MADHYA PRADESH CAUGHT BETWEEN PANDEMIC AND PENURY
Why in news? The stringent lockdown imposed to curb the COVID-19 outbreak has had a crippling impact on the economy of Madhya Pradesh, where tax collection — SGST and IGST put together — dropped by close to 85% in April. Details Regarding GST arrears, the Centre has settled only part of the pendency for December […]
CHINA LAUNCHES NEW ROCKET AND PROTOTYPE SPACECRAFT
Why in news? China on 5th May 2020 successfully launched a new rocket and prototype spacecraft, in a major test of the country’s ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon. Details ‘The Long March 5B’ rocket took off from the Wenchang launch site in the southern island of Hainan and […]
HUMAN TRIAL BEGINS FOR COVID-19 VACCINE IN US
Why in news? The American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer along with German biotech company BioNTech has begun human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in the US. What is being tested? The candidate is known as an mRNA vaccine, and it is meant to contain the instructions for making viral proteins that can trigger an immune […]
INDIA HAS MORE INTERNET USERS IN RURAL AREAS THAN URBAN
Why in news? Internet users in rural areas surpassed those in urban areas for the first time, according to the ‘Digital in India’ report by the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). Another highlight from the report is that the increase in female internet users (26 million) was more than that of male internet […]
MOST COVID-19 CASES IN STATES WITH HIGH SWINE FLU RATES
Why in news? Five States — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Tamil Nadu — account for about 70% of India’s confirmed COVID-19 cases – and these are also States that consistently accounted for the bulk of swine flu cases, or seasonal influenza (H1N1) since 2015. Details Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Maharashtra accounted for 54 % of […]
All about ACE2 — Enzyme makes men vulnerable to Covid-19
What is ACE2? ACE2 is an enzyme molecule that connects the inside of our cells to the outside via the cell membrane. In normal physiology, another enzyme called ACE alters a chemical, Angiotensin I, and converts it into Angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to constrict. The tightening of the blood vessels leads to an […]
WHO RAISES CONCERN OVER USE OF BCG VACCINE
Why in news? World Health Organization (WHO) highlight a few critical issues over the use of BCG vaccine for COVID-19. They underscore the importance of randomised controlled trials of the vaccine to understand its safety and efficacy before using it on healthcare workers. Previously, a study found an association between countries that have a universal […]
GOLD ETFS SEE INFLOWS, JEWELLERY TAKES A HIT
Why in news? Gold investments in the form of gold backed exchange traded funds (ETFs) witnessed a huge jump in the first three months of 2020, even as jewellery demand took a significant hit on account of the global COVID-19 pandemic that led to lockdowns in most countries. As per the latest Gold Demand Trends […]
ECONOMISTS CALL FOR URBAN JOBS SCHEME
Why in news? A new Urban Employment Guarantee Act is needed to complement the existing rural jobs scheme during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, said a group of development activists and economists. Recommendations MGNREGA funding to be increased to at least ₹1 lakh crore for the next three months. Relaxation of the 100 days of work […]
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY GIVES NOD FOR NEW PARLIAMENT PROJECT
Why in news? The Centre’s proposal to construct a new Parliament building next to the existing heritage structure was approved by the Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). The EAC, however, said the approval was subject to the outcome of a legal challenge to the change of land-use of the plot, according to the minutes […]