English News Weekly

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports a remarkable achievement by one French schoolboy who has set a new sailing world record. The 12-year-old set out from southern England in a small single-handed dingy to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world – The English Channel. Why did he sail across the Channel? What was his time? Were there any hazards he had to overcome? What is next? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports very worrying news for anyone out there who has a fondness for bananas! The second most grown fruit in the world (yes ENW knows it is technically a berry) is in danger of being wiped out by a powerful fungus. This is the biggest crisis to face banana-producing areas since the 1950s when Panama Disease virtually annihilated Gros Michel Banana – at the time the most grown banana in the world! What is happening? Can it be stopped? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 21st edition of the tournament will see 32 countries from around the globe competing to be crowned World Champions. Spread across 11 cities in the biggest country in the world the tournament will be the first European held World Cup since Germany in 2006. How will the World Cup play out? Which countries will be successful? What, if any, problems could emerge? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a growing dilemma for sports teams and major global events – is any kind of sponsorship ok? Almost all sports teams have at least one major sponsor, whilst conferences, meetings and global events usually have quite a few who wish to advertise their name by paying large sums of money. But, should regimes with autocratic leaders be allowed to sponsor teams or events? Should there be rules to prevent this? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on the annual report by the International Institute of Species Exploration that lists all the new animals, plants, marsupials and microbes that have been discovered in the last 12 months. In total there have been 18,000 new species discovered, which seems quite a lot, but as more than 20,000 species died out last year then it is actually a worryingly low number. Who are the top 10 species? Why are they the top 10? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on the incredible career of Bill Gold, an American graphic designer who was behind some of the most iconic movie posters of all time. Mr. Gold passed away this week at the age of 93 in New York, 76 years after he designed his first ever movie poster. Of the hundreds of movie posters that he designed, six went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Why was Mr. Gold's posters so good? What legacy does he leave behind? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a remarkable achievement by one extraordinary man who has scaled the highest mountain in the world – despite being a double amputee. The 69-year old climber from China lost both his legs more than 40 years ago in a climbing accident, but that has not disrupted him from climbing Mount Everest. Why was he so determined to reach the top? How did he climb the snow-covered mountain? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast revisits a topic that we first explored way back in 2012 in ENW 50. Back then we reported on the highest wave ever surfed by a 44 year-old American professional surfer Garrett McNamara. Well his six-year record has been broken when this month official recognition was given to a new height! How high was the wave surfed? Who broke Mr. McNamara's record? Where was the wave surfed? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a decision by one country in southern Africa to change its name. Usually when a country decides to adopt a new name it comes after independence from colonial rule. So the Gold Coast became Ghana and Rhodesia turned into Zimbabwe. However, the decision by the King of Swaziland to change the country's name has a slightly unusual reason behind it. Why has Swaziland changed its name? How easy is it to change a name? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast explores an intriguing proposal from the west coast of the United States which could see a dramatic change to the make-up of the country. The biggest state, by population, in the US is California – home to 39m people. But, a proposal from one billionaire investor would see the state being split into three new states. Why has this proposal happened? Does it have support from the majority of Californians? Will it really happen? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast explores a decision by the British government to impose a tax on all drinks being sold in the UK. The idea behind the new tax was after the UK became concerned about an increase in child obesity levels. The new tax has been imposed on any drink that contains sugar, with the hope that the increased price will reduce youngsters drinking sodas in particular. What are the ramifications? Has the decision been universally welcomed? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast explores a dramatic change in Japan over the popular culture of smoking. The country was once a haven for smokers, having some of the highest levels of smoking of any developed country. This was fueled by low taxation on tobacco and some of the lowest cigarette prices in the world. Why has Japan suddenly cracked down on smoking? What is the reaction in the country? Will it reduce the number of smokers? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast looks at a public admission by the captain of the Australian cricket team that he cheated. The confession revealed at a public press conference in Cape Town, South Africa during an international cricket match. The admission, by captain Steven Smith, has rocked Australia with even the country's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressing his disbelief at the actions of the team. Why did Australia cheat? What happens next? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

In this special edition podcast ENW visits four intoxicating locations from the colourful city of Barcelona! (PDF) Download MP3

In this special edition podcast ENW visits four stimulating locations from the historic German city of Munich! (PDF) Image credit: Diliff via Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0. Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast looks at which foods are actually the best for us to lead a healthy and energetic daily life. A leading British medical journal has compiled a list of the top 100 healthiest foods that humans should regularly consume. However, some of the ones included near the top of the list might be surprising! Which food types made the top 10? How easy is it for us to find, buy, cook and eat these food types? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a historic decision by Canada's parliament to alter, slightly but also significantly, the words to the country's national anthem. The vote in the Canadian House of Commons means that O Canada will be the first national anthem to change its words and become Gender- neutral. Why has Canada made this choice? Was there any opposition to the decision? Will other countries follow Canada? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an exciting discovery in the desert just outside of Cairo in Egypt. In the historic Giza plateau a 4,400 year old tomb has been discovered near the three pyramids that stand there. The tomb's discovery has thrilled archeologists as it is believed to have belonged to a woman named Hetpet. Why is this discovery important? What happens next? Will more tombs be found? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a momentous decision by the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan. The Central Asian nation has announced that it will ditch the Cyrillic alphabet writing system, used in the country for more than 100 years, in favour of the Latin alphabet. Why has Kazakhstan made this decision? What is the hoped for impact of this huge change? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

 This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a unique gimmick that combines global sporting giant and a public transport network. This week Adidas teamed up with the Berlin Metro Train System to release a specially designed, limited edition trainer that allowed the owner the ability to do something a little different. What was it? How much did the trainers cost? How many were made? Where can you buy them? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3