February 25, 2022

*) Attacks across Ukraine as dozens die Russian missiles have rained down on Ukrainian cities after Moscow announced a military operation. About 100,000 people have been displaced. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 137 Ukrainians, both military personnel and civilians, were killed after the first day of fighting. He called up conscripts and reservists nationwide to fight in a general mobilisation. *) US announces sanctions against Russia The United States has imposed harsh sanctions on Russia. But Washington and allies have stopped short of enacting even tougher measures. The fresh sanctions cut off Russia's two largest banks from US dollar transactions. The allies also imposed export controls on high-tech items aimed at crippling Russia's defence and aerospace sectors. Energy giant Gazprom and other major companies will not be able to raise financing in Western markets. *) IMF, World Bank chiefs warn of global impacts Leaders of the World Bank and IMF have signalled that they are ready to help Ukraine, and warned that the conflict will have repercussions for the global economy. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that the fighting "adds significant economic risk for the region and the world". World Bank President David Malpass said that "the devastating developments in Ukraine will have far-reaching economic and social impacts". *) Deadly quake strikes Indonesia's Sumatra island A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has struck Indonesia's Sumatra island. Two people died and 20 were injured in West Pasaman when the quake hit the island's north at a depth of 12 kilometres. No tsunami warning was issued. There were no immediate reports of serious damage. The quake was felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore. And finally … *) Djokovic loses world number one ranking Novak Djokovic has lost his Dubai quarter-final and his world number one ranking in one go. He suffered an upset at the hands of Czech player Jiri Vesely on Thursday. Daniil Medvedev replaced him at the top of the ra