Current Affairs 21 August 2025

Dubai Launches "One Freezone Passport" for Unified Business License.

• Dubai introduces One Freezone Passport, enabling companies licensed in one free zone to expand into others without additional licenses.
• Louis Vuitton is the first member, streamlining operations between Jafza and DWTC Free Zone.
• This initiative aims to unify Dubai's free zone ecosystem, reducing regulatory barriers and solidifying Dubai's position as a global business hub.

Odisha Promotes Palmyra Palm as Natural Safeguard to Lightning Strikes.

• Odisha ranks among the top states in lightning-related deaths (based on IMD & NCRB data).
• Palmyra palm trees (scientific name Borassus flabellifer) are being promoted as a natural safeguard to prevent lightning strikes.
• Origin & Status: Found in tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, the Palmyra palm is declared the State Tree of Tamil Nadu.

India's Infrastructure Output Grows 2% in July'25, Steel Leads Growth.

• India’s infrastructure output, as measured by the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), increased by 2% in July 2025 compared to the same period last year.
• Four core sectors showed positive growth: steel, cement, fertilizer, and electricity.
• Steel production grew by 12.8%, cement production increased by 11.7%, fertilizer production rose by 2%, and electricity generation was up by 0.5%.

Varanasi: India’s 1st city to get portable solar panels between tracks.

• Indian Railways has commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, as part of its commitment to sustainable transport.
• The system spans 70 metres, consists of 28 solar panels, and generates 15 kWp of energy, designed for operational adaptability.
• A new freight logistics route for industrial salt was opened between Sanosara and Dahej.

Widowed woman entitled to maintenance from father-in-law’s property.

• The Delhi High Court held after the father-in-law of a widow dies, she is entitled to claim maintenance from his estate derived from coparcenary or ancestral property of the matrimonial family.
• The judgment came on the question whether such a daughter-in-law was entitled to claim maintenance from the estate derived from coparcenary property of her deceased father-in-law.