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United States
Big Beautiful Bill Passes Senate
The United States Senate passed the most consequential legislation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. An initial version of the bill had been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22, but the Senate debated and made changes to the bill, meaning it will have to go back to the House for ratification before it can be signed into law by President Trump. The bill in its current form has provisions that affect tax policy, budget deficits and the national’s long-term debt, and climate initiatives, as well as significant cuts to social welfare spending, including funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 12 million by 2034. President Trump has pushed for the bill to be finalized and signed into law before July 4th, but the bill now has to go back to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Senate’s changes to the original bill to be ratified.
This map depicts projected federal funding losses by state for SNAP by 2029 under the House version of the One Big Beautiful Bill, with most states facing cuts between 20% and 45%. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: The Economist
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India
Dalai Lama Defines Succession
In a video statement at a Tibetan Buddhist conference in Dharamsala, India, the current Dalai Lama confirmed that the position of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death and that only the Dalai Lama’s office-in-exile can confirm a successor. The Dalai Lama is the highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, historically serving as both the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans. The current Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala since the Chinese army’s invasion of Tibet in 1959. Although the current Dalai Lama no longer retains official political authority in the government-in-exile, Beijing continues to view the Dalai Lama as a threat because of his influence over Tibetan Buddhism and his advocacy for autonomy and religious freedom for Tibet. Previously, the Dalai Lama said that his successor would be born in a free country, indicating that the next Dalai Lama could come from Tibetans living in exile.
This map depicts the location of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala, India, in relation to Beijing, New Delhi, and the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Nikkei Asia
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United States
New Orleans Areas Sinking
A recent study by Tulane University shows parts of New Orleans and surrounding wetlands are sinking at alarming rates of up to 1.9 inches (47 mm) per year, including some of the city’s $15 billion flood defenses. Researchers used satellite radar data and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology to track millimeter-scale changes in ground elevation between 2002 and 2020. The findings show that most of the urban area of Greater New Orleans is relatively stable, but industrial facilities such as groundwater extraction sites, landfill, and gas/chemical plants are losing elevation at the fastest rates. The research also shows that parts of the flood defenses built in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are sinking at rates even quicker than sea levels are rising, suggesting they will need regular upgrades to outpace land subsidence.
This map depicts changes in elevation (vertical velocity) in four areas of Greater New Orleans from 2002 to 2020. Hotspots of significant elevation loss are circled. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What is the most sparsely inhabited U.S. state?
A: Wyoming
Wyoming, with its sparse population of around 578,000 people, stands as the least populated state in the United States. It has the lowest population density, with about 6 people per square mile. Its population is a mix of ranching communities, outdoor enthusiasts, and Indigenous people. Its expansive yet rugged terrain, characterized by mountainous landscapes and harsh weather conditions, poses challenges for settlement. Laramie County is the most populous county in the state with a total population of 100,512. The county is home to Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, which has a population of around 65,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Q: The Romans applied the name Africa (of Phoenician origin) to their first province in the northern part of what modern country?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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