News in Slow English - Episode 14

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with a discussion about the vote on Thursday by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal rules that ensure a fair and open internet, also called “net neutrality.” Next, we’ll talk about the Norwegian Parliament’s decision to decriminalize all drug use. Then, we’ll have a conversation about the discovery of a solar system that is more than 2,500 light years away. The discovery was made by NASA scientists using artificial intelligence developed by Google. And finally, we’ll talk about a new item added to UNESCO’s “intangible heritage” list -- the Neapolitan technique of pizza twirling. Net neutrality rules repealed in the U.S. Norwegian Parliament votes to decriminalize drugs Scientists discover a “twin” solar system with eight planets Naples pizza-twirling wins UNESCO heritage status The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Superlatives. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “To get out of hand.”

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with a discussion about the result of the Alabama Senate elections that were held on Tuesday. Next, we’ll talk about the decision announced by the French government on Sunday to ban the use of mobile phones in school for students under the age of 15. Then, we’ll have a conversation about bitcoins, which are traded on some of the stock markets. And finally, we’ll remember a French pop singer, Johnny Hallyday, who died last week at the age of 74. - Doug Jones upsets Roy Moore in closely watched Senate race - France to ban mobile phones in schools - Bitcoin futures trading begins as price skyrockets - Johnny Hallyday, the Elvis Presley of France, dies As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll highlight the use of today’s topic: Order of Adjectives. And we’ll wrap up our program with another English expression: “To put your heart and soul into (something).”

For the first half of our program, we’re going to look at what’s happening around the world this week. We will begin with President Donald Trump’s announcement to formally recognize the city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Next, we’ll comment on Time Magazine’s choice of 2017 Person of the Year. Following that, we’ll talk about the world’s largest battery installed in Australia that could ease power shortages. And finally, and on a lighter note, we’ll talk about the ugliest Christmas tree that set a new trend in Montreal that celebrates imperfections. President Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing decades of diplomacy “The Silence Breakers” named Time’s Person of the Year World’s largest battery could ease power shortages in Australia Montréal’s “ugly” Christmas tree becomes a tradition As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Participle Adjectives. And we’ll close this week’s program with a new English expression: “A drop in the bucket.”

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with Pope Francis's speech in Myanmar that met with criticism from various human rights groups. Next, we’ll talk about the engagement of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle. Then, we’ll have a conversation about a prediction that 2018 will be a year of higher earthquake activity due to a slight deceleration in the Earth’s rotation. And finally, we’ll talk about a man who plans to launch himself in a homemade rocket to prove that the Earth is flat. - Pope Francis avoids direct references to Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar speech - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce engagement - Changes in Earth’s rotation may cause more major earthquakes in 2018 - Man plans to launch himself in homemade rocket to prove that the Earth is flat The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll demonstrate the use of today’s topic: Possessive Pronouns. And we’ll end this week’s program with a brand new English expression: “To make a long story short.”

As always, we’re going to start the program with a discussion of current events. We will begin with President Trump’s reversal on his own decision to allow the importation of elephant “trophies.” Next, we’ll talk about two E.U. agencies leaving the UK following Brexit. Then, we’ll have a conversation about a Leonardo da Vinci painting that was sold last week for $450 million. And finally, we’ll talk about an event that shocked many soccer fans – the Italian national soccer team has lost its chance to play in next year’s World Cup. - President Trump reverses decision to allow imports of elephant “trophies” - Amsterdam, Paris to host key E.U. agencies following Brexit - Leonardo da Vinci painting sells for record-breaking $450 million - Italy fails to qualify for World Cup for first time in six decades The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Personal Pronouns. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “To rain on someone’s parade.”

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with the new European joint defense pact - PESCO. Next, we’ll talk about a new poll in Australia that shows overwhelming support for gay marriage. Then, we’ll have a conversation about the “Me Too” movement in which more than 1.7 million people in 85 countries have shared their experiences of sexual assault, abuse, or harassment. And finally, we’ll talk about a new video campaign in Poland to promote higher birthrates. - European ministers sign joint defense pact - Australians vote to legalize same-sex marriage - As “Me Too” movement gains momentum, questions emerge about its lasting impact - Poles encouraged to “breed like rabbits” in new video campaign The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Pronouns. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “To blaze a trail / To be a trailblazer.”

For the first part of our program, we’re going to look at what’s happening around the world this week. We will begin with two tragedies that took place in the U.S., one in Texas and the other in New York. Next, we’ll look into the results of the elections in Italy that present an opportunity for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to re-enter national politics. Following that, we’ll talk about the new iPhone X which went on sale last Friday and drew thousands to Apple Stores around the world. And finally, we’ll talk about the 2017 World Series and the victory of the Houston Astros over the Los Angeles Dodgers. - Church shooting, truck attack kill dozens in two separate incidents in the U.S. - Silvio Berlusconi begins political comeback - Crowds worldwide rush to buy latest iPhone - Houston Astros win World Series As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Gender Neutral Nouns. And we’ll close this week’s program with a new English expression: “A cock and bull story.”

For the first portion of our program, we are going to dive into this week’s headlines. We’ll start with a discussion on the first criminal charges brought against some of President Trump’s former aids on Monday by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the Russian meddling investigation. Next, we’re going to talk about the Russian use of social networking platforms Facebook, Google and Twitter to influence the outcome of the 2016 United States presidential election. After that, we’ll discuss the publishing of Stephen Hawking’s doctoral thesis on Cambridge University's website. And finally, we’ll talk about the findings of a study suggesting that drinking alcohol could improve one’s pronunciation when speaking a foreign language. - First charges filed in Russian meddling investigation - Facebook, Twitter, and Google admit to wide-reaching Russian influence - Stephen Hawking’s doctoral thesis crashes its host website - Drinking alcohol improves pronunciation in second language, study shows As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Irregular Noun/Verb Agreement. And we’ll close this week’s program with a new English expression: “To bridge the gap.”

For the first half of our program, we’re going to look at what’s happening around the world this week. We’ll begin with a discussion of China’s most important political event that ended on Tuesday - the Communist Party Congress. Next, we’ll address the results of Czech elections and the nomination of the Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš. After that, we’ll discuss the discovery by scientists from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) of a 30 mile-long cave on the surface of the moon. And finally, we’ll talk about a rumor that has spread throughout social media this week. Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong Populist billionaire to become next Czech leader Cave on moon’s surface could serve as shelter for humans Melania Trump imposter theory captivates the internet As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Countable and Uncountable Nouns. And we’ll close this week’s program with a new English expression: “To go back to the drawing board.”

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with news of the liberation of Raqqa, the Syrian city occupied by the Islamic State. Next, we’ll talk about the results of Austria’s national elections which were held last Sunday. Then, we’ll have a conversation about a study which seems to challenge what we previously believed about the domestication of dogs. And finally, we’ll talk about an Italian woman who was granted the right to earn paid time off in order to care for her sick dog. City of Raqqa falls to U.S.-backed Syrian forces Austria shifts to the right following national elections Domestication has not made dogs cooperate more with each other, when compared to wolves Italian woman wins right to earn sick pay to care for ailing dog The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Plural Nouns. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “Actions speak louder than words.”