Click to Listen:  

Notice Text fragments in light blue are to provide synonyms and explanations that serve to clarify the news Hello and welcome to NewsInSlowEnglish.com, a podcast for English learners from all around the world. Our team specializes in bringing you the news in slow clear English and in providing materials to support you in your quest to take your English skills to the next level. It is our sincere hope that you find these materials useful. Let’s get started! Lucas: Hello everyone! Hi Olga! Olga: Hi Lucas! Hello everybody! Welcome to the second episode of News in Slow English! Lucas: As you know our podcast is structured in three main parts: first the news, then grammar, and finally expressions. You can find much more material by visiting our website NewsInSlowEnglish.com. But now, let's get to this week's news! Olga: Let’s go! The United Kingdom chairs the G-20 (Group of Twenty) summit this week The meeting of leading nations on Thursday expected to focus on efforts to tackle a global financial crisis that has downed major banks and already cost millions of jobs. This crisis is considered by the world community as the biggest recession since the 1930s. The G-20 should develop emergency measures to address the current financial crisis and develop proposals that will restore global growth in the medium-term. The summit should also make progress on long-term issues such as climate change and international development. - Who are the nations in the Group of Twenty? - The G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and also the European Union which is represented by the rotating council presidency and the European Central Bank. - I remember when it used to be the G-8. It wasn't that long ago. - I believe this goes to show that the world economy as a whole has been growing, despite the current situation. US Government asserts control over automotive industry US President Barack Obama took the extraordinary step of announcing the government will back new car warranties issued by both GM (General Motors) and Chrysler. This step is seen as an attempt to reassure consumers that their U.S.-made automobiles will be protected by warranties even if the companies don't survive. "I am absolutely committed to working with Congress and the auto companies to meet one goal: The United States of America will lead the world in building the next generation of clean cars," Obama said. However, in a more somber note he added, "...our auto industry is not moving in the right direction fast enough to succeed." - Obama welcomed the GM Chairman's departure and he gave Chrysler 30 days worth of funds to complete a partnership with Fiat, the Italian manufacturer. - ...or some other manufacturer. - Right! But, there is a growing concern that the US Government is micromanaging the auto industry... - Yes, that is why Obama felt that he needed to address this concern: "Let me be clear: the United States government has no interest or intention of running GM," he said. "What we are interested in is giving GM an opportunity to finally make those much-needed changes that will let them emerge from this crisis a stronger and more competitive company." Change of terminology in the White House Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Obama administration has abandoned the term "global war on terror." The term was frequently used by President Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But the use of the term "global war on terror" is widely disliked overseas. Clinton said the absence of the "war on terror" language speaks for itself. The media has noted the absence, but the White House administration has had little to say on the subject. - What other phrases were used by the Bush administration - "axis of evil?" - Yes, he said it during the State of the Union address, speaking about Iran, Iraq, and North Korea in January of 2002...but since we started having fun with political terminology, let's mention that United States UN Ambassador John Bolton gave a speech entitled "Beyond the Axis of Evil" on May of 2002. In it he added three more nations to the list: Libya, Syria, and Cuba. - ...and of course Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's speech in which she termed six "most repressive" countries "outposts of tyranny." This included the two remaining Axis members, as well as Cuba, Belarus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. Netanyahu Commits to Seeking Peace Agreement with Palestinians Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the right wing Likud and the man appointed to form the next Israeli Government, has announced publically that he will maintain peace negotiations with Palestinians, although he did so without mentioning a two state solution. "I will negotiate peace with the Palestinian Authority," Netanyahu said in a conference in Jerusalem. The right wing leader has stated strongly that, "security, prosperity, and peace are interrelated," and he argued for the economic development of the Palestinian territories in order to advance toward peace, without referring to the creation of a Palestinian state, a solution that much of the world supports, with the Obama Administration being key among these, not to mention the outgoing Israeli Government of Ehud Olmert. - I was glad to hear that Netanyahu said, "If we have a strong Palestinian economy, that's a strong foundation for peace." - But, the improvement in the economic relationship between the Israelis and Palestinians should not substitute for political negotiations. - Of course, they should complement them! Venezuela's Chavez calls Obama 'Ignorant' Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday called President Barack Obama "ignorant," saying he has a lot to learn about Latin America. Chavez's relations with the United States grew increasingly strained under former President George W. Bush. The Venezuelan president expelled the US ambassador and Chavez withdrew his ambassador from Washington in September. This month, Chavez and Obama plan to attend a summit of leaders from across the American continent. The meeting will take place in Trinidad and Tobago. When asked about his demands to the United States, Chavez said: "We ask only for respect for Venezuela, nothing else." He also said that Obama has been an obstacle to Latin America's development. However, Chavez has at times expressed hope for a better relationship with the US under Obama. - The US still remains the top buyer of Venezuelan oil despite long-standing political tensions. Business is business. - With the new President in the White House, and the last Venezuelan referendum on February 18th that ended the term limits, I thought that Hugo Chavez would lower his criticism of the United States. It's a good opportunity to start looking for improvement in the relationship between the two countries. - Hmm. He did lower his criticism. It's a "milder" version of Chavez. Remember his 'devil' statement about Bush at the UN? But, why would the referendum on election term limits make Chavez more inclined to seek a better relationship with the United States? - I don't know. Perhaps because he has achieved what he wanted and it's time to work on what's best for both countries. - I think this is good advice for Chavez.