DRUG FOR SEPSIS TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19
Why in news? Sepsivac, a drug jointly developed by the Ahmedabad-based Cadilla Pharmaceuticals and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will be tested in 50 COVID-19 patients. Results from a human trial are expected in the next two months. What is Sepsivac and can it be used for COVID-19? Sepsivac was originally developed […]
A TRIBAL TRADITION COMES IN HANDY DURING COVID-19
Why in news? Now almost every day some members of Jagruti, a social organisation, are reliving a local tribal tradition to trim each other’s hair at Daringbadi in Odisha’s Kandhamal district. Through it they are avoiding visit to barbers that may lead to spread of COVID-19 infection. Unlike other parts of Odisha, tribals of Kandhamal […]
GLOBAL HUNGER COULD DOUBLE DUE TO COVID-19
Why in news? The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million, due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said on 21st April 2020. The impact of lost tourism revenues, falling remittances and travel and other restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic […]
PAKISTAN REMOVES THOUSANDS OF NAMES FROM TERRORIST WATCH LIST
Why in news? Pakistan is reported to have removed around 1,800 terrorists from its watch list, including that of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ahead of a new round of assessments by the global anti-money-laundering watchdog FATF. The so-called proscribed persons list, which is maintained by Pakistan’s National Counter […]
BEIJING NAMES ISLANDS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA
Why in news? China on Tuesday (Apr 21) defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbours as the country asserts its territorial claims. Details A joint announcement of the names on Sunday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry […]
SAARC COUNTRIES UNITE TO COMBAT COVID-19
Why in news? The unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has united the SAARC countries as they adopted international travel bans, enforced strict lockdowns, announced special economic packages, set up a joint fund and banned all religious gatherings to battle the pandemic, earning them a praise from the World Bank for their quick response. Throughout South Asia, […]
INDIAN ENVOY CONDEMNS HATE-SPEECH
Why in news? Cautioning Indians in the United Arab Emirates against a spate of religiously derogatory posts, India’s Ambassador to the UAE said any discrimination would not be tolerated. Details India and UAE share the value of non-discrimination on any grounds. Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the Rule of law. Indian nationals in […]
SEBI SURVEILLANCE TILL MAY 28
Why in news? The tightened surveillance measures for stock markets, introduced on March 23 for a period of one month, have been extended until May 28. In a statement on 21st April, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said the stock markets are expected to remain volatile in the near future on account of […]
ADDITIONAL TRADE BARRIERS VIOLATE WTO’S PRINCIPLE
Why in news? India’s recently adopted policy to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic companies goes against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India said on 20th April 2020. This is the first response from the Chinese side after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an April […]
ENSURE WORKERS DOWNLOAD AAROGYA APP
Why in news? Central government organizations involved in construction, including various metro rail corporations, were instructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to ensure that “all labour personnel/staff” returning to work from 20th April 2020 have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 tracking app — Aarogya Setu. Why was this needed? While the country remains in a […]