1. Current Events By: Maggie Hannon

2. Chinese president arrives for U.S. state visit

3. Details  Chinese President Hu Jintao  Arrived in the United States on Tuesday  Visit will include high-profile talks with President Barack Obama on trade, currency, North Korea and other issues  The visit, “illustrates the importance of relations between two global powers”

4. Rant against politicians lands Nobel laureate in court in Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus – man being charged: Yunus founded Grameen Bank in 1983 which helped the poor obtain small loans on favorable terms – “banker to the poor”

5. Yunus’ Charges  Muhammad Yunus – defamation charge for criticizing politicians four years ago  Magistrate Rozina Khan granted Yunus a 5,000- taka (about $70 U.S.) bail  Yunus said politicians were only in "power to make money."

6. Army of Parents Reclaims Neighborhood

7.  Washington Elementary in San Jose has had an increasing amount of crime nearby  Juan Villalobos – parent of 3  Villalobos formed the group: Washington Camina Contigo (Washington Walks With You)  Protects the school children from the violence in the area

8. Berkeley to Vote on Sex- Change Fund

9.  Berkeley City Council voted on Jan. 18 on whether or not the city will pay for sex change operations  City is offering to appropriate $20,000 a year for the procedure  money would be on a first-come, first-served basis, rolls over to the next year if not used in the current year  Employees must meet several requirements to be eligible

10. Australia Today

11. QUIZ!  Why did Juan Villalobos decide to start “Washington Camina Contigo”  A. to help protect the children at Washington Elementary.  B. There is a shortage of crossing guards at Washington Elementary.  C. He’s an overprotective parent  D. All of the Above

12. THIS IS THE ANSWER!!!  A – to help protect the children at Washington Elementary.

13. QUIZ #2  Why is the meeting between President Obama and President Hu Jintao important?  A. The United States needs more money from China.  B. China wants the United States to control its inflation  C. The visit illustrates the importance of relations between two global powers

14. THIS IS THE ANSWER!  C – The visit illustrates the importance of relations between two global powers

15. QUIZ #3  True or False: Muhammad Yunus was charged with defamation.

16. THIS IS THE ANSWER!!!  TRUE!!!  Yunus was charged with defamation.

17. QUIZ #4  How much money is the City of Berkeley willing to offer for Sex Change Operations per year?  A. 20,000  B. 30,000  C. 40,000

18. THIS IS THE ANSWER!!!  A. 20,000

19. Sources:  http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local- beat/Berkeley-to-Vote-on-Sex-Change-Fund- 114179014.html http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local- beat/Berkeley-to-Vote-on-Sex-Change-Fund- 114179014.html  http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/1 8/bangladesh.nobel.court/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/1 8/bangladesh.nobel.court/index.html  http://politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/b3075c13- 9ae3-4c71-bf70-054a288e4d49.html http://politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/b3075c13- 9ae3-4c71-bf70-054a288e4d49.html  http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local- beat/Army-of-Parents-Reclaims-Neighborhood- 114161229.html http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local- beat/Army-of-Parents-Reclaims-Neighborhood- 114161229.html  http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/18/china.us.visit/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/18/china.us.visit/index.html