Global Issues
News headlines
These Migrant Workers Did Not Suddenly Fall From the Sky
- Inter Press Service
Apr 03 (IPS) - Madness engulfs the planet. Hundreds of millions of people are in lockdown in their homes, millions of people who work in essential jobs – or who cannot afford to stay home without state assistance – continue to go to work, thousands of people lie in intensive-care beds taken care of by tens of thousands of medical professionals and caregivers who face shortages of equipment and time.
Narrow sections of the human population – the billionaires – believe that they can isolate themselves in their enclaves, but the virus knows no borders. The global pandemic driven by the variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus holds us in its grip; even as China seems to have bent the curve of infections, the charts for the rest of the world are forbidding: the light at the end of the tunnel is as dim as it has ever been.
What More than COVID-19 to Jolt G20 into Collective Action?
- Inter Press Service
BERLIN, Germany, Apr 03 (IPS) - My recent study on "The G20@10: Time to shift gears" 1 shows that, during the past decade, the main joint, collective action of the G20 has been to issue communiqués and other types of statements.
Can We Use Digital Technology to Cushion the Pandemic’s Blow?
- Inter Press Service
WASHINGTON DC, Apr 02 (IPS) - As the world grapples with COVID-19, governments face a daunting challenge: limiting the adverse impact of a pandemic that has ground economic activity to a halt, affecting people at a scale rarely seen before.
The Gaza Strip and COVID-19: Preparing for the Worst
- Inter Press Service
GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM/BRUSSELS, Apr 02 (IPS) - The coronavirus is now present in Gaza, the populous Palestinian enclave blockaded by air, land and sea since 2007. An epidemic would be calamitous. Hamas should tighten public health measures; Israel should loosen restrictions so that medical supplies can enter and afflicted Palestinians can leave.
Snapshot of Life under Lockdown in Bangladesh
- Inter Press Service
NEW YORK, Apr 02 (IPS) - The Coronavirus pandemic is changing how we live our daily lives. The scale of the Covid-19 and its impact on our lives is unprecedented. When humanity gets past this, the world will be a very different place than the one we have known.
Coronavirus Proves Need for Free Healthcare for All-- Now
- Inter Press Service
GENEVA, Apr 02 (IPS) - The multi-layered crisis of the Coronavirus epidemic has been a dramatic shock to everyone. But, to communities affected by HIV and AIDS, the crisis has not only brought a further shock to already vulnerable people, it has brought other reactions too – a troubling sense of déjà vu, and a passionate, empathetic, fierce solidarity with all those affected by Coronavirus.
Surviving Domestic Violence in times of Covid19
- Inter Press Service
NEW YORK, Apr 02 (IPS) - "I come from Baglung District, a part of Dhawalagiri Zone in Nepal. My house overlooks the river. Do you know, our district is known for the suspension bridges?", her eyes glimmer for a fraction of a second and then she breathes a heavy sigh! Her right hand is still wrapped in a scarf, while with the other she pats her 17-month-old. "If I ever get a chance I will take you to my village, we have a lot of medicinal plants."
She pauses while tears roll down as she continues our Facetime session. "I was 16 when I had my first child and I was 17 when my arm was broken by my mother-in-law."
Dangers and Lessons of Present Multiple Crises
- Inter Press Service
PENANG and SINGAPORE, Apr 01 (IPS) - The Covid-19 pandemic, erupting in the background of lethargic global economy, could turn out to be the singular biggest crisis in a century. First reported in Wuhan, China, the corona virus has reached almost all countries. It has infected close to 1 million persons and caused over 40,000 deaths at time of writing; and the figures keep climbing. It is a health catastrophe which if not checked in its track would be the most serious since the Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed over 50 million people.
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Developing Countries
- Inter Press Service
AMSTERDAM/ROME, Apr 01 (IPS) - Part 1 – Addressing the Short Term Aspects
What is likely to be the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing economies? It is difficult to make predictions, because much will depend on the spread of the disease, especially in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, and the measures various Governments will take in the coming weeks and months.
In memory of Martin Khor
- Inter Press Service
NEW YORK, Apr 01 (IPS) - Martin Khor, a former Director of Third World Network who was a regular contributor of opinion editorials to IPS over several years passed away In Penang on 1 April.
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