#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - By Cate - 19/01/2026

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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Ps: Cate rocks 🤘

Transcript

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

In World News…

Greenland may look remote, but it is becoming one of the world’s most strategic places. The huge Arctic island sits between North America and Europe, making it important for security and shipping routes.

It is also rich in valuable minerals used in green energy, technology and defence. As climate change melts Arctic ice, these resources and new sea routes are easier to access.

That is why the US, China and Russia are all paying close attention to Greenland. But Greenland belongs to its people, and it governs itself while remaining part of Denmark.

Talk of taking control has caused strong reactions in Europe and Greenland, where many see it as a question of respect, sovereignty and international law.

Business News

A French university near Paris runs a unique course that trains intelligence agents — and future business leaders — together. Originally created after terrorist attacks, it now attracts strong interest from major companies worried about cyber-security, spying and global instability.

Firms in defence, energy and luxury see intelligence skills as essential. Graduates have gone on to work for companies like Orange, EDF and luxury group LVMH.

The message is clear: in today’s economy, understanding risk, geopolitics and security isn’t just for governments. For big business, it is becoming a competitive necessity.

Entertainment

George Clooney and his family are now French citizens. The actor says they live mainly on a farm in France to give their children a quieter, more normal life.

Clooney has explained that Hollywood fame can be intense and invasive, especially for children. In France, celebrities are often left alone, and strong privacy laws make it harder for paparazzi to take and publish photos.

These laws protect people in private spaces and limit how famous people can be photographed in public. For Clooney, that means less attention and more freedom.

His move shows why France appeals to stars seeking privacy.

Sport

In China, football is becoming a test sport for humanoid robots. A Beijing start-up called Booster Robotics is training human-like robots to play football using artificial intelligence.

Robot sports events like RoboCup and the World Humanoid Robot Games help companies test balance, vision and teamwork. Firms such as Unitree and X-humanoid are using sport to develop robots for factories and homes.

Big international names like Tesla and Boston Dynamics are doing similar work. The robots still make mistakes, but sport is helping to turn futuristic ideas into real business opportunities.

Self-development

Annual goals can feel exciting in January, but they are hard to keep. A whole year is long, and life gets busy. That is why quarterly plans work better. Three months feels realistic and motivating.

Instead of saying, “This year I will get healthier,” you can say, “This quarter, I will move my body three times a week.” At work, rather than “be more productive,” try “finish one important project by the end of the quarter.”

Time blocking helps you make this happen. It means choosing a time for your goal in advance. For example, exercising every Tuesday and Thursday evening, writing reports on Friday mornings, or planning the week on Sunday afternoon. You can also plan regular holidays and days off.

When time is blocked, your goals don’t get forgotten. Small, focused steps each quarter add up to big change over the year.

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