1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information (for the 1st post, include info for Ukraine and China): 
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 a list of continents.]

NOTE: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background.”

2. For UKRAINE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) The reporter states: "China is among the leading renters of overseas farmland in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, though the XPCC deal would make Ukraine China's largest overseas farming center." List at least 2 questions you have about China's leasing of farmland in other countries.
c) Define arable land.
d) Read the "Background" below about Ukraine. Ukraine is rich in arable land. Are there any negatives to Ukraine's deal to rent out land to Communist China? Explain your answer.

3. For CANADA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Bulk Partners (the holding company that owns Nordic Orion) said Nordic Orion's route will shave off four days of travel time, or nearly 1,500 nautical miles, worth up to $200,000 in savings. The dry-goods shipper said despite additional expenses on this journey, being the first across the route, it went ahead due to strong Canadian government backing. "We had the support of people in the government there to do it, and without them, honestly, we could not have done it, nor would we have," Bulk Partners CEO Edward Coll said.
Should the U.S. government support private cargo companies' endeavors to use the Northwest Passage for commercial ventures (financially and/or with the U.S. Coast Guard)? Explain your answer.

4. For INDIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Do you think that U.S. embassies around the world should also use typewriters to prevent spying from other countries? Explain your answer.