Tesla Shares Tumble as Musk’s Political Move Stirs Controversy
Elon Musk’s announcement of a new “America Party” sent Tesla shares plunging nearly 7% in premarket trading on Monday. Investors are jittery, fearing Musk’s political dive could distract from his CEO role and harm Tesla’s brand. The stock has already slumped 35% since its December peak, with a 16.86% year-to-date loss in 2025. Musk’s feud with Donald Trump, sparked by his criticism of a tax bill, hasn’t helped. Trump’s Truth Social platform, which Musk claimed he’d “never heard of,” adds fuel to their public spat. Analysts warn that Musk’s political ambitions could further erode investor confidence, especially as Tesla faces slowing EV demand and fierce competition. With shares under pressure, the market is watching closely to see if Musk can steer Tesla back on track or if his political ventures will keep rattling Wall Street.
India’s Cricket Glory at Edgbaston, but Pacer Faces Uncertainty
India’s cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, celebrated a historic 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston, levelling the Test series 1-1. Gill’s stellar 269 and 161, paired with Akash Deep’s 10-wicket haul, sealed India’s first-ever Test win at the venue. Akash dedicated his performance to his sister, who’s battling cancer, sharing an emotional moment in an Aajtak interview. However, former cricketer Madan Lal sparked controversy by mistakenly crediting Mukesh Kumar for Akash’s heroics on X, drawing sharp criticism from fans. Now, speculation swirls that Akash Deep might be dropped for the next Test despite his stellar performance. As India heads to Lord’s for the third Test on July 10, fans are buzzing with pride but anxious about the team’s lineup decisions. Will Akash’s brilliance secure his spot, or is change coming?
Telangana’s Green Push with Vana Mahotsavam 2025
Telangana’s Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy kicked off Vana Mahotsavam 2025 in Hyderabad, launching an ambitious plan to plant 18 crore saplings this year. Speaking at Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Reddy echoed PM Modi’s call to plant trees in honour of mothers, urging women to nurture saplings like children. “If we care for nature, it’ll protect us,” he said, envisioning Telangana as a “Green Zone.” The initiative focuses on indigenous species to restore the state’s green cover. Reddy also pledged 60 Assembly seats for women in the next election, aligning with the upcoming Women’s Reservation Bill. This dual commitment to environmental and women’s empowerment has sparked optimism, with locals hopeful for a greener, more inclusive Telangana. The campaign’s success hinges on community participation—will residents step up to make their state a thriving ecological hub?
Modi at BRICS: Tackling Terrorism and Global Governance
At the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, PM Narendra Modi condemned the “cowardly” Pahalgam terror attack, calling it an assault on India’s soul. Speaking on peace and security, he urged united global efforts against cross-border terrorism. The BRICS Leaders’ Declaration reflected India’s push for stronger anti-terrorism measures and global governance reforms, highlighting the Global South’s struggle with “double standards” in decision-making. On the sidelines, Modi met Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez to boost ties in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, Ayurveda, and digital infrastructure like UPI. Their talks also covered disaster management and capacity building. Modi’s call for a bigger role for developing nations resonated strongly, as he pushed for fairness in global forums. With terrorism and governance high on the agenda, India’s stance at BRICS signals a bold step toward shaping a more equitable world order.
China Protests Modi’s Dalai Lama Birthday Greetings
China lodged a formal protest with India after PM Narendra Modi greeted the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on India to “act prudently” and avoid using Tibet-related issues to meddle in China’s affairs. Modi’s message, coupled with Indian officials attending the Dalai Lama’s celebrations, sparked Beijing’s ire, with China reiterating its firm stance on Tibet. The diplomatic row underscores ongoing tensions between the two nations over the Dalai Lama’s status. India, however, continues to honour the spiritual leader, with Modi’s greetings reflecting New Delhi’s commitment to its values. As China demands India refrain from such gestures, the incident highlights the delicate balance in India-China relations. Will this spark further diplomatic friction, or can both sides navigate the sensitive issue without escalating tensions? For now, the Dalai Lama remains a focal point of contention.
Pune Power Outage Hits Thousands, Restoration in Progress
A major power outage struck Pune’s Hinjewadi area, affecting over 52,000 consumers after a fault in a 220 kV underground cable near the phase-2 metro station. The blackout, starting at 2:10 pm on Sunday, disrupted power for low-voltage homes and high-voltage industries, including Infosys and Nextra. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) worked swiftly, restoring electricity to all low-voltage consumers by Monday morning through alternative routes. However, some industrial consumers still face delays due to high demand and limited power load. Residents like Santosh Thakur, an IT professional, described a 20-hour ordeal without power, relying on building backups. MSEDCL’s emergency measures eased the crisis, but full restoration for high-voltage users awaits further planning. Affected areas like Mulshi and Pimpri are back online, yet the incident underscores the fragility of urban power grids.
