Today (24 February 2022)

Russia Ukraine Crisis

Top Developments

1. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa in Ukraine.
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure and explosions are heard across the country.
3. U.S. pledges new sanctions meant to punish Russia for an act of aggression.
4. In a televised address Mr. Putin justifies his action, asserting the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine. He accuses the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
    
5. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the action as a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine” and a “war of aggression,” adding, “Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Mr. Putin. The time to act is now.”
6. The Russian military said it has struck Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and hasn’t targeted populated areas. The Russian Defense Ministry statement said the military is using precision weapons to target Ukrainian air bases, air defense assets and other military infrastructure. It claimed that “there is no threat to civilian population.”
7. Asian stock markets plunged, and oil prices surged after the military action got underway. Earlier, Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1.8% to an eight-month low after the Kremlin said rebels in eastern Ukraine asked for military assistance. 
8. At an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council called by Ukraine because of the imminent threat of a Russian invasion, members still unaware of Putin’s announcement appealed to him to stop an attack.
    
9. India calls for an immediate de-escalation. India’s Permanent Representative to United Nations, T.S. Trimurti says” ... the situation is in danger of spiralling into a major crisis. If not handled carefully, it may undermine security. The security of all parties should be taken into account.”
10. U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with his counterparts from the Group of Seven allies early Thursday to map out more severe measures against Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched what Mr. Biden called “a premeditated war” against Ukraine.

Today Headlines

Russia welcomes India’s ‘independent’ stand on Ukraine

Welcoming India’s ‘independent’ stand at the Security Council on its moves on eastern Ukraine, Russia’s acting Ambassador said the new sanctions imposed on Russia would not affect delivery of the S-400 missile system and other defence equipment India has purchased.

Warships from QUAD, various other countries to take part in Indian Navy’s largest multilateral exercise Milan

Amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, warships of Quad countries, France, Myanmar, South Korea and Vietnam and several others will join together at Visakhapatnam later this week for the largest multilateral exercise Milan, hosted by the Indian Navy. Russia, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia among others are participating in the exercise without ships.

Money laundering is a global problem, Centre tells Supreme Court

The government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that ₹18,000 crore was confiscated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) from fugitive businessmen Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, and returned to banks.

EU will hold emergency summit on February 24 to ‘hold Russia accountable’

European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss what to do next over Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, after the bloc approved on Wednesday a first, limited round of sanctions.

Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit see highest turnout in U.P. Phase 4

According to data shared by the Election Commission, while Kheri recorded 62.45% turnout, Pilibhit saw 61.33 % voters exercising their franchise. The number was significantly higher than the average turnout of 57.45% in 59 constituencies spread over nine districts that voted in the fourth phase but lower than 2017 when Pilibhit recorded 66.5% and Kheri clocked 67.9 % turnout. At 55.08%, Lucknow saw the lowest percentage of turnout.

CFI instigating students, parents on hijab, teachers threatened: Udupi college

Some of the teachers of the Government Pre-University College for Girls, Udupi, were threatened by the Campus Front of India (CFI) and the teachers were scared to lodge a complaint, it was alleged before the High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday during the hearing of the petitions on hijab issue.

Ready for a fair debate on crypto assets: RBI Deputy Governor

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will proceed with great caution in evolving the retail applications of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and is willing to engage in a fair debate on crypto assets’ regulation despite strong views against legitimising them in the country.

Supreme court reserves judgement in ‘One Rank One Pension’ plea

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment in a petition claiming that the government’s implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) for the Armed Forces has been faulty.

Archaeologists find 9,000-year-old shrine in Jordan desert

A team of Jordanian and French archaeologists said on Tuesday that it had found a roughly 9,000-year-old shrine at a remote Neolithic site in Jordan’s eastern desert.