The world is gradually coming into terms with the new “normal” in which we keep our distance from one another, walk into establishments in a single form, and step out of the house only when it is necessary. While we brave our way through the new challenges of getting by, here are some news items that headlined during the past month.
01. WHO warns of a second peak in the coronavirus
During a media briefing Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s health emergency program warned of a second peak or wave that is likely to occur during the normal influenza season which will further complicate matters in terms of disease control.
02. World statistics – The ongoing battle with the coronavirus pandemic
The most recent update from the Johns Hopkins University confirms that over 5.9 million cases of COVID-19 have been identified worldwide, with over 365,000 deaths being recorded as the battle against the virus is fought, tooth and nail.
03. The locust attacks move to India and Pakistan
The swarms of locust that invaded Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Yemen earlier this year have moved to India’s Ajmer, Rajasthan and parts of Pakistan that cultivate vital agricultural imports such as cotton, wheat, and maize. The infestation is said to be the most severe locust attack the countries have experienced during the past 27 years, bringing about a fear of a food shortage that is further complicated due to the concerns associated with the ongoing pandemic.
Read More: The Threat of Locust – 2020 Is Fighting A Battle Of Survival
04. America back in space
It has almost been a decade since NASA retired its Space Shuttle Program. This changes when astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley embark on a mission to the International Space Station as the first crew to take flight in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.
05. An unpredicted spike in the number of COVID positive cases in South America
The widespread has caused the South American nations to rise in the global rankings of countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. As the most affected, both Peru and Brazil desperately attempt to take control of the state of affairs as the number of patients rises over 148,000 and 375,000 respectively.
06. International destinations reopened to tourists
While the strict travel bans and restrictions to many destinations remain intact, there are a few which are cautiously opening its doors back to eager tourists who have had postpone their travel plans for the past 12 weeks. While the European Union informed of its plans to open its internal borders in lieu of summer, countries such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have opted to form “travel bubbles”, lifting restrictions for each other’s citizens in an attempt to navigate its visitors in a controlled manner. A few Caribbean islands and tropics such as Mexico and Thailand also plan to open its borders to international visitors in the coming weeks.
07. Cyclone Amphan hits India and Bangladesh
Cyclone Amphan, the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal tore through India and Bangladesh, largely effecting rural areas that already lack basic amenities such as water and electricity. The authorities faced with unprecedented challenges, struggle to reach millions of people as evacuation and relocation procedures are now contradicted by newly formed regulations put in place to combat the coronavirus.
08. Muslims world over celebrate Id-Al-Fitr
Ramadan plays a vital role in the Islamic calendar and is usually a time of excitement and celebration for a community of over 1.9 billion each year. But this year around, the most festive Islamic holiday was uneventful. With praying in congregation and breaking fast with loved ones off the table, the whole affair seems dull in comparison to the festivities of the past years.
09. Pakistani airliner crashes in Karachi
97 people lost their lives to a plane crash that occurred during a flight to the southern Pakistani city of Karachi en-route to the city from the capital city Lahore. Flight PK 8303 operated by Pakistan’s national carrier, Pakistan international airlines met the fatality in a populated locality in Karachi near Jinnah International airport due to a failure in the engines.
10. Protests over the death of George Floyd while in police custody
Protests ripped through the Minneapolis, the USA in response to the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man who succumbed to his injuries after a confrontation with the police, who claim that he resisted arrest. Protests marches are also held in New York, Denver, Phoenix, Memphis, and many other cities demanding the prosecution of the 04 police officers involved.
The World re-opens
Businesses resumes and complete lockdowns are eased in Spain, Turkey, France, Britain, and Brazil. Even Asian countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Japan which were under stringent regimes have moved to uplift their curfews to ensure the convenience of its people, with control measures in place to ensure the virus remains in areas identified, isolated and neutralized.
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