1. For each of the 3 countries, provide the following information:

a) capital:

b) location/the countries that share its borders:

c) the religious breakdown of the population:

d) the type of government:
e) the chief of state (and head of government if different) [If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? - include name of heir apparent for monarch]:

f) the population:

[Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the "Geography" "People" and "Government" headings.  Go to worldatlas.com for maps and a list of continents.]

NOTE: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources.”

2. For EGYPT:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Mr. Zaazou says the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood (constant attacks and protests) and mass killings of pro-Morsi protesters by security forces have fed perceptions that the country is on the brink of chaos.
Does the rest of the world have an unfair view of Egypt? Is it safe to choose as a vacation destination? Explain your answer. Ask a parent the same question.
c) CHALLENGE QUESTION: In this news brief (from the Financial Times), the reporter refers to the U.S. government's travel advisory warning Americans to avoid Egypt as "draconian." What type of bias does the reporter display by labeling the travel advisory as draconian?

3. For AUSTRALIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How was the Dutch winning team able to drive at the highest speed possible?

4. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why will President Maduro be granted his request?
c) How do socialist President Maduro's opponents view his request?