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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 Europe. The European Union's new Anti-Money Laundering Authority, or AMLA, will be based in Frankfurt, Germany. AMLA's goal is to strengthen the EU's fight against illegal finance. Previously, the EU relied on national regulators to control dirty money, but cooperation among member states was not always complete. Now, the AMLA is set to have over four hundred staff members and is expected to begin operations in mid-twenty twenty five. The new authority will supervise risky financial entities, oversee the non-financial sector, and prevent evaders from avoiding financial sanctions. This initiative is part of a package of laws aimed to reform the EU's system for combating money-laundering and terrorist financing. Parliament is slated to vote on final approval of the package in late April.Moving onto Eastern Europe, the Prime Minister of Poland has scheduled a meeting with the Ukrainian government in Warsaw for March twenty-eight. This follows an urgent request for talks from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, concerning border blockades by Polish farmers. These farmers are protesting what they claim is unfair competition from cheaper Ukrainian imports. In response, Ukrainian officials have labeled the border situation as unacceptable and emphasized the need for immediate discussions involving Ukraine, Poland, and the European Commission. Despite this tension, Poland continues to show support for Ukraine's war efforts and plans to ensure that military aid reaches Ukraine without delays. However, the ongoing farmer protests remain a concern for both countries.In news from the United States, President Joe Biden has recently voiced disapproval of an Alabama court ruling related to frozen embryos created via in-vitro fertilization. The President found the ruling, which he believes undermines women's ability to make decisions for themselves and their families, both outrageous and unacceptable. Furthermore, Biden stated that this issue has arisen as a direct consequence of the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade case.Turning to Australia, fresh evacuation warnings have been issued due to a major bushfire in Victoria state. Approximately one thousand firefighters are battling the fire, which has already destroyed properties and killed livestock. Over two thousand people have fled from towns in western Victoria, seeking safety in the regional hub of Ballarat. Firefighters, supported by more than fifty aircraft, are struggling to contain the blaze which has burnt around eleven thousand hectares. The Victoria state Premier, Jacinta Allan, has confirmed reports of property loss. The fire has caused power outages in around five thousand properties and led to the closure and relocation of several schools. The fire is spreading faster due to stronger winds, and emergency crews are urging residents to take indoor shelter if they cannot evacuate.In African news, Senegal's President, Macky Sall, has announced that his term as president will end on the second of April. However, he believes that the election of a new president is unlikely to be completed by then. This statement may calm concerns that Sall was planning to prolong his rule, a prospect that led to a tense political environment and sometimes violent protests. The Constitutional Council, the country's highest election authority, ruled last week that a ten-month delay of the vote was not legal. The election was originally set for the twenty-fifth of February. Sall has stated that he cannot set the election date before a national dialogue involving civil society groups, political parties, and candidates takes place.Our final story today comes from China, where the Year of the Dragon has seen a significant rise in the number of babies being born, according to financial news outlet Yicai. This increase may slow down the anticipated decline in population in twenty twenty four, bringing some relief to policymakers. Despite this 'dragon baby' boom, many young people are choosing to delay marriage due to economic hardships. High childcare costs and societal expectations for women to prioritize family over career are also contributing to a growing trend of women choosing to remain childless.Thanks for listening to LanguaTalk news!