Gender Violence Is A “Shadow Pandemic”: Un Women
Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women Focus: GS-II Social Justice, International Relations Why in news? The UN Women has urged member-States to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and consider shelters and helplines essential services, calling the rise in gender-based violence a “shadow pandemic”. Details: According to UN […]
TWO CSIR LABS START SEQUENCING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Why in news? India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Details: So far, 3,086 sequences of the virus isolated from humans have been shared by 57 countries. With 621, the U.S. has shared the most number of sequences, followed by the U.K. (350), Belgium (253) […]
RESEARCHERS FIND CELLS THAT MAY EXPLAIN LOSS OF SMELL IN COVID-19 PATIENTS
Why in news? Can a loss of smell be an early warning for a COVID-19 infection? Multiple reports have surfaced, primarily from Europe and the United States, from physicians and ear, nose and throat specialists, of COVID-19 patients complaining of an inability to smell — or anosmia. However, it is not clear whether neurons in […]
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL LIKELY ON APRIL 9
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, GS-II International Relations Why in news? India is gearing for diplomatic activities as the U.N. Security Council appears set for a special session over the COVID-19 pandemic. What is likely to happen? A special closed session of the UNSC is to be held as early as on April 9 when all […]
INDIA REVOKES BAN ON EXPORT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, OPPOSITION SLAMS
Why in news? The Government of India announced on 7th March 2020 that it had rescinded its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is now being used in countries such as the U.S. as a possible line of treatment for COVID-19, setting off a controversy over whether the two-day old […]
GOVT. MULLS LOCKDOWN EXTENSION AMID REQUESTS FROM THE STATES
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The Union government on 7th April 2020, indicated that it was actively considering an extension of the 21-day nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 and due to end on April 14 as many States have openly appealed for its continuation in the face of rise in COVID-19 […]
NSA TO BE SLAPPED AGAINST PERSONS WHO ATTACK POLICEMEN
Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims Why in news? The stringent National Security Act (NSA) will be slapped on people who attack policeman enforcing the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government said on 3rd April 2020. Why such a move? The state government’s move to invoke the NSA comes in view of […]
UNGA ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY, COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, International Relations, Prelims Why in news? The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, on COVID-19, calling for intensified international cooperation to defeat the pandemic that is causing severe disruption to societies and economies. The resolution titled Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus […]
QUESTIONS OVER FOREIGN DONATIONS FOR PM-CARES
Why in news? The government has sent conflicting signals over the question of foreign donations to the new Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, better known as PM-CARES. Details of the Concerns Initially, Indian ambassadors were directed to mobilise donations from abroad, with SWIFT code details made available in order to […]
LIFE TURNS TURTLE FOR MSMEs AS LOCKDOWN CHOKES
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The lockdown ordered to stem the spread of COVID-19 has swept over millions of small and medium enterprises in tier-2 and -3 cities and across. Details Moving people and machines to facilitate work- from-home (WFH) options became a daunting task for many, as per industry executives of some […]