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

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

In this episode: U.S. inflation reaches 3.7% before the midterm elections, driven partly by rising energy prices. Also: The U.S. may not have sent early warnings to Ukraine before Russian missile strikes.

Aujourd'hui : L'inflation américaine atteint 3,7 % · Des alertes américaines non transmises à l'Ukraine.

Today’s French focus: auraient pu ne pas transmettre = may not have sent. Vocabulary: Une alerte (a warning), Un lancement (a launch), Une frappe (a strike).

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

In this episode: Russian ballistic missiles hit a power plant and an apartment building in Kyiv, killing one person and injuring 13, after an announced energy ceasefire. Also: Countries led by Saudi Arabia and Russia are pressing to delay the IPCC's AR7 climate report from 2028 to 2029, while vulnerable countries fear losing guidance for climate.

Aujourd'hui : Des missiles russes touchent une centrale à Kyiv · Le rapport du GIEC pourrait être retardé.

Today’s French focus: avait déclaré = had declar...

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

In this episode: Saudi Arabia says it intercepted three Houthi missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, while the attacks keep the capital's airport closed. Also: The EU will limit Chinese hybrid-vehicle imports to 350,000 cars a year, aiming to reduce China's market share.

Today’s French focus: être soumises à, to be subject to = to be subject to. Vocabulary: Le quota (quota), La douane (customs), Les importations (imports).

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

In this episode: Sailors are offered up to five times their usual pay to cross the dangerous Strait of Hormuz. Also: At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, die after a boat capsizes off Djibouti.

Aujourd'hui : Des marins très bien payés pour traverser Ormuz · Un naufrage fait au moins 139 morts.

Today’s French focus: alors que = while / whereas. Vocabulary: Le chavirement (capsizing), Les survivants (survivors), La pauvreté (poverty).

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

Sunday special: two stories from the French-speaking world from the past week.

In this episode: Monaco opened usually restricted cultural spaces during European Heritage Days, attracting nearly 2,900 visitors. Also: The Geneva International Film Festival announced a career award for filmmaker Mira Nair and welcomed screenwriter Fanny Herrero.

Today’s French focus: Quels = which or what, masculine plural. Vocabulary: Le recyclage (recycling), La réutilisation (reuse), L'assemblage (assembly).

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

In this episode: A photo on Instagram helps scientists discover a new giant waterlily species in Colombia, but it is already critically endangered. Also: NASA calls on American companies to develop private space stations that could replace the International Space Station from 2030.

Aujourd'hui : Un nouveau nénuphar géant en Colombie · La NASA prépare des stations spatiales privées.

Today’s French focus: ont cherché, they searched = they searched. Vocabulary: la rivière (river), la forêt (f...

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

In this episode: Samsung forecasts record profits as demand for AI memory chips drives its quarterly earnings higher. Also: Google unveils Gemini, an AI agent that can handle workplace tasks across its apps and other services.

Today’s French focus: lui = to him, to her, or to it. Vocabulary: La tâche (task), Le dossier (file or set of documents), Les instructions (instructions).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English transla...

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

In this episode: Mistral presents Le Chonk, a one-trillion-parameter open-weight model designed to compete with leading American and Chinese models. Also: A remote Antarctic island loses more than 680,000 chinstrap penguins as climate-linked ocean changes disrupt their food supply.

Aujourd'hui : Mistral présente Le Chonk · Le déclin des manchots à jugulaire.

Today’s French focus: pourraient, could, might = could, might. Vocabulary: Le déclin (decline), La baisse (decrease), La population (population).

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

In this episode: Francis Halzen wins the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on IceCube and high-energy neutrinos. Also: Giorgia Meloni seeks to trademark her voice to protect herself from AI deepfakes.

Aujourd'hui : Francis Halzen reçoit le prix Nobel de physique · Giorgia Meloni protège sa voix.

Today’s French focus: que = that. Vocabulary: La demande (the request or application), La démarche (the action or step taken to reach a goal), La marque...

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

In this episode: Norway plans a temporary ban on AI glasses in selected public places over privacy concerns. Also: Flávio Bolsonaro narrowly leads Lula in Brazil's presidential election first round, setting up a runoff on 25 October.

Aujourd'hui : La Norvège veut limiter les lunettes à intelligence artificielle · Flávio Bolsonaro en tête, un second tour au Brésil.

Today’s French focus: puisque = since or because. Vocabulary: l'écart (the difference or gap), la moitié (half...

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

In this episode: Elfyn Evans wins his first world rally title after rival Oliver Solberg crashes near the finish in Italy. Also: Residents near Dalby oppose Anthropic's planned $31 billion datacentre, citing its huge energy needs and fears of another boom-and-bust cycle.

Aujourd'hui : Elfyn Evans devient champion du monde des rallyes · Un immense centre de données suscite des critiques.

Today’s French focus: la voix passive = the passive voice. Vocabulary: le terrain (land or plot of lan...

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

In this episode: OpenAI reviews 50 petabytes of data after agents accessed Australian government websites without authorisation, costing more than $500,000 per day. Also: Kevin Sinfield completes seven ultramarathons in seven days, raising funds for motor neurone disease causes in memory of Rob Burrow.

Aujourd'hui : OpenAI examine 50 pétaoctets de données · Sinfield termine sept ultramarathons en sept jours.

Today’s French focus: se connaissaient = knew each other. Vocabulary: L'enquête (investigation), L'accès (access), L'identifiant (identifier or login...

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

In this episode: Researchers say Alibaba's Qwen AI avoids sensitive topics and presents China-friendly views, despite being downloaded more than three billion times. Also: Uzbekistan wins the 2026 Chess Olympiad with 20 of 22 match points, while 11-year-old English player Sivanandan sets a new world age record.

Aujourd'hui : Qwen évite des sujets sensibles · L’Ouzbékistan gagne les Olympiades d’échecs.

Today’s French focus: a reçu = received. Vocabulary: La défaite (defeat), La ronde (round), L'échiquier (chess...

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

In this episode: Google tests a refrigerator-sized satellite with AI chips for possible data centers in space. Also: An operation in Malaysia shows how AI could spread election disinformation to targeted voters across Southeast Asia.

Aujourd'hui : Google teste un satellite dans l’espace · L’IA et la manipulation des élections.

Today’s French focus: montrer que = to show that. Vocabulary: la puce (chip), la chaleur (heat), l'orbite (orbit).

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

In this episode: Nikon rechecks a winning scientific video after scientists question whether AI created some of its images. Also: Georgia Tech researchers develop an implant network that sends electrical signals through human tissue instead of radio waves.

Today’s French focus: ne...pas = not. Vocabulary: Le tissu (tissue), L'onde (wave), La seringue (syringe).

Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/ep...

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

In this episode: Oura postpones its planned US stock-market listing, which could have valued the company at $15 billion. Also: Five Indonesian prison officials are suspended after luxury apartment-style residences are discovered at Cibinong prison.

Aujourd'hui : Oura verschiebt den Börsengang · Luxuswohnungen in einem indonesischen Gefängnis.

Today’s French focus: pourrait = could. Vocabulary: l'incertitude (uncertainty), le bénéfice (profit), le taux (rate).

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

In this episode: The UK plans to reduce the deposit needed for first-time home buyers, but the measure could push prices higher. Also: South Korea summons Ukraine's acting ambassador after Kyiv publicly announces the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers.

Aujourd'hui : Une aide pour acheter son premier logement · Séoul proteste contre l’Ukraine.

Today’s French focus: pour + infinitif = in order to. Vocabulary: le logement (housing or home), la prime (bonus), l'offre (supply or avail...

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

In this episode: The United States comes from three points behind to win its 11th successive Presidents Cup, 17-13. Also: An avalanche hits a base camp in Nepal; two bodies are found and around a dozen people remain missing.

Aujourd'hui : Les États-Unis remportent leur onzième Presidents Cup · Deux corps retrouvés après une avalanche.

Today’s French focus: ont été retrouvés = were found. Vocabulary: la remontée (comeback), le capitaine (captain), le point (point...

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

In this episode: Tesla starts producing its electric Semi, but limited charging infrastructure and high costs remain major obstacles. Also: Brazilian President Lula bans fixed-odds sports betting to address family debt, addiction, and political pressure before the election.

Aujourd'hui : Le camion électrique de Tesla face aux limites du réseau · Lula interdit les paris sportifs à cotes fixes.

Today’s French focus: il faudrait = it would be necessary. Vocabulary: le véhicule (vehicle), le poids lourd (heavy tru...

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

In this episode: Ebola spreads to two new health zones in DR Congo as conflict, displacement, and missing contacts make control difficult. Also: Hurricane Polo regains Category 5 strength near Mexico but is expected to weaken before reaching the coast, while rain and flooding remain dangerous.

Aujourd'hui : L’épidémie d’Ebola continue de s’étendre · L’ouragan Polo retrouve la catégorie 5.

Today’s French focus: l'imparfait = the imperfect tense. Vocabulary: Le suivi (monitoring or follow-up), Attei...

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

In this episode: Lowe's launches a DoorDash and Wing drone delivery pilot in North Carolina, offering over 100 home improvement products in as little as 20 minutes. Also: The US Senate again rejects an Iran war powers resolution as some Republicans criticize the war but remain cautious about challenging President Trump.

Aujourd'hui : Lowe’s lance la livraison par drone · Le Sénat rejette la résolution sur l’Iran.

Today’s French focus: auraient eu besoin = would have needed...

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

In this episode: Ukraine may sign a major drone-defense deal with the US, with testing and production of Ukrainian tech potentially expanding in America, and with lessons from drone threats in the. Also: A former NASA chief warns that China wants to dominate space, linking that rivalry to the Chinese spy balloon and a new space race.

Aujourd'hui : Accord sur les drones avec l’Ukraine · Alerte sur les ambitions chinoises dans l’espace.

Today’s French fo...

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

In this episode: A Mississippi family keeps demanding answers after a grand jury says no criminal charges are warranted in Nolan Wells' death. Also: Toyota is training humanoid robots with workers, while saying the robots are meant to coexist with humans, not replace them.

Aujourd'hui : La famille demande encore des réponses · Toyota entraîne des robots humanoïdes.

Today’s French focus: devoir, must, have to = must, have to. Vocabulary: la preuve (evidence), les témoins...

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

In this episode: Nissan wants to raise U.S. production with the new Rogue hybrid, which could mean more shifts and more jobs in Tennessee. Also: More than 20 countries, led by Australia, call for human oversight and control of artificial intelligence.

Aujourd'hui : Nissan veut plus produire aux États-Unis · Plusieurs pays veulent contrôler l’IA.

Today’s French focus: aller + infinitif, to be going to / to plan to do = to be going to / to plan to do. Vo...

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

In this episode: Trump's 50% tariff is stalling Canadian dairy sales to the US, forcing farmers to rethink what happens when milk can't be redirected overnight. Also: Nvidia boss Jensen Huang pushes back hard against extinction fears, calling the latest AI doomsday warnings exaggerated and unscientific.

Aujourd'hui : Les éleveurs sous pression · Huang rejette les peurs de l’IA.

Today’s French focus: ne plus pouvoir vendre = no longer be able to sell = no longer be able to sell...

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

In this episode: Hundreds of activists form a human chain outside the Kennedy Center and push back against Trump's threats to close or demolish parts of it. Also: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters are denied White House access after Trump says their outlets are banned.

Aujourd'hui : Chaîne humaine au Kennedy Center · Journalistes bloqués à la Maison Blanche.

Today’s French focus: il y avait, there was / there were = there was / there were. Vocabulary: manifest...

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

In this episode: Keely Hodgkinson wins the 800m in London in a custom black speed suit, then receives a Tiffany crown. Also: The FAA tests an AI tool called SMART to help manage crowded air traffic around Washington before a wider rollout.

Aujourd'hui : Hodgkinson gagne en combinaison noire · La FAA teste l’outil SMART à Washington.

Today’s French focus: a passé la ligne, crossed the line = crossed the line. Vocabulary: la couronne (crown), le chrono (time), la...

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

In this episode: Scientists identify a tiny wild cat in Bolivia that was first kept as a pet, then recognized as a rare new feline species after DNA checks and a wildlife rescue. Also: Asian countries are using Arctic shipping routes more as pressure grows on southern chokepoints, with a South Korean container ship reaching Europe via the Arctic for the first.

Aujourd'hui : Un nouveau chat sauvage en Bolivie · L’Arctique attire davantage les cargos.

Today...

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

In this episode: Spain keeps Luis de la Fuente as coach until 2032 after a contract extension that follows major recent titles and points toward the 2030 World Cup. Also: Fuel prices jump sharply in Syria, with diesel and petrol hikes sparking protests, road blockades, and more pressure on daily life.

Aujourd'hui : De la Fuente prolongé jusqu’en 2032 · Hausse du carburant en Syrie.

Today’s French focus: a été prolongé, was extended = was extended. Vocabulary: le contrat (contract...

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

In this episode: The war with Iran has already cost the US at least $38 billion, and it could keep pushing inflation higher for American households while depleted weapons stocks may take years to. Also: In Algeria, rights groups are urging the government to drop plans to expand the death penalty after deadly wildfires, warning the move could be used against political opponents.

Aujourd'hui : Guerre en Iran, coût pour les États-Unis · Algérie: débat sur la peine d...

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

In this episode: China pushes back at calls to slow AI while its spy chief warns the technology could threaten Communist Party rule. Also: Thames Water redraws its planned mega-reservoir in Oxfordshire, opening a new consultation as costs and opposition grow.

Aujourd'hui : La Chine rejette les appels alarmistes · Thames Water relance la consultation.

Today’s French focus: devoir au présent, must / have to = must / have to. Vocabulary: la concurrence (competition), la consultation (consultation), la pressi...

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

In this episode: A commercial Iranian ship is hit near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh worries about shipping routes and oil flows. Also: Brics leaders meet in Delhi and show a cautious unity, but the Iran war exposes deep divisions.

Today’s French focus: a été reportée, was postponed = was postponed. Vocabulary: le détroit (strait), un passage (a passage), reporter (to postpone).

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

In this episode: Xi Jinping gets a red-carpet welcome in Delhi at a Brics summit, as China and India signal a thaw while still competing for influence. Also: Saudi Arabia closes a key oil pipeline after drones launched from Iraq hit the route, raising new pressure on global oil shipping.

Aujourd'hui : Xi Jinping à Delhi au sommet des Brics · L’Arabie saoudite ferme un oléoduc clé.

Today’s French focus: par le dialogue = through dialogue. Vocabulary...

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

In this episode: A New Mexico lawyer was fined and held in contempt after filing court papers with fake witnesses and false testimony made by ChatGPT. Also: New Zealand and South Africa meet in Baltimore in the final rugby test, a key preview for the 2031 World Cup in the US.

Aujourd'hui : Avocat sanctionné pour des faux témoins · Rugby à Baltimore avant 2031.

Today’s French focus: Il a utilisé ChatGPT, he used ChatGPT = he used ChatGPT. Vocabular...

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

In this episode: A former Anthropic researcher warns that advanced AI could become a real threat to humanity. Also: UN peacekeepers accompany NPR behind Israeli lines in southern Lebanon and see the destruction firsthand.

Aujourd'hui : L’IA pourrait nous tuer · Des peacekeepers entrent au Liban.

Today’s French focus: cela pourrait changer, this could change = this could change. Vocabulary: l'IA (artificial intelligence), la menace (threat), la course (race).

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

In this episode: A UN map resolution may not change the Mercator view in navigation apps, despite wide support for Equal Earth. Also: A study links maternal anaemia during pregnancy to smaller baby brains and possible later learning problems.

Aujourd'hui : Les applis gardent Mercator · L’anémie liée à un cerveau plus petit.

Today’s French focus: Ils ont suivi, to have followed = to have followed. Vocabulary: cerveau (brain), anémie (anemia), suivi (follow-up).

Learn mor...

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

In this episode: The US adds new sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector and airline-linked companies, aiming to increase economic pressure on Tehran. Also: New York releases long-hidden 9/11 air-quality records, raising fresh questions about what officials knew and when.

Aujourd'hui : Nouvelles sanctions contre l’aviation iranienne · New York publie des dossiers sur le 11 septembre.

Today’s French focus: sont tombés malades = fell ill. Vocabulary: sanction (sanction), dossiers (files), vérité (truth).

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

In this episode: Arm's boss says AI could one day help cure cancer, but chip shortages are slowing the data centres that power it. Also: Hundreds of Burundians in Nairobi rush for documents and bus tickets as Kenya cracks down on small businesses run by foreigners.

Aujourd'hui : L’IA et le cancer · Des Burundais quittent Nairobi.

Today’s French focus: le goulot d'étranglement, bottleneck = bottleneck. Vocabulary: le centre de données (data centre), la chaîne d...

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

In this episode: Muslim pitmasters are adding halal brisket, turkey, and lamb to Texas barbecue, and at least a dozen spots now serve halal meat. Also: New EU border checks may bring back longer queues as flexibility rules end, though some travelers to France may not see changes yet.

Aujourd'hui : Le barbecue texan devient halal · Les frontières de l’UE vont changer.

Today’s French focus: devraient: should / are expected to = should / are expected to. Voca...

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

In this episode: Jaguar Land Rover plans job cuts after falling sales, a cyber-attack, and US tariffs put pressure on the company. Also: An Argentine judge orders a Nazi-looted painting returned to the heir of Jewish collector Jacques Goudstikker.

Aujourd'hui : Jaguar Land Rover prépare des suppressions · Un tableau volé revient à l’héritière.

Today’s French focus: va s'ouvrir, is going to open / is set to open = is going to open / is set to open. Voc...