#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - 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 started his second term at full speed, pushing his promises and dominating headlines. In just two days, he has restricted immigration, increased deportations, rolled back diversity policies, and even renamed the Gulf of Mexico. His fast pace keeps supporters excited, and critics overwhelmed, which seems to be part of his plan. While his base sees these actions as wins, opponents view them as chaotic and dangerous. Trump’s early presidency feels more organized this time, but challenges lie ahead. With bold moves like pardoning 6th January rioters, he is already raising fears of uncheckedpower. Trump is back.

Business News

OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and other tech giants are investing $100 billion in AI infrastructure, with plans to expand this to $500 billion in four years. The "Stargate" project will build data centres to support AI growth and create over 100,000 jobs, endorsed by President Trump at the White House. Major players like Microsoft, NVIDIA, and UAE investor MGX are supporting the initiative, which has already started in Texas. While this reflects AI’s growing importance, concerns about energy use, land needs, and foreign investors remain. As demand for AI grows, experts predict data centre capacity must triple by 2030.

Entertainment

Doomscrolling, or constantly reading negative news, can cause anxiety and despair, according to a study in Computers in Human Behavior Reports. Researchers found it leads to “vicarious trauma,” where people feel harmed by bad events they haven’t experienced, increasing feelings of hopelessness and distrust in others. This habit can make the world feel unfairand out of control. Experts compare it to being overwhelmed in a room full of shouting people. To reduce its effects, they suggest limiting exposure to negative content, especially in the morning, and being mindful of how news affects your mood. Social media platforms are urged to address this issue.

Sport

Hyrox, launched in 2017, is a growing fitness race that combines running with exercises like sled pushes and burpees. Participants complete eight rounds of one-kilometre runs and workouts, emphasizing endurance over strength. Starting with just 650 people in Hamburg, it now hosts over 40 events worldwide, attracting 90,000 athletes and 50,000 spectatorsin 2023.

Hyrox’s professional atmosphere, upbeat DJ music, and precise timing appeal to both beginners and pros. Instead of medals, participants earn patches, and its viral, inclusive vibe adds to its popularity. However, with high demand, UK events now use lotteries, raising concerns about keeping it accessible.

Self-development

A global study by The Workforce Institute at UKG found that 69% of employees say their manager has the biggest impact on their mental health—equivalent to a life partner and more than doctors or therapists. With 43% of workers feeling exhausted and 78% saying stress affects their performance, this highlights the vital role leaders play. Stress doesn’t stay at work; it impacts home life, wellbeing, and relationships.

Unfortunately, one-third of employees feel their managers don’t understand how their actions affect others. To lead well, managers must practice self-care, set healthy boundaries, and avoid overloading themselves. Empathy is crucial—checking in with employees, understanding their difficulties, and connecting them with support resources makes a big difference.

Purpose and growth are equally important. When employees understand how their work contributes to the organization’s goals, they feel more connected and motivated. Managers can clarify expectations, emphasize team contributions, and offer personalized development opportunities like mentoring. Additionally, giving employees autonomy—letting them choose how and where they work when possible—boosts wellbeing and innovation.

Great leadership isn’t just about achieving objectives; it’s about supporting people. By leading with empathy and purpose, managers can create healthier, happier, and more resilient teams.

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!