#News of the world [Advanced] - By Cate - 02/12/2024

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…

The United States is making renewed efforts with regional powers, including Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel, to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. This plan includes the release of hostages and aims to end the war without Hamas in power. The move follows a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, ending over a year of conflict. U.S. officials hope the Lebanon truce could pressure Hamas to make concessions, although significant disagreements remain.

Since Israel’s campaign against Hamas began in October 2023, following a deadly attack by the terrorist group killing 1200 Israelis, over 44,000 people in Gaza have been killed. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have stalled, with Qatar pausing its involvement. Hamas is demanding an Israeli withdrawal and Gaza’s reconstruction, while Israel is looking to dismantle Hamas entirely.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces political challenges, with far-right coalition members opposing any ceasefire that could halt military operations. Hamas, weakened by leadership losses and declining popularity, is holding hostages as a key bargaining tool. While both sides have expressed tentative openness to compromise, deep divides persist. Meanwhile, Gaza’s residents express hope for peace but fear intensified conflict if Israeli forces shift focus from Lebanon back to Gaza.

Business News

Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada on his first day as president in 2025, to address illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and fentanyl trafficking. He proposes a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% on Chinese imports. The move risks escalating tensions with the U.S.’s largest trading partners which account for 40% of U.S. imports. The U.S. is the world’s largest importer. 

The tariffs would disrupt global supply chains and challenge domestic businesses reliant on imports, potentially leading to higher costs for U.S. consumers. Economists argue that tariffs primarily burden domestic firms and consumers, countering Trump’s claims that foreign countries bear the cost.

Critics, including Canadian and Mexican leaders, have highlighted the economic and diplomatic fallout of such measures, questioning their long-term efficacy and legality under existing trade agreements, which promote tariff-free trade. China, which is also facing pressure from the Biden administration to curb fentanyl production, has rejected accusations of inaction and warned against the economic risks of a trade war. Trump’s team say “It’s escalate to de-escalate”. Time will tell.

Entertainment

Thanksgiving has just passed, the annual holiday celebrating gratitude and harvest, primarily observed in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, originating from a 1621 harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and Native Americans. It became a national holiday in 1863 under Abraham Lincoln. Canadian Thanksgiving, observed on the second Monday in October, also marks the harvest season. Key traditions include a feast with turkey and seasonal dishes, and the U.S. president traditionally pardons, or saves, a turkey. In fact, Biden has just pardoned two turkeys for the last time. It’s a time for reflection, family gatherings, and, in the U.S., the start of the holiday shopping season, as Black Friday comes the day after. So how do the American Smart Erudits trainers celebrate Thanksgiving? Well, our wonderful Christina cooked the night before and took the leftovers to the English Club – that’s dedication for you! So hopefully this year at least, she won’t pass out from a food coma after pigging out! She says traditions include playing or watching American football. I hope all you trainees who went to the event enjoyed yourselves and stuffed your faces with turkey!

Sport

Climate change is increasingly disrupting winter sports, with rising temperatures and unpredictable weather making skiing and related activities more challenging and costly. Across Europe, ski resorts face shorter seasons, warmer conditions, and the need to adapt their offerings to remain viable.

Some resorts, especially in the French Pyrenees, have shifted focus to summer activities such as hiking and biking, even branding themselves as year-round destinations. Others rely on artificial snow slopes amid snowless mountains. However, these adaptations raise questions about the sustainability and future of winter sports tourism.

Athletes in sports like biathlon have also felt the effects of climate change, affecting their performance and preparation. Training and competition conditions have worsened, with many ski races and events cancelled due to insufficient snow or extreme weather.

The broader outlook is concerning, with predictions that only a small number of regions will remain suitable for hosting snow events by mid-century. Reports highlight the slow pace of adaptation among authorities, emphasising the urgent need for innovative approaches to maintain the viability of winter sports.

Self-development

Are you tidy or messy? Or maybe somewhere in between? How about your family or colleagues? Does your lack of order negatively affect them or is it their chaos that derails you?

Decluttering and organising can positively impact mental and physical health. Disorganisation is linked to many negative outcomes, including memory issues, mood disorders, poor eating habits, reduced impulse control, disrupted sleep, and higher anxiety. Clutter can also diminish focus, decision-making abilities, and productivity.

Once you’ve decluttered, research shows that maintaining an organised space is easier and it enhances mental clarity, productivity, efficiency and happiness. Additionally, clean, organised environments are associated with improved physical health, better dietary habits, and increased activity levels, not to mention improved communication and emotional connections. Sounds farfetched but it’s true.

Starting small is one approach to decluttering if you are short of time. Tackling a single drawer or shelf can make the process less overwhelming. Don’t, however, take too long to declutter your home as if you don’t see the benefits, you’re less likely to finish the job. Professional organisers suggest first throwing out rubbish, then putting items to give away into black bags, so you don’t change your mind, and relocating items as you go along so you don’t create more mess with piles of stuff. Avoid emotional attachment by not handling items unnecessarily. Digital decluttering, such as unsubscribing from emails or organising digital files, is also vital for a clear mind, and this is my next job!

Getting help from family, friends, or professionals can make the process easier, but make sure you don’t offload your rubbish onto them! Even though I’m very organised, I decluttered my home earlier this year and have seen benefits in my concentration. It’s also easier to clean and I no longer feel the need to fill my home with useless junk! I want to keep my space uncluttered. Why don’t you try decluttering one winter weekend? You might be surprised at how much it can change your life!

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