Description

Darfur

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Context:

A drone attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region killed 67 people and injured dozens.

About the Darfur region:

It is a region in western Sudan that has been plagued by violent conflict and humanitarian crises. The area has experienced ethnic tensions between Arab and African communities, leading to widespread violence and human rights abuses.

Key details:

Category	Details
Region Susceptible to Conflict	Western Sudan, affected by ethnic violence and resource conflicts since 2003.
Humanitarian Crisis	One of the worst humanitarian crises, with mass killings and displacement.
Ethnic Composition	Home to several ethnic groups, with tensions between Arab pastoralists and agricultural communities (Nearrab).
Key Armed Groups	Janjaweed Militia: Supported by the Sudanese government, accused of genocide and mass atrocities. Rapid Support Forces (RSF): Formerly Janjaweed, plays a key role in ongoing instability.
Recent Developments	Renewed violence in 2023, worsening the humanitarian situation.
Geographical Location	Western Sudan, bordering Chad, Libya, and the Central African Republic.
Climate & Environment	Mostly dry and semi-arid, with deserts in the north and fertile land in the south. Water conflicts exacerbated by desertification and climate change.
Administrative Divisions	Consists of five states: North, South, West, Central, and East Darfur.
Capital & Key City	El Fasher – the largest city and an administrative and humanitarian hub.
Political Marginalization & Conflict	Decades of political neglect led to armed uprisings against the Sudanese government. 2003 Escalation: Rebel groups such as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) demanded greater autonomy.
Rebel Activity & Instability	Darfur remains a stronghold for rebel activities, contributing to wider Sudanese instability.
Regional Impact	Ongoing violence threatens regional security, affecting Chad and the Central African Republic.

Source:

Ndtv.com

Kara Sea

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Context:

Amid a rapid expansion of Russian activity in the Arctic region, a nuclear-powered icebreaker named “50 Let Pobedy” (also known as 50 Years of Victory) suffered damage after colliding with a cargo vessel in the Kara Sea.

About Kara Sea

Feature	Description
Location	North of Siberia, Russia
Named After	Kara River
Boundaries	Northwest Franz Josef Land West Novaya Zemlya islands East Severnaya Zemlya archipelago
Separation from Other Seas	Barents Sea (west) Separated by Kara Strait and Novaya Zemlya archipelago Laptev Sea (east) Separated by Severnaya Zemlya archipelago Arctic Basin (north) Connected
Climate	One of the world’s coldest seas; covered with ice from September to May
Major Rivers Draining into Kara Sea	Kara, Ob, Pyasina, Yenisei
Significant Islands	Bely, Dikson, Kamennyye, Oleni, Taymyr
Largest Island Group	Nordenskiold Archipelago (90+ islands and five large subgroups)

Source:

Eurasiatimes

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Kara Sea:

The Kara Sea is located to the north of the Russian Federation, bordered by the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.
The Kara Sea is known for its rich marine biodiversity and is a major shipping route for international trade.
The sea is characterized by its permanently frozen waters and is crucial for Russia’s Arctic oil and gas exploration.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Kara Sea is located to the north of Russia, bordered by the Barents Sea to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Kara Sea is not a major international shipping route due to its harsh ice conditions and the short navigation season.

Statement 3 is correct. The Kara Sea is known for its frozen waters, and Russia is involved in extensive oil and gas exploration in the region, especially in the Arctic.