UNITED NATIONS, Jun 02 (IPS) - The deadly coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of over 372,000 people worldwide, has reinforced the concept of "social distancing" which bars any gathering of over 10 or 20 people – whether at a social event, a wedding, a political rally or even a funeral.

WASHINGTON DC, Jun 02 (IPS) - Now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to build a better world

Looking back to the start of 2020, the world has changed almost beyond recognition. To protect public health, the global economy was put into stasis. Shops closed, factories were mothballed, and people's freedom of movement was severely curtailed.

No country has escaped the health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Tragically, more than 260,000 people have died and millions have been infected. The IMF is projecting global economic activity to decline on a scale not seen since the Great Depression. It is truly a crisis like no other.

AMSTERDAM/ROME, Jun 01 (IPS) - As the COVID-19 virus spread rapidly around the globe, so did various theories about what caused the pandemic. According to the standard scientific theory, the virus probably originated in bats and then crossed over to humans, probably via another intermediate host. It then spread rapidly across the globe, piggybacking on the international travel network.

NAIROBI, Jun 01 (IPS) - Less than five percent of all land title deeds in Kenya are held jointly by women and only one percent of land titles are held by women alone. IPS investigates.

SÃO PAULO, Brazil, Jun 01 (IPS) - Tropical forests can develop resistance to a warmer climate, but 71 per cent will come under threat in the next decade if global average temperatures reach two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a new study warns.

ACCRA Ghana, Jun 01 (IPS) - The tragedy of the coronavirus pandemic and its associated challenges have thrown our world into chaos, with the virus destroying lives and livelihoods in its path.