#News of the world [Advanced] - By Cate - 13/01/2025

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

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Transcript

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

 In World News…

Elon Musk’s growing role in global politics is raising eyebrows, especially as he becomes a key figure in Donald Trump’s administration. Known for his bold business ventures, Musk is also making waves on his social media platform, X, by backing far-right groups, criticizing allied leaders, and stirring up controversy. European leaders like Britain’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron aren’t happy, calling Musk’s actions destabilizing and authoritarian.

Musk’s support for Trump’s "America First" agenda has people wondering how much influence he’ll have on U.S. foreign policy. Critics worry that his business interests would overlap with government decisions, especially since many of his ventures have global reach. European leaders are particularly uneasy, seeing his comments as meddling in their democracies, which adds tension to U.S.-Europe relations during Trump’s second term.

Musk hasn’t held back, recently taking shots at outgoing Canadian leader Justin Trudeau and boosting Germany’s far-right AfD party. While this aligns with Trump’s nationalist vibes, it risks alienating key allies the U.S. needs to tackle global issues. With Musk’s unpredictable behaviour and Trump’s combative style, the next administration could bring more global turbulence. The big question: Is the U.S. big enough for two massive egos on one stage?

Business News

The United States has added several Chinese entities, including gaming and social media giant Tencent and battery maker CATL, to its list of Chinese military companies, which is updated annually and now stands at 134 organisations. This list, part of Washington's efforts to counter Beijing's use of civilian technology to bolster its military, warns American businesses of potential risks but does not impose immediate penalties. However, it increases pressure on the U.S. Treasury to sanction these firms.

Tencent, which owns WeChat, and CATL, a key battery supplier, denied any military ties. Beijing also criticized the move, arguing it violates market competition principles and international trade rules, in addition to undermining investor confidence in the U.S.

The Pentagon faced pressure from lawmakers to include firms like CATL, particularly as Ford is planning a $2 billion battery plant in Michigan, licensing CATL's technology. The strained U.S.-China relations are further underscored by ongoing lawsuits from companies like DJI and Hesai Technologies over their inclusion on the list. Following the announcement, Tencent and CATL shares fell 7% and 4% in Hong Kong, respectively, highlighting the financial impact of this growing geopolitical tension.

Entertainment

Bordeaux’s wine industry is shaking things up with the rise of alcohol-free wines, once considered unthinkable. Changing tastes, economic woes, and cutting-edge tech have pushed winemakers to come around to this new trend, turning what was once seen as a disgrace into an opportunity to branch out.

Producers admit early attempts were a flop. But now, advanced methods like vacuum distillation and aroma capturing are paying off, producing wines that hold their own, replicating key wine attributes like bouquet, tannins, and balance, which is a game-changer for the wine world.

Economic struggles have put a damper on traditional wine sales: domestic demand is drying up, China’s market isn’t what it used to be, and looming U.S. tariffs are piling on the pressure. At the same time, younger, health-conscious consumers are cutting back on alcohol.

Despite initial backlash, pioneers see this shift as a way to save the industry. Non-alcoholic wines are stepping up to keep traditions alive and secure the future of Bordeaux’s vineyards while appealing to modern tastes.

Sport

Sporting events in 2025 promise an action-packed year across various disciplines. 

Key highlights include Euro 2025, hosted by Switzerland in July, where the defending champions, England's Lionesses, aim to retain their crown. 

Cricket fans can look forward to the Ashes series in Australia, with the women's competition beginning in January and the men’s five-match series starting in November.

England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2010, running from August to September. New Zealand, the reigning champions, are aiming for a record seventh title. 

The World Athletics Championships, held in Tokyo in September, will feature over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries competing in various track and field events.

Other notable events include the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco, the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in September, and the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi from September to October.

Self-development

Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions and why most of us struggle to keep them. The stats are grim—less than 10% of resolutions actually succeed. But here’s the good news: with a bit of science, you can dramatically improve your chances. Today, we’re unpacking two key ideas: the science of habits and the role of self-stories.

Let’s start with habits. Most resolutions fail because they’re far too vague. “Exercise more” or “eat more healthily” might sound good, but they’re not actionable. The key is to break them down into small, specific steps. Instead of “exercise more,” try something like “take the stairs instead of the lift” or “add a 10-minute walk to my routine.” Then, tie that new habit to something you already do. For example, if you already have a daily walk, just extend it by 10 minutes. Or if you always make coffee in the morning, use that as a cue to make a healthy breakfast alongside it. The trick is to make these changes easy—especially for the first week—so they become automatic. Prep what you need in advance, like laying out your walking shoes or smoothie ingredients. If you stick with this, you’ll find the new habits start to settle in.

Now onto self-stories, which are the narratives we tell ourselves about who we are. These stories drive our decisions, often without us even realising. If you see yourself as “someone who’s always stressed” or “not a gym person,” you’ll act accordingly. To change, you need to rewrite that story. Start by writing down your current narrative, including what’s holding you back. Then, craft a new version that reflects the person you want to be—someone who’s calm, organised, or active. Research shows this simple technique can lead to profound, long-term change.

This year, try using these practical, science-based approaches. You might just surprise yourself! I’m going to give them a goto drink 2 litres of water a day and walk 7,000 steps between lessons. Our great leader, Mayel, is going to work on mental discipline to stop brooding – good luck with that, Mayel!

Well, that’s all from NEWS OF THE WORLD for now. I hope your 2025 is off to a good start, and I’ll talk to you soon! Take care!