#News of the world [Advanced] - By Cate - 22/12/2025

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…

There’s no escaping it: the news feels heavy at the moment. Conflict, climate anxiety, and a constant sense that things are heading the wrong way. So, for the final podcast of the year, let’s end on something more hopeful: the good environmental news you might have missed.

Because while emissions are still rising and nature remains under pressure, 2025 quietly delivered some real breakthroughs. Renewable energy overtook coal globally, driven by huge growth in wind and solar. In the UK, wind power now supplies roughly a third of electricity. New ways of storing clean energy are also taking shape.

Beyond energy, oceans saw progress too. A long-awaited global treaty to protect the high seas finally came into force, alongside the creation of the world’s largest marine protected area. Forest loss slowed in parts of Brazil, with deforestation falling to its lowest level in over a decade.

Wildlife offered good news. Green turtles were downgraded from endangered, tiger numbers continued to rise, and salmon returned to a river once blocked by dams. None of this fixes everything. But it does show that action works — and that progress is possible, even now.

Business News

If you feel like cars are getting bigger every time you cross the road, you’re not imagining it. Across Europe, vehicles are becoming longer, wider and heavier — a trend critics have nicknamed “carspreading”. Drivers love big cars because they feel safer, offer more space and give that commanding, king-of-the-road view. Cities, however, are far less enthusiastic.

Paris has gone the furthest, sharply increasing parking charges for heavier vehicles after a public vote. The message is simple: bigger cars pollute more, take up more space and make congestion worse. Early signs suggest it’s working, with far fewer large vehicles parking in the city centre.

This debate matters across the EU, where streets are often older, narrower and not designed for modern SUVs. Sales figures show that SUVs now dominate the European market, even though most never leave smooth tarmac — a bit ironic for vehicles inspired by off-road routes.

Supporters argue big cars are practical for families and accessibility. Critics point to safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists, and higher emissions. With electric cars often even heavier, the question is growing louder: do our cities really need cars this big? 

Entertainment

Hollywood is bracing for another major shake-up as Warner Bros, one of the most historic studios in film history, faces a possible sale or break-up. As Netflix and Paramount battle for control, the mood across the industry is anxious. Warner Bros has been behind iconic films and TV shows for decades, and its decline feels symbolic of a wider crisis in entertainment.

The debate is about who would be the lesser evil. Some creatives fear Netflix’s streaming-first approach, which many believe has weakened cinema and traditional film releases. Others are uneasy about Paramount’s billionaire-backed ownership, raising concerns about political influence and creative control. Either way, the sale would mean job losses and one less buyer for film and TV projects.

This comes after years of disruption: pandemic shutdowns, strikes, mergers and a production slowdown that never fully recovered. Many workers say opportunities are disappearing, while executive pay has continued to rise.

Despite the uncertainty, some in Hollywood remain pragmatic. They argue that while studios may change hands, strong ideas and good storytelling will always find a way through — even in a smaller, tougher industry. 

Sport

Today we’re tackling a topic almost as controversial as VAR (Video Assistant Referee) — that is British football food! Ask a continental fan what they think of pies and chips at a match, and you’ll get everything from “comfort food!” to “Is this a pastry or a tactical formation?”

Across Europe, matchday menus look very different — sausage sandwiches in Germany, sunflower seeds in the Balkans, galette-saucisse in France — and then there’s the Brits proudly serving meat pies and mushy peas. 

Some European fans are thrilled to try fish and chips or a good old British pie — “basic but hearty!” they say. Others joke that our grub is like a half-time survival kit rather than a Michelin starter. But hey, if you’ve ever tried to eat mushy peas in freezing drizzle, you’ll know that is authentic British football culture.

So next time you’re at Wembley, shout “scran!” with pride. Europe may tease it, but they secretly admire our grit… and our gravy.

Self-development

Last-minute Christmas shopping can feel like a minefield. You want something thoughtful, but time is short and inspiration has vanished. A useful shortcut is to look at the gifts people say they actually loved receiving.

Ask around and the answers are rarely flashy. A well-chosen book comes up again and again, especially when it was the giver’s own favourite. Not a bestseller grabbed in a panic, but a novel or memoir that meant something, with a note explaining why. It feels personal without being over the top, and it often gets read.

Other favourites tend to be practical but upgraded. A really good scarf, proper socks, a decent cooking pan, a reusable water bottle that doesn’t leak. Things people use every day but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Experiences count too, as long as they’re simple: theatre tickets, a creative class, or a shared lunch booked for January when everyone needs cheering up.

Then there are the quietly thoughtful gifts. A framed photo you forgot existed. A plant with clear instructions. A playlist, a map, a recipe handwritten by someone who knows you well. None of this requires weeks of planning or a big budget.

So if you’re stuck this Christmas, stop chasing “perfect”. Think useful and personal. Share what matters, and trust that thoughtful beats rushed shopping.

Well, that’s all from NEWS OF THE WORLD for now. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I’ll talk to you soon! Take care!