861. WORLD NEWS QUIZ 2023 Part 1 (with Stephen from SEND7 Podcast)
Dec 27, 2023
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Stephen from the Simple English News Daily podcast quizzes the host on news events from 2023. They discuss a riot in Brazil's Congress buildings, a controversial incident involving the Dalai Lama, India's population challenges, the origins of pizza in Italy, family background in Gibraltar, and the top-selling film in 2023, the Barbie movie.
The approval of Ghana's malaria vaccine brings hope for reducing the impact of the disease globally.
The uncovering of an ancient wall painting in Pompeii offers insights into the culinary history and evolution of pizza.
The success of the Barbie movie highlights the strong marketing and brand appeal associated with the franchise.
Deep dives
Ghana Approves First Malaria Vaccine
In April, Ghana became the first country in the world to approve a vaccine for malaria. The vaccine, although not 100% effective, is a significant step in combating the disease that has been a major cause of death for decades. The approval of this vaccine brings hope for saving lives and reducing the impact of malaria globally.
Archaeologists Discover Pompeii Wall Painting Depicting Early Version of Pizza
Archaeologists in Pompeii uncovered a wall painting that had been covered since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The painting revealed an early version of pizza, showing the typical food consumed in the first century. While the depiction resembled a focaccia-like bread base with toppings, it marked an early iteration of the beloved modern-day dish. This discovery offers insights into the culinary history of Pompeii and the evolution of pizza throughout the centuries.
Barbie Movie Tops Global Box Office in 2023
The Barbie movie became the top-selling film worldwide in 2023, surpassing other highly anticipated releases. This success highlights the strong marketing and brand appeal associated with the Barbie franchise. While the film showcased an early version of Barbie, its engaging story and marketing efforts captivated audiences around the globe, solidifying Barbie's cultural relevance and lasting popularity.
Sudan Experiences Ongoing Civil War
Since April, Sudan has been embroiled in a state of civil war as the army battles a major paramilitary group. The conflict erupted after the paramilitary group broke ties with the army and sought control over the country. The situation remains volatile, and the consequences of this ongoing civil war have had a profound impact on Sudan and its people.
India Becomes the Most Populous Country
India surpassed another country to become the most populous country in the world in 2023. With over 1.4 billion people, India has experienced significant population growth, even as efforts have been made to reduce poverty and improve living standards. This development poses unique challenges in various areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and resource management.
Ghana Approves Modern Malaria Vaccine
Ghana made history by becoming the first country to approve a vaccine for malaria in April. Although the vaccine's effectiveness is not 100%, its approval represents a significant step forward in combating the disease that has plagued many regions for decades. This achievement brings hope in the fight against malaria and presents opportunities for saving countless lives globally.