Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire
15th June - "Harder"
Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following the IPO of his rocket company SpaceX.
New national anthem rule for 2026 World Cup
11th June - "Easier"
There has been a change to how teams sing their national anthems at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Thousands of hissing cockroaches seized in Australia
8th June - "Harder"
Customs officials in Australia have seized thousands of Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
Teenagers win Earth Prize for microplastic 'magnet'
4th June - "Easier"
Three sixteen-year-olds from India have won this year's Earth Prize.
Japan's population falls three million in five years
1st June - "Harder"
The population of Japan has fallen by over three million in the past five years.
Ferrari unveils its first ever electric car
28th May - "Easier"
Ferrari has unveiled its first ever fully electric car.
Scientists discover why gold doesn't 'rust'
25th May - "Harder"
Scientists have discovered how gold stays in such pristine condition and never loses its shine.
Why 90 per cent of humans are right-handed
21st May - "Easier"
Researchers in the UK believe they have a possible answer to why 90% of humans are right-handed.
Iran war turns Japan's snack packaging black and white
18th May - "Harder"
The Iran war has created a shortage of a product needed for the ink used for food wrapping in Japan.
African continent splitting into two parts
14th May - "Easier"
There are signs that a huge part of East Africa is breaking away from the African continent.
Pentagon releases never-before-seen UFO files
11th May - "Harder"
The Pentagon has released never-before-seen documents on UFOs and UAPs.
Amsterdam bans public ads for meat and fossil fuels
7th May - "Easier"
Amsterdam has banned public advertisements for meat and fossil fuel products.
Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years
4th May - "Harder"
A report says press freedom is at its lowest level in 25 years.
Global military spending hits record $2.9 trillion
30th April - "Easier"
Spending on weapons reached a record high in 2025.
Apple CEO says 2012 Apple Maps was 'big mistake'
27th April - "Harder"
Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple Maps in 2012 was a "really big mistake".
The new 'looksmaxxing' trend could be risky
23rd April - "Easier"
The new looksmaxxing trend among young men is causing doctors to worry.
Japan invents new word for days of 40ºC heat
20th April - "Harder"
The Japan Meteorological Agency has introduced a new word into Japanese that means "cruelly hot".
UK could get free electricity on sunny weekends
16th April - "Easier"
People in the UK could get discounted or even free electricity this summer.
US wants gamers to become air traffic controllers
13th April - "Harder"
The USA's Federal Aviation Administration has launched a recruitment campaign aimed at gamers.
Robot lawn mowers are a danger to hedgehogs
9th April - "Easier"
Mayors in Germany have highlighted a new danger to hedgehogs – robot lawn mowers.
Artemis II crew bugged by Microsoft Outlook problems
6th April - "Harder"
A history-making space mission is well under way with NASA's Artemis II spacecraft venturing towards the far side of the Moon.
Fermented food can help expel nanoplastics from body
2nd April - "Easier"
Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea have discovered a microbe that can expel nanoplastics from the body.
War in Middle East creating fertilizer shortages
30th March - "Harder"
Fertilizer prices are increasing worldwide because of disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Germany wants workers from India
26th March - "Easier"
Germany needs lots of workers and wants to fix this problem by asking professionals from India to fill vacancies.
Negative people might make us age more quickly
23rd March - "Harder"
A new study suggests that who we surround ourselves with can negatively affect our longevity.
Anger in UK over wildlife pictures on banknotes
19th March - "Easier"
Some people in the UK are angry that pictures on British banknotes will change.
Songs with non-English lyrics are becoming more popular
16th March - "Harder"
The English-language dominance of the music industry is under threat from songs from non-English-speaking countries.
New Netflix show 'The Dinosaurs' getting top marks
12th March - "Easier"
The new Netflix mini-series The Dinosaurs got a 100% review on the site Rotten Tomatoes.
UK stores locking up chocolate to stop theft
9th March - "Harder"
Shopkeepers in the UK are locking chocolate bars in plastic boxes to stop chocolate thieves.
Red cards for football players who hide racist comments
5th March - "Easier"
FIFA may ask referees to give a red card to players who cover their mouths when they say things to other players.
Middle East in turmoil after attacks on Iran
2nd March - "Harder"
The Middle East is in turmoil after coordinated attacks by Israel and the USA on Iran.
See the links below for earlier lessons.
Lessons were produced every day between Nov 2004 and Dec 2005.
Lessons were produced at "easier" and "harder" levels between Apr 2005 and Aug 2006.
Podcasts started in Apr 2005.
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