AMMAN / NEW YORK , April 1 (IPS) - New estimates by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggest the military escalation in the Middle East, now into its fifth week, may cost economies in the region from 3.7 to 6.0 percent of their collective Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Read the full story, “Escalation in Middle East Reverses more than a Year of Economic Growth in the Region”, on globalissues.org →

SRINAGAR, India, March 31 (IPS) - For the past few weeks, residents living in and around Dal Lake in Indian Kashmir have witnessed “a different phenomenon” as a green sludge has accumulated on the once pristine water. Photos circulating widely on social media triggered a public outcry.

Read the full story, “Once Evicted From This Kashmir Lake, People Now Seen as Its Saviours”, on globalissues.org →

Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the war in the Middle East continues, a situation which has been described as unprecedented in the post-Second World War era.

Read the full story, “‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era”, on globalissues.org →

More than a month since war erupted in the Middle East, UN agencies confirmed on Tuesday that huge numbers of people have returned to Syria from Lebanon "exhausted, traumatized and with very, very few belongings". Meanwhile, the UN International Maritime Organization said that another vessel has been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns of further delays in transporting lifesaving aid. The Security Council met in New York in emergency session on Lebanon. Stay with us for live updates. App users can follow coverage here

Read the full story, “MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Vital food aid blocked, Security Council meets in emergency session on Lebanon”, on globalissues.org →