Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 25 August 2021

::NATIONAL::

COVID-19 vaccination slots can now be booked on WhatsApp: Health Minister

In a bid to make the inoculation process easier, Union Health Minister MansukhMandaviya announced that COVID-19 vaccination slots can now be easily booked on WhatsApp.
Taking to Twitter, Mandaviya said patients have to send a message 'Book Slot' to MyGovIndia Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp, Verify OTP and follow the steps.
"Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book #COVID19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes. Send 'Book Slot' to MyGovIndia Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp, Verify OTP and Follow the steps. Book today: http://wa.me/919013151515," he tweeted.
COVID-19 vaccination certificate can now be obtained via WhatsApp within seconds, the office of Union Health Minister MansukhMandaviya informed earlier this month. Mandaviya's office has said anyone who wants to download the certificate can send a message 'covid certificate' on WhatsApp to a number +91-9013151515 and receive it.

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::International::

Japan suspends 1.6 million doses of Moderna shot days after contamination report

Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of ModernaInc's Covid-19 vaccine , more than a week after the domestic distributor received reports of contaminants in some vials.
Both Japan and Moderna said that no safety or efficacy issues had been identified and that the suspension was just a precaution. But the move prompted several Japanese companies to cancel worker vaccinations planned for Thursday.
"Moderna confirms having been notified of cases of particulate matter being seen in drug product vials of its Covid-19 vaccine," Moderna said in a statement.
"The company is investigating the reports and remains committed to working expeditiously with its partner, Takeda, and regulators to address this," it added, referring to Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical, which distributes the vaccine in the country.
A Health ministry official said Takeda first found out about the contaminated vials on Aug. 16 and reported the issue to the government on Wednesday. The delay was because Takeda needed time to gather information on which vials were affected and where they were in the country, the official said.

::Economy::

Labor Ministry to launch National Database (NDUW) or e-Shram Portal for Unorganized Workers

Unveiling the logo for the E-Shramportal , Minister for Labour and Employment, ShriBhupenderYadav today said that that targeted identification of the unorganized workers was a much needed step and the portal which will be the national database of our nation builders, our ‘Shram Yogis’, will help take welfare schemes to their doorstep, who are the builders of our Nation.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi which was attended by all major Central trade union leaders, the Minister informed the gathering that the portal will be launched on Thursday i.e 26th of August.
“Targeted delivery and last mile delivery, has been a major focus of the schemes of government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi and the National Database of Unorganisedworkers(E-Shram portal) is another key step towards that”, and will be a game changer for the social security of Millions of Unorganised Workers said the Labour Minister.
The meeting was also joined by ShriRameswarTeli, Minister of State for Labour and Employment from Dibrugarh,Assam via video conferencing who said that the launch of the portal will be a major milestone for the unorganized workers, the domestic workers, the construction workers,the migrant workers, Gig & Platform workers etc. and will ensure that welfare schemes reach the right beneficiary at the right time across the length and breadth of the country.

India became the second most attractive manufacturing hub overtaking America

India has overtaken the United States (US) to become the second-most sought-after manufacturing destination globally, driven mainly by cost competitiveness, according to real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield. China remains at the number one position, the consultant said in its 2021 Global Manufacturing Risk Index, which assessed the most advantageous locations for global manufacturing among 47 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
"India takes the second spot after China as the most sought-after manufacturing destination globally," Cushman and Wakefield said in a statement. The US is at third position, followed by Canada, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Lithuania, Thailand, Malaysia and Poland.
In the last year's report, the US was at second position while India ranked third. The consultant said that this indicates the growing interest shown by manufacturers in India as a preferred manufacturing hub over other countries, including the US and those in the APAC region.
"The growing focus on India can be attributed to India's operating conditions and cost competitiveness. Also, the country's proven success in meeting outsourcing requirements has led to the increase in the ranking year-on-year," the statement said.
The rankings in the report are determined based on four key parameters, including the country's capability to restart manufacturing, business environment (availability of talent/labour, access to markets), operating costs, and the risks (political, economic and environmental). The baseline ranking for top manufacturing destinations is determined on the basis of a country's operating conditions and cost-effectiveness.

::Science and tech::

ISRO seeks proposals to analyze Chandrayaan-2 orbiter data

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has invited proposals from the national scientific community for “scientific analysis and utilisation" of data from all experiments of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter.
The ISRO said the data from Chandrayaan-1 have been extensively used by Indian researchers to understand lunar morphology, surface age determination and composition of the lunar surface, studies on the possible presence of magmatic as well as exogenic water.
"These studies have provided enhanced thoughtful views regarding lunar evolutionary processes. Such studies from Chandrayaan-1 have considerably expanded Indian lunar science community. To further strengthen the Indian research community for lunar science studies, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads data are made available to public and scientific proposals are solicited for scientific analysis," it said.
The organisation said that Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter is currently in a 100 km x 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon, and "carries 8 experiments for studies ranging from surface geology and composition to exospheric measurements that would continue to build upon the understanding from previous lunar missions".

::Sports::

Djokovic gets second bite at history in the Big Apple

A U.S. Open triumph would also give the Serb a record-setting 21st career Grand Slam title - one more than his great rivals Roger Federer and RafaNadal, who will both be absent.
After an Olympic stumble Novak Djokovic will get a second bite at history in the Big Apple with a calendar year Grand Slam there for the taking at the U.S. Open.
A U.S. Open triumph would also give the Serb a record-setting 21st career Grand Slam title - one more than his great rivals Roger Federer and RafaNadal, who will both be absent.