Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 29 March 2021

::NATIONAL::

Registration of pilgrims for AmarnathYatra (AmarnathYatra) will begin from April 1

The registration of pilgrims for ShriAmarnathJiYatra will commence on 1st April 2021, from both Baltal and Chandanwari routes designated Bank branches all over the country. The yatra will commence on 28th June this year.
AIR correspondent reports that the registration guidelines are available on the website of ShriAmarnathJi Shrine Board www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. Health certificates issued by doctors/Medical Institutes authorized by the concerned State Government and UT Administrations after 15th March, 2021 shall be valid and accepted at the Registered Bank Branches.
This year the 56 day yatra will commence simultaneously on both the routes from 28th June and culminate on RakshaBandhan, on 22nd August, 2021. Persons under the age of 13 years or above 75 years and ladies who are more than six weeks pregnant would not be registered for this year’s yatra.
The government has made elaborate security and other necessary arrangements for the safe and smooth conduct of the Yatra this year amid due consideration to all the Covid SOP’s.

8 states have administered highest number of Covid-19 vaccine doses

Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are among the eight states accounting for 60 per cent of the cumulative doses of vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) administered so far in India, the Union ministry of health and family welfare said on Saturday. The four states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have even administered more than 5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines so far, said the health ministry.
“India stands second in the world in terms of the number of vaccine doses administered (as on 25th March, 2021),” the health ministry said in a statement adding a graph with a comparison of the pace of vaccination drive with other countries.
These states in India have administered the maximum doses of the vaccine to date:

1. Maharashtra, the worst-affected state by the pandemic, has administered more than 5.4 million Covid-19 doses so far, which makes up for 9.46 per cent of the vaccinations done so far in the country.
2. Rajasthan follows Maharashtra closely and has administered more than 5.3 million vaccine doses to date, making up for 9.13 per cent of the total share.
3. Uttar Pradesh ranks third with more than 5.2 million doses accounting for 9.02 per cent of the total share.
4. Gujarat is near the 5 million-mark and has used more than 4.9 million doses (8.45 per cent) for inoculation.
5. West Bengal has used more than 4.6 million doses (8.07 per cent ) of the vaccine for immunisation against the viral disease.
6. Karnataka has administered more than 3.2 million vaccine doses so far accounting for 5.65 per cent of the total share.
7. More than 3 million vaccine doses have been given in Madhya Pradesh.
8. Kerala accounts for the lowest share among the top eight states, it has administered more than 2.9 million doses (5 per cent).

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::International::

India and Bangladesh signed 5 MoUs

India and Bangladesh today signed five MoUs during Prime Minister NarendraModi’s visit to Dhaka that saw a mix of diplomatic and political activity. After spending a large part of the day visiting three rural and remote locations, PM Modi was received at “Tiger’s Gate” at the Prime Minister’s Office late afternoon by his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
After inking five MoUs, the two leaders jointly laid the foundation stone for power evacuation from Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant being built with Russian help. The Indian involvement will be a $1 billion credit line. The two sides resolved to set up cooperation in space and artificial intelligence (AI). They inaugurated the Bangladesh leg of the Bapu-Bangabandhu Digital Museum, a passenger train on the Chilahati-Haldibari rail route and three border haats and took stock of the progress in diverse areas that included preserving the legacy and spirit of ’71, commerce and connectivity, defence and security, societal applications of nuclear energy and AI.
Foreign Secretary Harsh VardhanShringla, at a special briefing, defended the PM offering prayers at the Matua community’s spiritual centre as well as at Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple. The Matua community’s votes are crucial in 30 West Bengal Assembly constituencies. The BJP is aligned with one branch of the community’s spiritual founder.

::Economy::

Asian markets mixed as rally fizzles, oil hit by Suez ship news

Asian markets were mixed Monday as traders struggled to maintain a morning rally following a record-breaking lead from Wall Street, while oil prices dropped on news of progress in shifting a cargo ship blocking the Suez Canal.
A below forecast reading on US prices on Friday provided support as it eased fears that inflation caused by an expected strong global rebound will force central banks to wind back their ultra-loose monetary policies or hike interest rates.
The week ahead will provide plenty for traders to get their teeth into including the release of key US jobs data for March and figures on manufacturing activity around the world.
President Joe Biden is also tipped to soon unveil the next leg of his economic recovery plan targeting infrastructure, which some suggest could come in around $3 trillion. That comes just as his recently passed $1.9 trillion stimulus begins to kick in.
"However, we believe that many of the secular disinflationary forces -- globalisation, technology adoption, etcetera -- continue to anchor core inflation so that even allowing for huge policy stimulus, inflation rates should remain contained in 2021."

India calls big economies’ pressure tactics to gain market access unfair

Major economies such as the US, the UK, the European Union (EU) and Japan can’t bulldoze India to get unfettered access to its vast and growing market without meaningful engagement in terms of technology transfers and investments, two officials from two economic ministries have said.
Prime Minister NarendraModi has already declared that “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) is the focal point of economic policies, and this is not an isolationist approach but a strategy to more closely integrate with global supply chains, the officials said requesting anonymity.
On the other hand, EU members and other western countries feel there is a need for more clarity about the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and greater predictability about trade and investment regimes, according to several senior diplomats who didn’t want to be named as they aren’t authorised to speak on such issues.
One of the two officials said: “Many MNCs [multinational companies] have set up plants in Asian countries, while keeping an eye on the lucrative Indian market. They need to change their approach now. India is not a closed market.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

'Risk averted': Asteroid Apophis not a threat to Earth for 100 years, says Nasa

Apophis, which has been considered one of the most hazardous asteroids, will not be impacting the Earth for at least another 100 years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) said on Friday. “Studies confirm there is no risk of asteroid 99942 Apophis impacting Earth for at least another century. Originally identified in 2004, new data have better defined the orbit of Apophis, putting astronomers at ease,” Nasa’s Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) said.
Asteroid Apophis, which has been named after the Egyptian god of chaos, was previously predicted to be close to Earth in 2029 and 2036. It was also predicted to have a slight chance of impacting Earth in 2068. "A 2068 impact is not in the realm of possibility anymore, and our calculations don't show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years," DavideFarnocchia, a researcher at CNEOS, said in a statement.

::Sports::

World Cup qualifiers: Denmark rout Moldova 8-0

Denmark changed all 10 outfield players to face Moldova and still enjoyed a national-best 8-0 win in a World Cup qualifying game on Sunday. Only goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was retained from the lineup that started a 2-0 win at Israel in this congested, triple-header week for European national teams to begin qualification for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Danish players became the latest European team to show its feelings about Qatar and human rights issues by wearing red T-shirts with the slogan “Football supports change” for the pre-game photo. The Danish soccer federation said it would auction the signed shirts to raise money for Amnesty International projects that help migrant workers in Qatar.