Lahore takes SCO cultural spotlight with centuries of history behind it
For centuries, Lahore has been shaped by the people, cultures and empires that passed through it. Now, the Pakistani city is preparing to put that ...
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
The initiative seeks to promote the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to the centuries-old Mercator map, which makes land masses closer to the poles appear much larger than they are.
The Mercator projection was developed in the 16th century and became widely used for navigation. It remains common in schools, online maps and other applications.
But its distortions can give a misleading impression of the relative size of countries.
Africa, for example, is about 14 times larger than Greenland, although the two can appear similar in size on a Mercator map.
The Equal Earth projection was designed to preserve the relative size of continents more accurately while still providing a practical representation of the globe.
African countries backing the initiative say changing the way the world is shown on maps could also help challenge long-standing perceptions of the continent and the legacy of colonial-era representations.
Togo plans to replace Mercator maps in its school geography materials with the Equal Earth projection by the end of the year.
The country also intends to encourage other African states, schools, international organisations and technology companies to consider adopting the projection.
The campaign could extend to digital mapping, GPS and other location-based technologies.
The UN resolution is not legally binding and does not call for the Mercator projection to be abandoned for maritime or aviation navigation, where it continues to be widely used.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by its African sponsors to promote a more accurate representation of the world's geography and challenge perceptions shaped by traditional maps.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
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