VOA · What's Trending Today?
Intermediate · B1–B2learner speed4:492019-03-01public domain
What's Trending Today? covers viral stories and social media moments in short, punchy reports. The episodes are brief and topical — perfect for a quick daily dictation session.
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01This is what's trending today.
02Much of the talk in Washington this week has centered on what Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, told lawmakers during his appearance before Congress.
03But lots of Washingtonians are talking about something else, too.
04It involves liberty and justice for all.
05Actually, just liberty and justice.
06Those are the names of two bald eagles who have called America's capital home for many years.
07The pair have a nest in southwest D.C.
08The group Earth Conservation Corps put up video cameras near their nest.
09This so-called eagle cam is a hit on the Internet.
10Liberty and justice have been together for an estimated 14 years.
11During that time, Liberty, the female, has laid more than 20 eggs.
12She and justice have taken turns keeping the eggs warm until they open.
13But last month, justice disappeared.
14You might say he flew the coop.
15That means to leave one's long-time home.
16Justice went missing on February 9th.
17His absence left Liberty to catch her own fish from the nearby river, keep her eggs warm by herself, and fight off interested male eagles.
18Several male birds made appearances on eagle cam over the next couple of weeks.
19The cast of characters even received names from Earth Conservation Corps employees and eagle cam watchers.
20There was Aaron Bird, whose name is a play on America's third vice president, Aaron Burr.
21He was not at all successful in gaining Liberty's approval.
22A male eagle named M2 had better luck.
23In fact, he was seen earlier this week helping Liberty keep her eggs warm.
24Later, the two were seen, well, being lovebirds.
25Liberty even left her nest for a long period of time, leaving her eggs unviable.
26In other words, they will not produce baby eagles.
27Then, on Wednesday, justice suddenly returned.
28It was a shocking turn of events.
29As one eagle cam fan wrote, This is better than watching soap operas.
30Even though justice is back, no one is saying the eagle has landed just yet.
31This expression is used to describe a successful arrival or completion of a mission.
32If justice wants to get Liberty back from M2, he will have to work for it.
33It was not until Friday morning that justice and Liberty were both seen at the nest together.
34As Liberty was enjoying some fresh-caught fish, justice flew in from behind.
35It was a tense few moments.
36Justice hung his head away from Liberty.
37He then slowly and carefully walked toward her.
38He could be heard making high-pitched noises.
39But Liberty continued to ignore her longtime partner, turning her head away from him.
40Then, justice decided to try to get himself a piece of Liberty's fish.
41That was a bad idea.
42Liberty reacted in an aggressive way and then moved closer to her meal to protect it.
43Moments later, she started eating her fish again.
44Justice began moving around some small pieces of wood, as if trying to win Liberty's favor by being helpful.
45Eagle cam watchers are now waiting to see what happens next.
46Although justice is back in the bird's nest, he is clearly going to be in the doghouse for some time.
47And that's what's trending today.
48I'm Ashley Thompson.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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