We have only two stories this week, about the only two topics of conversation in Great Britain this week: the Olympic Games and the weather!

This week, Jon reads four news stories about Nicolas Sarkosy's dodgy dealings, violent storms in the US, London's new highest building (the Shard) and a silly sailor.

The Shard - 310m high

This week Hannah reads four articles about the French elections, immigrant policy in the US, Japanese terrorism and Sir Paul McCartney.

This week, we hear about how rising heating costs in the UK are contributing to "fuel poverty".

On a lighter note, listen to two articles about Peter Fabergé and Bob Dylan, two very different celebrities.

This week, our stories come from a magazine called Metro, distributed free on the London Underground. Listen to stories about Michael Caine, Adele, David Beckham and Elton John. There's even a little bit of music!

This week, Hannah reads 4 stories about the Ukrainian former prime minister, strange marine deaths in Peru, the last nuclear reactor in Japan and the effects of using mobile phones.

Hello listeners.

This week we have 4 stories about influential people, metal-rich asteroids and Greek and British austerity.

There is a quiz you can do by following this link (no answers or prizes - sorry). The questions will help you to understand the podcast...

See you next time!

Hello listeners! This week Amanda reads 4 stories about the French elections, the collapse of the Dutch government, the trial of Iceland's former prime minister and the sixth marriage of South Africa's president.

NEW! This week, you can download a worksheet containing the key vocabulary in the podcast. Go to the Worksheet tab at the top of the page, or click here.

In this the fourth episode of our Speak Slowly Please podcast, Amanda reads three stories about the Norwegian trial of Anders Breiveik, King Carlos of Spain, the French presidential election and a scandal involving the US secret service.