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If you're looking for an intermediate English podcast, LanguaTalk is ideal for listening to news in slow English. It'll be perfect for you if you have a lower-intermediate level (B1), but can also help A2 and B2 learners. The podcast is free and you can find interactive transcripts on our cutting-edge software, Langua. We've created this podcast using AI.
Welcome to LanguaTalk news. Our first story comes from Ukraine. Russia reportedly launched thirteen attack drones and a series of missiles at the country overnight. Ukraine's air force says they were able to destroy eleven of these drones and two guided missiles over various regions. The attack reportedly comprised of thirteen attack drones, four Kh-59 guided air missiles, one air-to-surface Kh-31P missile and several ballistic missiles. The Ukraine's force shared this information on the Telegram messaging app. However, it remains unclear how many ballistic missiles Russia launched. It is also unknown what happened to the missiles and drones that were not downed.Moving onto France, French President, Emmanuel Macron, has stated that there is currently no agreement on sending troops to Ukraine. However, he emphasized that the idea cannot be completely dismissed. Macron made these comments after meeting with representatives from about twenty countries who are allied with Ukraine. He said, "Nothing should be excluded. We will do everything that we must so that Russia does not win."In U.S. political news, Ronna McDaniel, the leader of the Republican Party, has announced she will be stepping down. This decision comes after weeks of public pressure from Donald Trump, the party's likely candidate for the twenty twenty four elections. Trump, who has significant influence over the party, is said to be preparing for a potential rematch with current Democratic President, Joe Biden. Trump endorsed Michael Whatley, the current North Carolina Republican Party Chair, as McDaniel's replacement. He also endorsed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as co-chair. McDaniel's stepping down will be effective from the eighth of March, during the Republican National Committee's spring meeting. The new leader will face the challenge of unifying a divided party. McDaniel has been criticized for the party's fundraising efforts and performance during elections. Trump's influence continues to be a contentious issue within the party.Our next story is from the South China Sea. Recent satellite images reveal a new floating barrier at the entrance of the disputed Scarborough Shoal. This barrier was spotted near where ships from the Philippines and China's coast guard often clash. Last week, China claimed it had driven off a Philippine vessel that was "illegally intruding" into their waters. However, the Philippines states that its activities in the area are legal. China claims the Scarborough Shoal, even though it lies within the Philippines' two hundred-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. This has led to the shoal becoming a contentious area in Asia, sparking frequent diplomatic disputes over sovereignty and fishing rights. The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Sunday that two Chinese coast guard boats were seen deploying floating barriers at the shoal's entrance. Furthermore, a Chinese coast guard ship was seen shadowing a Philippine vessel. It was performing blocking maneuvers near the shoal, and closely approaching it.The Chinese foreign ministry insists that the shoal is "China's inherent territory". They accuse the Philippines of violating China's sovereignty in the shoal's waters. They say they must take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.In economic news from West Africa, the regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, has decided to lift strict sanctions on Niger. This decision was made in an attempt to persuade Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, three countries led by military juntas, to stay within the bloc. ECOWAS had imposed sanctions on Niger, including border closures and the freezing of assets, after a military coup last year. The removal of these sanctions is seen as a gesture of appeasement, as their exit would disrupt the bloc's trade and services worth nearly one hundred and fifty billion dollars a year. ECOWAS has also lifted certain sanctions on Guinea, another junta-led state. However, ECOWAS continues to call for the release of Niger's detained President, Mohamed Bazoum, and a return to democratic rule. The three countries have criticized ECOWAS's sanctions strategy and have begun cooperating under a new pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States.Our final story today is from China. The ongoing property crisis is causing a wave of debt restructuring deals. This situation is leading to an increase in hiring in Hong Kong's financial sector. Many Chinese real estate developers, listed in Hong Kong, have defaulted on dollar bonds. This has forced them to either discuss restructuring with their creditors or risk being liquidated. Global restructuring specialists, Alvarez & Marsal and Houlihan Lokey, are increasing their staff numbers in Hong Kong. Alvarez & Marsal, appointed by a Hong Kong court to liquidate property giant China Evergrande Group, reported a growth in their China business staff from around two hundred to two hundred sixty in a year. Meanwhile, Houlihan Lokey, advising China Evergrande and Sunac China, noted a more than fifty percent team growth in two and a half years. This trend of hiring restructuring professionals is expected to continue, contrasting with the job cuts in investment banking in Hong Kong and mainland China.Thanks for listening to LanguaTalk news!