General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2017

Feb 2017

Sep 27, 2025

Dubai Announces 15-km Dedicated Corridor for Driverless Vehicles & Marine Transport

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the launch of the Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ), a 15-kilometre dedicated corridor for driverless vehicles and marine transport, set to become operational in early 2026. The initiative, unveiled at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, supports the emirate's goal of making 25% of daily trips autonomous by 2030.
The zone will cover Al Jaddaf Metro Station, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City, offering commuters a seamless network of self-driving options, including the driverless Metro, RoboTaxis, RoboBuses, autonomous shuttles, delivery robots, logistics vehicles, road-sweeping bots, and even autonomous abras for water crossings. "This is a glimpse into the future of mobility, where everything from taxis to street cleaners operates autonomously and interconnects for efficiency," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency.
Trials for RoboTaxis are scheduled to begin by the end of 2025, aiming for 1,000 vehicles on the road by 2028. Uber is also collaborating with RTA and WeRide to integrate autonomous cars into its fleet, with pilot services launching in 2025.

Sep 26, 2025

7th Future Food Forum 2025 Opened in Dubai

The 7^th Future Food Forum opened in Dubai in September 2025, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to explore pathways for advancing food security, trade, and innovation across the Global South. The discussions focused on building resilient food ecosystems through technology, sustainable practices, and cross-border partnerships.
The 7th Future Food Forum 2025 is held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, with Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri inaugurating the annual gathering.

Sep 24, 2025

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Withdraw from International Criminal Court (ICC)

The military-led West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, branding it a "neo-colonial" imperialist tool.
The juntas which took over in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey after coups between 2020 and 2023 have since allied themselves in a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and distanced themselves from the West, notably from former colonial ruler France.
The court, based in The Hague, was "an instrument of neo-colonialist repression in the hands of imperialism," the three countries said in a joint statement.
The ICC has proven itself incapable of handling and prosecuting proven war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide, and crimes of aggression.
The three States also said they wanted to create "indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice".
A State's withdrawal only takes effect one year after the official submission of the case to the UN general secretariat.

Sep 22, 2025

Ahmed al-Sharaa to Becomes First Syrian Leader to Attend UN Meetings Since 1967

For the first time in nearly six decades, a Syrian head of state is set to speak at the United Nations.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York to attend the opening of the UN General Assembly's 80^th session in 2025, marking Syria's return to the world stage after years of isolation and war.
The last time a Syrian head of state attended the General Assembly was in 1967. That was before the 50-year rule of the Assad family dynasty, which came to an end in December when then-President Bashar Assad was ousted in a lightning insurgent offensive led by al-Sharaa. Assad's fall also brought to an end nearly 14 years of civil war.

Sep 21, 2025

Africa is 7 Times Bigger than Europe. The World Map We're Used to is a Lie

The Mercator world map, long a fixture in classrooms globally, makes the European Union appear almost as large as Africa.
In reality, Africa is more than seven times bigger. It is a distortion that has prompted a new African initiative, "Correct the Map", calling for depictions that show Africa's true scale.
"For centuries, this map has minimised Africa, feeding into a narrative that the continent is smaller, peripheral and less important," said Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, which is leading the campaign alongside another advocacy group, Africa No Filter.
Accurately translating the Earth's sphere into a flat map always calls for compromises, requiring parts to be stretched, cut or left out, experts told AFP.
Historically, maps have reflected the worldview of their makers.
Babylonian clay tablets from the sixth century BC placed their empire at the centre of the world, while medieval European charts often focused on religious sites.

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