NATIONAL NEWS
Government informs Rs. 18,000 crores returned to banks in Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi cases
The Government of India informed Supreme Court that Rs. 18,000 crores have been returned to the banks in Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi cases. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while representing the Government, submitted before the apex court that the total proceeds of crimes in PMLA cases pending before the court amounts to Rs. 67,000 crores. He added that as of date 4700 cases are being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. The apex court was hearing a bunch of petitions, challenging the wide scope of powers available to the Enforcement Directorate for seizure, search, attachment and investigation of proceeds of crime.
Prime Minister Modi to hold a meeting today on Ukraine Crisis
Prime Minister Modi will meet the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as well as other officials in the evening on February 24, 2022, to discuss the economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The officials will also discuss ways to mitigate the impact of rising crude oil prices. The Russian army has fired missiles in Ukraine after President Putin authorized a military operation in Ukraine. Finance Minister also said that she will be meeting Prime Minister Modi to discuss the situation arising out of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Markets have been rattled by recent Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The 30-share benchmark Sensex has crashed over 2,700 points amid the Ukraine invasion. Earlier, the Indian embassy in Ukraine had informed us about the special flights arranged to pick up Indian Nationals were cancelled as Ukraine’s airspace was closed.
India wants peace to prevail: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while talking about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis has said that India wants peace to prevail and no situation that will promote war should arise. He further added that the Indian Government has been taking all the measures to bring its citizens back to India. Amid the closure of the Ukrainian airspace, the Indian embassy in Ukraine had said that alternative arrangements are being made for the evacuation of the Indian citizens.
Indian Army gets new aircraft systems for surveillance
The Indian Army said on February 23, 2022, that it has acquired mini remotely piloted aircraft systems. It will further enhance its surveillance capabilities in high-altitude areas. The Indian Army has been focusing on cranking up its surveillance mechanism along LAC with China as part of a broad strategy. Indian Army via a tweet informed that the new aircraft systems for surveillance have been acquired as part of the ongoing modernization and induction of niche & emerging technologies at the tactical level. Indian Army has initiated a number of measures to bolster its surveillance mechanism along the Line of Actual Control after the Eastern Ladakh standoff.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
What are the Economic Sanctions against Russia?
US President announced new sanctions against Russia on February 22nd and called Russia’s move in eastern Ukraine the ‘beginning of a Russian invasion. US President Joe Biden announced that the US will be implementing full blocking sanctions on the two large Russian financial institutions: VEB and their military bank.
What is NATO? How many Countries are in NATO?
NATO is a military alliance that was formed by 12 countries including the US, UK and Canada in 1949. It was formed to counter the threat by the Soviet Union post the Second World War. The NATO alliance has a total of 30 member countries and under its collective security system, an armed attack on one member state will be considered as an armed attack on all.
Russia destroys Ukraine’s Airbases
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation early on February 24, 2022. Ukraine said later that a full-scale invasion by Russia is underway. Russia informed that it has destroyed Ukraine’s air bases and air defences.
