Cyclists on mobile phones in Japan could face jail
4th November - "Harder"
It is now illegal to use mobile phones or to be under the influence of alcohol while cycling in Japan.
Standing on one leg can tell us about our age
31st October - "Easier"
Standing on one leg is a good measure of our overall health and age.
Atlantic Ocean circulatory current could collapse
28th October - "Harder"
The system of ocean currents that is responsible for maintaining temperate weather is in danger of collapsing.
New Zealand airport bans three-minute hugs
24th October - "Easier"
A New Zealand has set a three-minute limit on the time people can spend hugging each other at the drop-off zone.
U.K. to face $260 billion slave trade bill
21st October - "Harder"
The UK is set to face a $260-billion bill in compensation for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
U.K. court says calling a man 'bald' is sexist
17th October - "Easier"
U.K. court says calling a man 'bald' is sexist.
Japanese atomic bomb survivors win Nobel Peace Prize
14th October - "Harder"
This year's Nobel Peace Prize has been won by a grassroots group of atomic bomb survivors from Japan.
Unseen video of 'Thunderbirds' TV show found
10th October - "Easier"
Unseen film of the classic TV show 'Thunderbirds' has been found at a house in England.
Mapping of fruit fly brain to change neuroscience
7th October - "Harder"
Scientists have created a map of the wiring of a fruit fly's brain.
Travelling could slow down the ageing process
3rd October - "Easier"
A new study says that going on trips could slow down the ageing process.
Activists jailed for soup attack on Van Gogh painting
30th September - "Harder"
Climate activists have been jailed for dousing Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers painting with tomato soup.
People need $100,000 salary to stop money worries
26th September - "Easier"
A new report suggests that money can't buy happiness, but can stop money worries.
'Third state' exists beyond life and death, says study
23rd September - "Harder"
A study has suggested a "third state" that exists after life and death.
Amazon staff to return to office five days a week
19th September - "Easier"
Retail giant Amazon has decided it is time to end its hybrid work policy.
Record number of people in space
16th September - "Harder"
There is now a record number of 19 people up in space.
Nature can reduce anxiety and boost mental health
12th September - "Easier"
Research suggests that being in the natural world for just 10 minutes can help our mental health.
Marmoset monkeys call each other by name
9th September - "Harder"
Researchers say marmoset monkeys call each other by name.
Nissan develops paint to keep cars cooler
5th September - "Easier"
Japanese car maker Nissan has developed a new type of paint that keeps cars cooler.
Eye colour change is riskiest cosmetic surgery
2nd September - "Harder"
A study says cosmetic surgery to change the colour of one's eyes is the riskiest.
First Esports World Cup ends in Saudi Arabia
29th August - "Easier"
The Esports World Cup ended on Sunday. The eight-week-long competition was held in Saudi Arabia.
Antarctica is rising from the ocean
26th August - "Harder"
The continent of Antarctica is rising due to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift.
Huge rise in price of Premier League football shirts
22nd August - "Easier"
Being a football fan in England is becoming more expensive.
World on alert as deadly mpox virus spreads
19th August - "Harder"
The WHO has declared a global health emergency over the spread of the mpox virus.
New nasal spray treats emergency allergic reactions
15th August - "Easier"
A new nasal spray to treat emergency allergic reactions has been approved.
Scientists fear people will fall in love with AI voices
12th August - "Harder"
The company that owns ChatGPT is worried people may become emotionally dependent on artificial intelligence.
Filipino gymnast wins Olympic gold and free ramen
8th August - "Easier"
A gymnast from the Philippines has won two gold medals (and free ramen for life) at the Paris Olympics.
18-km wide diamond layer on Mercury, says study
5th August - "Harder"
There could be an 18-km wide layer of the gems beneath the crust of the planet Mercury.
Japan cracks down on electric rideable suitcases
1st August - "Easier"
The latest advance in luggage (rideable suitcases) is causing problems in Japan.
Violence against women and girls at 'epidemic' levels
29th July - "Harder"
Police in the UK have released a report highlighting a serious surge in violence against women and girls.
Spanish residents take to streets against mass tourism
25th July - "Easier"
Thousands of people in Spain are protesting against mass tourism.
UK doctors to treat people suffering from eco-anxiety
22nd July - "Harder"
Doctors in the UK have been advised to talk to patients about climate change.
US Secret Service faces questions over Trump
18th July - "Easier"
The US Secret Service is facing questions after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
UK prisons facing serious overcrowding crisis
15th July - "Harder"
The new government in the UK is dealing with a serious crisis in its prison system.
Past 12 months break extreme heat records
11th July - "Easier"
The world has experienced its hottest year since records began.
UK elects 22-year-old as a Member of Parliament
8th July - "Harder"
A 22-year-old has been elected as a Member of Parliament in the UK's general election.
Turbulence forces plane into emergency landing
4th July - "Easier"
Severe turbulence forced an airplane into an emergency landing on Monday.
Vienna tops the 2024 Global Liveability Index
1st July - "Harder"
Vienna has been named as the world's most liveable city for the third year running.
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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