Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 15 JULY 2019

::NATIONAL::

National Digital Health Mission

A high-level committee formed by the government has proposed setting up of a National Digital Health Mission.
The report of the committee entitled 'National Digital Health Blueprint' was released by Health Minister Dr Harshavardhan in NewDelhi today.
A combination of GST-N and UIDAI models of the institutional structure has been proposed. The proposal has been put in the public domain for suggestions from all stakeholders, including common people.

Loksabha passes National Investigation Agency(Amendment) Bill 2019

The Lok Sabha today passed the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019 making important changes to National Investigation Act 2008. The bill seeks to broaden the NIA’s powers and can be seen as Government policy of zero tolerance against terrorism.
The bill provides for a national-level agency to investigate and prosecute offences listed in a schedule (scheduled offences). Further, it allows for creation of Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences
Amendment changes the type of offences that the NIA can investigate and prosecute. Under the existing Act, the NIA can investigate offences under Acts such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
The latest amendments will enable the NIA to additionally investigate offences related to human trafficking, counterfeit currency, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
It also broadens NIA’s jurisdiction. Under the Act, for the offences under its purview, NIA officers have the same power as other police officers and these extend across the country.
The Bill amends this to give NIA officers the power to investigate offences committed outside India subject to international treaties and domestic laws of the countries.

::ECONOMICS::

Indias Foreign Trade: June 2019

India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-June2019-20 are estimated to be USD 137.26billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 3.14per cent over the same period last year.
Overall imports in April-June 2019-20 are estimated to be USD 164.50billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 3.57per cent over the same period last year.
Exports of goods(Merchandise Export) in June 2019 were USD25.01billion, as compared to USD27.70billion in June 2018, exhibiting a negative growth of 9.71per cent.
In June 2019, major commodity groups of export showing positive growth over the corresponding month of last year are Iron ore, Electronic goods, Ceramic products& glassware, Spices, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals.
Imports of goods in June 2019 were USD40.29billion, which was 9.06per cent lower in Dollar terms over imports of USD44.30billion in June 2018. Major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in June 2019 over the corresponding month of last year are Pearls & precious stones, Petroleum &crude products, Machinery, Coal and Electronicgoods.
Oil imports in June 2019 were USD11.03billion, which was 13.33 percent lower in Dollar terms, compared to USD12.73billion in June2018. The global Brent price ($/bbl) has decreased by 15.81% in June 2019 vis-à-vis June 2018 as per data available from World Bank.
The trade deficit for goods for June 2019 was estimated at USD15.28billion as against the deficit of USD16.60billion inJune 2018. The trade balance in Services (i.e. Net Services export) for May, 2019 is estimated at USD6.19billion.
Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade deficit for April-June 2019-20 is estimated at USD27.24billion as compared to USD25.75 billion in April-June 2018-19.
Provisional Whole sale price Index for June 2019
Wholesale Price Index for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of June,2019 rose by 0.2% to 121.5 (provisional) from 121.2 (provisional) for the previous month.
The index of Primary Articles rose by 1.4% to 141.4 (provisional) from 139.5 (provisional) for the previous month. Among Primary articles, index for 'Food Articles' group rose by 1.1% to 151.7 (provisional) from 150.1 (provisional) for the previous month
The Index for Fuel and Power group declined by 1.3% to 102.1 (provisional) from 103.4 (provisional) for the previous month.
The index for Manufactured Products remained unchanged at its previous month level of 118.4.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

Slowdown in Chinas Growth

Chinas growth slowdown to 6.2% in the second quarter from 6.4% in the previous quarter..
This is lowest level since the first quarter of 2009 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
This is the weakest growth rate in nearly three decades for the world's second-largest economy, in the midst of a trade war with the United States and weakening global demand.
The growth, however, was in line with the government's annual target range of 6.0-6.5 per cent for the whole year, down from the 6.6 per cent growth China put up in 2018.
European Powers calls to resolve Irans Nuclear Crisis.
Three key European powers VIZ Britain , France and Germany have called for dialogue and an end to the escalation over Iran's nuclear programme, amid tensions between Iran and USA.
The three European powers were among the key players in the 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear programme.
But last year, US President Donal Trump announced withdrawal from the Nuclear deal with Iran.

::SPORTS::

England wins ICC World Cup Final.

England wins ICC World cup 2019 surpassing New Zealand on number of boundaries scored.
Scores were tied after regular 50 overs and Super Over. But England was judged winners based on the Boundary Rule.
This is England first World Cup Win.
England’s Ben Stokes has been declared Man of the Match and New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson was declared Man of the series.