Current Affairs Compendium – February 2022 12 Minutes to CLAT

CURRENT AFFAIRS COMPENDIUM – FEBRUARY 2022

PREPARED BY: KESHAV MALPANI AND DEEPTAM
BHADAURIA (NLU, JODHPUR)
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E-mail: 12minutestoclat@gmail.com

FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Union Budget 2022-23

2. Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
3. Statue of Equality
4. 2022 Winter Olympics
5. Haryana Anti-Conversion Bill
6. Introduction of National Digital University
7. Tamil Nadu NEET Controversy
8. New Ramsar Sites in India
9. Reinstatement of the Iran Nuclear Deal
10. Neeraj Chopra nominated for Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award
11. Australia hosts first Quad Foreign Minister’s Meet
12. Nord Stream-2

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I. UNION BUDGET 2022-23

In a line- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the Union Budget 2022-23
to Parliament on 1st, Feb 2022.
Important Points:
• Nirmala Sitharaman presented her 4th Budget. The Budget presentation by FM
Sitharaman began at 11:00 a.m. in Parliament.
• This is the second digital budget in light of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
• According to FM‟s speech, India ‘s economic growth in FY22 will be 9.2
percent, the greatest among all big economies. India is well-positioned to face
issues as a result of increased vaccinations. The following are highlights from
Union Budget 2022, as well as an interpretation and discussion of it.
• The Union Budget 2022-23 seeks to complement macro-economic level growth
with a focus on micro economic level all-inclusive welfare.
• Union Budget 2022 focusses on 4 pillars: PM Gati-Shakti, Inclusive
Development Productivity Enhancement & Investment, Sunrise Opportunities,
Energy Transition, and Climate Action Financing of Investments
• The Union Budget of India also referred to as the Annual Financial Statement in
the Article 112 of the Constitution of India, is the annual budget of the Republic
of India.
• The Government presents it on the first day of February so that it could be
materialised before the beginning of new financial year in April.

Other Key Points: Major Highlights

• Budget Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 34.83 lakh crore
• Revised Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 37.70 lakh crore
• Total expenditure in 2022-23 estimated at Rs. 39.45 lakh crore
• Total receipts other than borrowings in 2022-23 estimated at Rs. 22.84 lakh
crore
• Fiscal deficit in the current year: 6.9% of GDP (against 6.8% in Budget
Estimates)

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• Fiscal deficit in 2022-23 estimated at 6.4% of GDP

• Scheduled Commercial Banks to set up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs)
in 75 districts.
• Introduction of Digital Rupee by the Reserve Bank of India starting 2022 -
23.
• Any income from the transfer of any virtual digital asset is to be taxed at
the rate of 30 per cent.
• Digital University for world-class quality universal education with a
personalised learning experience to be established.

Keyword- Union Budget, Article 112, Crypto, Digital Rupee, National Digital
University

Article- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/union-
budget-2022-speech-highlights-will-sitharaman-live-up-to-indias-
expectations/articleshow/89261195.cms

II. RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT

In a line- Russian armed forces attacked major Ukrainian border cities in eastern
Ukraine on 24th February.
Important Points:
• The attack on Ukraine by Russia is potentially the onset of war in Europe
on top of Russia’s behest for an end to NATO’s eastward expansion.
• Since the invasion of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine has been living in fear of war with
Russia for nearly eight years.
• Russia and Ukraine have been at odds for a long time, with Russia claiming
Ukraine as a part of its country and opposing Ukraine’s developing ties to the
West. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to recapture the former Soviet
Union Republic.

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• The heat between Russia and Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, have existed for
a decent amount of time, they began to escalate out of control in early 2021.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President hinted the US President Joe Biden
to allow Ukraine to join the NATO forces in January of last year.
• The Minsk peace agreement was signed by Russia and Ukraine to end the
ongoing violent armed conflict which was going on in east Ukraine,
including Donbas region. However, as the armed conflict continues, Russia
said that it will be sending “peacekeepers” to the affected region.
• According to the Ukranians, Moscow is using it as a cover to occupy
sovereign Ukrainian country.
Other Key Points: How the invasion unfolded?
• Russia started the invasion by accepting the sovereignty of two eastern
Ukrainian areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Russia followed this by sending in its alleged “peace keeping” forces to
help fight the central Ukrainian forces and after this the full-scale invasion
of Ukraine begun.
• This conflict is a traditional, conventional invasion from the Russian side.
It has attacked Ukraine by Land, Sea and Air.
• Russia has attacked major military establishment and is now laying siege
to major cities such as Kharkiv and Capital Kiev.
• Evacuation of citizens of major countries has begun.
• Ukrainian government has called on for general mobilization and asked
every physically abled person from the ages of 18 to 60 to join the army.
• President Volodmyr Zelensky has refused to leave the country and has said
that he wants to fight till the last.

Keyword- Zelensky, Minsk, Donetsk, Luhansk, Donbass, NATO, Belarus.

Article- https://www.nextias.com/current-affairs/08-12-2021/russia-ukraine-
conflict

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III. STATUE OF EQUALITY

In a line- Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 216 feet tall Statue of Equality
in Hyderabad and dedicated it to the nation.
Important Points:
• The inauguration of the Statue of Equality is a part of the 12-day Sri
Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1000th birth anniversary
celebrations of Sri
• Ramanujacharya, the official statement said.
• The 216-feet tall Statue of Equality commemorates the 11 th century Bhakti
Saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects
of living including faith, caste, and creed.
• The Statue is made of “Panchaloha” a combination of five metals. These
are gold, silver, copper, brass, and zinc.
• It is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting positions in the
world. It is mounted on a 54-feet high base building, named “Bhadra
Vedi”.
• It has floors devoted to a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient
Indian texts, a theatre, an educational gallery detailing many works of Sri
Ramanujacharya. The statue has been conceptualized by Sri Chinna
• Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram. Mr Modi also visited the
identical recreations of 108 Divya Desams that surround the Statue of
Equality.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad, and
kick started the 50 th Anniversary celebrations of the Institute

Other Key Points: About Ramanujacharya

• Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu;
Ramanujacharya is revered as a Vedic philosopher and social reformer. He
was named Lakshmana at the time of his birth.

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• He was also referred to as Ilaya Perumal which means the radiant one. He
travelled across India, advocating equality and social justice.
• He revived the Bhakti movement, and his preaching inspired other Bhakti
schools of thought. He is considered to be the inspiration for poets like
Annamacharya, Bhakta Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabai.
• He is famous as the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita sub school of
Vedanta.
• The Country is celebrating his 1,000th birth anniversary as the “Festival
of Equality”, upholding the view that the world is one family,
“Vasudhaiva kutumbakam”.

Keyword- RamanujaCharya, Vasudhaiva Kutumabakm, Statue of Equality, 216.

Article- https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-
analysis/philosopher-saint-ramanujacharya

IV. WINTER OLYMPICS- 2022

In a line- 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics recently got concluded in China.

Important Points:
• The 2022 Winter Olympics, officially called the XXIV Olympic Winter Games
and commonly known as Beijing 2022, was an international winter multi-sport
event held between 4 February and 20 February 2022 in Beijing, China, and
surrounding areas with competition in selected events beginning 2 February.
• Beijing was selected as host city in 2015 at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, marking its second time hosting the Olympics, and the last
of three consecutive Olympics hosted in East Asia.
• China previously hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics; Beijing became the first
city to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
• The venues for the Games were concentrated upon Beijing, its suburb Yanqing
District, and Zhangjiakou, with some events (including the ceremonies and

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curling) repurposing venues originally built for Beijing 2008 (such as Beijing
National Stadium and the Beijing National Aquatics Centre).
• The Games featured a record 109 events across 15 disciplines, with big
air freestyle skiing and women’s monobob making their Olympic debuts
as medal events, as well as several new mixed competitions.
• A total of 2,871 athletes representing 91 teams are competing in these
Games, with Haiti and Saudi Arabia making their Winter Olympic debut.

Other Key Points:

• Norway finished at the top of the medal table for the second successive Winter
Olympics, winning a total of 37 medals, of which 16 were gold, setting a new
record for the largest number of gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics.
• Germany finished second with 27 medals overall, while the host nation
China finished third with 15 medals.
• The host nation China finished third with nine gold medals, marking their most
successful performance in Winter Olympics history.
• “Together for a Shared Future” is the official motto of the Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The motto represents the power of the
Games to overcome global challenges as a community, with a shared future for
humankind.
• Bing Dwen Dwen is the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympics, and Shuey
Rhon Rhon is the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
• Both events are held in Beijing, the capital of China.
• The Indian team at the game was represented by one male alpine skier,
Arif Khan.
• He was the country’s flagbearer during the opening ceremony,
meanwhile, a volunteer was the flagbearer during the closing ceremony.
India could not win any medal at the games.

Keyword- Winter Olympics, Beijing, Norway, China, Paralympics.

Article- https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/winter-olympic-games/

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V. HARYANA ANTI-CONVERSION BILL

In a line- Haryana Government has released the draft of the Haryana Prevention of
Unlawful Conversion of Religious Bill, 2022.
Important Points:
• The bill aims at prohibiting religious conversions which are affected
through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement
or by any fraudulent means or by marriage or for marriage by making it
an offense.
• Other States like Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh
and Uttarakhand have also passed laws restricting religious conversion.
• The Bill provides for greater punishment for such conversions in respect
of minors, women, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
• It also provides that the burden of proof as to whether a conversion was
not affected through misrepresentation, use of force, under threat, und ue
influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by
marriage or for marriage for the purpose of carrying out conversion lies
on the accused.
• Every individual converting from one religion to another shall submit to
the prescribed authority a declaration that the conversion affected through
was not by any fraudulent means.
• Besides, it provides for declaring marriages null and void, which were
solemnized by concealment of religion.

Other Key Points:

• Constitution under Article 25 guarantees the freedom to profess,
propagate, and practise religion, and allows all religious sections to
manage their own affairs in matters of religion; subject to public order,
morality, and health.

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• There is the issue of uncertainty and vague terminology like

misrepresentation, force, fraud, allurement presents a serious avenue for
misuse. These terms leave room for ambiguities or are too broad,
extending to subjects far beyond the protection of religious freedom.
• Another issue is that current anti-conversion laws focus on the
prohibition of conversion in order to achieve religious freedom.
• However, officials may use the broad language of the prohibitive
legislation to oppress and discriminate against minorities.
• These laws may pose threat to India's secular fabric as well as
international perceptions of our society's intrinsic values and legal
system.
Keyword- Haryana, Ant-Conversion, Article 25, Secularism

Article- https://prepp.in/news/e-492-draft-anti-conversion-bill-haryana-upsc-
current-affairs

VI. NATIONAL DIGITAL UNIVERSITY

In a line- The Budget 2022-23 announced the establishment of a digital university. This
is a decision of great significance as a digital university will provide better access to
high-quality higher education in multiple languages.
Important Points:
• The Union Budget for 2022-23 looks to implement the National
Education Policy (NEP). To help this the decision to establish a National
Digital University was announced that will look to solve India’s seat
scarcity problem in educational institutions.
• The central government will set up a digital university to impart “world -
class quality education” and promote online learning in different Indian
languages.

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• To address “learning loss” due to school closures, the government will

also expand the ‘One Class One TV Channel’ initiative under the PM e -
Vidya scheme.
• The proposed digital university and the expanded TV education
programme will lead to a modern, pioneering and practical blueprint for
steering India in the Amrit Kaal.

Other Key Points:

• The digital university can integrate all the components of the learning
value chain, from the admission process to providing learning material in
the digital format, online interactions, continuous evaluations, and
awarding of degrees.
• The main disadvantage of such a system is that many might not have the
required capital or technologies to avail of this kind of educat ion. The
digital divide still prevalent in the nation will cause a hindrance to this
kind of educational system.
• SWAYAM, ePG-Pathshala, SWAYAM-Prabha, National Digital Library,
eGyanKosh, and Virtual Labs are examples of the existing resources that
can be integrated into the digital university.
Keyword- Amrit Kaal, NDU, NEP-2020.

Article- https://www.gktoday.in/topic/national-digital-university/

VII. TAMILNADU NEET CONTROVERSY

In a line- The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a Bill to dispense with the National
Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET).
Important Points:
• The Assembly has passed this Bill based on the recommendation of the
high-level committee led by retired judge AK Rajan.
• The bill will allow admission to medical courses based on Class 12 marks
to “ensure social justice”.

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• The state assembly says the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test is not

a fair or equitable method of admission since it favoured the rich and elite
sections of society who can afford coaching.
• The Permanent Exemption Bill for NEET exempts medical aspirants in
Tamil Nadu from taking NEET examination for admission to UG degree
courses in Indian medicine, dentistry and homeopathy.
• The Bill seeks to bring vulnerable student communities to the “mainstream
of medical and dental education and in turn ensure a robust public health
care across the state, particularly the rural areas”.

Other Key Points: Conflict b/w State and Centre

• NEET ‘undermined the diverse societal representation’ in MBBS and
higher medical studies, favouring mainly the affluent class.
• Social groups most affected were the students of Tamil medium, having a
rural background of government schools, those having a parental income
of less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.
• If NEET continued, the health care system of the state would be severely
affected and there may not be enough doctors for Primary Health Centres
or state-run hospitals.
• Usually, when a state wants to amend a Central law made under one of
the items in the concurrent list, it needs the clearance of the Centre.
• When a state law contradicts a Central law on the same subject, the law
passed by Parliament prevails.
• Under Article 200, the Governor may
o grant assent
o withhold assent
o return for reconsideration by the Legislature or
o reserve for the consideration of the President any Bill passed by the
State legislature and presented to him for assent.

Keyword- NEET, Governor, Concurrent List, NTA.

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Article- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-tamil-nadu-bill-
against-neet-7506349/

VIII. NEW RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

In a line- The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in
Uttar Pradesh have been listed as Wetlands of International Importance.
Important Points:
• The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary near Jamnagar in Gujarat and Bakhira
Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh have been listed as Wetlands of
International Importance.
• With these two sites, the total number of Ramsar sites in India goes up to
4.
• Khijadiya, which is part of the Central Asian Flyway, has become the
fourth wetland of Gujarat to get the Ramsar tag. Nalsarovar Bird
Sanctuary, Thol Wildlife Sanctuary and Wadhwana wetland are the other
Ramsar sites in the state.
• The last two were included in April last year. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
a freshwater marsh in the Sant Kabir Nagar district, is the largest natural
floodplain wetland of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• The Sanctuary was established in 1980 and is protected under the
Wildlife Protection Act (1972); an “eco-sensitive zone” extends up to a
kilometre around its boundary.
• This wetland, the release further added, also supports 119 plant species
and 45 species of fish

Other Key Points: What is Ramsar Convention?

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty

adopted on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the
southern shore of the Caspian Sea.

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• It is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of

wetlands. It came into force for India on February 1, 1982. It is also
known as the Convention on Wetlands.
• Those wetlands which are of international importance are declared as
Ramsar sites.
• The objective of the Ramsar list is to develop and maintain an
international network of wetlands which are important for the
conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life
through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and
benefits.
• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Ramsar
wetlands of international importance where changes in ecological
character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of
technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• At present Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur
are the two Indian sites listed under it. In 1993, Chilika Lake was also
listed in Montreux Record due to problem of siltation but is now
removed.
Keyword- Ramsar, Montreux, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Bakhira Wildlife
Sanctuary.

Article-https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/two-more-ramsar-sites-
announced-on-world-wetlands-day-

IX. REINSTATEMENT OF THE IRAN NUCLEAR

DEAL

In a line- US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear

cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015
international nuclear deal with Iran enter the final stretch.
Important Points:

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• US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear

cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the
2015 international nuclear deal with Iran enter the final stretch.
• The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran’s
civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in
the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation.
• The waivers were revoked by the United States in 2019 and 2020 under
former President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the nuclear
agreement. The agreement is formally called the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• The JCPOA was the result of prolonged negotiations from 2013 and 2015
between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United
Kingdom, the United States).
Other Key Points: About JCPOA

• The main objective of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was to

slow down Iran’s nuclear program. If Iran decided to make a nuclear
weapon, it would take a year for it to be complete, giving enough time for
world powers to respond.
• The JCPOA obliged Iran to accept constraints on its uranium enrichment
program verified by an intrusive inspection regime in return for a partial
lifting of economic sanctions.
• Donald Trump became president, he withdrew from the deal and called it
a “horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made”.
• The US decision was criticized by all other parties to the JCPOA
(including the European allies) because Iran was in compliance with its
obligations, as certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA).
• As economic sanctions become unbearable for Iran, they followed the
policy of maximum resistance. But President Biden’s decision has shown
renewed hope for Iran.

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Keyword- JCPOA, US, Iran, CAATSA.

Article- https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-iran-nuclear-deal

X. NEERAJ CHOPRA NOMINATED FOR LAUREAS

WORLD BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR

AWARD

In a line- Tokyo Olympics gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra has been nominated for the
prestigious 2022 Laureus World
Breakthrough of the Year Award.
Important Points:
• The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary near Jamnagar in Gujarat and Bakhira
Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh have been listed as Wetlands of
International Importance.
• Tokyo Olympics gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra has been nominated for
the prestigious 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
• The other 5 nominees are Daniil Medvedev (Australian Open runner -up),
Emma Raducanu (British tennis star), Pedri (Barcelona and Spain
footballer), Yulimar Rojas (Venezuelan athlete) and Ariarne Titmus
(Australian swimmer).
• The winners will be revealed in April following a vote by the Laureus
World Sports Academy, made up of 71 sporting greats

Other Key Points:

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty

adopted on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the
southern shore of the Caspian Sea.
• The word “Laureus” is derived from the word “Laurel” which is taken as a
victory symbol in athletics.

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• It was established in 1999 and the first award ceremony took place in 2000 in
Monte Carlo. Nelson Mandela presented a speech in the first awards ceremony
of Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000.
• It is held annually. The Laureus World Sports Awards are often referred to as
the sporting equivalent to Oscars.
• The sportsperson with most number of awards is Roger Federer. He has been
awarded five sportsperson of the year awards and one comeback of the year
award.
• The first footballer to be awarded the Sportsman of the Year is Lionel Messi.
He won the award in 2020.
• In 2020, Legendary Batsman Sachin Tendulkar has won the greatest Laureus
Sporting Moment Award in the last 20 years. Sachin Tendulkar has won the
Laureus Sporting Moment Award (2000-2020).

Keyword- Neeraj Chopra, Laureus, Breakthrough, Roger Federer, Lionel Messi

Article- https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/neeraj-chopra-
nominated-for-laureus-sports-award-101643815727026.html

XI. AUSTRALIA HOSTS WORLD’S FIRST QUAD

MINISTER’S MEET

In a line- Australia hosted India, Japan and the United States for the fourth Quad
Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Melbourne
Important Points:
• Australia hosted India, Japan and the United States for the fourth Quad Foreign
Minister’s Meeting in Melbourne and the top diplomats are seeking to bolster
cooperation in areas including economy, security, coronavirus pandemic and
free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne was joined Indian Minister of
External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs

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Hayashi Yoshimasa, and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken

to discuss the positive and ambitious agenda of the Quad.
• There is a robust bilateral cooperation between the four countries and
they are building on their institutional linkages to further Quad
cooperation in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, space, education
etc.
• Further, bilateral agencies such as India’s Development Partnership
Administration; Japan International Cooperation Agency; Japan Bank for
International Cooperation US Development Finance Corporation .

Other Key Points: About QUAD

• The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a partnership of Australia, India,

Japan and the US, each of whom shares a commitment to openness and
transparency and challenges posed by China and the situation in Ukraine.
• This is the first time Quad Foreign Ministers are meeting since the two Quad
Summits last year.
• The QUAD was initiated in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with
the support of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Australian Prime Minister
John Howard, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
• The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented
scale, titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was
widely viewed as a response to increased Chinese economic and military
power, and the Chinese government responded to the Quadrilateral dialogue by
issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members.
Keyword- China, South China Sea, QUAD, Australia, Indo-Pacific.

Article- https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/quad-foreign-ministers-
meet-eam-s-jaishankar-calls-for-free-and-open-indopacific-1644564745-

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XII. NORD-STREAM- 2 PIPELINE

In a line- Few months back, US had approved the completion of the Nord Stream 2
pipeline project between Russia and Germany but it has put strong sanctions against it
and Germany has pulled out of the project due to Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Important Points:
• Nord Stream, the longest subsea pipeline, is an export gas pipeline which
runs under the Baltic Sea carrying gas from Russia to Europe.
• Nord Stream consists of two pipelines, which have two lines each.
• Nord Stream 1 was completed in 2011 and runs from Vyborg in
Leningrad (Russia) to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany.
• Nord Stream 2 which runs from Ust-Luga in Leningrad to Lubmin was
completed in September 2021 and has the capacity to handle 55 billion
cubic meters of gas per year once it becomes operational.
• The twin pipelines together can transport a combined total of 110 billion
cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year to Europe for at least 50 years.
• The Nord Stream crosses the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of
several countries including Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark a nd
Germany, and the territorial waters of Russia, Denmark, and Germany.
Other Key Points: Objections against NordStream-2

• The strategic objection, particularly from the U, is that it will make

Europe too dependent on Russia, increasing Russia’s influence in Europe.
• USA that Russia could use it as a geopolitical weapon.
• There is an existing land pipeline between Russia and Europe that runs
through Ukraine.
• Ukraine feels that once Nord Storm 2 is completed, Russia could bypass
the Ukrainian pipeline, and deprive it of lucrative transit fees of around
$3 billion per year.
• Nord Stream 2 is important for Russia because it eliminates the risks
related with sending gas through transit countries, cuts operating costs by

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doing away with transit fees and gives direct access to its most important
European customer, Germany
Keyword- Ukraine, Sub-Sea, Russia, Nord-Stream-2, Sanctions, Transit Fees.
Article- https://www.nextias.com/current-affairs/23-07-2021/nord-stream-2-
pipeline-project

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IMPORTANT ONE LINERS

• 4 women judges in Supreme Court against total sanctioned strength of 34 judges

• Crypto wire launches India’s first global index of cryptocurrencies, India to
launch its first digital currency.
• Surat to be the first station to be ready for India’s first Bullet Train
• Government of India appoints Ravi Mittal as IBBI chairperson
• The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has developed India`s first
Artificial Intelligence based job platform for persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
• IISc commissions Param Pravega, one of the most powerful supercomputers in
India.
• JNU Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar appointed as Chairman of UGC
• Uttar Pradesh selected as best state tableau of Republic Day parade 2022
• Asia’s First Education Metaverse Crypto Coin- Koubek launched in India
• India’s first water taxi launched in Mumbai
• Andhra Pradesh becomes first in India to use AI to monitor hygiene in govt
schools
• German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier re-elected for another term
• Burkina Faso military leader Damiba to be sworn in as country’s president
• JPMorgan world’s first bank in metaverse
• Launch Vehicle specialist Unnikrishnan Nair becomes chief of Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre
• Bill Gates, noted philanthropist and creator of Microsoft have been awarded the
Hilal-e-Pakistan, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian honour, for his efforts to
help eradicate polio in the country.
• India’s Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has defeated the reigning world champion
Norway’s Magnus Carlsen.
• A 1.7-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant has been commissioned by Bharat
Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) at Bina, Madhya Pradesh for the Indian Railway

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