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Democratic Republic of Congo
UN Pauses Withdrawal
Congolese authorities say UN peacekeepers cannot proceed with an agreed withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to renewed fighting in the mineral-rich eastern region. The United States declared on July 5 that Kinshasa and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebel military group would observe a humanitarian ceasefire that was to continue until July 19. However, a battle broke out early on Friday between the two groups. A UN expert group assessment claims that between 3,000 and 4,000 members of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) are fighting alongside the M23 in the DRC. The new report also puts forward evidence that M23 has Uganda’s support.
This map depicts the areas of operation of M23. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: France 24
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Romania
Bear Cull Increased After Attack
Romanian officials have more than doubled the number of bears park rangers are authorized to kill following a deadly attack on a 19-year-old hiker. In an emergency meeting of parliament, lawmakers approved the killing of 481 bears, up from the 220 approved last year, to control overpopulation of the protected species. Romania is home to around 8,000 brown bears, Europe’s second largest brown bear population after Russia. According to the country’s environment ministry, bears have killed 26 people and injured 274 others in Romania over the past 20 years. Wildlife groups have criticized the new measure, arguing that killing more bears will not solve the core problem of bears scavenging near communities as their food sources become limited.
This map depicts the location of a recent bear attack on a 19-year-old hiker in central Romania, which prompted lawmakers to increase the number of bears allowed to be killed. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Daily Mail
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Space
Moon Cave Revealed
Scientists have confirmed the first-time discovery of an underground cave on the Moon. As detailed in an article published in Nature Astronomy, the cave was recognized from radar data collected by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in the Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility) about 250 miles (400 km) from where the first American Moon landing touched down 55 years ago. It’s at least 425 feet (130 m) deep, and is believed to be the remnant of a lava tube. Caves beneath the Moon’s surface could offer a valuable resource to house human settlements. Using natural structures to protect colonists on the Moon from cosmic radiation, extreme surface temperature variations, and meteor strikes would reduce the amount of building materials needed to be transported from Earth.
This map depicts the location and assessed size of the first confirmed cave discovered beneath the surface of the Moon. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What mountains mark the separation between European Russia and Siberia?
A: Ural Mountains
The Ural Mountains run north–south through the Russian Federation, from the coast of the Arctic Ocean to the Ural River and northwestern Kazakhstan. The mountain range forms part of the conventional boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia. The average altitudes of the Urals are around 3,300–4,300 feet (1,000–1,300 m) the highest point being Mount Narodnaya, which reaches a height of 6,214 ft (1,894 m). Since the 18th century, the mountains have contributed significantly to the mineral sector of the Russian economy. Their resources include metal ores, coal, and precious and semi-precious stones.
Source
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Q: What Caribbean country’s name derives from the Indigenous Arawak word for “Mountainous Land”?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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