On Today's podcast, Ashley Thompson and Dan Novak host the show while Ashley tells listeners what they are going to hear. First, Dan Friedell reports that a United Nations is saying Afghanistan's Taliban government is not keeping its promises to increase women's freedoms. The U.N. and rights groups say women are being arrested for not wearing head coverings and cannot get birth control treatments. The Taliban says the U.N. does not understand Muslim Sharia law.

Then Gena Bennett has a story about Japan's landing on the moon. The SLIM lander was able to meet its goal of landing in an area only 100 meters in size. However, problems with its solar panels mean the spacecraft cannot recharge its power. Japan's space agency, JAXA, hopes that once daylight returns, the spacecraft will be able to produce more data.

After that, Greg Stachel has a story about a Croatian artist who makes sculptures out of matchsticks. His biggest project is a reproduction of Michelangelo's famous statue of David in Florence, Italy.

Then, Ashley has a story about a big dispute over the advice of a college professor's advice that tea should be drunk with a little salt. The advice has caused an uproar in Britain.

After a promotional message for Let's Learn English with Anna from Ashley, John Russell explores the word "population" on Everyday Grammar. John finds that the noun population is used much more than the verb populate. Then Ashley and John have a discussion about the pronunciation of the word populations and the voiced "z" sound of the plural form. After that, Ashley and Dan sign off.

UN: Taliban Enforcing Restrictions on Single, Unaccompanied Women https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...
Japan’s Moon Lander Hits Its Target https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...
Croatian Artist Makes Lifesize Sculptures with Matchsticks https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...
US Scientist’s Advice Shocks British Tea Drinkers https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...