#News of the world [Advanced] - By Cate - 10/03/2025

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!

In World News…

Where do I begin?! Six weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump has addressed Congress with a speech that was both a celebration of his early actions and a strong attack on his opponents. He claimed his administration had achieved more in 43 days than most do in years, highlighting executive orders, immigration enforcement, and efforts to remove "woke ideology" from schools and the military.

He also blamed Democrats and Joe Biden for economic struggles, pointing to inflation and high egg prices. 

Trump promised aggressive economic policies, including tax cuts and new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Supporters say these measures will protect American jobs, while critics warn they could lead to higher prices and a possible recession. On foreign policy, he reiterated his stance on Ukraine and hinted at a potential agreement with President Zelensky. This came after a public spat between the two, with Zelensky receiving a dressing down after criticising Trump’s standpoint on military support and warning against U.S. disengagement from the conflict.

Despite the speech’s record-breaking length, it offered little detail on how he would fund his promises while balancing the budget. The coming months will test whether his plans can turn into actual policy—or if opposition will stall his agenda. It also remains to be seen whether his bromance with Musk will survive and how relationships with allies develop following ongoing attacks from JD Vance.

Business News

Bubble tea chain Mixue Ice Cream and Tea may not yet be a household name globally, but with over 45,000 outlets across China and beyond, it has quietly overtaken both McDonald’s and Starbucks in store count. Its recent debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was met with a strong market response, with shares jumping more than 40%—a stark contrast to other bubble tea brands that have struggled post-IPO (or initial public offering).

Mixue’s success is largely driven by affordability. At an average price of less than a dollar per item, it appeals to Chinese consumers navigating economic uncertainty. Unlike Starbucks, which operates much of its network directly, Mixue functions primarily as a raw-materials supplier, allowing franchisees to scale rapidly while maintaining cost efficiency.

Founded in 1997 by a university student, Mixue has grown into a dominant player in the bubble tea and ice cream market, with plans for further expansion. If you haven’t tried it, bubble tea is a Taiwanese cold drink made with tea, milk, flavourings, and tapioca pearls (the bubbles). It’s not my cup of tea but popular with the under 40s.

Entertainment

Gene Hackman was always a man of presence—on screen and in real life. But the way his story ended is unsettling and tragic. On 26th February, a routine pest-control visit to his Santa Fe home led to the discovery of something chilling: Gene, 95, and his wife Betsy, 65, were both dead, their bodies found in separate rooms. His walking cane and sunglasses lay on the floor near the kitchen. Betsy was in a bathroom with prescription pills scattered nearby. Their German shepherd was dead in a crate. Two other dogs were alive but unattended.

Authorities say, according to his pacemaker data, Hackman had been dead since 17th February—nine days before anyone found them. There were no signs of forced entry, no clear cause of death, and no indications of foul play. Just an unlocked front door and an open back door.

Hackman was one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, with a career spanning more than four decades. He won two Academy Awards, first for The French Connection and later for Unforgiven. He was equally known for roles in Mississippi Burning and as Lex Luthor in the Superman films. He retired from acting in 2004, spending his later years writing novels and enjoying a quieter life in New Mexico. Hopefully the autopsies will reveal all.

Sport

The introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) in 2020 was intended to modernise the way golfers’ abilities are measured, creating a fairer and more adaptable system across different courses and formats. Yet, five years in, it remains a source of significant debate, with many saying the game has gone soft.

One of the core criticisms is that the WHS has made handicaps easier to manipulate as it relies on trust. Unlike the previous system, which was based largely on club competitions, players can now submit ‘general play’ scores from casual rounds. This has led to concerns that some individuals are inflating or deflating their handicaps for competitive advantage.

However, governing bodies argue that these concerns are overstated. England Golf has reported a rise in participation and competition entries since WHS was introduced, with more players engaging in the sport across all levels. Measures are also being put in place to monitor and adjust questionable handicaps, ensuring that the system remains credible.

Ultimately, the debate over WHS reflects a broader shift in golf: a move towards accessibility and growth, but one that challenges long-held traditions. Whether this change is for the better will depend on how effectively the system is maintained and enforced.

Self-development

When faced with a big decision, do you trust your gut or rely on logic? It’s a question we all wrestle with, whether it’s choosing a career, making an investment, or even deciding who to trust. Intuition and logic often seem at odds, but they work together more than we think.

Intuition is that instinctive feeling, the subtle nudge that tells us something is right or wrong—sometimes before we can even explain why. It’s shaped by past experiences, subconscious pattern recognition, and even emotions. That’s why seasoned experts in any field—whether surgeons, chess players, or stock traders—often make split-second decisions that turn out to be correct. Their intuition isn’t magic; it’s a refined, deeply ingrained response to familiar patterns.

On the other hand, logic demands structure, analysis, and evidence. It forces us to slow down, weigh the pros and cons, and question our assumptions. In high-stakes decisions—like launching a business—logic is crucial because it minimizes bias and error.

So, which should you trust? It depends. If you’re navigating a situation where you have deep experience, your intuition may be more reliable than you realise. But if emotions are clouding your judgment or you’re in unfamiliar territory, stepping back and using logic can prevent costly mistakes.

The best decisions happen when we balance both. Intuition can be the spark that guides us, but logic ensures we aren’t running blindly. The key is knowing when to trust your gut and when to challenge it. Because at the end of the day, the wisest choices come from not just what we feel—but also what we know.

Unfortunately, nowadays we are less reliant on intuition, due to information overload, fear of making mistakes, over-reliance on external approval, and too many distractions.

But don’t despair! Next week, we’ll look at how we can develop our intuition.

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