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China
Shanghai Lockdown Extended
Shanghai, China’s most populous city, reported a record high of 16,766 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with the majority of the infections designated as asymptomatic. Case numbers in the city have been rising daily, contributing to what is now the largest outbreak in China since the virus was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019. Until this week, Shanghai was practicing a phased lockdown approach for its zero-Covid policy of eliminating the disease. One region was intended to end lockdowns yesterday when the government announced a city-wide indefinite lockdown in the wake of increasing case numbers. 26 million residents are now under lockdown while 38,000 medical personnel are being deployed from around the country to carry out mass testing and patient treatment in Shanghai. There has been public outcry about difficulties getting food and daily necessities during the quarantine, with children being separated from their parents, and growing concerns on the economic impact of this lockdown on China’s financial capital.
This map depicts the original phased lockdowns by region before the city-wide lockdown was announced yesterday. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Barron’s
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Russia
More Russian Diplomats Removed
European Union countries have expelled over 200 Russian diplomats in response to growing evidence of atrocities in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, including the murder of civilians. Italy, France, and Germany joined Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and several other E.U. nations in ousting diplomats and embassy staff representing Moscow, bringing the total of expelled Russian diplomats to over 330 since the invasion began. In addition to accusations of war crimes, countries have cited violations of the Vienna Convention, threats to security, potential espionage, and danger to Ukrainians in their borders in the expulsions.
This map depicts countries which have ordered the expulsion of Russian diplomats. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Anadolu Agency
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Space
Massive Protoplanet Observed
Astronomers using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii have observed the youngest protoplanet discovered to date, called “AB Aur b.” Already nine times the mass of Jupiter at its current formation stage, it has not yet emerged from its “womb” of matter where it is forming. AB Aur b is within a disk of gas and dust, orbiting a star named AB Aurigae, located 508 light years from Earth. The protoplanet is nearing the maximum size of a planet and may be reclassified as a substellar object called a brown dwarf. Its development is observably different than the typical process planetary formation.
This map depicts AB Aur at different wavelengths and modes of observation. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: The highest peak in western Europe at 15,771 ft (4,800 m) shares the same name as which luxury brand?
A: Mont Blanc
While some know Montblanc for the their luxury pens and watches, the Mont Blanc mountain range in the Alps is situated east of the French département of Haute-Savoie, where France, Italy, and Switzerland meet. Literally meaning “White Mountain,” Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and the highest peak in western Europe. Before the 18th century, Mont Blanc was locally known as the “doomed mountain” as residents believed the land was inhabited by demons and wouldn’t dare approach its summit or glaciers. It wasn’t until 1786 that its summit was reached by local climbers Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard, marking the beginning of modern mountaineering. Today, the mountain is climbed by an average of 20,000 mountaineer tourists each year.
Source
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Q: Reaching heights of up to 100 ft every hour, what is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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