Following the introduction of COVID-19 containment measures across the world, real gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area fell by 1.8% in the first quarter of 2020, the largest drop since the 2.3% contraction in the first quarter of 2009 at the height of the financial crisis, provisional estimates show.

OECD countries have invited Costa Rica to become a member country of the Organisation. Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada (photo) and OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría will sign an Accession Agreement in the coming days.

Composite leading indicators for most major economies collapsed by unprecedented levels in April as containment measures for Covid-19 continued to impact production, consumption and confidence.

“Save one life, you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, you’re a nurse,” so the saying goes. The coronavirus pandemic has certainly reminded us just how important nursing is in our lives. As we celebrate International Nurses Day, Anthony Mann and Vanessa Denis take a closer look at what young people think about making a career in nursing.

Recent seizures of fake medical supplies being marketed as protection against coronavirus (Covid-19) have underscored the need to address a growing international trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The trafficking of fake or defective medicines is costly and puts lives at risk, according to the new OECD and EU reports.