The weekly newsletter, from the daily podcast.SEND7 is for people who want to stay informed about the world, and improve their English at the same time.
Protesters in La Paz, Bolivia, demand the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
🧠 Vocabulary challenge Which of these is the meaning of the word 'disperse'?
(A) to remove, to make invisible (B) to spread out, to move apart in many directions (C) to secretly observe a person or group (D) to increase variety, to introduce different options
(answer at bottom of email)
3 big stories…
1. Israel detains activists
Pro-Palestine activists attempting to reach Gaza in many small boats were intercepted by the Israeli military and taken to Israel this week. Videos showed the activists being forced to remain kneeling with their hands behind their backs, and being forcefully moved around. However, the greatest international condemnation came when videos showed Israel's Minister of National Security, Ben Gvir, shouting at and mocking the detained activists. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of his government condemned Ben Gvir for this. More detail in today's episode.
2. Ebola.
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. At least 160 people are known to have died, with over 600 cases confirmed, mostly in one province - Ituri. Health workers have been infected.
3. NATO shoots down drone.
In Estonia, NATO shot down a Ukrainian drone this week. Ukraine apologized to Estonia and said that Russia had diverted the drone from a Russian target using electronic warfare.
… and one you might have missed.
Three people from Thailand were arrested in Ecuador for attempting to smuggle out 12 marine iguanas, which are endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
🔍 Find the Synonym: Somewhere in the "3 big stories", find a synonym for the word "ridiculing".
Graph of the week
Good news for chocolate lovers? Throughout 2024 and 2025, the price of cocoa reached historic highs, because of poor harvests caused by unusual weather and tree diseases in West Africa. As a result, the price of chocolate has greatly risen all over the world, and many chocolate manufacturers reduced the amount of cocoa solids in their chocolate. During the last few months, the price of cocoa has fallen back to almost the same price as in 2023. Reuters has reported that some manufacturers have started to increase the amount of cocoa in their chocolate again, and some have suggested that they will be able to lower chocolate prices again, although this could take months.
Trading Economics
🌍 World news question: A Spanish court found a Colombian singer not guilty of tax fraud this week. As a result, Spain's tax agency has been ordered to pay her back 60 million euros. Who is the Colombian singer?
Quote of the week:
“…they probably need more people to send to the war in Ukraine…"
- Moldovan President Maia Sandu, commenting on Russia's announcement that it would be easier for people from Transnistria to become Russian citizens.
SEND7 Supporter's corner:
Read today's podcast transcript and vocabulary list
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to have access to all of our transcripts, vocabulary lists, worksheets, world news quizzes and more, you can become a supporter at send7.org/support. We give 10% of our profit to highly effective charities.
Stephen’s view:
This section doesn't normally have a photo in it, but sometimes the old saying is true; "a picture is worth a thousand words".
This photo, shared after the state visit of US President Donald Trump to China last week, shows both presidents with their top teams around them.
There are 22 men in this photo and not a single woman.
Combined, the United States and China represent 22% of the world's population, and about half of the world's economy.
Another surprising statistic: women are half of the world's population.
Have a great weekend. Stephen
P.S. Yesterday, I went to The Podcast Show in London. Click here to see a photo and you can add me as a connection on LinkedIn! Don't be shy!
ANSWERS
(don't look until you've answered all three questions!)
🧠 VOCABULARY CHALLENGE : (B) Disperse means "to spread out, to move apart in many directions".
🔍 Find the synonym : A synonym for "ridiculing" is "mocking" (in the first paragraph)
🌍 World News question : Shakira
Simple English News Daily is the podcast. This is the email newsletter. www.send7.org 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246 Unsubscribe · Preferences
The weekly newsletter, from the daily podcast.SEND7 is for people who want to stay informed about the world, and improve their English at the same time.
Starmer not resigning.Philippine Senator in hiding. The weekly newsletter from the daily podcast. 4 minutes to read. Issue #12Listen to SEND7 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Pocket Casts, and more… Italian football team FC Venezia players and fans, celebrating promotion to Serie A, in the canals of Venice. 🧠 Vocabulary challengeWhich of these is the meaning of the word 'dodge'? (A) to submit, to file (e.g. a complaint)(B) to carefully collect information from different sources(C) to...
NATO disintegrating.Mexico sinking. The weekly newsletter from the daily podcast. 4 minutes to read. Issue #11Listen to SEND7 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Pocket Casts, and more… Patients are evacuated from the MV Hondius, Cape Verde. 🧠 Vocabulary challengeWhich of these is the meaning of the word 'outbreak'? (A) an escape, or the act of escaping(B) the start or spread of something harmful, such as disease or violence(C) a success, often in business or a career(D) a sudden release of...
King in Congress.Merz: 'humiliated' US? The weekly newsletter from the daily podcast. 4 minutes to read. Issue #10Listen to SEND7 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Pocket Casts, and more… King Charles III talks to members of the US Congress after giving a speech. 🧠 Vocabulary challengeWhich of these is the meaning of the word 'intercept'? (A) to connect or lock multiple objects together(B) to abruptly enter a conversation, stopping someone from speaking(C) to delay an event until a later...
