1. Kyiv (Ukraine)
Why in the News?
- Russia launched the heaviest drone and missile assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities since the invasion began in February 2022.
- Plumes of smoke were seen rising from Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers headquarters in central Kyiv, marking a rare strike near the seat of government.
- At least 4 killed, 44 wounded; residential buildings and at least 10 locations in Kyiv damaged.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged stronger U.S. and European support, more sanctions on Russia, and the establishment of security guarantees.
- France’s President Emmanuel Macron and UK PM Keir Starmer condemned the “indiscriminate” strikes.
About Ukraine
- Political Features
- Located in Eastern Europe, Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia.
- Borders: Belarus (north), Russia (east), Moldova and Romania (southwest), Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (west).
- To the south, it is bounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
- Geographical Features
- Mountain Ranges: Includes the Carpathian Mountains in the west and the Crimean Mountains in the south.
- Highest Peak: Mount Hoverla.
- Climate: Predominantly temperate.
- Major Rivers: The Dnieper, Danube, and Dniester flow through the country.
2. Sweden
Why in the News?
- Sami reindeer herders in northern Sweden are opposing expansion of iron-ore mining and the proposed Per Geijer rare-earth mineral project.
- Per Geijer is regarded as Europe’s largest rare-earth deposit; state-owned company LKAB plans to mine it by the 2030s to cut Europe’s dependence on China.
- Mining threatens to block traditional reindeer migration routes, endangering the livelihood and culture of the indigenous Sami people.
- Climate change is already affecting reindeer husbandry as Arctic warming is four times faster than the global average, making grazing difficult.
- The issue reflects the global tension between resource extraction for green energy and the protection of indigenous rights and sustainability.
About Sweden
- Sweden lies in Scandinavia, northern Europe.
- It is the largest country in the Nordic region by both area and population.
- Location: Occupies much of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
- Capital: Stockholm.
- Borders: Shares frontiers with Norway (west) and Finland (northeast).
- Coastlines:
- Eastern coast – Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea.
- Southwestern coast – Skagerrak and Kattegat straits.
- Separated from Denmark by the Öresund (Sound) Strait.
- Landscape: Features vast forests, numerous inland lakes, glacier-covered mountains, and thousands of coastal islands.
- Longest River: Torne River.
- Highest Peak: Mount Kebne in the Kebnekaise range.
- Arctic North: Known as the “land of the midnight sun”, where during summer the sun does not set.
- In Stockholm, summer nights are about four hours long, with twilight skies.
- Seasons: Winters are long, lasting until May, with extended nights and short days.
- Aurora Borealis: In autumn and spring, northern Sweden witnesses the northern lights, green and red displays caused by atmospheric particle collisions.
