The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global crises and enforced strict measures like the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, significantly impacting societal norms, particularly affecting secondary school students. The current study employs a qualitative methodology to determine how COVID-19 affects the life stress experienced by secondary school students. Secondary school students were recruited in Sabah, Malaysia, from April to August 2022, after Malaysia entered the endemic phase on 1 April 2022. As part of a larger survey, students were asked to respond to an open-ended question about life stressors they face as a result of the pandemic COVID-19 or during home-based teaching and learning (PdPR). A total of 1069 secondary school students from various backgrounds were included in the study. However, only 714 students responded to the open-ended question. The pattern of meaning across the texts was determined using Birks and Mills’s method of multilevel coding. The students’ perspectives on life stressors were classified into five broad categories: restriction stress, emotional stress, online study stress, family-related stress, and others-related stress. Restriction stress, which refers to being confined at home, restricted movement, hampered family, friendship, and outdoor activities, and no freedom were rated as the most significant life stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by students. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and parents, emphasizing the profound effect of pandemic-induced restrictions on student life and the essential role of targeted interventions in fostering resilience among students.

Brazil occupies a prominent position as one of the largest domestic air passenger markets globally. In May 2019, OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited (OAG), a renowned global travel data provider, ranked Brazil as the world’s 6th largest domestic market. This study identifies and meticulously analyses statistical trends in how service levels affect passenger demand on domestic air routes in Brazil. To that end, it employs a panel-data gravity model incorporating service as an instrumental variable. The findings confirm the influence of traditional gravity explanatory variables, while also contributing novel insights into the impact of service levels on domestic routes. The analysis reveals that, while factors such as income and distance play a fundamental role in shaping domestic demand, level of service emerges as a crucial determinant on regional connections. Overall, the statistics suggest growing divergences between Brazilian airlines and regional air transport. Accordingly, substantial changes are necessary in both government policies and the services offered by the airline industry in order to harness the full potential of Brazil’s domestic air transport passenger market and foster regional development.

Creating products and services that satisfy individual and community needs is impossible without raw materials. This study takes a novel approach by integrating the economic dynamics and raw material consumption indicators of the European Union (EU). The study uses different econometric methods to analyze the relationship between GDP (gross domestic product) and the EU’s raw material consumption (RMC) from 2014–2023. Among the results, the panel data analysis model shows that the resource productivity of the EU improved during the period under review, whereas the material intensity decreased significantly. These trends significantly contributed to the relative decoupling of material consumption from GDP in the last decade. The results of the K-means cluster analysis highlight the regional economic differences within the EU. According to the results of the correlation analysis, EU member countries differ significantly in the efficiency of raw material use. Nevertheless, five member countries are robustly vulnerable to large-scale raw material use. The divergence calculation results show that while some countries use raw materials extremely efficiently to produce GDP, others achieve low efficiency. This unique approach and the resulting findings provide a new perspective on the complex relationship between economic growth and raw material use in the EU.

This article addresses the pressing issue of training and mediation for conflict resolution among employees within a corporate setting. Employing a methodology that includes literature analysis, comparative studies, and surveys, we explore various strategies and their effectiveness in mitigating workplace conflicts. Through a comprehensive comparison with metrics and conclusions from other scholarly works, we provide a nuanced understanding of the current landscape of conflict resolution practices. As a result of our research, we implemented a tailored training program focused on conflict resolution for employees within a mobile company, alongside the development of a competency framework designed to enhance conflict resolution skills. This framework comprises five integral components: emotional, operational, motivational, behavioral, and regulatory. Our findings suggest that training in each of these competencies is essential for fostering a healthy workplace environment and must be integrated into organizational practices. The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated; effective conflict resolution skills are not only vital for individual employee wellbeing but also crucial for the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization. By investing in these competencies, companies can reduce turnover, enhance team cohesion, and create a more positive and collaborative workplace culture.

The convergence of multifaceted global challenges encompassing the rise of populism, Brexit, the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has catalyzed a profound reassessment of international trade policies. This article critically examines the intricate linkages between these challenges and their profound implications for the contemporary international trading system. Traditionally, globalization debates in the 1990s underscored the social and environmental dimensions of trade, yet the current landscape reveals an undeniable entwining of societal implications with trade policies. This article delves into the interconnectedness of these global challenges with trade, evaluating how each phenomenon influences and reshapes policy discourse. In particular, the rise of populism and its attendant protectionist sentiments have engendered a reevaluation of trade relationships and multilateral agreements. The seismic geopolitical event of Brexit has disrupted regional trade dynamics, signaling a paradigm shift in established trade blocs. Simultaneously, the imperatives of addressing the escalating climate crisis have spotlighted the necessity for trade policies to align with environmental sustainability goals. The COVID-19 pandemic, acting as a disruptor on a global scale, has accentuated vulnerabilities within supply chains, emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptability in trade frameworks. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has introduced geopolitical tensions that further complicate the trade-policy landscape. By critically evaluating these intersecting challenges, this article delineates the evolving nature of trade policies and their inextricable relationship with societal and geopolitical realities. It underscores the imperative for a holistic approach in policy formulation that integrates social, environmental, and geopolitical considerations, acknowledging the integral role of trade policies in addressing contemporary global challenges.