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Russia-Ukraine
Russia Reviews Ceasefire Plan
The Ukrainian government has agreed to a United States-developed plan for a 30-day ceasefire to begin the process of ending the war begun by Russia’s invasion over three years ago. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the plan has been submitted to the Russian government, and Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is being reviewed by President Vladimir Putin. Previous statements by the Russian government indicated that no temporary ceasefire would be considered. The Russian army had been making slow but steady advances in eastern Ukraine over the last few months, and is moving towards expelling Ukrainian forces from the Russian territory in Kursk oblast that Ukraine took in a surprise offensive last year. The administration of new U.S. President Donald Trump took the measure of withholding military and intelligence aid to Ukraine to compel Ukraine to agree to engage in talks. With Ukraine’s agreement to the ceasefire the U.S. has now resumed providing aid.
This map depicts the territory in Russia’s Kursk oblast originallly seized by Ukrainian forces that Russia is currently fighting to reclaim. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: New York Times
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China
Indian Ocean Influence Expands
China has grown its military and economic influence by investing in commercial ports and naval bases in the Indian Ocean, where it is currently engaging in joint naval exercises with Russia and Iran. Chinese vessels have been conducting research and economic activities in foreign waters without permission, raising concerns in India and the U.S.. In response, India has strengthened its presence, constructing airstrips and forming regional alliances, while the U.S. has sought to deepen defense ties with New Delhi. Despite India’s strategic aspirations, it faces setbacks in securing military footholds in neighboring countries. China’s movements in the Indian Ocean are just one facet of its efforts to expand control and influence at sea, with similar efforts in the western Pacific. Also, China has recently announced its intention to build an underwater station over 6000 feet (1828 m) deep in the South China Sea.
This map depicts shipping routes and economic zones in the Indian Ocean. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Bloomberg
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Bangladesh
WFP Halves Food Rations
The World Food Programme (WFP) announced it would cut food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh in response to funding shortfalls. Beginning in April, monthly food rations will be $6 per person, less than half of the previous ration of $12.50. Refugees were already struggling to survive on the existing monthly ration, with over 15 percent of children in refugee camps in Bangladesh currently experiencing malnutrition. This news comes one week after the WFP informed refugees in Kenya that it would cut rations by 60 percent, leading to protests in the Kakuma refugee camp. The WFP, which provides food assistance to more than 150 million people, is a United Nations organization funded entirely by voluntary contributions. After severe aid cuts by the U.S., U.K., and others, the organization said it would need $81 million to avert the cuts to food rations.
This map is the World Food Programme’s HungerMap, which indicates areas that have a high prevalence of insufficient food consumption. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What is the only sovereign state entirely on the island of Borneo?
A: Brunei
Brunei is an independent Islamic sultanate on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between its multi-landmass neighbors of Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei is bounded to the north by the South China Sea and on all other sides by the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also divides the state into two disconnected segments of unequal size. The western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei achieved independence in 1984, having been a British protectorate since 1888. It is a member of the Commonwealth and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Source
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Q: The Chao Phraya River is the main river system of what country?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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