KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jun 18 (IPS) - How often have you heard someone lamenting or even condemning inequality in society, concluding with an appeal to meritocracy? We like to think that if only the deserving, the smart ones, those we deem competent or capable, often meaning the ones who are more like us, were in charge, things would be better, or just fine.

KATHMANDU, Jun 17 (IPS) - Last week, Kathmandu erupted with protests organised collectively through the social web by Nepal's urban young fed up with the shenanigans of the country's septuagenarian rulers.

WASHINGTON DC, Jun 17 (IPS) - The Great Lockdown is expected to play out in three phases, first as countries enter the lockdown, then as they exit, and finally as they escape the lockdown when there is a medical solution to the pandemic.

MBABANE, Jun 17 (IPS) - In its effort to accelerate Rwanda's green growth development initiative, its local businesses encouraged their Italian counterparts to invest in the East Africa region.

London, Cox’s Bazaar, Johannesburg, Jun 17 (IPS) - The impact of COVID-19 lockdowns falls heavily on the shoulders of women even in the global north. Women take the brunt of housework and caretaking duties, homes schooling, working from home and perhaps looking after elderly parents, says Cherie Blair.

HYDERABAD, India, Jun 16 (IPS) - Since the beginning of the year, more than 200 nations across the globe have been affected by COVID-19. Many are still reeling under the devastating effects of the pandemic, with both public health and the global economy having taken a major blow.

As populations become larger, wealthier, and more urban, there is far greater demand for land.

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 16 (IPS) - The world's stockpile of nuclear weapons—estimated at over 13,400 at the beginning of 2020 – have a least one thing in common with humans: they are "retired" when they reach old age.

WASHINGTON DC, Jun 16 (IPS) - The world saw more new confirmed COVID-19 cases last week than any week to date. And as the pandemic grows, its epicenter is moving from advanced economies to more developing countries, including Brazil, India, and South Africa.

SYDNEY and KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 16 (IPS) - The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted most economies in the world. Its full impacts will not be felt, let alone measured, until it runs its course. Many countries are still struggling to contain contagion, while the costs on both lives and livelihoods will undoubtedly have long-term repercussions.