‘Stranded in India’ portal launched
Why in news: Ministry of Tourism launches ‘Stranded in India’ portal to help foreign tourists stuck in various parts of India. Details: The portal will disseminate information regarding the services that can be availed by foreign tourists who have stuck far away from their homeland. It aims to act as a support network for foreign […]
Government of India launches ArogyaSetu App
Why in news? The Government of India launched a mobile app ArogyaSetu developed in public-private partnership to bring the people of India together in a resolute fight against COVID-19. Details: The App, called ‘AarogyaSetu’ joins Digital India for the health and well-being of every Indian. It will enable people to assess themselves the risk of their catching the […]
GERMAN RESEARCHERS PLAN MASS IMMUNITY STUDY TO TRACK CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 SPREAD
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? German researchers plan to regularly test over 100,000 people to see if they have overcome infection with coronavirus (COVID-19) to track its spread, an institute behind the plan confirmed on 27th March 2020. You could give immune people something similar to a vaccination certificate that could allow them […]
WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS AGREE ON $2 TRILLION VIRUS RESCUE BILL
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Economic Development Why in news? The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early 25th March on unprecedented emergency legislation to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. The urgently needed pandemic response measure is the largest economic rescue […]
U.S. COULD BECOME VIRUS EPICENTRE: WHO
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The World Health Organisation said on 24th March 2020, that the U.S. could become the global epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said there had been a “very large acceleration” in infections in the U.S. Current Scenario of Epicenter Britain joined the ranks of countries […]
TOKYO OLYMPICS MOVED TO 2021 OVER VIRUS SCARE
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Prelims Why in news? The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed to be held before the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee announced on 24th March 2020. The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but after telephone discussions between IOC president […]
SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY DRUG CANDIDATES AGAINST VIRUS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Disaster Management Why in news? Nearly 70 drugs and experimental compounds may be effective in treating the coronavirus, a team of researchers reported on 22nd March 2020 night. Some of the medications are already used to treat other diseases, and repurposing them to treat Covid-19, the illness caused by the […]
PANDEMIC IS ACCELERATING, SAYS WHO
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The new COVID-19 pandemic is clearly “accelerating”, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on 23rd March 2020, but said it was still possible to change its trajectory by going on the attack. What the WHO had to say? The number of officially recorded cases is believed to represent […]
‘CURFEW-LIKE’ RESTRICTIONS ENFORCED ACROSS STATE
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? Scaling up the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Karnataka government on 23rd March 2020, enforced “curfew-like” restrictions across the State from 24th March 2020, and will be in force till March 31 2020. Details All public and private transport including Uber, Ola and autos […]
LESSONS FROM ITALY FOR THE COVID-19-WRACKED WORLD
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? On March 20, Italy reported 5,900-odd fresh cases and 627 deaths, the highest daily tally of mortality reported from anywhere in the world. ‘Age’ Factor in Europe? Europe, after the tumult of two World Wars, had embarked on the road to recovery through mutual cooperation, exemplified by the […]