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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 the Gaza Strip, where UN aid agencies are reducing their operations due to nearly depleted fuel reserves. They have been using small quantities of fuel to maintain the water supply for hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter from Israeli strikes. However, their fuel reserves will run out soon. As a result, they have reduced their support for hospitals and bakeries that feed the displaced. The situation in Gaza is described as dire, with two million people being strangled because of limited outside assistance. Israel has cut off electricity, water, and imports of food and fuel to Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas attack. The health system in Gaza is facing total collapse, with one-third of hospitals not functioning. Despite all the challenges, UN agencies are striving to continue their operations, providing vital aid to displaced people in the region.Moving onto economic news, in the United States, a former cryptocurrency boss, Sam Bankman-Fried, is on trial and has been testifying to the judge after the jury was sent home. The 31-year-old is accused of lying to investors and stealing money from customers of his now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. During his testimony, Bankman-Fried insisted that he made decisions based on legal advice and in good faith. The judge will decide which parts of his testimony can be used as evidence in front of the jury. Prosecutors have challenged Bankman-Fried's defense, arguing that it's irrelevant if his lawyers were not fully informed. If found guilty, Bankman-Fried could face a life sentence in prison. The trial continues, with the judge set to rule on the admissibility of his testimony.In technology news, in the United States, Twitter, now renamed as X, has seen significant changes after being purchased by Elon Musk a year ago. Despite significant staff cuts and a series of radical changes, the social media platform has managed to survive amidst competition. However, its user metrics are shaky and advertisers remain cautious. Many high-profile users, such as Elton John and Gigi Hadid, have left the platform. X's revenue is primarily dependent on advertising, but since Musk's takeover, US ad revenue has dropped by at least 55% year on year. Recently, Musk introduced premium subscription tiers, but this has not significantly altered the company's financial situation. Musk has plans to evolve X into an "everything app", but critics argue that the platform continues to struggle with content regulation and needs immediate financial stability.In entertainment news, the legendary rock band, The Beatles, have announced the release of their "last song" more than 50 years after they split up. The song, titled "Now And Then", is based on a 1970s demo by John Lennon and was finished last year by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Starr used artificial intelligence to separate Lennon's vocals from an old tape. The new song will first be played at 2 pm GMT on Thursday, 2nd November. The song will also be featured in the newly remastered versions of The Beatles' Red and Blue albums, which will be released on 10th November. McCartney and Starr described the experience of completing the song as surreal and emotional.Our final story today comes from China, where a study suggests that practicing the martial art of tai chi can help slow down the symptoms of Parkinson's disease over several years. The research from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine showed that patients who practiced tai chi twice a week experienced fewer complications and improved quality of life compared to those who didn't. Parkinson's is a brain disease causing tremors and slow movement, with no known cure. The study tracked the health of hundreds of Parkinson's patients for up to five years. The researchers found the disease progressed more slowly in those practicing tai chi, with fewer falls, less back pain, and improved memory and concentration. Experts say more trials are needed but this offers promising evidence for the benefit of exercise in managing Parkinson's disease.Thanks for listening to LanguaTalk news!