Today's story: Self-driving cars were supposed to be here by now—but the road to autonomy has been bumpier than expected. The technology has gotten better, but the sensors and cameras remain imperfect. Meanwhile, uncertainties in the business and legal environment have contributed to the delays. Some companies have scaled back their ambitions, while others, like Tesla and Waymo, continue to push forward. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/759 -- Plain English helps you improve ...
Mar 20, 2025•20 min•Ep. 759
Today's story: Amazon has taken full creative control of James Bond, ending six decades of stewardship by the family of film producer Albert Broccoli. Previously, the family carefully managed the creative direction of the Bond franchise, even as big studios produced the movies. Now, Amazon may make more frequent films, expand Bond storylines, and push the character into new media like theme parks and animated specials. But some Bond fans worry the tech giant will dilute the brand and let algorit...
Mar 17, 2025•18 min•Ep. 758
Today's story: Manual transmissions were once a cheaper, more fuel-efficient alternative to automatics. But automatics have gotten better, and consumers overwhelmingly prefer them. Now, only about 1% of new cars in the U.S. and Canada come with a stick shift. Those who prefer to shift their own gears must pay up for a higher trim line or a performance car. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/757 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/757 -- Plain English helps you improve your En...
Mar 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 757
Today's story: Los Angeles is facing the aftermath of both devastating wildfires and destructive mudslides. The fires burned vegetation that helped keep soil in place, leading to landslides when heavy rains arrived. Now, the city is dealing with cleanup while also rethinking building codes, infrastructure, and planning to better withstand future disasters. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/756 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/756 -- Plain English helps you improve your En...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 756
Today's story: Los Angeles faces wildfire risks every year due to its dry summers, drought-resistant vegetation, and the powerful Santa Ana winds. This year, however, was one of the worst in history. A series of devastating fires destroyed thousands of buildings, forced mass evacuations, and left entire neighborhoods in ashes. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/755 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural Eng...
Mar 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 755
Today's story: Five years after the pandemic began, the fight over remote work still isn’t settled. Some companies are demanding full-time office attendance, using badge swipes and tracking software to enforce it. Others are trying to lure workers back with perks. Meanwhile, employees are pushing for more flexibility. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/754 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a...
Mar 03, 2025•17 min•Ep. 754
Today's story: Most contractions in English are simple combinations of two words, like “you’re” for “you are.” But some contractions don’t follow the usual pattern. In this lesson, we explore three unusual contractions—“ma’am,” “o’clock,” and “ain’t”—their origins, meanings, and when (or if) you should use them. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/753 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed...
Feb 27, 2025•14 min•Ep. 753
Today's story: Scientists have discovered the ideal way to boil an egg, ensuring a perfectly firm white and a soft, nutrient-rich yolk. The secret? Alternating the egg between boiling and warm water for 32 minutes. This method preserves nutrients and improves texture—but it requires patience and precision. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/752 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you c...
Feb 24, 2025•13 min•Ep. 752
Today's story: Whether you live in cold weather, plan to visit, or are just curious, it's important to know how to protect yourself from extreme cold. Learn how to layer properly, choose the right gear, and protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/751 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/751 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can underst...
Feb 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 751
Today's story: Many English words come from French, but some, like fiancé, façade, and résumé, keep their original spellings, accents, and even gendered forms. To make things even more confusing, some of these words don't mean the same thing in French and English. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/750 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn ...
Feb 17, 2025•17 min•Ep. 750
Today's story: Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral was nearly destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019. In the years since, thousands of artisans and specialists worked to restore the 850-year-old cathedral. The roof was rebuilt using oak from French forests. The massive pipe organ was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. The limestone exterior was preserved and, where necessary, stones were replaced. New lighting and safety systems were installed. And in December 2024, the cathedral opened to the wo...
Feb 13, 2025•13 min•Ep. 749
Today's story: Saturday Night Live, or SNL, is a late-night comedy show that mixes short sketches, parodies, and music. The sketches poke fun at everyday situations, celebrities, products, and current events. What makes it special is that it's written quickly each week and performed live before a studio audience. This year, it celebrates its fiftieth anniversary on the air, always in the same time slot (11:30 p.m. on Saturdays). Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/748 -- Plain E...
Feb 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 748
Today's story: English isn’t descended from Latin, but some Latin phrases have made their way into everyday use. This lesson explores eight Latin phrases, such as ""circa,"" ""quid pro quo,"" and ""status quo,"" that are still used in English today, plus some fun facts about Latin's influence on other fields. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/747 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/747 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your En...
Feb 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 747
Today's story: Neon signs have lit up city streets for about a century. But building owners are increasingly swapping hand-blown neon tubes for sleek LED bulbs. The new bulbs are cheaper, easier to maintain, and more energy-efficient. But the old neon signs are a nostalgic part of urban history. What will cities be like without them? Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/746 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/746 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the ...
Feb 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 746
Today's story: The British Parliament recently voted to advance a bill that would legalize medically-assisted dying in England and Wales. Supporters argue that those with terminal illnesses should have the right to avoid suffering at the very end of their lives. Opponents are concerned about social pressure, a slippery slope, and the role of doctors in ending life. If the bill passes, parts of the U.K. would join several other countries in legalizing the practice. Transcript & Exercises: htt...
Jan 30, 2025•17 min•Ep. 745
"Today's story: Nightclubs around the world are closing their doors earlier than ever before, and some of the world's biggest party hotspots are hosting fewer all-night parties. Club owners and party organizers face tighter regulations and higher costs. But the real culprit is simply that this generation of young people is less interested in club culture than previous generations were. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/744" Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/744 -- Plain En...
Jan 27, 2025•13 min•Ep. 744
Today's story: Every winter, Girl Scouts and their parents fan out across schools, offices, and community events, soliciting orders for cookies. Customers have just one chance per year to satisfy their cravings for Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, and Samoas. But it’s not just the customers who benefit—the girls learn skills like sales, planning, and customer service, and cookie sales contribute millions to their Girl Scout troops and regional councils. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com...
Jan 23, 2025•12 min•Ep. 743
Today's story: Jimmy Carter, who died at the end of 2024, was America's 39th president. His term in office was marked by challenges, and he suffered a lopsided loss in the 1980 election. But after he left office, he founded one of the most influential global nonprofits. The Carter Center has had an extraordinary positive impact on humanity in areas ranging from peace to health to democracy. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/742 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: ...
Jan 20, 2025•14 min•Ep. 742
Today's story: Australia’s new law bans children under 16 from social media, but two key questions remain: how will platforms verify user ages, and what exactly counts as a social media platform? So much of the online world has at least some social component: will teen book nerds be kicked off Goodreads? Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/741 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/741 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English...
Jan 16, 2025•16 min•Ep. 741
Today's story: Australia has passed a law that will prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The law aims to protect kids from cyberbullying and mental health issues, but critics say it's an unfair restriction on kids' freedom to connect online. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/740 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understa...
Jan 13, 2025•14 min•Ep. 740
Today's story: Processed foods are widely considered unhealthy and are associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. But what, exactly, is unhealthy about them? New research attempts to tease out which processed foods are most associated with bad health. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/739 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/739 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can un...
Jan 09, 2025•16 min•Ep. 739
Today's story: Here are three major stories to follow in 2025: Donald Trump’s return and its impact on global trade, the potential endgame for the Ukraine-Russia war, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business and society. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/738 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/738 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories...
Jan 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 738
Today's story: Giving gifts is a waste of money. That's the conclusion of economic studies that show the ""deadweight loss"" that occurs when givers buy gifts the receivers don't want very much. But even with this loss, a good gift can still be worth it...if done right. Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/737 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn even more...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 737
Today's story: Romance novels are the bestselling genre in publishing, outselling thrillers, mysteries, and self-help books. This story explores what makes a book a romance, the genre’s rich history, its subgenres, and how e-readers and self-publishing have fueled its success. Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/736 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your English Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand New stories every week Learn ev...
Dec 16, 2024•25 min•Ep. 736
Today's story: Colm Tóibín's novel ""Brooklyn"" introduced readers to Eilis Lacey, a young woman from Ireland who emigrated to America in the 1950's. The story won wide praise and found commercial success; it was adapted into a movie in 2015. Now, the Irish author is back with a sequel, titled ""Long Island"" and set in the 1970s. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/735 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/735 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the wor...
Dec 12, 2024•22 min•Ep. 735
Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from one part of the body to another. It's also a critical ingredient in life-saving treatments. It's easy and safe to donate plasma, but the world still faces a shortage. Is it time for more countries to allow patients to be paid to donate plasma? Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/734 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/734 -- Plain...
Dec 09, 2024•27 min•Ep. 734
Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichés. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman, ""Deep Work"" by Cal Newport, and ""The Power of Habit"" by Charles Duhigg offer fresh perspectives on managing time, focusing deeply, and building positive habits. These books go beyond fluff to provide readers with thoughtful, research-backed insights that can genuinely improve their lives. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/73...
Dec 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 733
Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASA’s latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiter’s orbit in 2030. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced instruments, the spacecraft will take photos of what astronomers think is a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of one of Jupiter's many moons. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/732 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/732 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn abo...
Dec 02, 2024•18 min•Ep. 732
Today's story: Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey; it’s also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to tart cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, these traditional dishes add color and flavor to every American Thanksgiving table. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/731 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/731 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your ...
Nov 28, 2024•20 min•Ep. 731
Today's story: After losing in 2020, Donald Trump faced widespread criticism and seemed politically finished. However, a combination of Joe Biden's policy choices and Trump's resilient, disciplined 2024 campaign led the former president to an improbable comeback. He became only the second person to win the presidency after once having lost it. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/730 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/730 -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn ...
Nov 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 730
