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

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…

The news feels heavy lately, so let’s finish the year on something more hopeful. Despite ongoing environmental damage, 2025 brought some quiet wins for the planet.

Renewable energy overtook coal worldwide, with wind and solar growing fast. In the UK, wind power now provides about one third of electricity. Oceans also saw progress, as a new global treaty to protect the high seas came into force. Forest loss slowed in parts of Brazil, and several endangered species made strong recoveries, including turtles, tigers, and salmon returning to restored rivers.

These breakthroughs don’t solve everything, but they remind us that change is possible — and happening.

Business News

Cars in Europe are getting bigger, heavier and wider — and not everyone is happy about it. While many people like large cars because they feel safe and spacious, cities are starting to push back. Paris has increased parking prices for heavy vehicles to cut pollution and congestion, and other European cities are watching closely.

SUVs now make up most new car sales in the EU, even though they rarely go off-road. Critics say they take up too much space and can be more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Supporters say they are practical for families. The big question is whether modern cities can really cope with such big cars.

Entertainment

Hollywood is facing more uncertainty as Warner Bros may be sold or broken up, with Netflix and Paramount both trying to buy parts of the studio. For people who work in film and television, this is worrying. It could mean fewer jobs and fewer chances to make new projects.

Some are nervous about Netflix because it focuses on streaming instead of cinemas. Others worry about Paramount because of billionaire ownership and possible political influence. This comes after years of strikes and fewer productions.

Many workers feel the industry is shrinking, but some still believe that good stories will survive, even during big changes.

Sport

Let’s talk about British football food! To fans from across Europe — where bratwurst, snacks and seeds rule half-time — British matchday food, also known as “grub”, can be a funny surprise. 

Some visitors love the hearty classics like fish and chips or a good meat pie — it’s comfort food with atmosphere. Others tease and say that British stadium food looks like something you would eat to survive a rainy Monday, not enjoy at a big match. But whether it’s chips, pies, or mushy peas, fans from Italy to Scandinavia agree on one thing: it’s unforgettable!

Self-development

When people talk about the best gifts they have ever received, a pattern appears. It’s rarely the most expensive thing. It’s the thoughtful one.

Books come up a lot, especially when they were a favourite of the person giving them. A well-loved novel, passed on with a note saying “this meant something to me”, often beats a rushed bestseller. It feels personal.

Other popular gifts are practical upgrades. A warm scarf, good socks, a mug that actually keeps tea or coffee hot. Useful things people wouldn’t buy themselves but end up using all the time. Experiences work too, if they are simple: tickets, a cooking class, or a meal booked for later in the year.

So if you are stuck with last-minute Christmas shopping, stop overthinking it. Choose something useful or personal instead.

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!