Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 18 May 2015

:: National ::

Minister of Health & Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda will preside over the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) at Geneva as India assumes the Presidency of the WHA, the high decision making body of the World Health organisation (WHO), after a gap of 19 years. The Union Minister is leading a high level Indian delegation to the WHA, to be held in Geneva during 18-27 May, 2015.
The 68th World Health Assembly is expected to deliberate on key issues of global interest including anti-microbial resistance, air pollution and health, global health emergency, preparedness and surveillance, global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property, and research and development in neglected tropical diseases.
The Union Minister will also participate in a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the WHA including the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting, 8th NAM Health Ministers’ Meeting and BRICS Health Ministers’ meeting.
In his capacity as the President of the WHA, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare will also be hosting a reception for Health Ministers attending the Assembly on 19 May, 2015. Prior to the reception, Shri J P Nadda and Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO will jointly inaugurate a photo exhibition “Yoga for All, Yoga for Health” to mark the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

The government has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the growth of Department of AYUSH and launched an independent National AYUSH Mission aimed at capacity building for the sector.
The government has not only created the new portfolio AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) but has also allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the same.

Ace India discus thrower Vikas Gowda won a bronze medal in the second leg of the prestigious IAAF Diamond League series.
The 31-year-old Gowda hurled the disc to a distance of 63.90m, which he achieved in his fifth and penultimate attempt to finish third behind 2013 World Championships silver medallist Piotr Malachowski (64.65m) of Poland and Robert Urbanek (64.47m), also of Poland.
National record holder Gowda, the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Asian Games silver medal winner, will pocket USD 4000 for the third-place finish, besides earning one Diamond League point.
The United States-based Indian has a season’s best of 65.75m, which he achieved at La Jolla in California last month, while his national record stands at 66.28m. He is yet to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, for which the qualifying standard is 66m.

India announced a $1-billion credit line to Mongolia for infrastructure development as they upgraded their ties to “strategic partnership” and agreed to deepen defence cooperation besides exploring potential for tie-ups in areas such as the civil nuclear sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Mongolia, the first by an Indian Premier, held wide-ranging discussions with his Mongolian counterpart, Chimed Saikhanbileg, and the two leaders pledged to take bilateral economic partnership to a new level.
After their talks, the two signed a joint statement committing to consolidate ties and upgrade the comprehensive partnership to “strategic partnership” and agreed to renew their Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation.
The two sides inked 13 other pacts that include one on enhancing cooperation in border defence, policing and surveillance, air services, cyber security and new and renewable energy.

ICICI Bank, India's largest private sector bank, announced the launch of its first branch in China. Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of India, inaugurated the branch in Shanghai in the presence of Ms.
Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank. Senior Chinese and Indian government officials and business representatives were also present at the occasion.
ICICI Bank's new branch in China marks a significant milestone for the Bank's international operations. In March 2003, the Bank established a representative office in Shanghai to develop strong relationships with Chinese banks and corporates for their India linked banking needs. ICICI Bank has now upgraded its representative office in Shanghai to a branch keeping in mind the rising trade volumes between India and China. With this branch, the Bank aims to provide greater support to Chinese and Indian corporates in their crossborder business interests.