1. Current Events What’s happening in the US and UK?

2. Group Work Find your group Together, use your smartphones to research your topic Prepare a 2-minute presentation about your topic

4. 3 dead in Boston Marathon bombing 2 homemade bombs exploded in downtown Boston during the Boston Marathon 3 dead, hundreds injured Two brothers are thought to be responsible: 26-year-old (shot by police) and 19-year-old (in hospital) Chechen Muslim brothers

6. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dies Was Prime Minister 1979-1990 Conservative Party (“Iron Lady”) Lower taxes, free market, privatized industries like coal, limited immigration Protests, strikes, recessionsfrom the public “if a man will not work, he shall not eat” Many Brits celebrated her death, turned their back on her funeral in London

8. Obama Pushes for Background Checks, Gun Control Laws In the US Constitution, citizens have the “right to bear arms” for hunting, protection, etc Newtown school shooting, Aurora cinema shooting Campaign for stronger gun laws Campaign for more guns – in schools, etc Obama pushes for background checks for gun sales Private citizens own 310 000 000 guns (there are 360 000 000 people in the USA)

10. White Britons are a Minority in London White Brits are 45% of London residents “white flight” – people leaving neighbourhoods that become immigrant hubs In 10 years, 600,000 white Britons have left London Immigration gone up 16% Rapidly changing neighborhoods, foreign communities, restaurants, shops…

12. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg Urges Working Women Sheryl Sandberg wrote book Lean In to encourage women to build their careers She tells women to seek higher status, management and executive jobs Advises women in 20s not to let family planning control career Controversial: some people criticize her for changing family values

14. 70,000 dead in Syrian civil war International community may be forced to do something Evidence of chemical weapons being used

16. Cellphones are the Cause of 28% of Car Accidents In many states, it is illegal to use a cellphone while driving. Texting while driving is illegal in most states Increase in car accidents among people under 20 Many social groups campaign for stronger laws about cellphones in cars

18. Kate Middleton Pregnant The Duchess of Cambridge, married to Prince William, future Queen of England Pregnant with her first child, due in July 2013 British people are excited for the young, popular couple Many worry about privacy for the child. William’s mother, Princess Diana, had a lot of trouble with press

20. Average Student Debt after Graduation is $27,000 In the US, university costs are avg. $28,500 Many students stressed about money 42% of undergraduates quit university Higher unemployment in US, many young people delay buying homes, getting married, having children because of money