What lies behind the random stabbing incident on London's rail transit? Why did the Alps avalanche turn into a tragedy? With frequent international incidents, how can we balance staying informed while learning in bite-sized sessions? At 12:30 PM on November 3, Zhang Chaoyang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Sohu.com, hosted a live session of "Zhang Chaoyang's English Class," using recent global headlines as entry points to guide viewers through event details and decode English expressions behind the news, creating a "news + English" micro-learning scenario.
During the broadcast, Zhang first focused on the London subway knife attack. Citing BBC reports, he mentioned a 32-year-old man indiscriminately stabbed passengers with a kitchen knife on a train bound for King's Cross Station, resulting in 11 casualties. The scene was described as bloody, with passengers screaming and fleeing. One witness said it felt like "seeing a mission of death." In the critical moment, a railway staff member intervened to stop the attacker but ended up in a life-threatening condition, praised by police as "nothing short of a hero." The suspect is now in solitary custody, but public safety concerns linger. How will the UK strengthen rail transit security? What follow-up measures will be taken?
Beyond human-caused incidents, natural disasters also brought tragedies. Zhang noted a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan at dawn, with the death toll rising to at least eight. Many residents fled to the streets at night, and some injured individuals worsened their condition by panic-jumping from buildings. Additionally, an avalanche in the Alps claimed the lives of five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father. Zhang explained that three climbing groups were caught in a sudden avalanche on Butana Peak on Saturday afternoon, burying all members of one team, including the father-daughter pair. Survivors urgently called for help, but helicopter rescue operations were halted due to heavy fog. Why did climbers choose to ascend in the evening despite clear weather? Why did the "safety system" at this popular climbing spot fail? How should climbers scientifically assess risks and take precautions?
Apart from serious global news, Zhang shared intriguing trivia about daily life. Recent BBC research suggests that body odor is primarily influenced by factors like hormones and food—specifically, how bacteria process odor molecules released through intestinal fermentation and skin metabolism. Does this mean consuming certain foods can alter one's natural scent?
Notably, Zhang also discussed the fun moments from Sohu Video's Halloween-themed U.S. drama party, recapping highlights of October's "U.S. Drama Month" and "English Learning Month," while recommending two newly released hit shows: *Yellowstone* and *Matlock*. He emphasized that quality dramas not only offer immersive viewing but also serve as practical tools for English learning.
"Zhang Chaoyang's English Class" combines trending topics with language study, making learning engaging. For exclusive English analysis of global events and real-time interaction with Zhang, tune in to Sohu Video's "Zhang Chaoyang" account every Monday to Thursday at 12:30 PM to broaden horizons and enhance English skills in a relaxed setting.