US Gold Card Visa: What is Trump's $5 million 'Gold Card' path to US citizenship? Source: Indian Express

US Golden Visa: The EB-5 immigrant investor visa program will be replaced and the 'Gold Card' will become the path to US citizenship for a fee of $5 million.

US Gold Card Visa :

President Donald Trump announced a new immigration initiative aimed at wealthy foreign investors: a "gold card" that offers a path to US citizenship for a fee of $5 million. Replacing the current EB-5 visa program, the scheme will grant investors green card privileges, allowing them to become permanent US residents through financial investment.

EB-5 Visa Program :

The current EB-5 visa program, established in 1990, allows foreign investors to obtain US residency if they create or preserve jobs through capital investment. The minimum investment is set at $1,050,000 or $800,000 for economically distressed sectors.

Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the current EB-5 visa program is "stupid" and a "fraud" and that there is a way to get a green card that costs far less. “So the president said, instead of this kind of ridiculous EB-5 program, we're going to end the EB-5 program. We're going to replace it with the Trump Gold Card,”.

According to a CNN report, the EB-5 visa program was used by President Trump's businesses and family members to fund major property developments. The program came under criticism during Trump's first term as president and it was suggested that it needed reform as the program had strayed from its goals.

The EB-5 visa program was last renewed in 2022 during former President Joe Biden's term and the minimum investment requirements were raised to their current levels. In 2019, the previous Trump administration had attempted to increase the minimum investment amount to $900,000 for targeted economic sectors, but it was struck down by a federal judge in 2021.

Rich people will come to the US by buying the "Gold Card" scheme:

US President Trump said the "Gold Card" would provide the privileges of a Green Card and it would allow US There will be a path to citizenship and he suggested that wealthy people would buy this card and come to the US.

When asked by a reporter if Russian oligarchs would be eligible for this card, Trump said that it is possible that Russian oligarchs would be eligible for it. "Yeah, possibly. Hey. I know some Russian oligarchs who are very nice people.".

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‘Athena’ is NASA’s new lunar mission

Texas-based Intuitive Machines’ second lunar mission, Athena, is set to be launched into space soon. This mission is taking place after the company’s first historic private lunar landing (February 2024). Athena will go with scientific instruments to the south polar region of the Moon, where it will study the chemical composition of lunar soil and search for subsurface water. It is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which encourages the private sector to get involved in lunar exploration.

Features of Athena Mission

• Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9

• Launch date and time: February 26, 2025, 7:17 PM ET

• Launch site: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida

• Estimated landing date: March 6, 2025

Mission objectives

• To study the chemical composition of lunar rocks and soil.

• Search for subsurface water in the lunar south pole, which will help in future lunar habitation.

• Testing of Nokia's 4G communication system, which can establish network connectivity on the moon in future.

• Deployment of multiple lunar rovers and a 'hopping drone', which will analyze the lunar surface terrain.

Landing site

Location: Mons Mouton, a plateau in the lunar south pole region

This area is important because of the possibility of the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters.

Scientific payloads and technology

• MAPP rover (by Lunar Outpost): A suitcase-sized rover, which will take 3D images of the lunar terrain.

• Astroent mini rover (by MIT): A small robot riding on top of MAPP, which will monitor the temperature of the lunar surface.

• GRACE hopping robot: Capable of jumping up to a distance of 650 feet, which will investigate ice and hydrogen on the surface.

• Lunar Trailblazer Satellite (by NASA): Will launch along with Athena and map water distribution on the moon.

Other major space missions this week

27 February 2025 – Launch of NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory, which will study the origin of the universe.

28 February 2025 – SpaceX’s Starship megarocket lifts off on its 8th test flight.

1-2 March 2025 – Firefly Aerospace’s robotic lunar lander will attempt a lunar landing.

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India’s Carbon Market 2025

India’s first international carbon market conference, Prakriti 2025, was held on 24-25 February 2025 in New Delhi. The event was organised by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, and was attended by over 600 delegates. The conference aimed to develop a structured carbon market in India, enabling the country to move towards a low-carbon economy.

Why is Carbon Market important in India?

India is making efforts to reduce carbon emissions to meet global climate goals. Inaugurating the conference, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal reiterated India's commitment to adopting renewable energy. He emphasized on developing transparent and authentic carbon reduction mechanisms by linking India's cultural traditions, such as Ganga Deep Puja and Govardhan Puja, with environmental protection.

How will the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) work?

Shri Akash Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, informed that the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) will be implemented in a phased manner.

• Target: 40% emission reduction by 2027, and full implementation by 2030.

• Mechanism: Companies will be able to trade carbon credits, which will encourage industries to reduce carbon emissions at a lower cost.

• Success factors: Clear regulations, stable market and active participation of industries.

Global challenges and private sector participation

Thomas Kerr, World Bank climate change expert, discussed the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which could impact India's steel and aluminium exports. He advised Indian companies to participate in the domestic carbon market to remain globally competitive.

Former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa stressed the need for a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework so that the carbon trading system is transparent and equitable.

Public participation and future strategies

UN Goodwill Ambassador and actress Dia Mirza discussed the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, which encourages responsible consumption.

Key topics:

• How will renewable energy developers benefit from carbon markets?

• Impact of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on international carbon trading

• Strategies to enhance price transparency in global carbon trading

• Role of nature-based solutions in achieving net-zero goals

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Where are breast cancer rates the highest?

Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, a recent study has found. The study, conducted by researchers from Australia and Canada, analysed breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in 185 countries. According to the report, globally, 1 in every 20 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, while 1 in 70 women may die from the disease.

Breast cancer incidence

• Highest incidence: Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of breast cancer, followed by North America and Northern Europe.

• Lowest incidence: South-central Asia has the lowest rates of breast cancerh.

Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) (2022)

• Australia and New Zealand: 100.3 cases per 100,000 people

• South-Central Asia: 26.7 cases per 100,000 people

• Mortality rate (per 100,000 people)

• Highest mortality: Melanesia (26.8 deaths), followed by Polynesia and West Africa.

• Lowest mortality: East Asia (6.5 deaths).

Major risk factors

• Increasing age,

• Alcohol consumption,

• Lack of physical activity,

• Obesity.

Country-specific trends

France: Highest lifetime risk of breast cancer diagnosis.

Fiji: Highest lifetime risk of breast cancer death.

Projected increase by 2050

Increase in new cases: likely to increase by 38%.

Increase in deaths: May increase by up to 68%, especially in low-HDI countries.

Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) – WHO (2021)

Target: Reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year.

Only 7 countries (Malta, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Lithuania, Netherlands and Slovenia) have achieved this target.

Australia and New Zealand reduced mortality by 2.1% per year in the last decade.

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TRIFED partners with NIFT and HPMC to promote tribal entrepreneurship

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), which comes under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has signed important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC). These agreements were signed during the Aadi Mahotsav event held in New Delhi on 24 February 2025. These are aimed at transforming tribal marketing from a business-to-consumer (B2C) model to a broader business-to-business (B2B) model, thereby providing greater market opportunities to tribal artisans and producers.

Why is this initiative important for tribal communities?

Through these agreements, TRIFED is integrating tribal products into mainstream markets. Adopting a B2B model will enable tribal products to find a place in wholesale retail and corporate supply chains. The MoU was signed at Aadi Mahotsav, a national level event organised from 16-24 February 2025 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by President Smt. Draupadi Murmu, signifying the Government’s commitment towards tribal empowerment.

How will the NIFT collaboration benefit tribal artisans?

The main objective of the TRIFED and NIFT partnership is to improve the design and presentation of tribal handicrafts and handloom products. NIFT, India’s leading fashion and design institute, will help enhance the aesthetics and marketability of these products. Through this, tribal artisans will be trained in modern design techniques, branding and product presentation, making their products more competitive in the domestic and international markets.

How will HPMC promote tribal entrepreneurship?

The tie-up with HPMC mainly focuses on processing and technological upgradation of horticulture and minor forest produce. TRIFED aims to add value to the raw tribal produce, to enhance their quality and shelf life. HPMC with its years of experience in horticulture and food processing sector will provide technical support to the tribal farmers, to get their produce into a larger distribution network. This collaboration will increase the income of tribal farmers engaged in minor forest produce and agriculture.

Related Organisations:

• TRIFED: A government body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which promotes marketing initiatives for socio-economic development of tribal communities.

• NIFT: Established in 1986, India's premier institute of fashion education, design and technology.

• HPMC: Established in 1974, the premier organization supporting horticulture marketing and processing in Himachal Pradesh.

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Advantage Assam 2.0 inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, a significant milestone in Assam's economic development. The event saw the announcement of major investment agreements by major industrial companies and presented Assam as a peaceful and business-friendly state.

What is the significance of Advantage Assam 2.0?

Prime Minister Modi described Advantage Assam as a “mega campaign” to present Assam's potential and development globally. He emphasized Assam's historical prosperity and its new contribution to the country's economic development. The summit saw the participation of industry leaders and delegations from countries like Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, giving a boost to Assam's growing investment prospects.

Key investment announcements

During the summit, Reliance Industries Limited and Adani Group announced investments worth ₹50,000 crore in Assam over the next five years. Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed his commitment to contribute to the development of Assam's technology and digital sectors. Gautam Adani presented plans to invest in infrastructure projects such as airports, city gas distribution networks and roads.

How has Assam's economy changed?

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set a target of taking Assam's economy to $143 billion by 2030. He projected the state's GDP growth rate to be 15.2% this year and called for peace, stability and industrial development in Assam. The Prime Minister highlighted the impact of the schemes.

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