Daily Current Affairs- 4th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 4th May 2025

Crisis at Kaleshwaram—Why Telangana’s Massive Irrigation Project Is Distressed

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), inaugurated in 2019, was envisioned to irrigate over 18 lakh acres across 13 districts in Telangana by lifting water from the Godavari River.  The project's estimated cost has escalated from ₹81,911 crore to over ₹1.47 lakh crore, with significant portions funded through off-budget borrowings.  The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that the project's benefit-cost ratio is 0.52, indicating that for every rupee spent, only 52 paise is returned, rendering it economically unviable.  Structural issues have emerged, notably the sinking of piers at the Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage in October 2023, attributed to deficiencies in planning, design, and quality control. 

Domestic Violence, Assault Among Most Reported Crimes to NCW

In early 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) received 7,698 complaints, with domestic violence, assault, and criminal intimidation being the most reported issues.  Domestic violence topped the list with 1,594 complaints, accounting for nearly 20% of all cases.

• Criminal intimidation followed with 989 complaints, and assault with 950 complaints.
• Other significant complaints included dowry harassment (916), rape and attempt to rape (394), molestation (310), sexual harassment (302), and cybercrimes against women (110).
• Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of complaints at 3,921, representing over 50% of the total, followed by Delhi (688) and Maharashtra (473).
• A notable spike occurred in April 2025, with 2,123 complaints received—the highest monthly total in the first quarter.
• Additionally, 881 complaints were categorized as “Not Categorized yet,” indicating ongoing classification efforts. 

UNSC Holds Closed Consultations on India-Pakistan Situation

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is convening closed consultations today, May 5, 2025, to address escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. This meeting was requested by Pakistan, a current non-permanent member of the 15-nation Council, and is scheduled under the presidency of Greece for the month of May. 

India and Denmark Renew Energy Cooperation with a New MoU

India and Denmark have renewed their energy cooperation by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 2, 2025, in New Delhi. The agreement was signed by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, and Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, in the presence of Minister Manohar Lal.  This renewal builds upon the original MoU signed on June 5, 2020, which was set to expire in June 2025, ensuring continuity in bilateral energy collaboration.

The updated MoU expands the scope of cooperation to include advanced areas such as power system modeling, integration of variable renewable energy, cross-border electricity trading, and development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Additionally, the agreement emphasizes capacity building through expert interactions, joint training sessions, and study tours, aiming to support India's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. 

New CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

• Warren Buffett announced he will retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025, concluding a 60-year tenure.
• Greg Abel, currently Vice Chairman overseeing non-insurance operations, has been named as Buffett's successor.
• Abel, a 62-year-old Canadian, has been with Berkshire for over two decades and has led key subsidiaries like BNSF Railway, Dairy Queen, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy. 

World, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s New Startup, Launches in the US

World, formerly known as Worldcoin, officially launched in the United States in early May 2025, introducing its iris-scanning technology and Worldcoin cryptocurrency token.  The company opened its first U.S. storefront in San Francisco’s Union Square, featuring biometric "orbs" that scan users’ irises to confirm their humanity and issue a "World ID" via the World App.  World plans to deploy its Orb biometric scanners in cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.  The project has raised $200 million from major investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Reid Hoffman.  World aims to build 10,000 orbs for the U.S. market within a year and is constructing a factory in Richardson, Texas, to scale up production. 

Lakkundi Group of Monuments Proposed for UNESCO Tentative List

The historic town of Lakkundi, located in Karnataka's Gadag district, is poised to gain international recognition as its group of monuments is proposed for inclusion in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Karnataka government and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), aiming to highlight the region's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

The monuments date back to the 10th–12th centuries CE, during the reign of the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty, also known as the Western Chalukyas.

The structures exemplify the Vesara style, a harmonious blend of Nagara, Dravida, and Bhumija architectural elements.