Top headlines: Advance tax collection falls; drug gives hope in Covid fight

Twenty Indian soldiers killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh; the central government's advance tax collection fell by 76 per cent in the first quarter, and scientists said a cheap and widely used steroid had showed promise in reducing Covid-19 deaths. Here is more on what is making news Wednesday morning.

Q1 advance tax mop-up falls 76%

Economic disruption caused by the pandemic has pulled down advance tax collection by 76 per cent in the first quarter, which is an indicator of a subdued earnings outlook of the corporate sector this year. Direct tax collection