Nienke's blog

Good afternoon, my name is Nienke van Drunen and this is your Daily News from Around the World.

Today, we are going to start off with a look at some of the changes in the Formula 1 world.

Story #1: F1 Shook Up Tradition by Adding Sprint Races

Last season, the sprint was introduced to Formula 1 with the goal to add excitement to a race weekend. But the Formula 1 drivers had mixed feelings about this new format. 

A sprint is one-third of the distance of the Grand Prix of that weekend, with no pitstops. Instead of the usual qualification that determines the Grand Prix grid on Saturday, the sprint is run on Saturday and determines the starting grid for the Grand Prix. The usual qualifying is pushed back to Friday and then determines the starting grid for the sprint.

For all Formula 1 fans, the extra sprint races were a change in their normal racing schedule. Lea Okkels, a 21-year-old student at Morningside University and a Formula 1 fan, gave us her opinion on these sprint races. (audio), Lea said.

Not all Formula 1 drivers feel the same about the sprint weekends. Some of them like the diversity in the racing schedule. Others, however, say that they are less willing to take risks during a sprint because they don’t want to damage the car before the actual race. In their opinion that is not what a race should be about. 

Next up, is the suspense in the United States that is brought by the midterm elections.

Story #2: At the Capitol, the Question of Who Won the Midterms Lingers Days Afterward

There is an air of suspense hanging over the Capitol combined with an air of uncertainty. Members of both parties were poring over the ongoing counts in search of clues to the final outcome. 

Cassie McDermott is a 19-year-old student from Colorado and is now attending Morningside University. She talked about how she experienced the midterm elections and gave her opinion on it. (audio)

The Congress was in a state of suspended animation after the polls closed in a consequential and highly anticipated midterm election. Nobody is sure which party is going to be in charge of the House and Senate. 

Finally, we will talk about the changes and developments in the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Story #3: Ukraine Peace Talks Remain Distant Even as Moscow Signals a Retreat

American and European leaders say that they cannot push Ukraine and Russia into negotiations. They say serious peace talks between the two countries are very unlikely in the near future.

Both Russian and Ukrainian officials have made separate recent public comments about potential peace negotiations. Their last known direct talks fell apart more than six months ago. Even though both countries are talking about it, U.S. officials say they don’t believe these talks will begin soon. 

Jolina Steubner is a 19-year-old student from Germany attending Morningside University. She shared her thoughts on possible outcomes for the war between Russia and Ukraine. (audio)

Officials also concede that it is difficult to imagine that terms of a settlement will be found that Ukraine and Russia would accept. 

Thank you for listening to your Daily News from Around the World. Have a great rest of your day and we will see you again tomorrow.

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