Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 22 February 2022

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 22 February 2022

::NATIONAL::

Government ordered to block apps, websites and social media accounts associated with banned organization Sikh for Justice

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ordered blocking of apps, website, and social media accounts of foreign-based “Punjab Politics TV" having close links with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), an organisation that has been declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Relying on intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing State Assembly Elections, the Ministry used emergency powers under the IT Rules on 18th February to block the digital media resources of “Punjab Politics TV".
The contents of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism; and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order. It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections.
The Government of India says it “remains vigilant" and committed to secure the overall information environment in India and thwart any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity.

::INTERNATIONAL::

France announces military withdrawal from Mali after nine years

France and its European partners are to begin a military withdrawal from Mali after more than nine years fighting a jihadist insurgency, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, confirmed.
Asked at the Élysée if the withdrawal marked a failure for France and its policy of fighting terrorism in west Africa, Macron said: “I completely reject that term.”
France first deployed troops against jihadists in Mali in 2013 under the Socialist president François Hollande. The intervention successfully stemmed the insurgents’ advance and returned key cities such as Timbuktu to government control, but extremists swiftly regrouped.
In recent years, jihadists have taken over swaths of territory in the former French colony, exploiting political turmoil, poverty and the weakness of local authorities.
Macron said French forces would remain in the region but would be based in neighbouring Niger, from where they could help other countries suffering from jihadist activity.

::ECONOMY::

SC to hear review petition against Cyrus' ouster on March 9

The Supreme Court on Monday accepted a review plea filed by Cyrus Mistry against an order setting aside the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) decision to restore him as the executive chairman of the Tata group.
In 2012, Cyrus Mistry had succeeded Ratan Tata as the chairman of Tata Sons Private Limited . However, he was ousted four years later in 2016. Cyrus is the son of construction tycoon PallonjiMistry, the chairman of the ShapoorjiPallonji Group.
Mistry's review plea has been taken up by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana and includes justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
“Applications seeking exemption from filing affidavits are allowed. Applications seeking oral hearing of the Review Petitions are allowed. List the Review Petitions on Wednesday, March 9, 2022,” the bench said on Monday, according to news agency PTI.
Chief justice Ramana and Justice Bopanna are in favour of hearing the petition.
However, Justice Ramasubramanian gave a dissenting note and said the grounds raised in the review petitions do not fall within the parameters of a review.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

Israel successfully tests new naval air defense system 'C-Dome'

Israel said it successfully tested a new naval air defense system, intercepting a series of threats in what officials called a key layer of protection against Iran and its proxies in the region.
The “C-Dome” system is a naval version of the Iron Dome, which has been used to shoot down rockets fired from the Gaza Strip for the past decade. The C-Dome is being installed on Israel's latest-generation corvette warships, which protect Israel's coastline and offshore natural gas assets in the Mediterranean.
The tests simulated a number of incoming threats, including rockets, cruise missiles and drones, the Defense Ministry said.
“The systems that we are developing as part of Israel’s multi-tier missile defense array enable us to operate against Iranian proxies in the region and defend against their weapon systems, which are constantly being upgraded,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz said. “We continue to be two steps ahead of them and we will continue developing and upgrading our capabilities in order to maintain security superiority in the region.”
The ministry said the tests were conducted recently, but declined to give a precise timeline.
The C-Dome is to become part of Israel's multilayer missile defense system — which includes weapons capable of intercepting everything from long-range missiles to short-range rockets.
Hezbollah has made no secret that it would target Israel's gas platforms if fighting were to break out. Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006. During that fighting, Hezbollah fired a missile that struck an Israeli warship, killing four Israeli soldiers.

::SPORTS::

PM Modi lauds R Praggnanandhaa on win against Magnus Carlsen

Prime Minister NarendraModi congratulated R Praggnanandhaa after the 16-year-old Indian Grandmaster defeated world champion, Magnus Carlsen, in the eighth round of the Airthings Masters.
The chess sensation became only the third Indian after ViswanathanAnand and P Harikrishna to beat Carlsen and Modi extended wishes to the Praggnanandhaa and wished him luck for the future.
Modi took to Twitter to share, "We are all rejoicing on the success of the young genius R Praggnanandhaa. Proud of his accomplishment of winning against the noted champion Magnus Carlsen. I wish the talented Praggnanandhaa the very best for his future endeavours. @rpragchess"