Tag: Government

Unpunished Crimes at UK Royal Palaces

B1 – Intermediate

There are a lot of Royal Palaces in United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is the most well-known and visited of all the royal residences since it is located in the heart of the capital.

A shocking news has been revealed that even though the London’s royal palaces has the highest of security measures, there were still plenty of crimes that were committed in these palaces and loads of those culprits were not unpunished.

As of today, Elizabeth II is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Next to the throne would be Charles, Prince of Wales.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how many crimes committed at the Royal Palaces have been left unpunished.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2204/220425-royal-palaces-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of crimes happened in UK Royal Palaces?
  2. Why did these crimes happen there even though these places are supposed to have the highest security measures in London?
  3. Why are majority of those people who committed the crime left unpunished?
  4. Are there some reports of any crime near or at the Royal Palace of Madrid or any Royal Palace in Spain? Name some.
  5. What are the usual crimes in Spain and how are they punished? Are most of the guilty people punished?

Minister of Loneliness

B1 – Intermediate

The Japanese government appointed Tetsushi Sakamoto to be the “minister of loneliness”. Since Japan has been having problems with the high number of suicide in their country, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga created this role to help those people who are feeling lonely and isolated due to the coronavirus pandemic. They hope people could do activities that would improve interactions among themselves.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the minister of loneliness.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210225-minister-of-loneliness-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did the Japanese government appoint a minister of loneliness?
  2. What is your opinion about a ministry of loneliness?
  3. What organizations were formed in your country during the pandemic?
  4. Do you think loneliness and isolation were a problem for many people in your country especially because of the pandemic? Why do you think this is?
  5. How can we know if someone is experiencing anxiety or depression?
  6. How can we help people who are dealing with negative thoughts?

Ex Minister Gets a Knighthood

B1 – Intermediate

A knighthood is awarded to a Briton who has shown exemplary service to his country. It is considered as one of the highest honors one can ever receive. 

Gavin Williamson was a former minister and was fired twice. Despite this, he was still given the said title.

Read the article about about an ex minister who was fired from his positions twice and then proceeded to receiving a knighthood.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220307-uk-knighthood-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Williamson receiving a knighthood? Does he deserve the title?
  2. Do you think it’s true that the award is for Williamson staying quiet about allegations about Boris Johnson before? Explain your opinion.
  3. Should politicians who made mistakes be given another chance or awarded honors like this? Why or why not?
  4. If there was a similar title in your country, who do you think should get it now and why him?

Open Borders for Afghan Refugees

B1 – Intermediate

Afghanistan has encountered a huge crisis in their country. Afghans have enjoyed their freedom for the past two decades but this has suddenly changed. Due to the Taliban takeover last August, young human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, urged countries to accept and protect Afghan refugees.

Read the article below to find out more about her plead from this lesson.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210820-afghan-refugees-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does your country accept refugees from other countries? What help does your government offer them?
  2. What would be effective programs to help refugees seeking help in your country?
  3. How effective is it being an activist?
  4. Are there famous activists in your country? What do they advocate for?
  5. What are some causes or movements that you advocate for?

First Female Honduras President

B1 – Intermediate

Many people are now inspired to push for change and betterment by exercising their rights as citizens. This is what happened in Honduras during their 2021 elections. The people voted for their very first female president who has promising plans for their country.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the first female president of Honduras.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/first-female-honduras-president-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What qualifications would you like a government official to have?
  2. Do you think having a female leader is a good or a bad thing? Explain.
  3. Are there differences in terms of leadership between a male and a female leader? What might they be?
  4. What would be an effective way to express your concerns to government leaders?
  5. Would it be better if your city/country had a female government leader? Explain.

Japan to Give Children Cash Handouts

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, the government is thinking to give money to young people 19 years old and younger. It is a way to help families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the lesson on Japan’s plans to give money to children.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2111/211108-cash-handout-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this initiative?
  2. Do you agree or disagree with the critics of this initiative? Share your opinion.
  3. Should this money be given to everyone, including children from rich families? Explain your opinion.
  4. If you received money from your government now, what would you do with it?
  5. Describe the economic situation of your country during the pandemic.

France Recalls its Ambassadors to Australia and US

B1 – Intermediate

French ambassadors to Australia and the US have been recalled. This is after a diplomatic row of “exceptional gravity” involving Australia cancelling a deal with France. After which, Australia planned to negotiate with the US.

Read the article about the diplomatic dispute between France and Australia and the United States.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210920-ambassador-recall-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain why France decided to pull out their ambassadors to Australia and the US.
  2. What do you think will happen to the diplomatic relations between the three countries now and in the future?
  3. Has your country had a diplomatic spat with other countries? What was the dispute about? How was it resolved?
  4. Why is diplomacy important between countries?
  5. Does your country have good foreign relations with most other countries? 

New Zealand Apologizes for Immigration Raids

B1 – Intermediate

In the 1970s, there was a shortage of workers in New Zealand. Thousands of people from the South Pacific islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji moved there to work.

But then, police raided the Islanders’ homes who they suspect were illegally overstaying in the country. They were then deported back to their respective countries. Their families who were left behind in NZ were placed in government care homes.

Read the lesson on the New Zealand government’s apology to Pacific Islanders for the inhumane raids that happened in the 70s. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210804-dawn-raids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the discriminatory immigration rules in NZ in the past?
  2. Has anything similar ever happened in your country too? Talk about that time.
  3. What can you say about the NZ government’s apology to the Islanders? How is this going to impact the Islanders?
  4. What normally happens to people who illegally stay in your country when they are caught by the police? What about their families?
  5. Given a chance, which country would you like to immigrate to?

G7 Leaders Promise a Better World

B1 – Intermediate

The Group of Seven or G7 was founded in 1975. Its member countries are seven of the world’s most developed economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leaders of the said countries meet every year and talk about different global problems.

During the 2021 summit, the G7 leaders created the Build Back Better World or B3W.

Read the lesson for more information on this plan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210615-g7-summit-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on organizations like G7? Would you like your country to be part of the G7? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think about the ‘Build Back Better World’?
  3. Do you think they can keep their promise of a better world? Why or why not?
  4. Among these four areas – climate, health and health security, digital technology, and gender equity and equality – which should the G7 prioritize? Why?
  5. What other global issues do you think the G7 should focus on?

Tax on Sugary and Salty Snacks

B1 – Intermediate

The UK has had more and more problems with obesity in the past few years. The government needs to a find solution to end this national health issue. A way that they have thought of is to tax foods that are sugary and salty. The media calls it the ‘snack tax’.

Read the article about the UK government’s plan to put taxes on unhealthy snacks as a way to fight obesity in the country.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210719-snack-tax-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the UK government’s plan to tax unhealthy snacks?
  2. How would you feel if your government did the same thing in your country?
  3. What are ways to motivate people to eat healthy?
  4. How can we make a better food system for our children and grandchildren?
  5. What are ways to fight obesity?