After Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, the three staunch Kyiv backers halted purchases of electricity from Russia, but they have depended on the Russian grid to stabilise networks and regulate frequencies to prevent disruptions. Following their separation from the IPS/UPS joint network, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will synchronise with the EU grid at 1200 GMT on Sunday, subject to final testing.

The first-ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Its purpose was to expand youth cooperation throughout the region and promote the sharing of youth-led projects among BIMSTEC Member Countries. In order to empower young leaders throughout the BIMSTEC countries, India has proposed the multi-sectoral "Youth Bridge" initiative. The Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre hosted the meeting, which was presided over by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports.

More than 1,100 dead olive ridley turtles have washed ashore on the beaches of Tamil Nadu state in southern India this month. With an adult weight of up to 45 kg, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is the smallest species of sea turtle and is listed by the IUCN as vulnerable. On certain beaches, thousands of these turtles congregate to nest at once, a behaviour known as arribada. These massive nesting episodes are caused by the mating season, which normally lasts from November to April. The Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans' tropical waters are home to Olive Ridleys. Important nesting sites in India include Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Odisha (Gahirmatha, Devi, Rushikulya).

A press release from the Commerce Ministry states that India has become the seventh-largest producer of coffee in the world, with exports totalling $1.29 billion in FY 2023–24—nearly twice as much as the $719.42 million recorded in 2020–21. The environmentally diverse Western and Eastern Ghats, which are well-known for their biodiversity, are where India's coffee is mostly farmed. With a production contribution of 248,020 million tonnes in 2022–2023, Karnataka is the top producer, followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In addition to supporting the coffee business, these regions are home to shaded plantations that are essential to protecting the environment and keeping the biological balance of these hotspots for biodiversity.

In order to import additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, India's public sector oil and gas corporations, such as GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), are actively negotiating with US suppliers. Aside from getting more LNG for India's expanding natural gas consumption, industry observers believe that increased energy imports from the US could indicate a reduction in New Delhi's trade surplus with Washington in the face of Trump's tough rhetoric and tariff threats. By 2030, the government hopes that natural gas's percentage of India's primary energy mix will have increased from just over 6% to 15%.

Through a number of important initiatives, the ₹10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme seeks to improve electric mobility in India and support national environmental objectives. Faster EV adoption, charging infrastructure, an EV manufacturing ecosystem, a focus on public transportation, and a decreased reliance on fossil fuels are the strategies the program uses to accomplish its goal. The Project Implementation and Sanctioning group (PISC), an interministerial authorised group led by the Secretary of Heavy Industries, was established to guarantee the effective implementation and oversight of the PM E-DRIVE initiative and to optimise its effects.

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Based on an analysis of seismic wave data that shows deformations at the boundary between the solid inner core and the liquid outer core, recent scientific research suggests that Earth's inner core is not only slowing down in its rotation but also appears to be changing shape, suggesting a more dynamic and fluid nature to the planet's deepest region than previously believed.

Manipur was placed under President's rule, and the state assembly was placed under suspended animation, the Centre declared Thursday, four days after N Biren Singh quit as Chief Minister. The Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups have been engaged in ethnic strife in Manipur since May 2023. The fighting has claimed the lives of almost 200 people.During its duration, the President's Rule, which is imposed under Article 356, essentially transfers all state government powers to the Centre and state legislature functions to Parliament. The High Courts' operation is the only exception to this rule, and it has not changed

According to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 report published by Germanwatch, India has been ranked as the sixth-most severely affected country by extreme weather events. Climate change-induced disasters have resulted in at least 80,000 deaths and caused nearly $180 billion in inflation-adjusted economic damages in the country. The Climate Risk Index is an annual report that evaluates the impact of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, ranking countries based on their vulnerability and exposure to climate-related disasters.

Strong tremors shook the high-rise buildings in Delhi-NCR and portions of northern India early Monday morning, waking residents and sending many running outside. The National Centre for Seismology reports that the 4.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:36 AM IST, with its epicentre in Delhi's Dhaula Kuan. High-rise structures that are built close to one another can be seen in the Delhi-NCR area where the earthquake happened. Particularly when the epicentre is close by, these kinds of structures are more likely to tilt and shake violently.

On February 16, 2025, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, travelled to Oman to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference. In the opening session of the conference, EAM gave the keynote address, highlighting India's dedication to fostering regional cooperation and guaranteeing a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean area.The Sultanate of Oman's Foreign Minister, H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, met with EAM in a bilateral discussion during his visit, and the two leaders discussed the entire range of India-Oman ties. EAM expressed his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman's leadership for hosting the Indian Ocean Conference and for their unwavering support in fostering closer ties between India and Oman.

Gyanesh Kumar was named as the next chief election commissioner by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Rajiv Kumar, who will step down on Tuesday after turning 65, will be replaced by Gyanesh Kumar. By the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which went into effect in December 2023, this is the Chief Election Commissioner's first appointment. Gyanesh Kumar is an IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are the panel's other commissioners.

In an effort to standardise government websites and digital platforms, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  launched the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) in New Delhi today. Visual identities are one of the essential components of a consistent digital identity that are defined by the DBIM. In addition to verbal identities like brand voice, message frameworks, and taglines, these identities include logos, colour schemes, typography, and images. The whole user experience in service delivery is intended to be improved, as well as citizen participation.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) published on Tuesday by the Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in the nation's cities during the October–December 2024 period was 6.4%. The unemployment rate was 8.1% for women and 5.8% for males. The cohort's unemployment rate was 6.5% in the equivalent quarter of 2023 and 6.4% in the July–September 2024 quarter. Last year, the unemployment rate for women was 8.6%. Gujarat had the lowest unemployment rate of 3% and Himachal Pradesh had the highest rate at 10.4%. At 24%, the female unemployment rate in Himachal Pradesh was also the highest. In Delhi, it is 1.3%. The percentage of jobless people in the labour force in current weekly status (CWS), or the number of people who are either employed or unemployed on average during a week, is what the PLFS defines as the unemployment rate.

Rekha Gupta, a three-time council member is Delhi's new chief minister.The BJP has attempted to establish a legacy and send a message to its female voter base by selecting Gupta, who began her political career with the Delhi University Students Union elections. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, President J.P. Nadda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of the States ruled by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), first-time MLA Rekha Gupta will take the oath of office as Delhi's ninth chief minister.

The Supreme Court stays a Lokpal order bringing High Court judges under its jurisdiction while terming the top anti-corruption ombudsman’s interpretation “very disturbing”. The Supreme Court issues a notice to the Union Government in a suo motu case initiated against a Lokpal decision which held that it can exercise jurisdiction over High Court Judges. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Abhay S Oka express disapproval of the Lokpal's reasoning and stayed the operation of the order.

The Ministry of Mines shifts minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz from the list of minor minerals to the category of major minerals. Quartz, Felspar and Mica are found in pegmatite rocks, which are an important source of many critical minerals such as Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, etc. These minerals have vital role in various new technologies, in energy transition, spacecraft industries, healthcare sector, etc. Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member NITI Aayog, recommended that these minerals be shifted from the list of minor minerals to the category of major minerals. Once categorised as major minerals, there would be an increase in exploration and scientific mining of these minerals which are an important source of many critical minerals.

The Indian Army contingent leaves for the sixth iteration of the joint military exercise between Japan and India, known as DHARMA GUARDIAN. The East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area in Japan will host the exercise from February 24 to March 9, 2025. The yearly DHARMA GUARDIAN event alternates between Japan and India. The exercise's last edition was held in Rajasthan in February and March of 2024. The Indian contingent, consisting of 120 personnel, mainly includes troops from a battalion of the MADRAS Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) contingent, of similar strength, is represented by the 34th Infantry Regiment. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two forces while conducting joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. It focuses on a high level of physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.