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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 Germany where far-right groups are reportedly trying to exploit farmers' protests over subsidy cuts to destabilize the government. These protests are happening in Berlin and other areas, with some instances of neo-Nazi groups appearing at rallies. Despite these infiltrations, many farmers and Germany's primary agricultural union are making efforts to distance themselves from such extremism. The government, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has warned that these groups are using social media to disrupt democratic discussions. The main concern of the protesting farmers is the government's plans to phase out fuel subsidies, which are worth up to €3,000 a year for an average business. Many demonstrators have expressed that they feel too much money is being sent abroad, leaving little for their own country. Moving on to global economic news, the World Economic Forum recently convened in Davos, Switzerland, aiming to chart a course for global recovery from various crises. However, recent events, like the Houthi's disruptive actions in Yemen and increasing tensions in the Middle East, suggest that the world's problems are far from over. The forum, established in 1971, brings together top business leaders, politicians, and key players from charities and academia. Despite some criticisms and skepticism, the forum remains a space where vital conversations on global issues can take place. However, the global economic recovery remains uncertain, influenced by geopolitical shifts and potential energy shocks. Artificial intelligence is also a hot topic, with firms like Microsoft showcasing their latest developments. In the face of these challenges, the forum strives to lead the world towards a brighter future. In other news from England and Wales, nearly 32,000 countryside footpaths are blocked or obstructed for walkers. This problem has sparked a fightback from walkers, with one walker, Lucy Wilson, even training as a lawyer to make councils maintain clear paths. A BBC investigation revealed that the number of access issues on public rights of way has increased by 4,000 from 2022 to 2023. However, local authorities claim that funding limitations restrict their ability to address the issue. Cornwall Council, which has 2,796 miles of public rights of way, has been a particular focus for Lucy Wilson's campaign. The Ramblers, a British walking charity, has also reported similar issues across England and Wales. The UK government has said that it plans to offer new funding incentives to landowners to maintain and upgrade footpaths. In gaming news, the cult video game Prince of Persia is back after 14 years with a new version called The Lost Crown. For the first time in the series' history, the game will be fully voiced in Farsi, a language spoken in Iran. The game draws heavily from Persian mythology and Iranian culture, but previous versions have always been in English. The developers have stated their intention to "depict and respect Persia and Iran". Fans have welcomed this move, saying it's a big step forward in representing Iranian culture. The game is the first in the series to be developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. Not only has the game been updated with modern graphics, but it also incorporates elements of Zoroastrianism, a religion founded in present-day Iran. Our penultimate story is about the Emmy Awards, which were delayed for four months due to Hollywood strikes, are set to take place on Monday. TV series Succession, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus are among the top nominees. The event will be hosted by actor and comedian Anthony Anderson. There are rumors that the ceremony might include a tribute to late actor Matthew Perry, but this is not confirmed. Some awards were already handed out at the Creative Arts Emmys event, where The Last of Us won eight prizes. The main event will recognize the best drama and comedy shows, and their actors. Despite the delays, the ceremony will honor series that aired between June 2022 and May 2023.Our final story today is from England, where a large study of 13,000 cancer patients has shown that analysing the entire genetic code of individuals can help deliver more effective treatments. This study is the biggest of its kind and it revealed that combining clinical data with DNA evidence allows care to be tailored to the patient. Some patients were given different drugs or were able to avoid ones that would cause side effects based on their genetic information. The study found that most brain tumours had genetic traits that influenced treatment decisions. The research also discovered that more than 10% of certain types of cancer, such as sarcomas and ovarian cancers, had genetic changes that offered insights into clinical care and potential testing of family members. This milestone research was led by Genomics England, NHS England, and several universities. Thanks for listening to LanguaTalk news!