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The best podcast for learning English if you like current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening, learn new words, and build your confidence with the #1 English-learning podcast focused on current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening: Plain English episodes go a little slower than native speed so you can understand every word and improve your English listening little by little. Your host is Jeff. He's a native English speaker from the United States a ...
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Haggis: Scotland's most famous recipe (Out of reach)
20:19
20:19
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Today's story: Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from various animal organs mixed with oats and spices. In the traditional recipe, it's cooked in the lining of a sheep's stomach. It's a beloved part of Scottish culture (even if outsiders aren't always brave enough to try it). Learn this English expression: 'Out of reach' refers to somethin…
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Scientists map a fly's entire brain (On a roll)
21:47
21:47
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21:47
Today's story: Scientists have completed a ""connectome"" of an adult fruit fly, mapping all 140,000 brain cells and the 55 million connections between them. The map will allow scientists to study in much greater detail how a brain works. And the complete connectome of the fruit fly may pave the way for mapping larger, more complex brains, includin…
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What Election Day is like in the U.S. (Pull off)
24:22
24:22
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24:22
Today's story: When the sun rises on Election Day, about half of Americans will have already voted. But here's what the experience is like for the tens of millions of people who cast their votes in person on the first Tuesday of November. Plus, learn why it takes so long to count the votes. Learn this English expression: 'Pull something off' means …
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Dengue in Italy, M-pox vaccines, and Netflix’s new 'Monsters' (Sooner or later)
23:30
23:30
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23:30
Today's story: Dengue fever has spread to Italy, which has seen 500 cases this year. M-pox vaccines are now being distributed in Africa for the first time. Shohei Ohtani’s translator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, and Netflix’s new ""Monsters"" series, based on the Menendez brothers' case, has hit number one on the charts. Learn this English exp…
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Build more homes? Now, some say ‘yes’ in my backyard (Out of touch)
24:57
24:57
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24:57
Today's story: Across the English-speaking world, the cost of housing (to buy or to rent) has far outpaced increases in incomes. That has caused governments to take a critical look at policies that have limited homebuilding, especially apartments. From London's green belt to cities in America, Canada, and Australia, people are increasingly saying "…
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‘Emily in Paris’ is the show France loves to hate (Keep an eye on / out)
21:59
21:59
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21:59
Today's story: Netflix recently released season four of its hit show ""Emily in Paris."" Television critics in France and the U.S. panned the show for its unrealistic, Instagram-worthy fantasy of life in Paris. But audiences love it: the show reached number one on Netflix when its fourth season was released (and yes, it was popular in France, too).…
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Why only 538 votes decide the U.S. presidency (On track)
23:51
23:51
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23:51
Today's story: America’s complicated system of choosing a president can be traced back to its origins as a union of individual states. The process involves two elections: a popular vote by citizens and an electoral vote by states. This indirect system places more emphasis on the results of the election in the individual states. Learn why Americans …
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James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93 (Up in the air)
23:32
23:32
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Today's story: James Earl Jones, the actor known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, overcame a childhood stutter and developed one of the most distinctive voices in Hollywood. His booming baritone lent authority to any character he played (including his comedic roles). He died in September 2024 at age 93. Learn th…
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How much power does a vice president really have? (On the same page)
23:37
23:37
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23:37
Today's story: The American vice president's primary function is to be available in case a president can't continue in office. Besides that, the VP is the ceremonial leader of the Senate, the upper house of the legislature. In the case of a tie vote in the Senate, the VP breaks the tie. With few formal duties, ""veeps"" try to have influence as adv…
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The U.S. election is too close to call with one month left (Hand in hand)
26:01
26:01
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26:01
Today's story: With just a month left until Election Day, the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is extremely close. Both candidates are focusing on their closing arguments, aiming to rally supporters and secure every possible vote. You'll get an in-depth look at the current state of the race and learn what to expect as t…
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Parents and school shooters: who's responsible? (Take advantage of)
24:55
24:55
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24:55
Today's story: School shootings are sadly, tragically common in the United States. Now, prosecutors are bringing murder or manslaughter charges against parents of school shooters, even if the parents weren't directly involved in the crime. Some say that's justified; others say it's going too far. What do you think? Learn this English expression: To…
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Today's story: The Birkin might be one of the coveted handbags in the world. Part of its appeal is its exclusivity: you can't just buy one in online or in a store. You have to build a relationship with a sales associate and spend thousands of dollars on other goods just to get one. So is it worth it? Learn this English expression: To 'deal with' is…
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Somehow, Abercrombie & Fitch is popular again (Take it easy)
23:26
23:26
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23:26
Today's story: For a generation of Americans, the brand Abercrombie & Fitch was synonymous with overpriced, exclusive clothing for teenagers (and a highly sexualized staff and brand). It fell out of favor when the public mood turned against that kind of marketing. But against all odds, the company has turned its image around and is now a darling of…
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Matthew Perry and the drug that killed him (As far as I know)
21:39
21:39
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21:39
Today's story: Matthew Perry, the actor who played Chandler on the popular TV series 'Friends,' died of an overdose of ketamine in 2023. Last month, five people were arrested in connection with his death, including a drug dealer to the stars called the 'Ketamine Queen,' government documents show. Learn this English expression: Use 'as far as I know…
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Do men need to wear ties anymore? (Close call)
23:22
23:22
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23:22
Today's story: Neckties were adopted in France in the 1600s as a symbol of power and respect. For many, they were a required part of business dress during the boom in white-collar work in the 20th century, but men are increasingly leaving the tie at home, even if they wear suits. So, is the necktie dead? Learn this English expression: A 'close call…
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Two astronauts are stranded in space (Short run / long run)
26:41
26:41
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26:41
Today's story: Astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore left Earth on June 5, planning to be in space for eight days. But thrusters on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, so they have to return on another vehicle in February 2025, bringing their time on the International Space Station to eight months. Learn this English expression: Use…
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Why women's clothing sizes are so confusing (In touch)
22:48
22:48
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22:48
Today's story: Generations ago, women went to seamstresses for custom-made clothes. But today, many women's fashion brands use standard sizing that distills the fit to just a single number. But even that can be misleading, as the size standards vary by brand (and even by year). Learn this English expression: To be 'in touch' is to stay in contact w…
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'Massacre law' in Turkey threatens street dogs (Get out of hand)
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23:13
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23:13
Today's story: Turkey's parliament recently passed a law aimed at removing millions of dogs living on the street. The law doesn't specifically require euthanasia. But many in Turkey are afraid this new law will nonetheless lead to mass killing of the dogs they've grown attached to. Learn this English expression: Something that 'gets out of hand' be…
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Preview the changes improvements coming to Plain English this fall: The English expressions you learn may or may not appear in the main story. This will let us focus on those expressions that are most useful to you, whether or not you heard them in the first half of the lesson. Each month will have a theme with three or four episodes. (The remainin…
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Biden's awful debate and the rise of Kamala Harris (Down to the wire)
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23:52
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Today's story: At age 81, Joe Biden was the oldest person ever to seek the U.S. presidency. And while voters had concerns about his age, he easily won the Democratic Party's nomination. But after a terrible debate performance, he withdrew from the race. The sitting vice president, Kamala Harris, will face Donald Trump in the November election. Lear…
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Summer 2024: Three months that felt like decades (Get out of)
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23:28
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Today's story: From an attempted assassination of Donald Trump to a landslide election in the UK to an uplifting Summer Olympics, the summer of 2024 was a rollercoaster of news. Learn this English expression: To get out of something is to avoid doing it Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/706 -- Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English i…
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Today's story: Most American families are confronted with the decision to buy or rent a home at some point. This decision is a common one around the world, but the specific pros and cons can be different, depending on the country. Here's what the decision is like in the U.S. Learn this English expression: When someone has given you money, and you r…
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Today's story: American office culture isn't exactly what you see on TV. In this story, learn about the typical workday, including what time people arrive, what they wear to work, how much time they have for lunch, and how they get to the office from their homes. Learn this English expression: To 'wrap up' is to finish something successfully Full l…
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Today's story: It starts with a notice from a court: ""You have been summoned."" American citizens are occasionally required to appear for jury service. Most people called don't have to serve on juries. Here's what the experience is like, for selected jurors and for those who are excused. Learn this English expression: To 'check in' is to register …
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What is retirement like in the United States? (Stay put)
21:48
21:48
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Today's story: There are over 50 million retirees in the United States, about the equivalent of the entire population of Spain. Every person's retirement is different, but today, you'll learn about what retirement is like for most people in the U.S. Learn this English expression: To 'stay put' is to stay in one place and not move Full lesson: https…
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