20 Aug

Afghanistan: Mass Abduction

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Afghanistan
Mass Abduction
The Taliban ambushed three buses on Monday and abducted more than 100 people in Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province. The buses were traveling through Kunduz, under Taliban control, to Takhar province and were filled with people returning home to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The abductions come a day after Afghanistan President’s announcement of a conditional ceasefire with the Taliban during the holiday. Most of the passengers were later freed by government forces, but 21 people are still being held hostage by the militants.This map depicts the location of the abduction. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Saudi Arabia
Hajj Pilgrimage
Sunday marked the first day of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca. The journey is expected to draw around 2 million people this year – making it among the largest yearly gatherings in the world. The Hajj lasts through Friday, August 24. One of the Five Pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a sacred duty all able-bodied Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime. It is physically and emotionally challenging, as pilgrims walk 20 miles within six days, clad in white robes signifying a state of purity. The authorities have been preparing for months to ensure people’s safety, as there have been incidences in the past of disease spreading and tragic stampedes.This map depicts the route the pilgrims take during the Hajj journey. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: TIME, Reuters(1), Reuters(2), The Independent, The Telegraph, NPR, DW, Aljazeera(2)
Graphic Source: Aljazeera(1)
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Croatia
Woman Rescued After 10 Hours
A British woman on a cruise ship touring the Adriatic Sea – from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Venice, Italy – fell into the water and spent 10 hours in the sea before being rescued. The cruise company stopped the ship and mounted a search after they realized someone had gone overboard. They were joined later by coastguards and the Croatian navy for the rescue. It is unclear how the woman ended up in the water; she has refused to comment. The cruise company is expected to review closed-circuit cameras to determine the sequence of events. This map depicts the location of the rescue and the route of the cruise ship. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: The Sun

Friday’s Answer

Q: Where in the world does the largest continental shelf extend 1,500 km into the Arctic Sea?

A: Siberia
The world’s largest continental shelf extends 1,500 km (about 930 miles) from the coast of Siberia into the Arctic Ocean. Continental shelves are usually covered with a layer of sand, silts, and silty muds, which gradually slopes into the sea at an average of about 0.1°.

Source 

Today’s Question

 

Q:  Which microstate is governed jointly by two countries?

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