#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - By Cate - 04/11/2024

A quick glance at what's happening on Mother Earth 🌍

No country will remain untouched 😎
No celebrity or politician will remain safe 😅
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Transcript

Hello, Cate here and welcome back to NEWS OF THE WORLD!

In World News…

Rescue teams in Spain are working to find missing people after severe floods killed at least 95 and trapped thousands without power. Heavy rains in Valencia and nearby areas turned streets into rivers, sweeping away cars and damaging homes. Criticism has emerged over delayed warnings, with some residents trapped before alerts were sent. Experts say better systems are needed as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such storms. They stress the importance of updating cities to handle floodwaters, comparing the need for flood preparedness to the level of planning for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Business News

The UK Chancellor’s first Labour budget has introduced £40 billion in tax increases, mostly for employers, to reduce a £22 billion deficit and support services like the National Health Service, schools, and transport. This budget aims to make a fresh start, delivering the largest NHS funding boost since 2010. Key measures include higher taxes on capital gains, inheritance, private school fees, vaping products, and private jets. Individual income taxes, National Insurance, and VAT remain unchanged, though employers face a National Insurance increase expected to generate £25 billion annually. Critics say these taxes may limit economic growth.

 Entertainment

After One Direction’s Liam Payne tragically died at 31, discussions around mental health risks for young stars resurfaced. Payne’s difficulties, similar to those of Robbie Williams and Amy Winehouse, highlight the intense pressures young artists face, including public scrutiny, addiction, and exhausting schedules. Some have proposed banning under-18s from pop careers, saying teenagers are unprepared for fame’s demands. Others suggest industry changes like better mental health support and guidance. While UK laws protect under-16s, older teens lack similar safeguards, initiating calls for updated guidance to help families manage the unique pressures of early fame.

Sport

Rugby union recently celebrated 30 years of professionalism, initiated by South African Rugby Union president Louis Luyt in 1994. Now, New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson aims to modernise the sport by enhancing fan engagement, accessibility, and safety. Key changes include a planned biennial Nations Championship starting in 2026, where 12 teams compete in a North-South hemisphere final, and a red card trial law allowing a replaced player after 20 minutes. Robinson believes these changes make games faster and more enjoyable. He also supports Brett Robinson for World Rugby chair but disagrees with France managing World Rugby.

Self-development

In the last episode, we looked at how different sleep patterns affect daily life. People’s natural sleep cycles, or chronotypes, fall into four main types:

Lions or early birds (15% of people) wake up early with energy, have to-do lists, and are productive in the morning, but are tired by 10 p.m. Lions should do challenging tasks early and save casual work for later in the day.

Bears (55% of people) follow the sun, waking up at around 7 a.m. and going to bed by 11 p.m. Their energy peaks between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., ideal for difficult work, with a later lunch.

Wolves or night owls (15% of people) are most active in the evening, making early mornings difficult. They hit peak productivity from 1 to 5 p.m., so planning important work for this window is best.

Dolphins (10% of people) are light, erratic sleepers. Their most productive time is usually from 3 to 7 p.m., but it varies based on the night’s rest. Keeping a notebook for thoughts can help manage stress so you can fall back to sleep.

A small remaining 5% of people have mixed patterns.

“Chronoworking” is a trend where employers allow flexible hours suited to employees’ natural rhythms, often helped by remote work. This approach can improve productivity, morale, and motivation, and reduce absenteeism by aligning work hours with individual energy peaks.

Well, that’s all from NEWS OF THE WORLD for now. I hope you work to your own rhythm today, and I’ll talk to you soon! Take care!