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Illegal fireworks displays lighting up the US | Learn the English expression ‘in a bind’
Episode 274
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Fireworks have long been a summer tradition for Americans. But with many official fireworks displays cancelled this summer, Americans have turned t…
5 years, 10 months ago
The era of private space travel is upon us | Learn the English expression ‘dry spell’
Episode 273
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For the first time ever, a private company – Space X – sent an astronaut into space. As people are getting more comfortable with the idea of privat…
5 years, 10 months ago
Thousands of crew members are stranded at sea | Learn the English expression ‘grind to a halt’
Episode 272
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After months at sea, an estimated 200,000 crew members’ contracts are ending. But these seafarers are unable to step foot on land due to quarantine…
5 years, 10 months ago
Edward Hopper’s isolationist paintings resonating in social distancing era | Learn the expression ‘on the outskirts’
Episode 271
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Edward Hopper was a 20th…
5 years, 10 months ago
China proposes controversial Hong Kong security law | Learn the English expression ‘stacked against’
Episode 270
** YOUR LAST CHANCE ** to join Plain English Plus+ as a Founding Member and pay the lowest price ever! PlainEnglish.com/Plus
As part of the agreement…
5 years, 10 months ago
Will university campuses be empty this fall? | Learn the English expression ‘holding pattern’
Episode 269
Universities are in a uniquely difficult position preparing for classes after the pandemic. Some institutions have already announced that they will h…
5 years, 10 months ago
Police responding to protesters’ demands for reform | Learn the English expression ‘set in motion’
Episode 268
As protests enter their third week in the US, police departments are beginning to respond to protesters’ calls for action. Protesters have seen signs…
5 years, 10 months ago
George Floyd’s death sparks protests across the world | Learn the phrasal verb ‘call for’
Episode 267
Eight minutes and 46 seconds: the amount of time George Floyd was pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, ultimately leading to his dea…
5 years, 10 months ago
Pro sports will return, but fans won’t be there | Learn the phrasal verb ‘drown out’
Episode 266
Sports leagues are navigating their returns under coronavirus restrictions, budget cuts, and without fans for the foreseeable future. Some leagues ha…
5 years, 11 months ago
Funerals in the age of COVID-19 | Learn the English expression ‘all walks of life’
Episode 265
The United States has just passed a grim milestone: 100,000 deaths officially attributed to COVID-19. The death care industry is completely overwhelm…
5 years, 11 months ago