Bus Plunges into Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand, One Dead
A tragic accident occurred in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on 26 June 2025, when an 18-seater tempo traveller carrying pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda River. The incident took place near Gholtir on the Badrinath National Highway at around 7:30 AM IST.
According to police, the vehicle, en route to Badrinath Dham from Udaipur, Rajasthan, lost control on a sharp curve and fell into the river. One person has been confirmed dead, seven others were injured, and eleven remain missing. Rescue operations, involving the SDRF, police, and local administration, are underway, with boats and cranes deployed to navigate the river’s currents. Eight passengers have been rescued and hospitalized. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences and assured that relief efforts are ongoing to locate the missing passengers.
Axiom-4 Mission Launches with Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, successfully launched on 25 June 2025. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 IST, marking India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years. Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, serves as the mission’s pilot, joined by commander Peggy Whitson (US), and mission specialists Sławosz Uznanski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The crew, aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) today at 16:30 IST. They will spend 14 days conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including studies on fluid dynamics and muscle deterioration in microgravity. This mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO, supports India’s ambitions for its Gaganyaan programme and a future space station by 2035.
Sundar Pichai Meets IIT Batchmate Monk at Global Forum
Google CEO Sundar Pichai met his IIT batchmate, ISKCON monk Gauranga Das, at the India Global Forum 2025 in London on 25 June 2025. The two, who studied at IIT in different branches, shared a light-hearted exchange that went viral. Pichai remarked that Das, a 53-year-old spiritual leader, looked younger than him. Das responded, “You deal with Google, which creates stress; I deal with God, who releases stress.” The comment, made during a discussion on digital addiction and mental health, highlighted their contrasting paths, Pichai leading a tech giant and Das embracing spirituality after leaving engineering. Das noted that 70% of Indian teens spend seven hours online daily, underscoring the need for balance. The meeting, believed to have also occurred at Akash Ambani’s 2019 wedding, sparked widespread online buzz for its wit and insight.
Cloudbursts Trigger Deadly Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh faced devastating flash floods on 25 June 2025, following multiple cloudbursts in Kullu and Kangra districts. At least two people died, and over 20 are missing after torrential rains battered the region. In Kangra, floodwaters swept through a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric Project, with two bodies recovered from Manuni Khad stream. In Kullu, three cloudbursts in Jeeva Nallah, Rehla Bihal, and Shilagarh caused severe flooding, washing away homes, a school, roads, and bridges in Sainj, Manali, and Banjar. Three people attempting to salvage belongings in Rehla Bihal were swept away. Over 2,000 tourists are stranded in Sainj Valley. The IMD issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall until 29 June. Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF are ongoing to locate the missing.
Pune Metro Phase-2 Approved with ₹3,626 Crore Extension
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Phase-2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project on 25 June 2025, boosting connectivity in India’s ninth-largest city. The ₹3,626.24 crore project extends the existing Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor with two elevated routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B). Spanning 12.75 km with 13 new stations, these corridors will connect fast-growing suburbs like Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project, set for completion in four years, will integrate with Line-1 (Nigdi-Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjawadi-District Court) at the District Court interchange. Intercity bus services from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other cities will link at Chandani Chowk and Wagholi, easing traffic on Paud and Nagar Roads. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation will execute the project.
Trump Signals Shift on Iran Oil Sales to China
US President Donald Trump announced on 25 June 2025 that China could purchase Iranian oil to aid Iran’s reconstruction, marking a surprising policy shift. Speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump said he would maintain “maximum pressure” on Iran through sanctions but suggested easing enforcement to allow oil sales, particularly to China, which imports 90% of Iran’s oil exports. The move follows US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, which Trump claims “obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear programme, though a leaked US intelligence report suggests the damage set Iran back only a few months. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of “everlasting consequences” for the US attacks. Trump also indicated upcoming nuclear talks with Iran next week, aiming for a commitment to end its nuclear ambitions, while maintaining a firm stance on potential further strikes.
Shashi Tharoor Meets Russian Foreign Minister in Moscow
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 25 June 2025 during the Primakov Readings, an international forum on global affairs in Moscow. Tharoor, chair of India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, is on a private visit to Russia to promote his documentary series Imperial Receipts, based on his book Inglorious Empire, in collaboration with Russia Today (RT). He also met Andrey Denisov, former Russian Ambassador to the UN, and Leonid Slutsky, chair of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party. In a viral video, Tharoor spoke fluent French, criticising Pakistan’s inclusion in a Russian anti-terrorism summit, citing its role as a “safe haven” for terrorists. His visit, part of a broader diplomatic outreach including the UK and Greece, follows his leadership of India’s Operation Sindoor delegation, sparking speculation about strategic talks beyond the documentary.
Mukesh Ambani Outlines Ambitious Future for Reliance Industries
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani shared bold plans for the conglomerate’s future at a recent McKinsey Leading Asia interview on 25 June 2025. Ambani emphasized transforming Reliance into a deep-tech leader, focusing on green energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital services. He announced that the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is set to become one of the world’s largest renewable energy hubs, aiming for 100 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2030. Reliance Jio, with 490 million subscribers, will leverage AI through its Jio Brain platform to revolutionize sectors like healthcare and education. Ambani also highlighted a ₹75,000 crore investment in new energy, aiming to match the oil-to-chemicals business revenue within five years. Retail expansion, including luxury jewellery, is another priority, with Reliance Retail targeting global top-five status in store count.
West Indies and Australia Clash in Thrilling First Test
The first Test of the 2025-27 World Test Championship began with a dramatic 14-wicket day at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on 25 June 2025. Australia, opting to bat first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 180 in 56.5 overs, their lowest first-innings total against West Indies since 1995. Jayden Seales (5-60) and Shamar Joseph (4-46) led the hosts’ pace attack, dismantling Australia’s batting, with only Travis Head (59), Usman Khawaja (47), and Pat Cummins (28) reaching double figures. West Indies’ reply faltered as Australia’s pacers struck back, reducing them to 57-4 at stumps, trailing by 123 runs. Mitchell Starc dismissed openers Kraigg Brathwaite (4) and John Campbell (7), while Cummins and Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket each. Brandon King (23 not out) and Roston Chase remain at the crease.
Suryakumar Yadav Begins Recovery After Hernia Surgery
India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, underwent successful sports hernia surgery in Munich, Germany, on 25 June 2025. The 34-year-old batter, who had been experiencing discomfort in his lower right abdomen, confirmed the procedure on Instagram, stating, “I’m already on the road to recovery. Can’t wait to be back.” This marks his third surgery in three years, following a previous sports hernia operation in 2024 and an ankle surgery in 2023. Yadav is set to start rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru within two weeks. The surgery, timed during a break in India’s T20I schedule, ensures he has ample recovery time before the team’s next assignment, a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh starting 26 August. Yadav’s stellar IPL 2025 performance, scoring 717 runs for Mumbai Indians, underscores his importance to the squad.
