CURRENT AFFAIRS

The United States announced support for waiving intellectual property protection for Covid-19 vaccines, saying extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down the provisions of a Maharashtra law providing reservation to the Maratha community, which took the total quota in the state above the 50 per cent ceiling set by the court in its 1992 Indra Sawhney (Mandal) judgment.

With the demand for medical oxygen continuing unabated and several States struggling to keep pace with demand, the oxygen concentrator has emerged as a sought after device.

Strict to moderate lockdowns are being imposed again leading to terminating jobs in many establishments employing large numbers of informal workers.

On World Veterinary Day (April 24, 2021), discussion focused on acknowledging the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment, an approach referred to as “One Health”.

U.S. President Joe Biden called for “stern deterrence” in response to North Korea’s nuclear programme. Pyongyang angrily accused the Biden administration of being “hostile”.

With the daily number of Covid cases rising steeply, insurance companies are refusing to give health cover to persons recovered from Covid-19 and are asking them to wait up to six months for renewal of policies.

As India grapples with the second covid wave, cybercriminals are working overtime to take advantage of the situation. 

Energy is a master resource which has the ability to catapult or cripple a growing economy. The rising threat of climate change has transitioned from climate-science conferences to billions being spent on disaster relief expenses. 

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has turned out to be a true successor of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, on the foreign policy front.