Learning English from the News

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US President Trump's latest comments about Greenland have led to criticism. 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_2026/260121Are 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/learningenglish Follow 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

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 discuss this story and the vocabulary in the headlines that will help you understand it.Find full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260114Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_roomPractise 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/learningenglish Follow 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

The US military attacked the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday and arrested its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.Find full subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2026/260107 Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room 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

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 subtitles for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251231Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room Practise 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/learningenglish Follow 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

Japan changes the law to stop parents giving their children names considered strange. Learn about this story and some useful vocabulary from the headlines. Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251224Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room Practise 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/learningenglish Follow 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

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/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251217Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room Practise 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/learningenglish Follow 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary

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.Kharkiv is just 30 kilometres from the Russian border and has been hit by some of the worst attacks of the war in Ukraine.In this short documentary, Adela tells her personal story of what life is like in Kharkiv as the war continues. Based on the BBC Eye documentary, Kharkiv: Love in a War Zone, first broadcast on 25th September 2025. The orginal programme was reported by Albina Kovalyova and produced by Louise Hidalgo. Find the full programme here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct82kyMore from BBC Eye: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4fa8LK1lptsvoA_spfJhzda (Photo: Adela and Konstantin. Credit: Konstantin Zorkin)TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/our-world-in-english/251215

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 for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251210Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room Practise 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/learningenglish Follow 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary

Hong Kong leader orders investigation into deadly fires which killed at least 151 peopleFind full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251203 Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary

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 vocabulary from the headlines with Georgie and Phil.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251126Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_room Practise 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/learningenglish Follow 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary

Former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251119Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_roomFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary

International leaders gather for COP30 climate talks, but some important people are not attending. Hear about this story and learn some vocabulary from the headlines with Beth and PippaFind full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/learning-english-from-the-news_2025/251112Practise your reading skills with The Reading Room: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/the_reading_roomFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow 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 Easy English ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English Stories ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Conversations ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary