World

Gun-Related Deaths Surge During the Pandemic

Published

3 years ago

August 13, 2022

The number of deaths resulting from firearms has been consistently rising, with the peak occurring at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The CDC reported a worrying 35 percent increase from the previous years.

While gun violence and death have risen yearly, long before the pandemic, many people speculate that COVID-19 largely contributed to this increase. In fact, investigations have shown that difficult living conditions due to the onset of this pandemic lead to these staggering statistics. Social isolation, loss of employment, and economic instability also significantly contributed to the higher number of people purchasing firearms.

In addition, worldwide city lockdowns resulted in the use of lethal force by the police to restrain citizens, and long-term indoor confinement increased the cases of domestic violence. These facts can make the correlation between the pandemic and the uptick in gun crimes seem even more apparent.

Trends in Gun Violence

Investigations done by CDC officials revealed that the surge in gun deaths was observed primarily in poor counties across America. Areas and neighborhoods dominated by Hispanic, Black, and Native American individuals were reported to have the highest gun homicide rates. Reports also showed that the number of gun-related deaths among women had risen substantially.

Similarly, gun-related suicides also rose sharply, with significant increases among Native Americans and other minority groups. However, these figures were less than those of White men above the age of 50.

During an event to discuss crime, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti further explained how the pandemic could have caused an increase in gun homicides. He related the countrywide devastating mental health system, or lack thereof, as a significant contributor to the increased deaths.

The FBI reported new records of firearm background checks in 2020 as the pandemic saw millions of guns circulate throughout the American population. Reports have suggested that people might have been scared and felt the need to acquire guns for their own personal safety.

However, guns have been noted to endanger the members of the households which possess them. This is because they increase the probability of a gun homicide or suicide threefold compared to a home that does not have guns. Ironically, Americans can be more at risk by the very object thought and purchased to provide protection.

New Reforms

Congress is now keen on ensuring that solid gun control measures are in place. In an attempt to reduce the rates of firearm homicides, several research projects are in the works, and acts have been reinstated that aim to promote gun safety.

One of the policies currently being reworked includes the free distribution of lockboxes to help store firearms at home. This measure ensures that guns are only accessible by the right people at the right time.

With the pandemic slowly ending and people resuming their everyday lives, researchers hope that the number of gun-related deaths will decrease. Whether the pandemic was responsible for the surge in firearm homicides, gun deaths continue to be a significant challenge facing America.

World

Swiss International University Enhances Student Employability with Major Global Collaborations

Published

3 weeks ago

November 8, 2025

Jenny Jackson

New collaborations with Citibank, Abu-Ghazaleh Global, RAK Properties, and others strengthen SIU’s commitment to connecting academic learning with global career opportunities.

Swiss International University (SIU) has already informed about the new corporate partnerships that will start in October 2025 and that they will provide students with better access to internships, training programs, and job opportunities in various fields.

The new partnerships are aligned with SIU’s goal to combine education with the real world, as they ensure that the graduates are equipped with the required knowledge, skills, and professional exposure to be successful in the global economy of today.

In the last few weeks, SIU has formed alliances with several major companies, including those from the banking, business, hospitality, real estate, and consulting sectors. The students will be actively involved in each collaboration through internships, practical training, and the career opportunities that will be given to them during or after their studies.

Among the key collaborations are

Citibank, where students of the business and finance fields will get to experience international banking operations through special training and possible hiring programs.

Abu-Ghazaleh Global has given SIU’s programs its official blessing and access to practical experience in global business, accounting, and consulting.

RAK Properties is going to give real estate and business students a chance to learn about property development, investment, and project management.

The Signature Inn Hotel Al Riqa L.L.C. offers students of hospitality a chance through real-life interrelated scenarios to gain the knowledge of front-office operations and guest management.

Al Shabaka International Businessmen Services is opening a door for the students to meet the professionals involved in global business consulting and administration.

Galadari Motor Driving Center, where students will get a clear insight into corporate management, customer relations, and operational efficiency.

Women’s First Jobs is going to help female students and graduates through career counseling, professional networking, and empowerment initiatives.

MyFounders.Club Global is building up the students and aspiring founders in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship by taking them through the process of developing and launching new ventures.

Revival AE Project Development Consultant Co., L.L.C., where students will be working on consulting for sustainable projects and environmental management.

“The partnerships that we have formed represent our commitment not only to the business world but also to the world of academia,” said the Head of Swiss International University. “We are aspiring to equip every student in SIU with the power to win the global job market through robust academic credentials, practical exposure, and a web of real opportunities. Our target is not a teacher-student relationship whose only need is the job—our students will be the ones making changes in the various fields of tomorrow.”

The academic world and the global market are the two areas where SIU, collaborating with partners at the present time, shows the institution’s continued commitment to creating a career-oriented academic environment where learning takes place beyond the walls of the classrooms.

The deadline of October 2025 is approaching, but the university is still looking to make new strategic partnerships to grow its network of global partners. It is clear from the continuous activities of the university that it is striving to offer its students worldwide the possibility of not only utilizing their skills but also being a part of the industry via employment and thus empowering them to make a difference in international markets.