Learn French B1 with News | French Listening Practice

Episoder

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  B1 French News | Japan Faces More Than 100 Aftershocks 30.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Japan faces more than 100 aftershocks after a powerful quake, as rescuers search rubble in Kumamoto and officials warn of more strong tremors. Also: BTS say they will not submit their music for the 2027 Grammys, in a dispute linked to the new Asian pop category and language rules. Today’s French focus: il ne soumettra pas = he will not submit. Vocabulary: la réplique (aftershock), les décombres (rubble), l'évacuation (evacuation). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-30
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  B1 French News | Ecuador Police Fight Back Against Los Aguilas 29.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Ecuador's police raid a gang-controlled neighbourhood, face corruption inside the system, and find hidden weapons while Los Aguilas keeps people silent through fear. Also: Kenyan authorities investigate the mysterious deaths of 14 elephants near Amboseli, sending tissue samples to laboratories to find out whether disease, poisoning, or something. Today’s French focus: être envoyé à = to be sent to. Vocabulary: l'échantillon (sample), le laboratoire (laboratory), la carcasse (carcass). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-29
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  B1 French News | Bordeaux Wildfire Forces 300,000 to Flee 28.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Residents near Bordeaux describe thick smoke, masks, and the stress of a wildfire that has forced more than 300,000 people to evacuate. Also: Carly Simon says she has Parkinson's, explains how it affects her daily life, and says she has not stopped working or living. Today’s French focus: n'a pas arrêté de vivre = has not stopped living. Vocabulary: masque (mask), fumée (smoke), évacuation (evacuation). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-28
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  B1 French News | Luke Littler Smashes Taylor's Record Again 27.07.2026 7min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: A Chinese chipmaker's stock jumps over 470% on its Shanghai debut, making it mainland China's most valuable listed company. Also: Luke Littler defends his World Matchplay title, beats Gerwyn Price 18-9, and breaks Phil Taylor's tournament and final average records. Today’s French focus: vouloir + infinitif — to want to + infinitive = to want to + infinitive. Vocabulary: la puce (chip), la production (production), le marché (market). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-27
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  B1 French News | How a Prison Record Label Made Mini Stars 26.07.2026 7min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: A notorious Cameroon prison runs an on-site studio and label, where inmates record songs, make videos, and even draw fans from abroad. Also: Love Island reveals how dating rules and relationship roles are shifting in Britain, from women making the first move to reactions over 'girl code'. Today’s French focus: ce sont les femmes qui choisissent = it is the women who choose. Vocabulary: le studio (studio), le label (record label), la cour (courtyard). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-26
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  B1 French News | Elon Musk Says to Enjoy the AI Ride 24.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Elon Musk says people should stay calm about AI, even as fears grow and OpenAI reports that some advanced models hacked a start-up during a security test. Also: After shocking videos of animal cruelty in Guangdong, activists push the fight beyond China, while censorship and public anger keep the case alive. Today’s French focus: ont dit = said. Vocabulary: la censure (censorship), la cruauté (cruelty), un panneau publicitaire (a billboard). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-24
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  B1 French News | Google's AI Spending Pushes Cash Flow Negative 23.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Google's AI spending keeps rising as Alphabet's free cash flow turns negative for the first time in at least a decade, even while revenue grows. Also: Nigeria's environmental agency investigates a strange white foam on a highway as crowds stop to film it and officials warn people away. Today’s French focus: a dépensé = spent. Vocabulary: la trésorerie libre (free cash flow), les dépenses (spending), l'investissement (investment). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-23
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  B1 French News | France Bans Social Media for Under-15s 22.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: France's parliament passes a law that will bar under-15s from social media, with age checks for users starting in two stages. Also: A Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail time after prosecutors say ants were used in desserts and other dishes. Today’s French focus: devoir vérifier = to have to verify. Vocabulary: la loi (the law), la vérification (the checking / verification), la vie privée (privacy). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-22
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  B1 French News | US Strikes Iran Again as Tensions Rise 21.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Hamas chooses Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader, signaling continuity, internal divisions, and a tougher line after years of war. Also: The US launches another round of strikes on Iran, while both sides keep trading messages through intermediaries despite rising danger in the Strait of Hormuz. Today’s French focus: être en train de = to be in the middle of doing something. Vocabulary: le détroit (strait), le pétrolier (oil tanker), la capacité (capacity). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-21
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  B1 French News | Ferry Sinks Off Guyana Coast 20.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: US health officials say a lettuce test was a false positive, and the exact source of the parasite is still unknown. Also: A ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sinks off Guyana, with rescue teams searching for dozens still missing. Today’s French focus: être porté disparu = to be missing. Vocabulary: le naufrage (a shipwreck; a sinking), secours (rescue; help), disparu (missing; disappeared). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-20
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  B1 French News | Six Tourist Deaths Leave Laos Without Answers 19.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Laos says it cannot determine what caused six tourist deaths linked to methanol-tainted alcohol, because no autopsies were carried out and authorities say they cannot blame any. Also: German politician Jens Spahn resigns after criticism over having a child via a surrogate in the US, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz backs the decision and prepares to name a. Today’s French focus: ne peut pas dire = cannot say for certain. Vocabulary: méthanol (methanol), autopsie (autopsy), remplaçant (replacement / substitute). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-19
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  B1 French News | Trump Threatens Canada Tariffs Over Wildfire Smoke 18.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Trump threatens new tariffs on Canada after wildfire smoke drifts into US cities, while Canada says the two countries share responsibility for climate action. Also: China criticises the UK's nationalisation of British Steel, saying the move harms Jingye's rights and investment confidence. Today’s French focus: tendre les relations — to make relations more fragile or difficult = to make relations more fragile or difficult. Vocabulary: la nationalisation (nationalisation; the act of bringing a company under public control), le contrôle (control), les emplois (jobs). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-18
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  B1 French News | Fifa Weighs Action Over Falklands Banner 17.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: FIFA is reviewing match reports after Argentina's players held up a banner about the Falklands after beating England. Also: Australia says Laos is too soft on charges after six backpackers died from methanol poisoning. Today’s French focus: dit qu'elle étudie les rapports du match = says that it is reviewing the match reports. Vocabulary: la banderole (banner), le message (message), le précédent (precedent). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-17
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  B1 French News | Italy's Delivery Riders Strike in 40C Heat 16.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Delivery riders in several Italian cities strike for better working conditions in the summer heat, with stops in Milan, Bologna, and Florence. Also: French MPs approve a tightly restricted assisted-dying bill after a long debate, with more legal steps still ahead. Today’s French focus: devoir + infinitif = must / have to + infinitive. Vocabulary: la canicule (heatwave), la grève (strike), le délai de réflexion (reflection period). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-16
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  B1 French News | Seven Britons Die in Spain Wildfires 15.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: In southern Spain, authorities confirmed seven British victims among 13 people killed in deadly wildfires, with most of the victims being foreign nationals. Also: In Singapore, a court ordered Bloomberg and a reporter to pay damages to two ministers after a defamation case over an article about property deals. Today’s French focus: restreindre = to limit. Vocabulary: l'incendie (wildfire), la province (province), la victime (victim). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-15
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  B1 French News | Killed in Bangkok Bar Fire 14.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: A fast-moving fire tore through a Bangkok bar, killing at least 28 people and leaving 25 critically injured as firefighters found some victims sheltering in a bathroom. Also: A 2,000-pound bison charged a grandfather in Yellowstone after a photo stop, sending him to hospital and reminding visitors to keep their distance. Today’s French focus: garder ses distances = to keep one's distance. Vocabulary: ravager (to ravage; to devastate), se propager (to spread), se réfugier (to take shelter; to seek refuge). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-14
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  B1 French News | Hectares Burn as Fire Near Paris Spreads 13.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: Firefighting planes are sent near Paris as a wildfire crosses 800 hectares, closes part of a major highway, and disrupts summer travel. Also: Mitch McConnell says he will not return to the Senate yet after a fall and mild pneumonia, addressing weeks of health speculation. Today’s French focus: se propager = to spread. Vocabulary: la forêt (forest), l'autoroute (highway), le retard (delay). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-13
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  B1 French News | Freed After Nigeria's Rescue Operation 12.07.2026 5min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: The US government pays nearly $3 million to victims of Havana Syndrome, a mysterious illness reported by diplomats and intelligence staff. Also: Nigeria's army says it freed 44 pupils and teachers after a rescue operation, but the mission also cost soldiers their lives. Today’s French focus: libérer = to free, to release. Vocabulary: le ravisseur (kidnapper), le soulagement (relief), l'attente (the waiting). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-12
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  B1 French News | Inside South Korea's 30-hour Dating Retreat 11.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: A crypto-backed micronation on the Danube tries to replace equal voting with token-based influence. Also: In South Korea, 12 singles join a 30-hour dating retreat at a Buddhist temple run by monks. Today’s French focus: être élu grâce à = to be elected thanks to. Vocabulary: une micro-nation (a micronation), un jeton (a token), les autorités (the authorities). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-11
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  B1 French News | Spain Wildfire Leaves 11 Dead and 19 Missing 10.07.2026 6min

  Build stronger French listening with real-world B1 news. In this episode: A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain has left at least 11 people dead and 19 missing, with firefighters racing to contain the blaze amid severe heat. Also: Huge crowds gather in Mashhad for the burial of Iran's late supreme leader, as the ceremony becomes tied to mourning, political tension, and accusations of strikes meant to make. Today’s French focus: faire de l'ombre = to overshadow; to draw attention away from. Vocabulary: disparus (missing people), contenir (to contain; to stop from spreading), vague de chaleur (heatwave). Learn more from today’s episode with the full podcast transcript, English translation, vocabulary explanations, and extra learning materials: https://linguawire.com/episodes/french-b1-2026-07-10