1. For each of the 2 countries, give the following information:
a) location/the countries that share its borders
b) the religious breakdown of the population
c) the type of government
d) 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]
e) 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.comfor a list of continents.]

2. For FRANCE - news brief #1 (Notre Dame bells):
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why did officials want to replace the bells?
c) Name the character in the novel who rang the bells at Notre Dame. What was the title of the book? Who was the author?

3. For FRANCE - news brief #2 (turn out the lights law):
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What are the unintended consequences of requiring all businesses to turn off all lights after 1 a.m.?
c) The French government says the law "is expected to save enough energy to power 750,000 French households for a year." There is no shortage of electricity in France, and private businesses can afford to pay for the electricity they use to power their lights. Why is the French government implementing this law?
d) Do you agree with this law for France? Do you think the U.S. Congress should pass such a law? Explain your answer.

4. For ISRAEL:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Look at the map of Israel and the surrounding countries. Consider the numerous attacks on Israel from various terrorists. Consider what terrorists did to our ambassador and three other Americans at our consulate in Libya, after longtime dictator Gadhafi was deposed and murdered. What would you say to a person who says Israel should not go into Syria to create a buffer zone?