|
|
|
Myanmar
Dozens Killed in Rebel Village
An unknown number of people are dead after a supply of explosives in a rebel-held village in Myanmar detonated Sunday afternoon. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic militia, reported at least 39 people dead and 75 injured following the massive explosion in the village of Kaung Tat in the northern part of Myanmar’s eastern Shan State. Other outlets are reporting as many as 59 dead, with international humanitarian agencies unable to verify the casualties because of a lack of access from Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Images of the village released online show multiple buildings have been completely destroyed. The TNLA reported the explosives stockpile was for use in mining operations, and the cause of the detonation remains unknown. The TNLA is one of multiple independent militias and rebel groups that fought the government after the military seized power in 2021, but is currently officially in a ceasefire since last October.
This map depicts the location of Kaung Tat, in Myanmar, where a supply of explosives used for mining exploded on Sunday afternoon, killing dozens of people. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Reuters
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Colombia
Election Heads to Run-Off
Far-right millionaire lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella won the first round in Colombia’s presidential election on Sunday, and will be facing left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda in a runoff on June 21. De la Espriella took the lead with about 43.7% of the total votes according to results released by the national civil registry, while Cepeda, a seasoned politician from the Pacto Histórico party led by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, followed with 40.9%. The stark electoral divide reflects the core and periphery of Colombia’s political and economic systems. It is one of the most unequal countries in Latin America and the world, with deeply entrenched regional disparities. With neither securing an outright majority, the two candidates are headed for what’s expected to be a highly polarized second round of voting on June 21. This election will have a major impact on security policies in the country, which is the world’s main cocaine supplier. Cepeda, following Petro’s flagship “Total Peace” policy, has said he will pursue negotiations with armed groups. De la Espriella has promoted a tougher military-led security strategy, and like El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, presents himself as tough on crime.
This map shows the results of the first round of the presidential election by department in Colombia. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
United States
Meteor Booms Over New England
A meteor exploded over New England Saturday afternoon, creating a bright fireball and loud booms heard across parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports that the object broke apart high in the atmosphere and released energy equivalent to roughly 300 tons of TNT. NASA reported it was traveling about 75,000 miles per hour (120,700 kph) when it broke apart, far faster than the speed of sound, creating the sonic boom heard on the ground. Witnesses reported seeing a flash or streak of light cross the sky in full daylight, and satellites captured the flash from space Daytime fireballs are unusual for casual observers due to the rarity of meteors, sunlight obscuring them, and the fact that many often enter over oceans or sparsely populated areas.
This map depicts a meteor crashing toward Earth over the north-eastern United States on Saturday, May 30, setting off booms that echoed over the region. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What landlocked West African country is home to three main rivers, the Mouhoun, the Nazinon, and the Nakembé, which eventually converge to form the Volta River?
A: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso lies between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. The northern part of the country is geographically part of the Sahel zone, and as one travels south, the land transitions to a tropical savanna dotted with green forests. Sitting on an extensive and mostly flat plateau, Burkina Faso is bordered by six countries – Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Togo. A former French colony, the country was formerly known as Haute-Volta or the Republic of Upper Volta. However in 1984, it was renamed by then-President Thomas Sankara using native words, meaning “the land of upright and honest people.” Its former name of Upper Volta comes from the three rivers that cross through the country, the Mouhoun River (Black Volta), the Nakambé River (White Volta), and the Nazinon River (Red Volta), which all converge in Ghana to form the Volta River. The Mouhoun, the country’s only river to flow year-round, runs for about 720 miles (1,160 km) and is the natural border between Ghana and Burkina Faso as well as between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What city is home to the world’s largest urban forest, which is largely a human-made triumph, reforested by hand to save the city’s water supply?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is an outreach effort of the American Geographical Society (AGS) to highlight the importance of geography and geospatial understanding in our day-to-day lives and the pressing issues of the day. AGS intiatives advance geographical education for everyone from high school students to seasoned professionals in the geospatial world, and that work is made possible from the financial support of people like you. If you enjoy DailyGeo and want to help AGS advance geographical learning for future generations, please consider making a donation.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by the American Geographical Society (AGS) for the geography community. If you are receiving this email, it is because you are an affiliate of AGS or a participant in one of our programs. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2025 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo – what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
