For India’s migrant workers, the flight from COVID-19 leads to starvation
The three week lockdown imposed by the Narendra Modi government has left these workers stranded in cities without jobs and on the verge of starvation
US judges strike down States’ move to halt abortions during COVID-19 crisis
The administrations of Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa took steps to postpone or halt non-essential medical procedures, and included abortions in the category. This was under the pretext of making more facilities available for COVID-19 patients
After global protests, Microsoft sells its stake in Israeli facial recognition start-up
An investigation by NBC in October last year revealed that Israeli company AnyVision’s technology was being used to scan the faces of thousands of Palestinians at checkpoints every day. Microsoft had invested in AnyVision in June 2019
South Africa’s currency plunges after Moody’s downgrades credit rating to “junk”
The plunging of the currency to a historic low is likely to affect the country’s ability to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. South Africa has recorded the maximum number of cases in the continent
Refrigerator unit workers in Russia protest layoffs and closure of plant
The management of the Saratov Electric Aggregate Production Association in the city of Saratov has decided to close the plant and lay off employees citing losses
Julian Assange’s bail plea denied
Julian Assange’s defense team had moved a bail application in light of fears of a COVID-19 outbreak in Belmarsh prison. The Wikileaks founder has been in judicial custody in the prison since September 2019
Communist youth in Kerala are in the forefront of the battle against COVID-19
Activists of leftist youth organizations, including the Democratic Youth Federation of India, have helped operationalize facilities for the treatment of patients, and set up hand washing facilities in many villages and towns
Car manufacturers in US shut production down after workers mobilize amid COVID-19 crisis
Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are among the large car manufacturers that have announced a halt in production after workers threatened strikes and in some cases, began action