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United States
Wildfires in Colorado
The Marshall Fire, a wildfire that began in Boulder County, Colorado, last Thursday, destroyed nearly 1000 homes as it roared through 6000 acres (2400 hectares). The flames were spread quickly by winds in excess of 100 miles per hour (160km/hr), according to authorities. The fire was ultimately extinguished by 10 inches (25cm) of snow that fell on the Boulder area, but the snowfall has also hampered efforts to find the missing, assess damages, and investigate the cause of the wildfire. Two people remain missing after one individual originally reported lost was found safe.
This map depicts the extent of the wildfires that burned 6000 acres across Boulder County. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: BBC
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South Africa
Fire Devastates Parliament
A 49-year-old male suspect is currently in custody under suspicion of causing a massive blaze that destroyed the National Assembly building of South Africa’s parliament complex in Cape Town. The National Assembly building is the oldest part of the complex, with many wood-paneled rooms that burned out of control in the fire that started Sunday morning after sprinkler systems and alarms failed. The ceiling of the chamber where lawmakers sit collapsed in the blaze. Besides the disruption to government activities, further investigation will reveal whether numerous irreplaceable antiquities and pieces of artwork kept in the building are damaged or destroyed. No further information has been revealed about the suspect who is set to appear in court on Tuesday. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
This map depicts the location of the Parliament complex in Cape Town, South Africa, where a fire destroyed the National Assembly building. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Yahoo! News
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North Korea – South Korea
Defector Crosses DMZ Again
In a rare occurrence, a person crossed the South Korean border into North Korea on New Year’s Day. The South Korean defense ministry suspects the unidentified person to be an earlier North Korean defector who previously fled to South Korea in late 2020. South Korea contacted North Korea over a military hotline to ensure the person’s safety after observing him crossing the DMZ. North Korea acknowledged the message, but didn’t comment on the border crosser. Throughout the pandemic, North Korean soldiers have been under orders to shoot anyone illegally crossing the border to protect against the coronavirus. About 34,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea since the late 1990s, but only 30 have returned to North Korea after fleeing. Those who return may have high debts, are blackmailed by North Korean agents to return home, or face threats to their family.
This map depicts the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Which country is the first in the world to ring in the New Year?
A: The Republic of Kiribati
The Republic of Kiribati is a remote island nation northeast of Australia, with 33 islands in the Pacific Ocean. Of the islands, Caroline Island, or better known as ‘Millennium Island,’ is the first place in the world to ring in the new year. The island is just 15 square mi (24 square km) and only 20 ft (6 m) above sea level. Kiribati and other island nations, are fighting for their existence as sea level rise continues to swallow islands like these.
Source
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Q: Which country maintains the most diplomatic missions worldwide?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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