subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly tips and

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