Pronunciation ChallengeCNN10: Taliban / Delta-drag / Fast Building

The Chinese company that built this started with prefabricated containers that were largely assembled in a factory.

The Chinese company that built this started with prefabricated containers that were largely assembled in a factory.

[Transcript]

Taliban Claims Total Control over Afghanistan

The Taliban quickly took control of Afghanistan as the United States prepared to withdraw its military last month. However, an anti-Taliban group in Panjshir, which is located in the north of the capital of Kabul, has been fiercely fighting against the Taliban for weeks. Panjshir is currently the only remaining region among the 34 provinces in Afghanistan where resistance forces continue. And if the Taliban has in fact conquered Panjshir⏤as it claims it has⏤then it means they now control all of the country. Nevertheless, ​​the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan says the Taliban does not have control in Panjshir, there's fighting against the Taliban all over the province, and that it will continue. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration is still struggling to evacuate some 100 remaining American citizens out of the country. The US State Department says four Americans have just escaped the country overland, but there are multiple reports saying that the Taliban is blocking other Americans from leaving on planes.

Check out today’s CNN10 video for a glimpse of life in Afghanistan under the new ruler.


Poor US Job Growth owing to Delta-drag

Lousy, poor, and a massive disappointment. These are some of the words being used to describe the US government's latest jobs report, which came out last Friday (Sep 3, 2021) and covered national employment conditions in August 2021. A total of 235,000 jobs were added to the US economy in August. And why was that disappointing? Because economists had originally expected that 728,000 new jobs would be added as the recovery continues from all the effects and shutdowns related to coronavirus. 235,000 to 728,000, this major gap is blamed by many economists on the Delta-drag⏤the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which is mainly responsible for most of the new cases in America, for holding back the economy.

Building a 10-story Apartment in 29 Hours

Would you live in an apartment building that was built in just a single day? A 10-story apartment was built in Hunan, China in merely 29 hours. The Chinese company that made this astonishing achievement started with prefabricated containers that were largely assembled in a factory, that's where the windows, appliances, lighting, mechanical and electrical systems were all set up before they were transported to the building site. A large construction team was able to unfold the walls, stack, and connect the containers in just under 29 hours⏤what the company calls the world's shortest construction period. The company also claimed that this method of construction does not affect the building strength. Although this might attract attention in cities that are looking for housing that can be built quickly and cheaply, critics still hold doubts and concerns. After all, when it comes to the potential risk from the force of nature, safety is always the top priority.
[Sentence of the day]

The Chinese company that built this started with prefabricated containers that were largely assembled in a factory.

[Vocabulary words]

1. prefabricated
materials or parts that have been made in a factory and can be put together quickly.

Ex: Prefabricated houses may be cheaper at price, but they could also be greater at risk.

2. container
a very large metal box used for transporting a cargo of goods

Ex: A total of 200 smuggled cats were seized by the police in a 20-ft container on the cargo ship.

3. assemble
to come together or bring together in a single group

Ex: The Avengers are assembled to protect the world.



Alright, that’s all we have time for today.
Folks, I can’t tell which is more dangerous.
Living in a prefabricated house built in 29 hours or... The Delta variant?
One could send you to God instantly without pain, you just don’t know when.
While the other could take your breath away day by day, torturing you with a suffocating death.
(Sigh)
Stay safe and may God bless you all dear listeners.
This is Ken Miao and I’ll see you guys again next time.

Day 27

The Chinese company that built this started with prefabricated containers that were largely assembled in a factory.

Thanks, Ken. Have a good day, everyone.