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United States
Plot to Kidnap Iranian Journalist
Four Iranian spies have been charged with plotting to kidnap Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. The plot involved abducting Alinejad from her Brooklyn home and taking her by speedboat to Venezuela, where they would then fly to Tehran. The spies originally had planned to have Alinejad’s family lure her to be kidnapped in the Middle East, but turned to the speedboat plan when the family refused. Alinejad is an Iranian-American journalist and activist who is outspoken against the Iranian government. The charges state that the plot to kidnap Alinejad was part of a larger plan by the Iranian intelligence ministry to kidnap targets in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates as well. 

This map depicts the plan to kidnap Masih Alinejad from her Brooklyn home to Iran via Venezuela. Click on the map to learn more.
Graphic Source: Daily Mail
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Italy
Venice Bans Cruise Ships
Italy announced on Tuesday that it was banning large cruise ships from entering Venice’s waters and was also declaring the city’s lagoon a national monument, in a move to protect the fragile ecosystem from the downsides of mass tourism. The ban will take effect on August 1st after much demand from environmentalists and locals. In 2019, UNESCO warned Venice about the “damage caused by a steady stream of cruise ships.” UNESCO formed a committee set to begin research efforts this week that would have potentially added Venice to their “World Heritage in Danger” list, if not for this ban and decree that recognized Venice’s waterways as a national monument.

This map depicts the current and new routes for cruise ships to approach Venice, Italy. Click on the map to learn more.
Further Reading: New York Times, CBS, Reuters, USA Today
Graphic Source: Insider
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European Union
Ambitious Climate Change Plan
The European Commission, the European Union's (EU) executive body, has unveiled a new far-ranging plan to tackle climate change, reduce emissions by 55 percent by 2030, and to become carbon neutral by 2050. The proposal includes plans to increase renewable energy production, construct energy-efficient infrastructure, tax jet fuel, introduce a carbon border tariff, and ban the sale of petrol and diesel-powered cars. Financial assistance programs to properly insulate housing were also announced, as the legislation will likely increase household heating bills. The proposals still await approval by the 27 member states and the EU parliament. Resistance is expected from industry leaders in air travel, vehicle manufacturing sectors, and eastern member states dependent on coal. 

This map depicts the various impacts climate change will have across European countries without serious mitigation efforts. Click on the map to learn more.
Further Reading: Reuters, New York Times, BBC
Graphic Source:  European Parliament
Yesterday's Answer
Q: With 55 sites each, which two countries are tied for highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites?

A: China and Italy
UNESCO World Heritage sites include locations "of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity." So it should come as no surprise that countries with two of the world's most ancient and powerful settled civilizations will have accumulated numerous landmarks and monuments considered worthy of recognition and preservation. You can explore on this map the list of World Heritage sites including treasures both natural and human-made.

Source 
Today's Question
Q: With 43% of total import spending on food in 2019, which country is the most import-dependent to feed its population?
 
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