Axiom-4 Mission Successfully Launches with Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, launched successfully from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on 25 June 2025. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:16 PM IST on 26 June, marking India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years. Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, serves as the mission pilot alongside commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland). The crew will spend 14 days on the ISS, conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including neurofeedback and microbiome studies. Shukla, the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission, shared a message of pride from orbit, highlighting India’s growing space ambitions.
India Rejects SCO Joint Statement Over Terrorism Concerns
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, India refused to sign a joint statement due to its failure to address cross-border terrorism explicitly. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the summit on 26 June 2025, condemned nations using terrorism as a state policy, indirectly targeting Pakistan over the 22 April Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The SCO, comprising ten member states including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, met to discuss regional security and counter-terrorism. Singh urged unified action against terrorism, rejecting double standards, and held bilateral talks with Chinese and Russian counterparts to strengthen cooperation. The ministers also visited the Qingdao International Conference Centre, the 2018 SCO Summit venue. Iran’s Defence Minister attended, marking his first reported foreign trip since recent tensions with Israel.
Woman Drives Car on Railway Tracks Near Hyderabad, Disrupting Train Services
In a shocking incident near Hyderabad, a 34-year-old woman drove her SUV onto railway tracks, causing significant disruption to train services. The event occurred on 26 June 2025 near Shankarpally in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, between Nagulapalli and Kondakal. Identified as Ravika Soni, a former software engineer from Lucknow, she drove approximately seven kilometres along the tracks, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and in mental distress after losing her job. The reckless act halted 15 trains, including the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Express, for about 45 minutes, with some diverted for safety. Railway staff and locals struggled to stop her, eventually apprehending her after she resisted and threw stones. She was handed over to the Railway Protection Force and taken for medical examination. A viral video of the incident has sparked concerns about railway safety.
Cloudbursts Trigger Deadly Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh, Killing Three
Torrential rains and cloudbursts struck Himachal Pradesh on 25 June 2025, causing devastating flash floods in Kangra and Kullu districts, claiming three lives. A third body was recovered from Manuni Khad in Kangra on 26 June, raising the death toll, while eight people remain missing. Over 20 workers, mostly at the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project near Dharamshala, were swept away, with rescue operations ongoing. In Kullu’s Sainj Valley, floods destroyed four houses, a school, and a bridge, with three people missing after attempting to salvage belongings. The Beas River swelled, submerging vehicles and roads in Manali and Banjar. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall until 1 July, urging caution near rivers. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed the fatalities, with NDRF and SDRF deployed for rescue efforts.
Puri Gears Up for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra 2025
Puri, Odisha, is abuzz with preparations for the annual Rath Yatra, set to begin on 27 June 2025. The festival, one of India’s largest, celebrates Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra’s journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. Three massive wooden chariots, newly built with sacred wood, stand ready on Bada Danda for devotees to pull, symbolising spiritual devotion. The Odisha government has deployed 10,000 police personnel for security, with 21 parking spots and five holding areas to manage the expected 10 lakh pilgrims. Indian Railways has arranged special trains for smooth travel. Rituals like Snana Purnima and Nabajouban Darshan have begun, with the deities emerging from isolation on 26 June. The festival, rooted in 12th-century traditions, draws global devotees for its vibrant processions and cultural performances.
Nitin Gadkari Debunks Two-Wheeler Toll Tax Reports as Misleading
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has dismissed media reports claiming that two-wheelers would face toll taxes on national highways from 15 July 2025. On 26 June, Gadkari clarified via social media that no such proposal exists, and the existing toll exemption for two-wheelers remains unchanged. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) echoed this, labelling the reports as fake news and confirming no plans to impose tolls on two-wheelers. The misinformation suggested mandatory FASTag use and penalties up to ₹2,000 for non-compliance. Gadkari criticised media outlets for spreading unverified claims, calling it unhealthy journalism. Meanwhile, a new ₹3,000 FASTag-based annual pass for private four-wheelers, offering 200 toll-free trips, will launch on 15 August to ease highway travel. Two-wheeler riders can continue toll-free travel on national highways.
Kharge Criticises Tharoor Over Modi Praise, Sparks Party Tensions
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took a sharp jab at party MP Shashi Tharoor on 25 June 2025, accusing him of prioritising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the nation. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kharge remarked that while Congress stands for “country first,” some, like Tharoor, believe in “Modi first, country later.” The criticism followed Tharoor’s article in The Hindu, praising Modi’s “energy and dynamism” in global diplomacy during Operation Sindoor. Tharoor hit back with a cryptic X post, featuring a bird and the caption, “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours.” Congress MP Manickam Tagore escalated the row, cautioning Tharoor about “hawks and vultures” in a veiled retort. The Congress distanced itself from Tharoor’s views, calling them personal, amid ongoing friction over his alignment with the party’s stance.
India Rejects SCO Joint Statement Over Terrorism Concerns
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, on 26 June 2025, citing its failure to address the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, was omitted from the draft, while it referenced the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan’s Balochistan, seen as pro-Pakistan. Singh condemned countries using terrorism as state policy, urging SCO members to unite against such acts without double standards. The SCO, comprising ten nations including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, could not issue a joint communique due to India’s stance. Singh also held bilateral talks with Belarus’ Defence Minister, discussing enhanced military cooperation.
Fragile Ceasefire Holds Between Iran and Israel Amid Tensions
A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced on 24 June 2025, continues to hold despite initial violations, following a 12-day conflict sparked by Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. On 26 June, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared Iran “crushed” the “Zionist regime,” claiming victory, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the truce as a “historic win” for eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat. France confirmed its air forces intercepted Iranian drones targeting Israel before the ceasefire took effect. Iran reported 610 deaths and 4,746 injuries from Israeli strikes, while 28 people died in Israel from Iranian missile barrages. Both sides traded accusations of breaching the truce, with Israel intercepting two Iranian missiles post-ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both nations to respect the agreement, expressing hope for broader regional peace.
Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ First Single ‘Chikitu’ Sets Internet Ablaze
The first single from Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Coolie, titled ‘Chikitu’, was released on 25 June 2025, igniting a frenzy among fans. The high-energy track, composed by Anirudh Ravichander with lyrics by Arivu, features vocals from Anirudh, T. Rajendar, Arivu, and Ajay Krishna. The music video, set in a warehouse resembling the film’s set, showcases Rajinikanth’s iconic dance moves alongside Anirudh and choreographer Sandy Master. The song, available in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, crossed 4.6 million views within 18 hours, trending on YouTube. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie is an action thriller about gold smuggling, starring Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj, with Aamir Khan in a cameo. The film is set for a theatrical release on 14 August 2025, clashing with War 2.
