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Russia
Ukraine Attacks Russian Airbases
Ukraine launched drone attacks on four Russian airbases yesterday, striking at least 40 warplanes and destroying at least 13. President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in the “Spider’s Web” operation, striking “34% of [Russia’s] strategic cruise missile carriers” and causing an estimated $7 billion in damages. The strikes took place thousands of miles from the frontlines in what Ukraine says its biggest long-range attack since the war began. The Ukrainian government noted the operation took a year and a half to organize. Russia confirmed Ukrainian attacks in five regions, calling them a “terrorist act.” Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are due to meet in Istanbul today for a second round of U.S.-brokered peace talks. The first talk in mid-May was the first time since spring 2022 that the two sides have made direct contact.
This map depicts where Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russian military airbases on Sunday, June 1. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Anadolu Ajansı
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Nigeria
Flooding Displaces Thousands
Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 150 people and displaced thousands in Nigeria since Thursday. Officials say that a nearby dam collapse exacerbated existing flash flooding. Just 235 miles (378 km) west of the country’s capital, Abuja, homes have been flattened and dozens of families have been displaced in a major trading and transportation hub. Two bridges collapsed and two roads were washed away by flooding, complicating rescue efforts. Rescue workers expect both the death and displacement tolls to rise. The frequency and severity of floods in Nigeria has increased due to climate change, compounded by poor drainage infrastructure and unregulated construction. In 2022, more than 600 people were killed, 1.4 million people displaced, and 1.09 million acres (440,000 ha) of farmland were destroyed in what authorities described as Nigeria’s worst floods in a decade. Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency is warning of potential flash floods in 15 of Nigeria’s 36 states between Wednesday and Friday of this week.
This map depicts the rain accumulation across Nigeria and neighboring West African states. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
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Spain
World’s Oldest Fingerprint
A 43,000-year-old fingerprint left by a Neanderthal on a rock has been confirmed to be the world’s oldest known human fingerprint – and may also be one of the world’s oldest objects of symbolic art. The fingerprint was applied in red ochre to a rock about the size of a potato which was discovered in the archaeological dig at the San Lázaro rock shelter on the outskirts of Segovia. The rock had been brought to the site from another location as it was not similar to rocks in the surrounding area. The manner of application of the mark using a recognized pigment leaves little doubt it was placed purposefully, but whether there was any symbolic or cultural meaning behind the mark has sparked debate. Some researchers claim the placement of the mark is intended to add a nose to what could look like a face with the mark seen in relation to indentations on the rock that could be seen as eyes and a mouth. Whether Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic expression remains a point of contention, though increasing numbers of works of cave art and the like that were originally attributed to early modern humans have been recognized as being created by Neanderthals.
This map depicts the location in Spain where a rock was found in a Neanderthal settlement site that bears what is confirmed to be the world’s oldest-known human fingerprint. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What country is home to “Shark Alley,” and is known as the Great White Shark Capital of the World?
A: South Africa
South Africa, home to one of the largest populations of Great White Sharks, became the first country to totally protect them in 1991. Shark Alley is a thin stretch of water between the two Islands of Dyer Island and Geyser Rock near Gansbaai in South Africa. This area was named this because of the large number of Great White Sharks that circle the islands and swim through the narrow channel between them. The Great White Sharks have historically populated this area in the South African winter months from April to September and are drawn to the Island by the 60,000 strong colony of Cape Fur Seals on Geyser Rock. As apex predators, sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ocean ecosystems. They regulate the populations of species below them in the food chain, helping to prevent the overpopulation of prey species, which in turn keeps marine ecosystems functioning properly.
Source
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Q: What Pacific Island was the world’s richest country per capita for a brief period in the 1980s?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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