LINGUAWIRE
The Federal Reserve keeps its main rate between 3.75 and 4 percent, while inflation remains above its goal. President Trump says his administration will ease
A current English news story adapted for language learners at A2, with audio, transcript, vocabulary and comprehension work.
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Today: the US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates steady, and President Trump announces plans to ease methane rules for oil and gas companies.
If you would like to read along, the transcript and every word explained are waiting at linguawire.com.
The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged.
Owen is LinguaWire's correspondent for business, and he has been covering the decision.
Hello, Daniel. The Federal Reserve kept its main interest rate between 3.75 and 4 percent on Wednesday.
Ten members voted for the decision, while two voted against it. This was the Fed's final policy decision before the US midterm elections.
Why did the Fed decide not to change rates?
The Fed said the US economy is growing at a strong pace. It said people are still spending, businesses are investing, and productivity growth is strong.
It also said job gains have kept pace with the workforce. The unemployment rate has changed little.
What did it say about inflation?
The Fed said inflation continues to rise. Annual inflation reached 3.7 percent in September, after 3.4 percent in August.
Energy prices were largely responsible for the rise during September.
That is still above the Fed's 2 percent goal. What happens next?
The Fed said it needs more information before it decides the right policy. It wants inflation to return to its 2 percent goal in good time.
Had the bank already changed rates recently?
Yes, Daniel. The Fed raised interest rates last month. It was its first increase since July 2023.
The increase came as inflation rose quickly. President Donald Trump criticised the move and has repeatedly asked the Fed to cut rates.
What has President Trump said about the level of rates?
He said US interest rates should be 1 percent or lower. The Fed makes its decisions separately from the president.
What information will the Fed have before its next meeting?
A new Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index report is due on Thursday. The Fed uses this report to assess inflation and help make decisions.
Its next meeting will be on December 8 and 9. Current forecasts point to an increase of a quarter of a percentage point.
Thank you, Owen.
President Trump says he will ease methane rules for oil and gas companies.
Grace is LinguaWire's correspondent for environment, and she has been covering the announcement.
Hello, Daniel. President Donald Trump made the announcement at a midterm rally in Texas on Tuesday.
He said his administration would end methane emissions rules for oil and gas producers. The rules were finalised in 2024 under President Joe Biden.
What reason did President Trump give for ending the rules?
Trump called the rules expensive and unnecessary. He said ending them would help consumers and energy producers.
He also said Democrats had put too many rules on small oil and gas operators. He gave no further details about the changes.
What has the Environmental Protection Agency said about its plans?
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, discussed possible changes earlier this month. It said it would loosen rules on methane leaks at lower-producing oil wells.
The EPA also plans to end its Super Emitter Program. That programme was designed to let outside groups report methane leaks from natural gas production.
Why is methane an important gas for the climate?
Methane is the main component of natural gas. It traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, although it breaks down more quickly.
Scientists say methane is about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years. It is responsible for roughly one-third of global warming.
Which oil wells could be most affected?
The changes could affect low-producing wells, also called stripper wells. They produce about 7 to 8 percent of US natural gas.
Research suggests they may account for about half of methane leaks into the atmosphere. Many are near the end of their working lives.
What do the companies that run these wells say?
The National Stripper Well Association has asked for the rules to be rolled back. It says the cost of following them can make some wells uneconomic to operate.
The announcement came one week before the midterm elections. High fuel costs are an important issue for many voters.
Thank you, Grace.
Part one: vocabulary.
Leak.
A leak is an escape of gas or liquid; in the story, “That programme was designed to let outside groups report methane leaks from natural gas production.”
The worker found a gas leak.
Trap.
To trap means to stop something from escaping; in the story, “It traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, although it breaks down more quickly.”
Clouds trap heat near the ground.
Atmosphere.
The atmosphere is the layer of air around Earth; in the story, “Research suggests they may account for about half of methane leaks into the atmosphere.”
The atmosphere protects Earth from some harmful light.
Part two: the grammar.
Past perfect: “Had the bank already changed rates recently?”
Use had plus a past participle to ask if something happened before a past point.
In the story, “Had the bank already changed rates recently?”
Had she finished her work before lunch?
Repeat after me: Had the bank already changed rates recently?
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