#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - 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 working with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel to stop the war in Gaza by reaching a ceasefire and releasing hostages, trying to remove Hamas from power. A recent Lebanon ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah might pressure Hamas, although disagreements remain. Since October 2023, after a deadly Hamas attack killed 1,200 Israelis, Israel’s strikes have killed over 44,000 people in Gaza. Ceasefire talks are paused. Hamas is demanding Israeli withdrawal and Gaza’s rebuilding, while Israel wants to dismantle Hamas. Both sides show a little openness to compromise, but divisions persist, leaving Gaza residents fearing more violence.

Business News

Donald Trump plans to introduce tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada when he becomes president in 2025. He wants to address problems like illegal immigration and drug smuggling. His plan includes a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Critics say this will hurt trade, raise costs for American consumers, and create problems for businesses that rely on imports. Canada, Mexico, and China oppose the plan, warning of economic and legal issues. Economists say tariffs mostly damage local businesses and consumers, not foreign countries. Trump’s team says it is necessary to reduce problems.

Entertainment

Thanksgiving has just passed, a holiday about giving thanks and celebrating the harvest. In the U.S., it is on the fourth Thursday of November. It began in 1621 with a feast shared by Pilgrims and Native Americans. It became a national holiday in 1863. Canadian Thanksgiving is on the second Monday in October. Traditions include eating turkey, and family gatherings. In the U.S., the president pardons a turkey, and Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. This year, our coach Christina cooked for the English Club, sharing leftovers. She says Thanksgiving traditions include watching or playing American football. We hope everyone enjoyed the turkey feast!

Sport

Climate change is making winter sports harder. Warmer weather and less snow are shortening ski seasons and increasing costs. Many ski resorts in Europe are under pressure. Some, like in the French Pyrenees, now focus on summer activities like hiking and biking. Others use artificial snow, but this is not very sustainable. Winter sports athletes, like skiers, are also affected, with poor training conditions due to insufficient snow or extreme weather leading to cancelled events. Experts warn that by 2050, only a few areas will have enough snow for winter sports. There is an urgent need for new ideas to keep winter sports alive in a warming world.

Self-development

Are you tidy or messy? Does clutter annoy you or other people around you? Decluttering and organising can improve both your mental and physical health. Messy spaces are linked to problems like poor memory, bad moods, unhealthy eating, sleep issues, and higher stress. Clutter also makes it harder to focus, make decisions, and be productive.

When your space is organised, it is easier to keep it that way. This leads to more mental clarity, happiness, and better habits like eating well and staying active. Clean spaces also help with communication and emotional connections. Even small steps can make a big difference—start with one area if you are short of time.

First, throw out rubbish. Next, pack items to donate in bags you won’t reopen. Finally, put things in the right place. Digital decluttering, like unsubscribing from emails and organising online files, is also important.

Getting help from others can make the process easier, but don’t give them your rubbish! Decluttering makes spaces easier to clean and helps you avoid buying more unnecessary things. Try it this winter—you could feel happier and more focused!

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!