Simple English News Daily
Daily world news in clear English.
Seven minutes of the most important
stories in slow, intermediate English.
For English learners, teachers, and
people with English as a second language. If you want to know today's world
news of politics, business, natural events and human rights in clear, easy
English, then SEND7 is for you, every morning.
Listen and read transcripts.
Monday 6th July 2020.
Starting in Asia today…
There has been a large rise in
coronavirus cases across the middle-east. Iran recorded 163 deaths yesterday,
the highest so far. Saudi Arabia has passed 200,000 infections and the UAE has
passed 50,000. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have seen fast rises in cases since
ending lockdowns a few weeks ago. Bahrain and Qatar have the highest confirmed
infection rates in the world – in Qatar one in every 28 people has been
infected, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In Japan 34 people are thought to have
died in floods. Heavy rain has lead to flooding in Japan and China. In China
the floods have affected 15 million people, and over a hundred people are
missing. In Myanmar rescue operations are continuing, 5 days after a mine
collapsed killing over 170 people.
In the Australian city of Melbourne
people living in 9 apartment blocks have been told not to leave their homes for
any reason. 23 cases of COVID19 were found in the residential blocks. Melbourne
Premier Daniel Andrews said that it will be traumatic for the residents, but it
is necessary…
“There will be no reason for any of those
residents to leave their home. This is in many respects the most challenging
issue we have dealt with throughout this entire global pandemic. I don’t for a
moment underestimate how challenging and how traumatic in some respects, that
will be.”
Americas
In the United States rapper Kanye West
has announced that he is running for the presidency. In the past Kanye West has
shown support for President Donald Trump, and in 2018 West visited the White
House… West has sold over 140 million records and has a personal net worth of
1.3 billion dollars – half that of Donald Trump.
The Dominican Republic. At the time of
recording this podcast it appears that the ruling party will lose this
election. If that is true it will be the first time that the Dominican Liberation
Party has been out of power in 16 years. Luis Corona of the Modern
Revolutionary Party appears likely to be the next president.
The rest of Latin America quickly…
Mexico’s confirmed coronavirus death toll
passed 30,000 yesterday. Mexican President Lopez Obrador continues to say that
Mexico must reopen, despite a fast rise in coronavirus cases. In Colombia
reports say that 80% of intensive care beds are being used. The Colombian
government has bought new ventilator machines, as cases rise on the Pacific
Coast. And Argentina has extended its debt negotiation period again. Argentina
received 57$billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund in 2018 – the
biggest loan in IMF history.
Africa
In Mali president Boubacar Keita has met
with Mahmoud Dicko, the leader of a protest movement asking for the president’s
resignation. Tens of thousands of Malians protested last month demanding that
Keita resign. People are angry at continued attacks by jihadist groups and
inter-ethnic violence.
Algeria has buried the remains of 24
soldiers, 150 years after their deaths. The 24 Algerians were killed by the
French army at the beginning of French occupation of Algeria, and their bodies
were taken to France. The bones of the fighters were returned to Algeria last
week and a ceremony was held on Saturday.
Europe
In Croatia there were elections
yesterday. At the time of recording this podcast 60% of votes had been declared
and the ruling conservative party HDZ had won the most votes.
And in the United Kingdom, scientists are
trying to find a treatment for the coronavirus, using llamas. Scientists are
seeing if llamas, the South American animals, could produce antibodies needed
to prevent infection.
Based
on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old
(Eighth and Ninth graders)
