Daily Current Affairs – 07-08-2025
National News
Odisha & Chhattisgarh - Mahanadi water dispute
After a prolonged legal battle over sharing Mahanadi river water in a designated tribunal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have now expressed willingness to resolve the dispute amicably between themselves. Upon being informed by the two States that they would give a chance for amicable settlement, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M. Trivedi on Saturday (August 2, 2025) fixed the next date hearing on September 6. The Mahanadi river, often described as the lifeline of Odisha, originates from the Amarkantak hills in Bastar Plateau of Chhattisgarh. It flows for a total length of 851 kilometres, of which 494 km lie within Odisha, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Along its course, the river is fed by numerous tributaries, branches, and sub-branches, sustaining human settlements, ecosystems, and various water-dependent needs. Following its formation as a separate State, Chhattisgarh began constructing a significant number of major, medium, and minor irrigation projects, including anicuts and industrial barrages, without consulting Odisha. It is important to note that there is no formal inter-State water sharing agreement between the two States.
Chhattisgarh Formation Day is celebrated annually on November 1. This day commemorates the official formation of the state, which was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000.
‘Duty Bhavan’ for Home and External Affairs Ministries
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated ‘Kartavya Bhavan’, an integrated office complex for various ministries, including the Union Home and External Affairs Ministries, in Delhi. The total area of the new central government integrated building constructed in the Southwest Delhi area is 1.15 lakh square meters. The construction of ‘Kartavya Bhavan’ was announced, and land clearance took 3 years, from 2020 to 2023, including for retired officials and others associated with 10 public sector undertakings. For this project, ₹218 crore has been allocated in the budget for the financial year 2020-21. The new central government office building named ‘Kartavya Bhavan’ has been developed as a new office building for various government departments, including the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, and other ministries under the control of the central government. The land acquisition process for this project began in 2020. ‘Kartavya Bhavan’ is a building allocated for the central government ministries, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs. Furthermore, this building features modern information technology facilities and infrastructure. Various amenities such as regulations, health facilities, a food court, a medical center, and a large gathering hall are available in this building. Additionally, it includes 24 conference rooms that can accommodate 45 people, 26 conference rooms for 25 people, and 67 meeting rooms. There is also parking space for 600 cars. Secure workplaces, access control systems based on identity cards, integrated electronic surveillance equipment, rooftop solar power panels (generating 5.34 lakh units of electricity per year), temperature control - quality air conditioning systems, rainwater harvesting, waste recycling, efficient energy usage, noise reduction, special glass for local environmental protection, electric vehicle charging facilities, all lighting, power saving systems, sensor-equipped restrooms, and 27 modern elevators are among the facilities available.
Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to China and Japan
Central government sources have stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Japan and China at the end of this month. Prime Minister Modi will embark on the first leg of his journey to Japan on August 29, where he will participate in the India-Japan annual summit along with the Prime Minister of that country. Subsequently, he will travel from there to China to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Xi’an. This summit will take place from August 31 to September 1. This will be the first time Prime Minister Modi visits China after the clashes between Indian and Chinese military personnel in the Galwan Valley on the eastern Ladakh border in 2020. Prior to this, he had visited China in 2018. However, during the BRICS summit held in Russia last year, Modi met and spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Now, he is set to undertake a visit to China after approximately 7 years. There has been no official announcement from the central government regarding Prime Minister Modi’s Japan and China travel plans yet. As Pakistan is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of that country is also likely to participate in this summit. If he participates, it could mark the first instance of Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers attending the same event since Operation Sindhur.
Economy News
T.N. only State in India to achieve double-digit economic growth: CM Stalin
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) said Tamil Nadu stands tall as the only State in India to achieve double-digit economic growth rate in real terms during 2024-25 at 11.19%. After a gap of 14 years, Tamil Nadu has recorded a double-digit economic growth rate in real terms during 2024-25 with 11.19%, according to the revised estimates of the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for various States. The latest revised estimates were prepared as on August 1, 2025. Fifteen years ago, the base year was 2004-05, whereas it is 2011-12 now.
Trump raises U.S. tariffs on Indian imports to 50%
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, in response to India “directly or indirectly” importing oil from Russia. This is over and above the 25% tariff on Indian imports that Mr. Trump approved on July 31. While the initial 25% tariff will come into effect from Thursday, the additional 25% tariff will come into effect after 21 days.
No Change in Interest Rate: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Wednesday that the interest rate (repo rate) for banks will continue to be 5.5 percent without any change. As a result, interest rates for various loans including home, vehicle, and personal loans, as well as interest offered on fixed deposits and recurring deposits in banks, are likely to continue at the same level without reduction. A meeting of the six-member monetary policy committee, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Mangal Mahotra, was held in Mumbai on Wednesday. In this meeting, all members unanimously agreed to continue the interest rate at 5.5 percent.
Sports News
Chennaiyin FC temporarily suspends operations
Two-time Indian Super League champion Chennaiyin FC has temporarily suspended operations in light of the continuing un-certainty surrounding the future of the ISL.
International News
Nawrocki, backed by Trump, assumes Polish presidency
Conservative Karol Nawrocki was inaugurated on Wednesday as Poland’s new President, which could set the country on a more nationalist course and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Most day-to-day power in Poland rests with the Prime Minister, chosen by parliament. However, the President holds the power to influence foreign policy and veto laws. Mr. Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of a narrow victory in a run-off election in June, is a 42-year-old historian who had no political experience prior to campaigning.
States’ News
Blue Flag project to be expanded to three more Chennai beach stretches
Chennai’s three beaches – Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam and Uthandi – are expected to be developed under the Blue Flag certification programme. Further, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to begin work on the second phase of the Marina Beach Blue Flag project – from the Mahatma Gandhi Statue to Nochi Nagar, opposite the Karaneeswarar Koil Street. After the inauguration of the Blue Flag project at Marina Beach by the Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday, Mayor R. Priya said a total of 30 acres along Loop Road had been planned for the next stage. She further said the Detailed Project Re-port was being prepared for these sites, and the tender would be finalised soon. The works, estimated to cost over ₹6 crore for each beach, will be funded under the Tamil Nadu: Strengthen-ing Coastal Resilience and the Economy Project, supported by the World Bank.
Important Days
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Attack: 80th Anniversary
The 80th anniversary of the American atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan, was observed in the city on Wednesday. Representatives from 120 countries offered silent tributes at the city’s memorial at 8:15 AM, the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped. Prime Minister Fukuda Ishiya, Mayor Kazumi Matsui, and other leaders laid wreaths at the memorial. Survivors of the attack and their families participated in this memorial event. White flags were hoisted at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack. With the number of atomic bomb survivors rapidly decreasing and their average age reaching 86, this memorial day is considered a final milestone for many. In the atomic bomb attack launched by America on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, 1.4 lakh people died. Three days later, approximately 70,000 people died in another atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki. It is noteworthy that Japan surrendered on August 15, and World War II came to an end.