Tag: Government

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?

Drones Can’t Fly Over Paris

B1 – Intermediate

A drone is something like a flying robot. It is operated by humans from a remote location or it can work by itself when it is set. Drones are very popular and widely used because of its functionality and efficiency when capturing images and videos. However, there are some concerns about using them in Paris.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out why Paris decided to impost strict laws against drones and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/drones-cannot-fly-over-paris-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Paris prohibiting drones? Is there such a law in your city or country too?
  2. What do you think of drones?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using drones?
  4. Why do you think they are gaining popularity nowadays?

Organizers Say Tokyo Olympics Will Go Ahead

B1 – Intermediate

The Olympic Games is an international sports event that is happens every four years. Japan was chosen to host the next summer Olympic games in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and eventually canceled. Will Tokyo Olympics happen in 2021?

Let’s read the article below to find out plans for Tokyo Olympics.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210130-tokyo-olympics-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead in July? Why/why not?
  2. What will happen the Games does not go ahead?
  3. How would cancelling the Games affect Tokyo?
  4. Do you think the Games could sacrifice people’s lives? Explain further.
  5. How has the coronavirus affected the sports world in Spain?
  6. What would it be like without the Olympics?

World Anti-Doping Agency

B1 – Intermediate

There have been a number of high profile athletes whose titles have been revoked for using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. These athletes are well-aware of the harmful effects and social consequences of doping in sports events and yet they still chose to do so. One particular doping controversy happened in Russia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/russia-and-the-olympics-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the World Anti-Doping Agency? Should they have more strict enforcement of their rules?
  2. Why do athletes dope?
  3. Do you think doping athletes should face more repercussions than just being stripped of their titles?

Japan to Use Artificial Intelligence to Match Couples

B1 – Intermediate

Can you imagine yourself finding someone to be with in a relationship through the use of an AI software? Well, it is now possible.

Japan has recently started using an AI program to match couples in order to increase their birth rate, which is one of the lowest in the world.

Read the article for more information on AI matchmaking.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201211-ai-matchmaking-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this AI matchmaking program in Japan?
  2. Will this help the country address its problem on low birth rate?
  3. Do you have the same issue in your country? How has the government addressed this issue so far?
  4. Will your government be willing to spend much money to get men and women matched up using an AI technology?
  5. Would this be an effective tool for an ageing society?
  6. What are the pros and cons of this technology?

South Korea and China Clash on Social Media Over Kimchi

B1 – Intermediate

Kimchi is a common dish among Koreans. It is a traditional fermented food which is made up of mainly vegetables and chili pastes and is normally served as sides. Koreans eat kimchi multiple times a day.

China has a similar dish called pao cai and they are trying to claim the international certification for the process of making this dish.

Let’s read the article below to learn why South Koreans and Chinese are clashing on social media over this.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201203-kimchi-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think China should have the international certification? Why / Why not?
  2. What are the staple dishes of your country?
  3. What do you know about kimchi?
  4. What dish / dishes from your country are you most proud of?
  5. What kind of Chinese food and/or Korean food do you like? Why?

Researchers Want to Correct Japanese English

B1 – Intermediate

The government in Japan is using computer and online translations to translate Japanese into English which results to confusing words and expressions for English speakers visiting the country.

Let us read more about the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201121-japanese-english-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Japan’s problem?
  2. Are there any strange translations from your language into English?
  3. What do you think of translation software?
  4. What do you think of the government using these software?
  5. Have you ever made a big or strange mistake translating into English?