English News Weekly

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on demonstrations and protests from the iconic, lagoon city of Venice as residents once again march. The reason for their anger is the sheer number of tourists that visit the city every day and the huge impact that has had on the lives of ordinary Venetians. The local government says that they city can no longer tolerate current levels of tourism. What is going to happen in Venice? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on the death of the man who was the pioneer for the modern popularity of zombie horror – George A Romero. Mr. Romero wrote and directed his first horror movie in the late 1960s and since then genre has become a staple of popular culture in books, magazines, comics, graphic novels and TV series. Why is his impact so huge? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This is a special anniversary edition of the ENW Podcast, celebrating our 300th episode! Inside this podcast, ENW will take a special look at some interesting news events that happened around the world 300 years, months, weeks and days ago today! We will start in London in 1717, then move to Yekaterinburg in June 1992, before heading to Copenhagan in the first week of October 2011 - before finishing up in the USA on September 17, 2016 - exactly 300 days ago today... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a growing and unpleasant side-effect of social media – Internet trolling. This week has seen another high-profile celebrity quit the social networking service in response to continued online abuse through Twitter. What causes this trolling? What is the fall out from abusive messages? What can be done to stop it? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an unusual news story from England – where schoolboys have gone to school wearing girl's skirts. This was not because of a joke, or a fancy dress day to raise money for charity. The 30+ schoolboys were protesting against the uniform rules of their school. Why did they wear skirts? What happened to the boys afterwards? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on what could be the future of rail transport in the 21st Century – track-less trains! A company in China has launched a prototype this week that creates the possibility of a train travelling from place to place without a human driver or any rail tracks to travel on. So how will this train operate? When will it go operational? How much will it cost? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast looks at remarkable news from Japan where the government has enacted a one-off law that will allow the current Emperor to abdicate. This is the first time since the beginning of the 19th Century that a Japanese Emperor is willingly abdicating. The current emperor, Akihito, has been on the Chrysanthemum Throne since 1989 and announced his desire to abdicate last year. When will happen? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on some surprising news about the drinking habits of people around the world. A new report has just been published concludes that from Europe to the Americas and from Asia to Africa...people are drinking less alcohol, specifically beers, lagers and ciders. Why has this trend developed? Is it predicted to continue? Are any types of alcoholic being drunk more? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a dilemma facing the Japanese Government...How to accommodate foreign visitors who have tattoos. This potential problem is a reflection on cultural sensitivities in Japan that associate tattooing with organised crime. This means that tattooed people are banned from places such as public baths and hot springs. Yet with Japan set to host two massive sporting events the dilemma is - what to do with these tattooed visitors? How will this problem be solved? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a type of food that might just be the hottest, spiciest and most dangerous that you can eat! A Welsh fruit-grower has accidently developed the world's hottest chilli pepper – the Dragon's Breath. The new chilli pepper would overtake the current hottest pepper the Carolina Reaper created in 2003. But how was the Dragon's Breath created? What happens if you eat one? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Image credit: Jim Roberts via flickr. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast is looking towards the skies and will be reporting on two exciting new projects that could revolutionise car travel in the next few years. First ENW will be in the Persian Gulf to report on a new drone taxi service starting in July. And then we will move on to Japan where one company is trying to manufacture a flying car in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games! How..? When..? Who..? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a very different type of medical transport – an ambulance for cows! Five new ambulances have been introduced as part of a new special cow ambulance service in the north-eastern part of India. Each ambulance has up-to-date technology, specially trained drivers and an onboard doctor! Why has this service been started? How many cows are treated daily? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a new guide that might just help safe your life if you encounter a dangerous wild animal. Thankfully attacks on humans by sharks, bears and crocodiles are infrequent and thankfully on average few people are killed annually by these potentially ferocious animals. But if you do find yourself in front of one of these animals...what should you do to survive? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an unusual decision my one Englishman from London to stop wearing shoes. Trainers. Boots...and any other type of footwear. In fact for the last four years he has worn nothing on his feet at all. This includes when there is snow and ice on the ground and also when the pavements and sidewalks are over 35C! Why does he does this..? What benefits and problems does he incur? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an accident in Western Canada that has resulted in the loss of 22,000 years of history. A freezer at the University of Alberta broke, resulting in precious, ancient ice from the North Pole melting. What happened? What is the fall out? And what are the ramifications for this? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an exciting new engineering project – the world's first ship tunnel! The new project is an engineering marvel and when completed will allow ships to sail through a 1.7 km tunnel in Western Norway. How long will the project take? Why are the Norwegian Government building this tunnel? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on a unique development from New Zealand. Located on the country's North Island is a 290 km river which has been granted legal status in a historic vote in the country's parliament. This means that from now on the River Whanganui is according to the law – a citizen of New Zealand. Why did this happen? What does it actually mean for the river? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Image credit: Wikipedia. CC BY 2.5. Download MP3

In this special edition podcast ENW visits four inspiring locations from the enthralling capital of Spain - Madrid! (PDF) Download MP3

In this special edition podcast ENW visits four inspiring locations from the enticing coastal city of - Valencia! (PDF) Download MP3

This week's English News Weekly podcast reports on an extraordinary night at the Academy Awards Ceremony which saw protests against the president of the United States throughout the show. As well as an unprecedented mistake that ended that 4 hour show. What was the mistake? Who protested? English News Weekly will try to explain all... (PDF) Download MP3