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

1. capital
2. location/the countries that share its borders
3. the religious breakdown of the population
4. the type of government
5. 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
6. 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.

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the information under “Background.”

2. For CANADA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) When did the Ft. McMurray fire start?
c) What is the population of Fort McMurray?
d) Possibly half or more of homes/buildings/vehicles have been burned. What is the good news about this fire, which is expected to take months to extinguish?
e) Read the “Background” below. From these brief stories, what 2-3 adjectives best describe the attitudes of these Fort McMurray residents?

3. For THAILAND:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define the following as used in the article: referendum, junta, coup, dissenter, sedition
c) Ahead of the August 7 referendum on the military junta’s proposed constitution, what are the people of Thailand barred from doing under a new law passed by the junta’s Election Commission?
d) What punishment can people receive from violating the new law?

4. For RUSSIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How many Russians died during WWII?
c) What does retired U.S. Army brigadier general and former U.S. military attaché to Russia Peter Zwack say is Putin’s purpose for the parade?
d) How is Russia’s Victory Day different from Europe’s VE Day?