Digest for 16 June, 2025
Ahmedabad Air India Crash: Second Black Box Recovered, 87 Victims Identified
Investigators recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), the second black box, from the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 270 people (241 onboard, 29 on ground). Analysis of the CVR and Flight Data Recorder is crucial to determine the cause. So far, 87 victims, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, have been identified via DNA matching, with 47 bodies released to families. The state has declared a day of mourning.
Iran-Israel Tensions Escalate; India Relocates Students in Iran
As Iran launched new missile attacks on Israel, wounding dozens in the fourth day of open warfare, India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it is relocating Indian students to safer places within Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is monitoring the security situation and assisting over 1,500 students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir. Both nations have exchanged hundreds of missile strikes, raising global concern and anxiety for foreign nationals in the region.
PM Modi Receives Cyprus' Highest Civilian Honour, the Grand Cross of Makarios III
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus's highest civilian honour, by President Nikos Christodoulides. Dedicating the award to India-Cyprus friendship and 1.4 billion Indians, PM Modi emphasized strengthening bilateral ties and contributing to global peace. This recognition occurred during the first leg of his three-nation tour, which also includes Canada for the G7 summit and Croatia.
Amitabh Kant Steps Down as G20 Sherpa to Focus on Startups and Free Enterprise
After 45 years in government, Amitabh Kant has resigned as India's G20 Sherpa. The former NITI Aayog CEO and DIPP Secretary announced he will now support free enterprise, startups, and think tanks. Kant highlighted his role in India's G20 presidency, initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme, and reforms in manufacturing and innovation. His decision marks a shift from public service to fostering India's private sector growth.
Wholesale Inflation Eases to 0.39% in May on Softer Food and Fuel Prices
India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation significantly declined to 0.39% in May 2025 from 0.85% in April, primarily due to easing prices of food articles, manufactured products, and fuel. Food articles experienced a deflation of 1.56%, with vegetable prices seeing a sharp drop. This trend aligns with easing retail inflation, which fell to a six-year low of 2.82% in May, prompting recent RBI interest rate cuts.