#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - By Cate - 05/01/2026

A quick glance at what's happening on Mother Earth 🌍

No country will remain untouched 😎
No celebrity or politician will remain safe 😅
Put on the earphones  🔈
Press play ▶️
Improve your English 🔥

Ps: Cate rocks 🤘

Transcript

Hello, Cate here and welcome back to NEWS OF THE WORLD!

 In World News…

Social media helped turn Mamdani, a young, left-wing candidate into New York City’s mayor by connecting with younger voters in a fun, visible and relatable way. Short videos, humour and everyday issues made politics feel accessible and human.

But campaigning is easier than governing. Once in office, decisions become slower and more complex, and that can be harder to explain online. The risk is that supporters who loved the excitement of the campaign may lose patience with day-to-day politics.

The challenge now he is in office is to use social media not just to energise people, but to explain how the city works — and to turn online enthusiasm into real, long-term engagement.

Business News

How would you feel if sending a birthday card or a letter was no longer possible? In Denmark, letter delivery has now completely stopped, making it the first country to do this.

The reason is simple: almost everyone communicates online. Emails, messages and digital government services have replaced letters, and very few people post mail anymore. Parcels will still be delivered, but letters are gone.

Many people feel nostalgic, buying old postboxes as memories of the past. Others worry about people who are not comfortable online, especially older citizens. The change shows how fast communication is evolving — and what we leave behind along the way.

Entertainment

Brigitte Bardot has died, aged 91. She was a famous French actress who became a symbol of freedom and beauty in the 1950s and 60s. Her films and style changed cinema and influenced fashion around the world.

She shocked audiences by breaking social rules, then surprised everyone again by leaving films at a young age. Instead of acting, she dedicated her life to protecting animals and became a passionate campaigner.

Bardot was also a controversial figure because of her strong opinions, which divided public opinion. Still, she remains one of France’s most unforgettable cultural icons, remembered for her impact on cinema and her lifelong fight for animal rights. 

Sport

This winter has brought very little snow, reminding many people that winters are getting warmer. In the Swiss Alps, this is a serious problem for ski resorts.

One resort, Laax, is trying to change how winter tourism works. It uses renewable energy, electric transport and environmentally friendly buildings. Wildlife is protected, and equipment is repaired instead of replaced. A new ski lift system only runs when passengers need it, saving large amounts of energy.

Laax is also working with ski resorts in other countries to share solutions. As snowfall becomes less reliable, the resort is showing how skiing might adapt to a changing climate.

Self-development

At the start of the year, it’s tempting to make big resolutions — and just as easy to drop them a few weeks later. Instead, try setting intentions your brain can support.

Think of goals as teamwork between your conscious and unconscious mind. Your conscious brain sets the direction. Your unconscious brain then knows what to look for and what habits to support.

Avoid vague pressure goals like “lose weight” or “change everything”. Focus on how you want to feel and the direction you want to move in. Use flexible language, not “always” or “never”. Life isn’t perfect, and your goals don’t need to be either.

Plan for setbacks — mistakes don’t mean failure. And make habits easier by linking them to things you already do.

This year, be intentional, realistic, and kind to yourself — and let change build naturally over time.

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