United States
California Redistricting Response
On Friday, California Democrats released their redistricting proposal aimed to counter redistricting proposals devised by Texas Republicans. Both Democrats and Republicans are hoping to control the U.S. House of Representatives for the second half of President Donald Trump’s term. State congressional district maps are typically redrawn to adjust for population changes noted by the census at the beginning of each decade. In what California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling the Election Rigging Response Act, California Democrats are proposing re-drawing districts. Unlike in Texas where lawmakers are able to enact new maps without a popular vote, California’s maps have to be approved by two-thirds of California voters in November.
This map depicts the competitiveness of California’s current congressional districts and the competitiveness predicted in a redistricting map newly proposed by California Democrats. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: CNN
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China-India
China Opens REE Exports to India
China has promised to address India’s need for rare earth elements (REEs) in a major diplomatic breakthrough. Beijing’s foreign minister and India’s national security advisor are meeting in New Delhi for the 24th round of the Special Representative (SR) border talks. India-China relations have been strained since the 2020 military clashes at the border in Galwan. China has promised to address three of India’s concerns: the need for fertilizers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines. India holds the fifth-largest reserves of rare earths in the world but has no magnet production facilities and hence relies on imported magnets mainly from China. China controls 90% of global rare earth magnet production and holds the largest known reserves of rare earth elements.
This map depicts global reserves of rare earth elements by country. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Giz China
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United States
Fifth NYC Legionnaires’ Death
The ongoing outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood has claimed its fifth victim, as residents express their outrage with city officials. New York health officials only released a list of 10 buildings that tested positive for the bacteria last week, having previously only shared the zip codes where the outbreak had spread. Residents are angry the results were released long after officials were aware of the test results, weeks into the outbreak. The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ is typically found in the water systems used in tall buildings to maintain their supply or to support cooling systems. The illness causes flu-like symptoms and is especially dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing respiratory conditions. The confirmed number of people sickened by Legionnaires’ in the Harlem outbreak has reached 108.
This map depicts the ten buildings in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood where the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease has been identified. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What country is home to an underwater volcano nicknamed “Sharkcano,” after two shark species were found living in the crater?
A: The Solomon Islands
The Kavachi Volcano, known as “Rejo te Kvachi,” in the Solomon islands is one of the most active submarine volcanoes in the Pacific, located 15 miles (24km) south of the island Vanagunu. A 2015 expedition revealed that Kavachi’s crater was home to two species of shark, surprising scientists. This suggests that large marine animals are able to tolerate hot, acidic waters, leading to Kavachi being dubbed “Sharkcano.” A scalloped hammerhead and the silky shark were among multiple species spotted enjoying the active volcano. The Kacachi volcano has been erupting almost continuously since at least 1939. “Rejo te Kvachi” means “Kavachi’s oven” and scientists believe that the volcano’s summit is roughly 65 feet (20 m) below sea level. The base is on the seafloor, around ¾ of a mile (1.2 km) below sea level, according to NASA.
Source
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Q: What country is home to the only place on earth where you can walk between two drifting continental plates?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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