3 Jun

Gulf of Oman: Oil Tanker Explosions

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Gulf of Oman
Oil Tanker Explosions
Two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman were evacuated earlier today following explosions and subsequent fires on board the vessels. The cause of the blasts remains unclear, but the owners of both ships suspect an attack took place, possibly involving torpedoes. Iranian search and rescue teams picked up 44 sailors from the two ships, while the U.S. Navy also responded to several distress calls. The ships were located near the strategically valuable Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest shipping routes in the region. It is an especially common route for oil tankers moving through the Middle East, as a third of all oil traded by sea travels through the strait at some point. Oil prices have risen by as much as 4.5% following the incident.

This map depicts the locations of the two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading: Associated Press, BBC, Al Jazeera, Slate
Graphic Source: BBC
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Poland
U.S. To Send More Troops
President Donald Trump promised to send 1,000 troops to Warsaw during a White House visit by Polish head of state Andrzej Duda on Wednesday. They are hoping that the agreement would strengthen central Europe against Russia. The troops would be temporarily stationed in Poland on a rotational basis as part of a growing security and economic relationship between the two countries. Approximately 5,000 troops are already rotating in and out of the eastern European country as part of a 2016 NATO agreement made in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

This map depicts the current and potential locations of U.S. military presence throughout Eastern Europe. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Graphic News
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Australia
Carmichael Coal Mine Approved
India’s Adani Enterprises were given final approval on Thursday by the Australian state government to start construction of the Carmichael coal mine. The permit was granted following federal endorsement of the company’s plan for groundwater management, which underwent various revisions to meet environmental requirements. Adani initially plans to extract 27.5 million tons of coal from Queensland’s Galilee Basin, which is expected to boost the nation’s economy. However, critics argue that the mine will harm the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem and contribute to climate change, steering Australia away from their goal to reduce fossil fuel emissions. 

This map depicts the Carmichael mine’s proposed building site and other operating mines. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source:  Bloomberg

             

Yesterday’s Answer

Q: Which continent has the most individual deserts?

A: Australia
Australia is home to 10 individual deserts: Great Sandy, Tanami Desert, Great Victoria, Simpson Desert, Strzelecki Desert, Gibson Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Tirari Desert and Pedirka Desert and Sturt Stony Desert. 

Source 

Today’s Question

 

Q: How many U.S. states have a “panhandle?”

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