Opium seizures
Focus: GS3: Internal Security and Challenges Why in news? The fourth highest seizure of opium in 2018 was reported from India, after Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to the latest World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) More about news The maximum of 644 tonnes of opium was seized […]
Negligence to blame for styrene leak
Focus: GS3: Disaster Management Why in news? The disastrous leak of a toxic chemical that had killed several people and left hundreds sick near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh was said to be a result of negligence More about the gas Styrene, the chemical involved is included in the schedule of the Manufacture, Storage and Import […]
AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION OF CORONAVIRUS
Focus: GS3: Science and Technology Why in news? In an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), 239 scientists in 32 countries have outlined the evidence showing that smaller particles can infect people What needs to change now? Airborne transmission is a significant factor, especially in crowded spaces with poor ventilation, the consequences for […]
1.4 lakh families reach MGNREGA’s annual work limit
Focus: GS 2: Schemes related to vulnerable sections, Social Justice Why in news? At least 1.4 lakh poor rural households have already completed their quota of 100 days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the first three months of the year, and will not be eligible for further […]
PLA pulls back from Galwan clash site
Focus: GS 2: International Relations Why in news? Three weeks after the worst military clashes in decades, India and China have begun the process of disengagement at contentious locations along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) More about news In the Galwan Valley, Chinese troops have shifted 2 kilometres from the site of the […]
2019 Global Health security index
Focus: GS2: Health According to the Global Health Security (GHS) Index, 2019, national health security is “fundamentally weak” around the world. The report gains significance in the context of the recent COVID 19 outbreak. About the Index The Global Health Security (GHS) Index, a report from the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security and […]
Next health crisis
Focus: GS2: Health issues, Social Issues Why in news? efforts of the government and the private sector to revive the economy in the time of COVID19 are two dangers to people’s health air pollution and greenhouse gases Impact avoided number of early deaths from dirty air quality in recent months in China is estimated to […]
CUSTODIAL DEATHS AND POLICE REFORMS
Focus: GS2: Police Reform Why in news? The custodial deaths of a father and son in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district has created a nationwide uproar with the family blaming police torture. Crime records and survey reports show that violence by police has been reported across the nation, that police personnel are not adequately trained in […]
COVID -LOCKDOWN-POVERTY
Focus: GS2: Health, Social Justice Why in news? The COVID-19 crisis has a potentially far-reaching, long-term negative impact on Rural women and poverty. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2017 -18 reported that, about 42% or around 56 crore people were ‘officially’ poor before the lockdown was announced. Impact PLFS data extrapolated for the year […]
What about WHO
Focus: GS2: Multilateral Bodies, International Relations World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations’ specialized agency for Health was founded in 1948. WHO is accused of not being transparent in transferring information regarding COVID 19 pandemic. USA has accused of WHO and Chinese nexus. COVID 19 timeline. 31 Dec 2019 WHO’s Country Office in the People’s […]