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

2. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) In 2010, President Hugo Chavez nationalized a fleet of oil rigs belonging to a U.S. company. Farmland and other privately owned companies were also taken over by the government. In 2015, President Maduro ordered the government takeover of a private supermarket chain. What did President Maduro threaten to do to bakeries, which are also privately owned businesses?
c) What do bakers say about the national shortage of wheat?
d) What rule did the arrested bakers disregard?
CHALLENGE:
-Read the “Background” below on Venezuela’s socialist government.
-Watch the video “Capitalism vs. Socialism”
Why does the practice of socialism have such a devastating effect on a country and its economy?

3. For ESTONIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) List the NATO countries working together as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence battalion.
c) Ask a parent: how effective do you think NATO and its Enhanced Forward Presence battalion will be as a deterrent to Russia?

4. For PAKISTAN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define blasphemy. What are the consequences in Pakistan for anyone found to have insulted Islam or Mohammed?
c) How did FB and Twitter respond to the Pakistani government’s request?
d) Why do you think these two American companies did not take a strong stand supporting Pakistani citizens’ right to free speech on these social media sites?
e) What is your reaction to this move by the Pakistani government?

PUBLISHING CHANGE - please note:
This is the last week we will publish three Tuesday’s World Events briefs. Going forward, beginning next Tuesday, March 28 we will publish one Tuesday’s World News article, which will continue to include Questions, Background and Resources.