US Daily Brief - April 19, 2026

1. Strait of Hormuz Closed After Attacks on Ships

The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway where many oil tankers pass. Recently, Iran said the strait is closed again after some ships were attacked. This news worries many countries because the strait is a key route for global oil supply. When the strait is closed or blocked, oil prices usually go up. It is not clear how long the closure will last or if the attacks will continue. Many governments are watching this situation closely because it can affect world energy and trade. The tension shows how fragile peace is in this part of the world.

영어 표현 학습

• closed again — 다시 닫히다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The store was closed again due to unexpected problems.
• waterway — 수로 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The river is an important waterway for shipping goods.
• key route — 중요한 경로 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The highway is a key route for travelers to get to the city.
• watch closely — 주의 깊게 지켜보다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  Investors watch closely when the stock market changes.

Source: BBC

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2. More Than Half of Americans Say Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Too Aggressive

A recent poll shows that more than half of Americans believe former President Trump’s immigration policy was too aggressive. This means many people think the policy was too strict or harsh. Immigration is a big topic in the US, and opinions often vary widely. Some people want stronger borders, while others support more help for immigrants. The poll shows that the country is still divided on this issue. Understanding these opinions is important because immigration affects many parts of society, including jobs and communities. Leaders may need to find a balance that most people can agree on.

영어 표현 학습

• too aggressive — 너무 공격적인, 너무 강경한 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The coach thought the player was too aggressive during the game.
• poll shows — 여론조사 결과 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The poll shows that most people like the new law.
• divided on — ~에 대해 의견이 나뉘다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The community is divided on the new building plan.
• find a balance — 균형을 찾다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  We need to find a balance between work and rest.

Source: The Independent

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3. U.S. Employers Added 178,000 Jobs in March, Showing Strong Growth

In March, U.S. employers hired 178,000 new workers. This number is higher than expected and shows a strong rebound from slower job growth in February. The job market is important because it shows how well the economy is doing. When more people have jobs, they can spend money, and businesses grow. However, some experts say the hiring boom might not last long. There are still concerns about the economy and future job opportunities. Watching these trends helps people understand what might happen next in the job market.

영어 표현 학습

• strong rebound — 강한 반등, 회복 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  After a slow start, sales showed a strong rebound in March.
• job market — 취업 시장 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The job market is very competitive this year.
• hiring boom — 고용 급증 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  There was a hiring boom after the company opened a new office.
• watch trends — 추세를 주시하다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  Investors watch trends to make better decisions.

Source: PBS

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4. AI Is Changing Silicon Valley and Its Future

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing many parts of the world, especially Silicon Valley, the center of technology in California. AI tools are helping companies work faster and create new products. But this change also brings challenges. Some people worry about jobs being lost or the technology being used in the wrong way. Silicon Valley is trying to find ways to use AI for good while managing risks. This technology could change the world, but first, it is changing how Silicon Valley works every day.

영어 표현 학습

• changing many parts — 많은 부분을 변화시키다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The internet is changing many parts of our daily lives.
• center of technology — 기술의 중심지 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  Seoul is a center of technology in South Korea.
• bring challenges — 도전을 가져오다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  New inventions often bring challenges for society.
• manage risks — 위험을 관리하다 (TWO trailing spaces here!)
  The company works hard to manage risks in its business.

Source: The New York Times

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Today's Vocabulary Recap