#News of the world [Pre-intermediate] - By Cate - 16/02/2026

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  🔈
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Improve your English 🔥

Ps: Cate rocks 🤘

Transcript

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

In World News…

Newly released US files linked to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein mention many famous and powerful people, including Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Richard Branson. Being named does not mean anyone did something illegal, and many have strongly denied wrongdoing.

The documents show emails, photos and claims - some verified, many not - and they mainly highlight how Epstein stayed connected to elite circles for a long time. With hindsight, some messages look careless or uncomfortable.

Most responses stress the same point: the focus should be on justice for Epstein’s victims, not gossip. The files don’t provide clear conclusions, but they do remind us how closely power, privilege and poor judgement can sometimes sit together.

Business News

Some tech companies are proudly advertising 70-hour work weeks as a selling point. This “996” culture — long days (9am to 9pm), six days a week - is especially popular in AI start-ups racing to beat the competition.

Fans say it is about passion and ambition. Critics say it leads to burnout, health problems and falling productivity. Research supports the critics: after a certain point, longer hours don’t mean better results.

In Europe, this mindset feels extreme. And even in the UK, there is growing support for doing things differently. I will admit it – I am a fan of the four-day working week. Work smarter, not longer, and enjoy life and your passions.

Entertainment

Police in the US are investigating the disappearance of the mother of news presenter Savannah Guthrie. Authorities believe she was taken from her home overnight, and the case is being treated as an abduction. Investigators say security devices were disturbed and a medical monitoring system was disconnected, increasing concerns for her safety. Federal agencies are now involved, and a reward has been offered.

In response, Guthrie and her siblings have released a video appealing directly to whoever may be responsible. They say they have received a message and understand what is being asked. The family is pleading for her safe return and has stressed that she urgently needs medication.

Sport

The Winter Olympics have returned to Italy, and the opening ceremony made that very clear. Milano-Cortina is the first Winter Games hosted by two cities, and the ceremony took place across multiple venues, from Milan to the mountains.

It felt modern and very Italian. The parade was shorter, sharper and more spread out - and fashion played a big role. Italy’s athletes wore striking white Emporio Armani outfits, drawing big reactions and setting the tone.

Now the focus has shifted to the sport, with skiing, skating, biathlon, curling and ice hockey all getting underway. Stylish, ambitious and already memorable - Italy is off to a confident start.

Self-development

Recognition is a basic human need. We all have a recognition tank - and when it is empty, we feel flat, overlooked or unmotivated.

The good news? Recognition works whether it is given freely or asked for. A compliment still counts. Feedback still matters.

People need recognition in different ways. Some like praise, others want clear feedback, trust, time, or simply being noticed. The problem is expecting people to guess.

Part of self-development is learning to ask. You might say, “I would love some feedback on how I did,” or “It really helps me when you acknowledge my effort.”

At work, ask for feedback after a task. At home, share what makes you feel appreciated.

Filling your recognition tank isn’t selfish — it helps you stay confident, motivated and emotionally balanced.

Well, that’s all from NEWS OF THE WORLD for now. I hope you work on filling your recognition tank today, and I’ll talk to you soon! Take care!