The fight against tuberculosis pushed aside by Covid-19

This February’s press review highlights striking news from the beginning of 2021.

Press Review 2 MIN
ID4D
25 February 2021
Visuel The fight against tuberculosis pushed aside by Covid-19
Freshwater fish: silently growing extinct

© Alamy

Freshwater fish: silently growing extinct

80 freshwater fish species–more than half of the world’s species–have been declared extinct, with 16 in 2020 alone. World’s Forgotten Fishes’ latest report sheds light on this alarming situation. Pollution, overfishing and climate change are highlighted as main factors.

"Global freshwater fish populations at risk of extinction, study finds" The Guardian, February 23, 2021

Lire l'article
Fighting TB: the alarming setback

© Beawiharta Beawiharta - Reuters

Fighting TB: the alarming setback

In the urgency to deal with the COVID-19 storm, another deadly airborne infectious disease was seemingly pushed aside: tuberculosis. In a few months, years of progress against TB were reversed. Recovering from this setback has become a dire priority.

"The fight against TB, paused by COVID-19, must resume" Devex, February 18, 2021

Lire l'article
Kenya: women vs. machine

© Alamy - Jake Lyell

Kenya: women vs. machine

In Kenya’s Kericho County, the craft of harvesting and plucking tea leaves has long been a female prerogative. Some women worked over 15 years in tea plantations, perfecting their craft. The introduction of tea picking machines in 2015 has cost thousands of them their jobs.

"In Kenya, women bear the brunt as mechanization wipes out tea sector jobs" Equal times, February 17, 2021

Lire l'article
Health money can buy

© Salvatore Di Nolfi - EPA-EFE

Health money can buy

World Health Organization recently blasted wealthy countries for hogging COVID-19 vaccines, to the detriment of poorer nations. Some rich countries’ deals with manufacturers mean that previously-agreed vaccine allocations for poorer countries, via the Covax programme, are being reduced.

"WHO slams rich states for hogging vaccines" Euractiv, February 23, 2021

Lire l'article
Myanmar military coup: collective fury

© Nyein Chan Naing - EPA

Myanmar military coup: collective fury

Protests are rocking Myanmar as people take to the streets to demand the release of their democratic leaders, Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Both were arrested on February 1st when the military seized power. Academics comment on this situation.

"Why Myanmar is rising up in collective fury after a military coup – The Conversation Weekly podcast" The Conversation, February 11, 2021

Lire l'article
Lire l'article
ID4D
ID4D
Planet
On the same topic
Oceans: Gatekeeper of Climate Stability, but Threatened by Humankind
Interview

Oceans: Gatekeeper of Climate Stability, but Threatened by Humankind

An ocean-climate equilibrium that had been stable for 8,000 years is being challenged by human activities. Maintaining that equilibrium calls for urgent reduction in carbon emissions. That’s the opinion of Catherine Jeandel, a geochemical oceanologist at the Laboratory of Space Geophysical and...
Obstetric Violence in West Africa, women's health blind spot

Obstetric Violence in West Africa, women's health blind spot

Despite a century of effort by health workers to improve medical care for childbirth in West Africa, mortality rates remain very high in many countries in the region. Obstetric violence still constitutes a structural barrier to maternal health.
Export finance must get in line with climate commitments
Opinion

Export finance must get in line with climate commitments

Countries around the world are ratcheting up climate change mitigation commitments at COP26 in Glasgow this November. Clear roadmaps to rapidly phase out public support for fossil fuel-related value chains in export finance must now become part of these commitments.
Bitcoin’s huge energy waste
Opinion

Bitcoin’s huge energy waste

It’s thanks to “blockchains” that cryptocurrencies can be created without a central supervisory authority. The bitcoin is one of these currencies, but it works based on “miners” who compete in computations. The result is energy consumption that’s both huge and unnecessary, according to Jean-Paul...