U.S.-Ukraine Relations Erupt in Acrimony: Trump and Vance Criticize Zelensky
U.S.-Ukraine relations hit a low during a heated Oval Office meeting. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of ingratitude for U.S. aid. The confrontation centered around the ongoing war with Russia and the lack of security guarantees in a proposed minerals-for-security agreement. The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky leaving the White House and key deals left unsigned. This diplomatic showdown marks a significant low in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
EPFO Maintains 8.25% Interest Rate on Provident Fund for 2024-25
The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to retain the provident fund deposit interest rate at 8.25% for 2024-25. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, benefiting over 70 million subscribers. The government will officially notify the interest rate before crediting it to subscribers’ accounts. This move ensures steady growth of savings and offers relatively high and stable returns compared to other fixed-income instruments.
Exploring Kailash Satyarthi’s Autobiography ‘Diyaslai’ at IGNCA
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) collaborated with the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion to discuss Kailash Satyarthi’s autobiography ‘Diyaslai’. The event, attended by former President Ram Nath Kovind, Padma Bhushan Ram Bahadur Rai, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, and social activist Sumedha Kailash, celebrated Satyarthi’s relentless advocacy for children’s rights. The discussion highlighted his journey from humble beginnings to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to child rights and global compassion.
Russian Chess Legend Boris Spassky Passes Away at 88
Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, passed away at the age of 88 in Moscow. Renowned for his universal playing style, Spassky became a Grandmaster at 18 and won the World Chess Championship in 1969. His historic 1972 match against Bobby Fischer, known as the “Match of the Century,” remains iconic. Spassky’s contributions to chess, both as a competitor and ambassador, left an enduring legacy. Tributes from the chess community, including Garry Kasparov, have poured in, honoring his remarkable impact on the game.
Aditya-L1 Captures First Image of Solar Flare Kernel
India’s Aditya-L1 mission, dedicated to solar observation, captured its first-ever image of a solar flare kernel on February 22, 2025. Using the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), the mission observed the flare’s kernel in the lower solar atmosphere, including the photosphere and chromosphere. This breakthrough in the Near Ultraviolet (NUV) wavelength range (200-400 nm) offers new insights into solar flare dynamics and their impacts on space weather, enhancing our understanding of the Sun’s activity and its effects on Earth.
COP16 Reaches Historic Agreement on Biodiversity Financing
At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Rome, world leaders achieved a groundbreaking consensus on biodiversity conservation. Resuming on February 25, 2025, after a pause in Cali, Colombia, they agreed to mobilize $200 billion annually by 2030 to protect biodiversity. This includes providing $20 billion per year by 2025, increasing to $30 billion by 2030 for developing nations. The Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and degraded ecosystems by 2030, marking a significant step forward in global conservation efforts.