Learning English Podcast - Gaza Protests, T. Rex Intelligence, School Closures

On today's podcast, Ashley Thompson and Dan Novak host the show and Ashley tells listeners what they will hear.

First, Ashley reports on protests in Berlin and other places in Europe where people are showing support for Palestinians in Gaza. The pro-Palestinian protests at colleges across the United States appear to have spread to campuses in Europe. The Netherlands, Britain, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy and other countries have had such pro-Palestinian protests.

Next, Dan Friedell reports on a scientific dispute over the size of the brain of a giant, meat-eating dinosaur. Two sets of scientists are debating how smart the ancient reptile T-rex was, based on the size of its brain and the number of brain cells it might have had. An earlier study suggested that T. rex had a large brain and was as smart as a monkey. Now, a group of scientists says that is not likely.

After that, Dan Novak reports about how hot weather is hurting education efforts around the world. Heatwaves have forced school closures in parts of Asia and North Africa. Experts say school closures will increase inequality and threaten the health of students. In Bangladesh, for example, schools do not have fans, insulation or other modern amenities. Some studies suggest that exposure to high heat results in less learning.

Then comes a promotional message for Let's Learn English with Anna, a new Learning English program.

Finally, John Russell explains the word "aquatic" using Dan Novak report on a study of evolution of a kind of plant called "angiosperms."

Then Ashley and Dan sign off.
US Campus Protests Spread to Europe https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...
Scientists Argue over Intelligence of T. Rex https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...
Extreme Heat Closes Schools, Widens Learning Gap https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...


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