English Listening Practice — September 22, 2026

📰 Middle East crisis live: Iran ready to reopen strait of Hormuz within seven days if US lifts blockade, official says

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dwindled to a trickle amid escalating regional tensions.

An Iranian official announced that Tehran is prepared to reopen the vital energy corridor within seven days.

However, this move is strictly contingent on the United States lifting its current blockade.

Meanwhile, violence in the broader region continues unabated.

Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 1,399 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since a nominal ceasefire took effect last October.

Both Israel and Hamas continue to trade accusations over ceasefire violations.

⚖️ Sri Lanka court convicts 15 men over deadly Easter Sunday bombings

Sri Lanka’s High Court has convicted 15 men for orchestrating the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

Among those found guilty was Naufer Moulavi, identified by prosecutors as the plot’s mastermind.

Nine other defendants were acquitted.

The coordinated suicide strikes targeted three churches and three luxury hotels.

In total, the blasts claimed 270 lives and injured more than 500 people.

The accused had faced over 23,000 charges, including murder, weapons possession, and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

🏛️ Swedish prosecutors probe election fraud allegation casting shadow over vote

Swedish prosecutors have reopened a preliminary investigation into suspected election fraud in the central town of Borlänge.

The inquiry centers on Left Party candidate Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, who unexpectedly overtook fellow representatives on the ballot.

Prosecutor Oskar Edvardsson revived the previously shelved case after fresh information surfaced.

This probe casts lingering uncertainty over the national outcome.

If verified, it could force a local revote, putting 11 parliamentary seats back in play and potentially shifting the final election results.

⚖️ Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, clearing way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros

Paramount Skydance has resolved a multistate lawsuit.

This breakthrough clears the runway for its landmark 110-billion-dollar merger with Warner Bros Discovery.

Under the binding pact, Paramount must greenlight at least 30 films annually, with a mandated domestic production quota.

Noncompliance could trigger severe penalties, including forced asset divestitures.

Paramount will also establish an independent board overseeing CBS News and CNN.

Chief executive David Ellison confirmed the mega-deal has secured full regulatory clearance.

⚡ Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices

Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s chemicals giant, Ineos, is mothballing three key plants in Hull.

The firm attributed the shutdown to prohibitive UK energy costs.

Ratcliffe noted that domestic gas prices are twelve times higher than US rates.

They are also eight times more expensive than Chinese alternatives.

The halt impacts up to 1,000 workers, including 245 direct employees.

Staff will be retained while Ineos seeks cheaper US liquefied natural gas imports, a pivot that could take a year.

Alternatively, the company may wait for market rates to cool down.

📰 Novo defends diversification push as CEO eyes deals beyond obesity

Novo Nordisk is actively pursuing acquisitions to expand beyond its core weight-loss portfolio.

CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC that the drugmaker wants to pinpoint therapeutic gaps.

It aims to buy external assets that outperform its internal pipeline.

The strategic pivot follows a rocky Capital Markets Day on Monday.

Novo’s turnaround blueprint failed to reassure skeptical investors.

Consequently, the company's shares tumbled nearly 8%, marking its steepest single-day decline since February.

Doustdar conceded that management still has considerable ground to cover to win over cautious shareholders.

📰 Scientists discover first new penguin species in more than 100 years

Scientists have identified the first new penguin species in over a century.

A research team led by Chilean and UC Berkeley scientists published the findings in Communications Biology.

Genetic evidence revealed that the gentoo penguin is not a single species.

Instead, it comprises four distinct lineages.

One newly recognized cryptic species inhabits the isolated Kerguelen Islands.

This archipelago sits nearly 2,000 miles from any permanently inhabited landmass.

While the birds closely resemble other gentoos, genetic analysis confirmed they are an entirely separate species.

Subtle differences also emerged in vocalizations and body size.

🖥️ Alibaba shares jump as new AI chip, data center buildout plans unveiled

Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares rallied roughly three percent on Tuesday.

The surge followed the tech giant’s announcement of an aggressive artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.

At its annual Apsara Conference, Alibaba unveiled the Zhenwu V900.

This proprietary silicon delivers triple the performance of May's M890 model.

It is slated for commercial rollout in early 2027.

Concurrently, the company pledged to scale Alibaba Cloud’s global capacity past twenty gigawatts by 2032.

This multi-pronged roadmap cements Alibaba's commitment to the high-stakes computing race.

🏛️ Burnham plays down past critical comments about Trump ahead of UN meeting – UK politics live

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is heading to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Ahead of the summit, he sought to downplay years of sharp criticism aimed at Donald Trump.

Burnham previously condemned Trump for sharing extremist material in 2017 and causing global instability.

He also denounced politicians who engaged with Trump following the January 6 Capitol riot.

Burnham stopped short of offering an apology or formal retraction.

Instead, he insisted it is time to move forward and focus on the present.

📰 England fast bowler Wood retires from internationals

England fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket.

The 36-year-old paceman has grappled with persistent injuries throughout his career.

Wood returned in November for the first Ashes Test in Perth after a 15-month layoff.

That absence stemmed from an elbow issue and knee surgery.

However, he managed just 11 overs before fresh swelling in his left knee forced him to fly home.

He has not featured for England since.

Wood confirmed on social media that his contract had concluded, noting he had finally lost his battle with injuries.

📺 Terry Denton, beloved Australian illustrator best known for Treehouse series, dies aged 76

Renowned Australian illustrator and author Terry Denton has passed away at the age of 76.

His publisher, Curtis Brown, confirmed that Denton died on Monday surrounded by his family.

He achieved widespread acclaim for his memorable artistic work on the beloved Treehouse series.

Over a prolific career, Denton also wrote and illustrated more than 30 original titles.

His expansive portfolio included the popular Gasp!

series, which was adapted for the screen.

His family noted that his creative contributions brought joy to millions of children around the world.

📰 Stafford throws four touchdown passes in Rams win

Matthew Stafford delivered a masterclass for the Los Angeles Rams.

The quarterback spearheaded the victory by throwing four touchdown passes against the New York Giants.

His clinical execution propelled the Rams to a commanding 28-6 triumph.

Stafford operated with remarkable poise and precision throughout the contest.

He capitalized on scoring opportunities to secure a decisive outcome.

Ultimately, this four-touchdown showcase ensured a comfortable victory for Los Angeles over New York.