This Week in the World: From Space Tourism to the Latest Tech Gadgets
Welcome to Your Weekly English News Update
Hello English learners! This week, we’re looking at some interesting stories from the business world and beyond. From billionaires going to space to new technology changing how we live, there’s plenty to talk about. Let’s dive in and explore what’s been happening while practicing your English skills!
Space Tourism Takes Off
Space travel isn’t just for astronauts anymore! Virgin Galactic, owned by British businessman Richard Branson, recently sent its first paying customers to the edge of space. For a ticket price of $450,000 (about €410,000), passengers experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and saw Earth from above.
This growing industry, called “space tourism,” is attracting wealthy adventure-seekers. Companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin (owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos), and SpaceX (run by Tesla boss Elon Musk) are all competing to take more tourists to space in the coming years.
Would you spend that much money for a few minutes in space? For most of us, it’s just a dream for now!
Climate Concerns Continue
This summer has broken heat records in many countries. Scientists say July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. These high temperatures have led to problems like wildfires in Greece, Canada, and Hawaii.
Many businesses are now talking about how they can reduce their impact on the environment. Some companies are promising to cut their carbon emissions (the harmful gases they release) by using more renewable energy like solar and wind power.
Consumers are also making changes. More people are buying electric cars and choosing products that are better for the planet. Have you made any changes to be more environmentally friendly?
Tech Giants Reveal New Products
Apple and Samsung have both announced new products coming this fall. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 15 in September, while Samsung just showed off its new foldable phones that can bend in half without breaking!
These companies are always trying to impress customers with new features. This year, better cameras and longer battery life seem to be the main improvements. However, these new phones aren’t cheap – the top models can cost over €1,000!
Global Economy Update
Inflation (rising prices) continues to be a worry in many countries. Food, housing, and energy costs remain high, though they’ve started to come down slightly in some places.
The good news is that unemployment rates are relatively low in many countries, meaning most people who want jobs can find them. However, some big companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta (Facebook) have laid off thousands of workers this year as they try to cut costs.
What’s Your Take?
That’s our roundup for this week! Did any of these stories interest you? Are you concerned about climate change? Would you ever want to travel to space if you could afford it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Next week, we’ll look at some interesting cultural events happening around the world and explore more business news. Until then, keep practicing your English, and thanks for reading!
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| English Word | German Translation |
|————-|——————-|
| tourism | Tourismus |
| edge | Rand |
| weightlessness | Schwerelosigkeit |
| wealthy | wohlhabend |
| competing | konkurrierend |
| records | Rekorde |
| wildfires | Waldbrände |
| emissions | Emissionen |
| renewable | erneuerbar |
| consumers | Verbraucher |
| foldable | faltbar |
| features | Funktionen |
| inflation | Inflation |
| unemployment | Arbeitslosigkeit |
| laid off | entlassen |
