Germany’s epic corona-tracing debate: a risky game with public trust Analysis The debate over the data storage model of a coronavirus tracing app shows how the German government’s search for digital infection control tools became caught up between public health officials, privacy experts and the US tech industry. Vérane Meyer
Red Alarm: Europe’s Next Drought is Already Upon Us Analysis In much of Europe, this April is proving one of the driest in history. According to climate scientists, this could be the new normal as global warming enhances the frequency of severe droughts. Farmers though could do more to secure stable harvests: by growing more diverse crops. Paul Hockenos
COVID-19 and its impact on migration: the case of Armenia Article In the case of Armenia, as much elsewhere in the world, refugees are amongst the vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic and the economic and social hardships accompanying it. Armen Ghazaryan
The Hong Kong way to combat Covid-19: “Take things in our own hands” Background Quiet streets and empty malls on Friday nights. In the eyes of overseas visitors, the city might still seem lively, but for Hongkongers like me the vibrant buzz of this city has been replaced by fear, personal isolation, and the smell of rancid surgical masks. Lucia Siu
Flying blind: Myanmar in the Covid-19 crisis Commentary With low testing rates, but rising numbers of infections, Myanmar’s government is virtually flying blind trying to get on top of Covid-19 with a lockdown. The collapse of clothing exports to Europe has led to a sharp rise in unemployment, while armed conflicts continue, mostly in Rakhine State, and critical coverage of it has become a criminal offence. Axel Harneit-Sievers
Crisis is gendered. Women in the times of pandemic Analysis The crisis associated with the Covid19 pandemic has a gender, and clearly shows social inequalities of all kinds. It particularly affects women, as well as disadvantaged and variously marginalised groups. There are also attempts to exploit the pandemic for short-term political goals directly targeting women's rights. Elżbieta Korolczuk
Barbara Unmüßig: “The pandemic is deepening the divide" Interview The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economy are dramatic. The virus is shaking all major economies simultaneously. At the same time, the crisis is acting as an accelerator for the developing countries that were already highly in debt. An interview with Barbara Unmüßig, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, on the latest developments.
The invisible coronavirus makes systemic gender inequalities and injustices visible Article COVID-19 uniquely affects women. Here are many of the ways it does. Liane Schalatek
How Transparent and Inclusive is the Design Process of the National CAP Strategic Plans? Article After the first steps made towards designing the National CAP Strategic Plans, this article analyses transparency and stakeholder inclusivity in six selected Member States: France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland. Matteo Metta
Egyptian Laborers in Jordan: forgotten during Covid-19 Article During COVID-19, Jordan imposed one of the strictest lockdowns globally. Egyptian workers residing in the country were hit hard as they have lost their jobs and struggled to make a living ever since, while being stuck in adverse housing conditions and unable to return home.