English Listening

#Listening 🌐 Practice English with News

Practice English with News aims to help everyone who, like you, wants to practice English by listening to or reading real English news articles.

🎧 At least 235 dead as search continues for survivors after Venezuela earthquakes 💬Our top story tonight, Venezuela is reeling in the aftermath of two deadly earthquakes that have taken hundreds of lives, injured thousands, and left rescuers frantically digging through the rubble for survivors with their bare hands. Cho Young-eun has the report. The search for survivors continues in Venezuela following the two earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, on Wednesday. The official death toll has climbed to at least 235, with at least 4,300 injured. The UN agency says more than 100 buildings collapsed in the coastal city of La Guaira, which is home to major international ports. Nationwide, at least 250 structures were destroyed, including eight hospitals and dozens of public facilities. Rescuers initially spent the night digging through concrete with bare hands, shovels, and wheelbarrows due to a lack of heavy equipment; however, relief operations are now gaining momentum as government-mobilized heavy machinery arrives. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez also met with the army's general staff to coordinate urgent relief. Meanwhile, help is also pouring in from the international community. The United States has pledged to deploy a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team and provide at least 150 million dollars in assistance through partners, including the International Medical Corps and the World Food Programme. It has also committed 100 million dollars to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Venezuela Pooled Fund. The European Union is coordinating a massive effort, with countries such as Spain, Italy, France, and Germany sending search and rescue teams. Neighboring Colombia is dispatching a 64-member delegation with a specialized search dog team, while Mexico and the World Health Organization are sending medical support. As aftershocks continue, thousands of displaced residents remain on the streets, unable to return home. 🎧 @eng_listening

#Listening 🌐 Practice English with News

Practice English with News aims to help everyone who, like you, wants to practice English by listening to or reading real English news articles.

🎧 World News: At least 50 dead in France as deadly Omega heatwave smashes records across Europe 💬This is the WORLD NOW, bringing you everything you need to know from around the globe. A deadly heatwave tightened its grip on Western Europe on Wednesday, killing dozens, straining power grids and shutting schools and landmarks as forecasters warn that the extreme temperatures driven by the 'Omega block' could last until the weekend. Britain set a new June record of 36.1 degrees Celsius in southern England while Paris hit 40.9 degrees a day after France recorded its hottest day in nearly 80 years. At least 48 people have drowned in France while trying to cool off, and two young children died in a hot car. The heat killed hundreds of thousands of animals at French poultry farms. Major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre also announced early closures. Meanwhile, Italy placed 16 cities on its highest alert. Meteorologists likened conditions to the 2003 heatwave that caused an estimated 80,000 deaths across Europe, warning "Europe is warming at twice the global average." France confirmed its first Ebola case on Wednesday in a doctor who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. French authorities placed the doctor in isolation and identified the five passengers seated near him on the flight to France. The French health ministry said the risk to the wider European population remains low. The World Health Organization chief urged against panic, saying that fewer than 30 Ebola cases have been detected outside Africa in the past 50 years. Congo's outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain has now infected 1,118 people and killed 291, the most confirmed cases within the first month of any Ebola episode on record. Keiko Fujimori will become Peru's first elected female president on her fourth attempt after taking an unbeatable lead with nearly 98-percent of votes counted on Tuesday. Fujimori narrowly defeated leftist congressman Roberto Sanchez in a June runoff in one of the closest elections in the country's history. Sanchez has alleged fraud and refused to recognize the result, though international observers said both rounds proceeded normally. The daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who governed in the 1990s and was later imprisoned for human rights abuses, has proposed reviving a controversial "faceless judges" system and closer ties with Washington. Her five-year term begins on July 28th. 🎧 @eng_listening

#Listening 🌐 Practice English with News

Practice English with News aims to help everyone who, like you, wants to practice English by listening to or reading real English news articles.

🎧 U.S.-Iran talks derailed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon 💬Reports around the world are claiming that it was the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that derailed the first working level talks between the U.S. and Iran. However, the official White House stance remains that it was the logistics. Kim Do-yeon reports. The first working-level talks between the United States and Iran have been canceled from the outset as Israel continues its airstrikes in Lebanon, immediately complicating the newly signed memorandum of understanding. According to Reuters and Axios, the Israeli military struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight on Friday local time. Israel defended the operations as a response to repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, while local media report the clashes have left at least 15 people dead. The continued violence directly conflicts with Article 1 of the MOU signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which mandates an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Consequently, the talks scheduled for Friday in Switzerland to discuss Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief have been derailed. The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting in Bürgenstock will not take place. Prior to the Swiss announcement, the White House stated that Vice President J.D. Vance's trip was delayed, noting that logistical arrangements for such negotiations are rarely predictable. The White House maintained that the U.S. delegation is ready to depart at the earliest opportunity. Iran's Tasnim News also confirmed the cancellation, stating nothing has been finalized regarding its delegation's travel. Media outlets in both the U.S. and the Middle East report the delay is a direct result of Israel's offensive. A U.S. official told Axios that Iran's claims of Israeli ceasefire violations may be the reason for the breakdown, while the pro-Hezbollah network Al Mayadeen reported the Iranian delegation suspended its departure specifically due to the ongoing attacks. With a 60-day window established to negotiate denuclearization and sanctions relief, the unresolved tensions in Lebanon now pose a significant threat to the broader diplomatic process. 🎧 @eng_listening

#Listening 🌐 Practice English with News

Practice English with News aims to help everyone who, like you, wants to practice English by listening to or reading real English news articles.

🎧 U.S.-Iran begins ceasefire MOU but nuclear talks timeline unclear 💬The 60-day implementation phase under the U.S.-Iran ceasefire memorandum is officially underway. Talks were set to take place on Friday in Switzerland with JD Vance in attendance, but doubts were cast on the meeting taking place after the White House said the U.S. Vice President would remain in Washington. Kim Jun-hong reports. The 60-day implementation period under the U.S.-Iran agreement has officially taken effect. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the clock had already begun ticking. "I would say the 60-day period officially started today. It was signed late, and it may have even been signed technically, you know, because of the time shift, I think it's signed technically today, Iran time. So yes, the deal started yesterday." A formal signing ceremony was scheduled in Switzerland for Friday. But according to the BBC, mediator Pakistan said it had been cancelled after the agreement was signed remotely. U.S. and Iranian representatives are still expected to meet there, although negotiations on Iran's nuclear program may not begin as planned. Vance had said he would likely travel to Switzerland for "technical negotiations," adding that the schedule remains fluid and describing Iran as a difficult counterpart. "we think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend. That's still the plan. But that could change because it's not an easy country, Iran, to get out of." But later Thursday, a White House spokesperson said the vice president would not be departing that night, casting further uncertainty over the diplomatic timetable. Stressing that any economic benefits for Iran are conditional on full compliance, the vice president defended the agreement as a worthwhile test of Tehran's intentions. He also said the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and free of tolls after the 60-day implementation period. On Israel, he called for respect for the peace process with Iran, saying civilian casualties in Beirut are "not acceptable," while describing President Donald Trump as Israel's strongest ally. Trump also wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. is committed to peace and expects a complete ceasefire involving Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel. The message underscored Washington's apparent effort to prevent any renewed fighting from disrupting the next phase of negotiations with Iran. 🎧 @eng_listening

#Listening 🌐 Practice English with News

Practice English with News aims to help everyone who, like you, wants to practice English by listening to or reading real English news articles.

🎧 Trump claims Iran deal breakthrough after scaling back strikes, with possible signing in Europe 💬After days of rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, Washington says a diplomatic framework with Tehran could soon be within reach — with media reports suggesting a possible signing ceremony in Europe as early as this weekend. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. U.S. President Trump on Thursday swung from threatening a third straight day of strikes on Iran to calling them off entirely, suggesting a deal may be in the works. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump claimed a breakthrough had been reached on a preliminary memorandum of understanding. "We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran, and we're going to be, subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days. We probably have a signing, maybe in Europe." According to Axios, four U.S. Air Force transport aircraft flew to Europe on Thursday, while an advance team has already departed for Geneva, where officials are reportedly working toward a signing ceremony as early as Saturday. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation, and if signed, the deal would be known as the "Islamabad Agreement." CBS News, citing two sources, reports the U.S. and Iran could sign a memorandum of understanding — or a letter of intent — as early as next week. Key terms reportedly include a 60-day ceasefire extension, the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and temporary sanctions relief. On the nuclear issue, only broad language is expected in the MOU, with specifics left for post-signing negotiations. However, Iran's state broadcaster pushed back on Trump's claims of a finalized agreement, with the foreign ministry calling the assertions premature and stressing that no decision had been reached, while reaffirming the country's established limits — including the right to maintain a nuclear program. This week's escalation began Monday when U.S. Central Command struck Iran following the downing of an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering two nights of U.S. strikes on southern Iran. Tehran retaliated by targeting American bases across the region. On Thursday morning, Trump threatened on social media to seize Kharg Island — through which roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude exports pass — before backing away in a Fox News interview. Notably absent from the emerging deal is Israel. While Trump said Israel had approved the deal's key points, Prime Minister Netanyahu's office clarified it would not be a signatory to the memorandum. 🎧 @eng_listening