Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.

In this lesson, we will discuss current affairs or what's happening in the world right now.

Hey Sam!

Did you check out what happened in Connecticut recently?

No Jack.

I've been busy.

I couldn't keep track of the news.

Oh, but you must have heard about the shootout in Newtown last month.

President Obama is taking some solid steps to reduce gun violence.

I'm glad our government is getting serious about that.

Lunatics shouldn't be allowed to buy guns.

It's been a long time since I watched the news.

Do you know what's happening on the NASDAQ?

Well, you should keep yourself updated Sam.

You have a lot of money in the stocks.

You're right.

I know I do.

But I've been very busy lately.

Well, there is some good news for you.

I know you put money in Citibank and today's bulletin says it's up by 5%.

That's great news Jenny!

I think I'll sell those shares and exit Citibank.

Hey Sam!

Let me tell you something good I saw on the news tonight.

Something good on the news?

That's a change.

What is it?

Well, I heard that polio is eradicated from the world.

I think there is only a handful of new cases.

Yeah, I heard that.

It's an incredible thing.

I think we should all thank Bill Gates.

Bill Gates?

What for?

Well, I saw in the news that it was him who financed most of the polio vaccination drive in the world from his own fortune.

That's an amazing thing Sam.

I didn't know that.

Jack, turn on the TV and go to CNN.

Why?

Is there something important going on?

Well, nothing new, but there is a documentary on Japan's earthquake which talks about how the old people there volunteered to work in radioactive areas.

Really?

They came up on their own to work on containing the leak?

Yes, they helped contain it.

And they checked the entire system while exposing themselves to radiation, so that the young people don't have to.

That's amazing Jenny!

Maybe that's why Japan has done well.

You're right Jack.

When people put the country's interest before their own, progress is fast.

Yep.

I just hope those guys are okay.

Me too Jack.

I've been busy.

I couldn't keep track of the news.

Do you know what's happening on the NASDAQ?

Let me tell you something good I saw on the news tonight.

Something good on the news?

That's a change!

What is it?

When people put the country's interest before their own, progress is fast.

That's a change!