Afghanistan: U.S. Military Jet Crash

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Afghanistan

U.S. Military Jet Crash
The U.S. military has confirmed an aircraft crashed yesterday afternoon in the Deh Yak district of the Ghazani province in eastern Afghanistan, an area with a strong Taliban presence. Taliban forces in the region claim to have shot down the plane, but the U.S. military has reported there was no indication of enemy fire causing the crash. Afghani security forces were ambushed by Taliban insurgents while attempting to reach the site of the crash on Monday. U.S. forces were able to recover the bodies of the crash victims by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon, but have not reported the number of lives lost.

This map depicts the site of the plane crash in the Deh Yak district of eastern Afghanistan. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: Reuters, Washington Post, New York Times, BBC, Guardian

Graphic Source: Yahoo
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Syria
Government Advance

Syrian forces backed by Russian air power have begun an advance toward one of the last rebel-held regions surrounding Idlib, where millions of displaced Syrians have fled. By entering the nearby city of Maaret al-Numan, the regime is taking control of a critical highway linkage that links Damascus to Aleppo, which could position President Bashar Al-Assad and his forces to take back critical areas of Syria and end the civil war. Media outlets are reporting that the renewed drive by Syrian forces has led to more displacement of people.

This map depicts areas of control in Syria as of January 27. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: Washington Post, Al Jazeera, The Telegraph, Reuters,

Graphic Source: Yahoo
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Brazil
Deadly Flooding
Record rainfall has led to deadly flooding and landslides in Brazil’s southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro. More than 50 people have been killed and dozens remain missing after 6.7 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period last week, the highest recorded daily rainfall in 110 years. Over 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as more rain is forecast this week. States of emergency have been declared in 120 cities, in hopes of facilitating federal disaster aid.

This map depicts the location of the flooding in southeastern Brazil. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: Guardian, Deutsche Welle, BBC, Weather Channel, Aljazeera

Graphic Source: AFP

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Yesterday’s Answer

Q: The Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland stretches across what three South American countries?

A: Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay
Covering an area larger than England at more than 70,000 square miles, the Pantanal is located primarily in Brazil but also stretches into the neighboring countries of Bolivia and Paraguay. During the wet season from October to March, waters fill the floodplain turning the land into a vast maze of waterways.

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Today’s Question

Q: The Saint Lawrence Seaway, a vital shipping canal, connects what two bodies of water?

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Afghanistan: U.S. Military Jet Crash