Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 15 December 2021

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 15 December 2021

::NATIONAL::

Lok Sabha passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in LokSabha on December 6, 2021. It seeks to replace the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.
The Bill amends the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to correct a drafting error. The Act regulates certain operations (such as manufacture, transport, and consumption) related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Punishment for financing illicit activities or harbouring persons engaged in them: Under the Act, financing certain illicit activities (such as cultivating cannabis or manufacturing narcotic drugs) or harbouring persons engaged in them is an offence. Persons found guilty of this offence will be punished with rigorous imprisonment of at least ten years (extendable up to 20 years) and a fine of at least one lakh rupees.
Drafting error: In 2014, the Act was amended and the clause number of the definition for such illicit activities was changed. However, the section on penalty for financing these illicit activities was not amended and continued to refer to the earlier clause number. The Bill amends the section on penalty to change the reference to the new clause number. This amendment will be deemed to have been in effect from May 1, 2014 (i.e., when the 2014 amendments came into effect).

::INTERNATIONAL::

US ambassador-designate Eric Garcetti vows to help strengthen India

Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador-designate to India, on Tuesday said he plans to “double-down on our efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression” when he takes office and, at the same time, raise with Indians the issues of Indian purchases of Russian arms, specially S-400 missile defence systems, and human rights and democratic values.
“If confirmed, I intend to double-down on our efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression - through information sharing, counterterrorism coordination, joint freedom of navigation patrols and military exercises (which I have participated in as a naval officer alongside my Indian counterparts), and sales of our best defence technologies in order to realise the full potential of our Major Defence Partnership,” Garcetti said in his opening statement for the hearing.
Senators from both parties pressed Eric Garcetti during questioning to raise several issues with India, even as they appreciated the close nature of the partnership between the two countries and the upward growth trajectory.
Two key issues they sought to task Garcetti - India’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence missile systems that could trigger sanctions under a US law that seeks to punish Russia by scaring away its big defence clients, called the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA); and “democratic backsliding”, as one senator put it, and human rights.
“If confirmed, though, I would advocate following the continued diversification of India’s weapon system, the threats to our own weapon systems if that diversification doesn’t occur, because we have to protect our data and our systems and work towards really growing this Major Defence Partnership.”

::ECONOMY::

Leena Nair named CEO of French fashion house Chanel

French fashion house Chanel named Leena Nair, an executive from Unilever, as its new global CEO, picking a consumer goods veteran to run one of the world's biggest luxury goods groups.
Nair's career at Unilever spanned 30 years, most recently as the chief of human resources and a member of the company's executive committee.
A British national, born in India, Nair is a rare outsider at the helm of the tightly controlled family fashion house, known for its tweed suits, quilted handbags and No. 5 perfume.
The 52-year-old follows US businesswoman Maureen Chiquet, who came from a fashion background and was CEO of Chanel for nine years until early 2016.
French billionaire Alain Wertheimer, a 73-year-old who owns Chanel with his brother Gerard Wertheimer and had originally taken on the CEO job on a temporary basis, will move to the role of global executive chairman.
Chanel was founded in 1910 by fashion legend Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel as a hat boutique on rue Cambon in Paris and grew to become a byword for French chic.
The group said Nair, who at Unilever oversaw 150,000 people, would join at the end of January and be based in London. It added that the new appointments would ensure its "long-term success as a private company."
Under her watch Unilever achieved gender parity across global management, according to a Harper's Bazaar profile published last month, which also highlighted her commitment to pay the living wage across the supply chain.
Nair serves as a non-executive board member at BT and has previously served as non-executive director of the British government's business, energy and industrial strategy department.
Chanel has fiercely defended its independence and only began publishing financial results in 2018. It said in July it expects to increase sales by double digits this year compared with their 2019, pre-pandemic level of $12.3 billion.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

India launched Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMAT) from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast

India on 13-12-2021 successfully launched Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMAT) from Abdul Kalamisland, formerly known as Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. During the mission, the full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo, the DRDO said.
This was a textbook launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro optic telemetry system, various range radars, including the down range instrumentation and down range ships. The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms, said the DRDO statement.
The system is launched from a ground mobile launcher and it can cover a range of distances, the DRDO said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams involved in the successful test of the supersonic missile assisted torpedo system. The development of the system is a perfect example of building futuristic defence systems in the country, he said.
A number of DRDO laboratories developed various technologies for this advanced missile system. Industry participated in the development and production of various sub-systems. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy also congratulated all those involved in the successful test. He said the system will further enhance the strength of our Navy and promote self-reliance in defence, harnessing of expertise and capabilitie.

::SPORTS::

Asian Champions Trophy: India, South Korea play out 2-2 draw

India was denied a winning start to their campaign at the Men's Asian Champions Trophy with a spirited Korean team holding the defending champions to a thrilling 2-2 draw here at the MaulanaBhasani Hockey Stadium.
For India, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (3') and Harmanpreet Singh (33') scored while Jonghyun Jang (42') and Kim Hyeongjin (46') scored in Korea's resurgence.
Although it was India who dominated the proceedings in the first and second quarter with better ball possession (58 per cent) and a higher number of circle penetrations (14 for India and 8 for Korea), the Korean side rallied on a strong defensive structure in the third and fourth quarter to deny any opportunity for India to score.