#News of the world [Advanced] - By Cate - 27/01/2025

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…

Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a bang, wasting no time fulfilling campaign promises and commanding the spotlight. Just two days in, he’s reshaping policy, grabbing headlines, and keeping everyone—from supporters to critics—on edge. Immigration is front and centre, with sweeping executive actions to ramp up deportations and strip schools and churches of ICE protections. Meanwhile, he’s rolling back diversity policies, threatening new trade wars, and even renaming the Gulf of Mexico. The pace is dizzying, and it’s all part of Trump’s strategy to dominate the narrative.

For his base, this relentless activity is proof that he delivers. The image of nonstop "wins" fuels his political power, even when the details blur. For his opponents, it’s chaos: too much happening too quickly to effectively push back. And that’s the point—Trump thrives on the noise, leaving his critics scrambling.

But while the early rollout looks organized compared to his first term, the real test will come when crises hit or when he needs Congress to pass laws. His hardline moves, like pardoning 6th January rioters and ignoring legal norms, are already sparking fears of unchecked power. One thing’s clear: Trump is back, louder than ever, and he’s setting the stage for a high-stakes presidency.

Business News

OpenAI has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Oracle, SoftBank, and other major players to invest $100 billion in AI infrastructure, with plans to grow this figure to $500 billion over the next four years. Dubbed "Stargate," the joint venture will build data centres to power artificial intelligence, creating over 100,000 jobs, according to US President Donald Trump, who endorsed the project at the White House. OpenAI’s Sam Altman has become the latest tech brown-noser, crediting Trump even though the project was underway before his presidency began.

The initiative is backed by global tech leaders, including Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Arm, alongside UAE-based investor MGX. Construction has already begun, with initial centres in Texas. This massive push reflects OpenAI’s call for major infrastructure investment to support AI's rapid growth.

While this marks a resounding vote of confidence in AI's potential, concerns have been raised about energy demands, land constraints, and the role of foreign investors. Former President Joe Biden previously implemented policies to control AI exports and encourage clean energy development for data centres.

As demand for AI infrastructure skyrockets, McKinsey estimates data centre capacity will need to triple by 2030. With companies like Microsoft and Amazon already investing heavily, this race to build AI-powered infrastructure is reshaping the future of technology—and the global economy.

Entertainment

Doomscrolling—the habit of endlessly consuming negative news—can lead to anxiety, distrust, and despair, according to a study published in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior Reports. Researchers found that constant exposure to distressing news online reinforces feelings of existential anxiety and undermines trust in humanity. Participants reported increased misanthropy, or distrust and dislike of others.

The lead researcher likened the effects to “vicarious trauma,” where individuals are harmed by exposure to negative events they haven’t personally experienced. For many, the relentless flow of bad news challenges their beliefs about fairness, justice, and control over their own lives. Moreover, mental health experts suggest that doomscrolling creates an overwhelming effect, comparable to being in a room full of people shouting.

To lessen its impact, experts recommend being mindful of how social media and news consumption affect you. Delaying engagement with negative content, particularly in the morning, and redefining how news is presented could help. Social media platforms are also being called upon to take responsibility for how their algorithms increase negativity.

Sport

Hyrox, founded in 2017, blends sport, race, and fitness into a unique indoor discipline. Participants tackle eight segments: alternating one-kilometre runs with exercises like sled pushes and burpee jumps. Since its modest start in Hamburg with 650 participants, Hyrox has exploded globally, hosting over 40 races in 2023 with 90,000 athletes and 50,000 spectators.

Unlike CrossFit, Hyrox emphasizes endurance over sheer strength, making it accessible yet challenging. Athletes receive patches to wear, not medals, and they praise Hyrox for its professional event atmosphere, complete with DJs playing upbeat music and precise timing metrics.

Hyrox's popularity is surging due to its viral-friendly format and inclusive vibe, attracting both amateurs and pros. However, its rapid growth raises concerns about maintaining accessibility, with UK events now requiring lotteries due to overwhelming demand and FOMO.

As Hyrox continues to expand, balancing accessibility with popularity remains crucial to preserving its grassroots appealand community ethos.

Self-development

A recent study by The Workforce Institute at UKG, involving 10 countries, found that 69% of employees believe their manager has the most significant impact on their mental health—equal to the influence of a life partner and surpassing that of doctors and therapists. With 43% of workers reporting exhaustion and 78% stating stress negatively affects their work performance, this is a wake-up call for leaders. Stress doesn’t stay confined to the workplace; it affects home life (71%), personal wellbeing (64%), and relationships (62%).

Leaders wield tremendous influence, but they often fail to recognize it—one-third of employees feel their managers don’t understand how their behaviour impacts others. For leaders, self-management is key: avoiding overloading themselves, delegating effectively, and modelling healthy boundaries. Leaders must also prioritize empathy. Tuning in to employees’ struggles, asking how they’re doing, and connecting them to resources like employee assistance programs can go a long way.

Purpose is another cornerstone. When employees see how their work contributes to the organization’s goals, they feel more connected and motivated. Leaders should clarify expectations, reinforce the company’s mission, and emphasize each person’s role in the bigger picture.

Creating opportunities for growth and ensuring employees face the “right” amount of challenge—neither too little nor too much—also boosts engagement. Leaders can personalize development opportunities, whether through stretch assignments, mentoring, or cross-departmental projects, encouraging connection.

Finally, autonomy matters. Empowering employees to choose how, when, and where they work, where feasible, fosters wellbeing and innovation.

The message is clear: great leadership isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about supporting people. By managing themselves and leading with empathy, leaders can build healthier, happier, and more resilient teams.

If you are a manager, ask yourself how you are impacting the mental health of yourself and your team. And if you have a manager who needs to hear these facts, just forward them this podcast and let me tell them!

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