Learn English B1+ | Today's News, Slowed for Intermediate Learners

Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Researchers found a hidden Copilot setting that let them test how an AI assistant could leak data and bypass a safety rule after a simple link click. Also: At least 30 children are feared to have been conceived with the wrong sperm or egg donors, and families in northern Cyprus want answers.

Today’s English focus: had chosen, used to talk about one action that happened before another past = had chosen. Vocabulary: Donor (a person who gives sperm, eggs, blood, or money to help someone else), Ancestry (family background or where a family came from), Investigation (a careful official search for the truth).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-19

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: A drug best known for erectile dysfunction is being promoted as a longevity drug, but the evidence is still only a link from observational studies, not proof. Also: Three former SpaceX engineers are building a robot factory to automate steel parts, aiming for a prototype by 2027 amid a skilled-worker shortage.

Today’s English focus: be going to = to plan or intend to do something in the future. Vocabulary: autonomy (the ability to work without human control), fabrication (the process of making something, often from metal), shortage (a lack of something people need).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-18

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Two fires break out on Greece's Salamina island, killing two people and forcing hundreds to leave. Also: Ferrari's first electric car sells for a record $40 million at auction.

Today’s English focus: be going to, used for a plan or likely future result = to be going to. Vocabulary: evacuation (moving people away from danger), blaze (fire), smoke inhalation (breathing in smoke).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-17

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Booksellers are seeing huge bulk orders for used books, and many suspect the books are being bought to train AI systems rather than for readers. Also: South Korea's president calls for talks with North Korea to officially end the war and reduce tensions near the DMZ.

Today’s English focus: are being used, are in progress as a process = are being used. Vocabulary: bulk (a large amount bought or sold together), warehouse (a big building where goods are stored), pulped (turned into pulp, so the paper can be recycled or destroyed).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-16

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: The White House says more than 40 countries helped China move goods through lower-tariff routes to avoid US tariffs, ahead of talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Also: A report says Instagram profiles are promoting the crossing to Ceuta, offering paid advice and spreading dangerous content about the journey.

Today’s English focus: be due to meet, expected or planned to happen = expected or planned to happen. Vocabulary: profile (an account page on a social media site), content (the posts, photos, or videos people share online), traction (growing attention or support).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-15

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Romania shuts its only nuclear plant after the Danube falls too low for cooling. Also: Taiwan slows mobile internet to text-only speed during a defense drill.

Today’s English focus: be meant to model a response = to be intended to model a response. Vocabulary: shutdown (a stop in operation), cooling (making something less hot), intake (the place where water or air enters a system).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-14

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Google reveals its 2026 hardware line, with the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch 5, and Pixel Tag. The episode explains Google's small updates, more AI focus, and the new HiLight. Also: At least 44 people die after a ferry sinks on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The episode covers the overturned boat, the rescue effort, and the state of disaster declared by the.

Today’s English focus: have been rescued, to have been helped out of danger = to have been helped out of danger. Vocabulary: rescue (helping people out of danger), overturn (turn over), disaster (a very serious event causing great harm).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-13

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Researchers measure extreme heat hour by hour and find many more hot hours each summer. Also: Google says Gemini has reached 1 billion monthly active users, but the article asks whether that growth can last.

Today’s English focus: be used to + verb-ing = to be familiar with something. Vocabulary: Extreme heat (very hot weather), Trend (general direction of change), Percentile (a way to compare a number with others in a group).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-12

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Shein raises US prices after tariffs, and sales fall as Europe faces similar pressure. Also: Indonesia battles major wildfires with thousands of firefighters, helicopters, and closed park access.

Today’s English focus: is going to raise prices (plans or a likely future result) = is going to raise prices. Vocabulary: firefighters (people whose job is to put out fires), helicopters (aircraft with rotating blades that can move people or water over hard-to-reach), access (the way to reach a place).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-11

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Learn English through today’s real news. Natural-pace English at B1, with a full transcript.

In this episode: Brent crude rises as Iran demands major concessions before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen, keeping traders cautious. Also: Morocco's football chief Fouzi Lekjaa joins a party before elections, and people wonder if he could enter top politics.

Today’s English focus: is going to reopen = is going to reopen. Vocabulary: premium (extra amount paid because something feels risky or special), concessions (things you agree to give up in a deal), cautious (careful and not quick to trust good news).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/english-b1-2026-08-10

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.