The politics and economics of COVID-19 relief packages
Most governments worldwide have announced relief packages to deal with the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, though big in numbers, these packages have very little to offer to those most affected by the crisis
For Palestinians under occupation, every day is Nakba
May 15 is Nakba Day, which marks the death of thousands of Palestinians and the forced exile of many more during the formation of Israeli in 1948. To this day, the Palestinians living under occupation continue to resist the apartheid policies of Israel
Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraq’s new PM, faces tough challenges on economy, foreign soldiers
After months of political uncertainty, Mustafa al-Kadhimi has been confirmed as the new prime minister of Iraq. However, the former intelligence chief is likely to face a number of challenges, including addressing the demands of protesters
ILO: Nearly half of all world’s workers may lose their jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic
In the absence of strong support measures by governments across the world, the estimated loss of mostly informal jobs would result in rising poverty, starvation and inequality, an ILO report says
The OPEC+ deal on oil production: what are the implications?
Total global production of oil may go down by 15% with promises from some non-OPEC countries as well. However, this may not be sufficient to stop the fall in international oil prices
Migrant workers in Gulf region face heightened risk amid COVID-19 outbreak
Millions of expatriate workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries face a grim future as the number of COVID-19 cases increases and their jobs are under threat due to the economic downturn
Saudi-led war on Yemen completes five disastrous years
Intervention by the Saudi-led coalition, which is supported by the US and others, has led to what the United Nations has called the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis of the century” in Yemen
Incarcerated people among the most vulnerable to Coronavirus infection
There is a growing demand for releasing prisoners worldwide as prison facilities in most countries are overcrowded and lack basic hygienic conditions, jeopardizing the implementation of preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19