Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday extended his greetings to devotees on the start of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, calling it a deeply sacred journey that reflects devotion, faith, penance, and the values of Sanatan tradition. In a message posted on X, he conveyed heartfelt wishes to all pilgrims and prayed for their safe, smooth, and successful journey. He expressed hope that the holy pilgrimage would bring divine blessings and enrich devotees with peace, prosperity, good health, spiritual strength, and a spirit of service to society. He also prayed to Lord Shiva for the protection and well-being of all those undertaking the challenging trek.
At the same time, several senior leaders also shared their greetings. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, praying for the grace of Lord Shiva and wishing that every devotee experiences a safe and fulfilling journey filled with peace, prosperity, and renewed energy. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also greeted the devotees, describing the Yatra as a grand celebration of Sanatan faith and praying for devotees to receive blessings and the divine vision of Baba Barfani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his wishes, calling the pilgrimage a rare spiritual privilege. He urged devotees to undertake the journey with discipline, devotion, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation. He further encouraged pilgrims to conclude the Yatra by planting a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, linking spirituality with environmental awareness.
The 57-day pilgrimage officially began on Friday and is being managed under strict security arrangements. Authorities are using digital surveillance systems and RFID tracking to ensure real-time monitoring, crowd control, and safety of pilgrims throughout the route. The Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Rakshabandhan.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Mark Zuckerberg, speaking at an internal town hall, reportedly acknowledged that Meta’s recent large-scale restructuring has not unfolded as smoothly as planned, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters. He noted that the company’s development of AI agent systems has been slower than anticipated, and that several of the expected outcomes from the reorganization have yet to be realized.
Zuckerberg said the restructuring—carried out earlier this year to redirect resources toward artificial intelligence—was not executed as cleanly as it should have been. The changes included major workforce reductions of around 10% globally and the reassignment of approximately 7,000 employees into AI-focused teams in May. While the move was intended to accelerate AI progress and improve long-term efficiency, it also led to internal pushback and concerns about employee morale.
He further explained that, in hindsight, the timing and execution of the transition were miscalculated. Conversations among senior leaders earlier in the year reflected concerns that Meta needed to move faster in adapting to AI-driven competition. At the same time, executives were highly optimistic about emerging tools such as Anthropic’s Claude Code, which influenced expectations for rapid progress.
Zuckerberg said the trajectory of “agentic” AI development over the past several months has not accelerated as expected, and the benefits of the new organizational structure have not yet materialized. Despite this, he projected that Meta could begin seeing more tangible gains from its AI investments within the next three to six months. The company is also investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with spending estimated as high as $145 billion, part of a broader tech industry investment exceeding $700 billion.
Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth said an internal review of its mouse-tracking software found no evidence that employee data was used for AI training. The tool, previously paused after concerns over privacy and data exposure, may be reinstated on an opt-in basis, after initially being mandatory for employees.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
The Indian Navy’s P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft has reached Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii, to take part in the 30th edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam is a US military installation located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
In a post on X, Indian Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal from Naval Headquarters said India’s participation in one of the world’s largest multinational maritime exercises reflects the Navy’s commitment to a “free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.” The Navy also described the deployment as a “Bridge of Friendship” between India and the United States.
The post further stated that the P-8I aircraft has arrived in Honolulu for RIMPAC 2026, one of the largest multinational maritime exercises, scheduled from 1 to 31 July 2026. It highlighted that the deployment strengthens interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and operational cooperation with partner navies while reaffirming India’s commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Navy also participated in Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam with its P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, according to a statement from the US Department of War. The P-8I had previously taken part in RIMPAC 2024 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam as well.
During RIMPAC 2024, the Indian Navy shared visuals of the P-8I landing at Pearl Harbor after completing anti-submarine missions alongside the US Navy and other participating forces. The Indian multirole stealth frigate INS Shivalik, deployed in the South China Sea and North Pacific, also participated in the 29th edition of RIMPAC that year.
According to the US Department of War, RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise, which began on June 24 around the Hawaiian Islands. The 30th edition this year brings together around 30,000 personnel from multiple nations, offering a platform to enhance collective readiness and cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
First conducted in 1971, the biennial exercise runs through July 31 and includes a wide range of operations such as amphibious warfare, gunnery and missile drills, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@indiannavy.
UNESCO has reportedly issued a strong warning to Pakistan over alleged poorly executed “restoration” work using cement at the ancient archaeological site of Taxila. According to reports cited by Dawn, concerns have been raised that recent conservation activities carried out by Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) involved modern construction materials, including cement and masonry, which may violate internationally accepted heritage preservation standards. UNESCO is said to have cautioned that such interventions could harm the site’s authenticity and historical value.
The controversy centers on work carried out at key sections of the Taxila complex, including Sirkap and Mohra Moradu, where modern repairs are alleged to have replaced or altered original ancient stone structures. Critics argue that the use of uniform, machine-cut materials contrasts sharply with the original irregular masonry, potentially affecting the site’s archaeological integrity.
Reports also suggest that UNESCO has warned Pakistan that continued non-compliance with conservation guidelines could result in the site being considered for inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger. A joint inspection involving UNESCO representatives and Pakistani officials was reportedly conducted in June to assess the condition of the site and review ongoing restoration practices.
Pakistani authorities, however, have rejected claims of damage, stating that the work is intended as stabilization and conservation rather than reconstruction. Officials maintain that the interventions are necessary to prevent further deterioration and are aligned with accepted preservation practices.
The issue has sparked wider debate over the management of Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1980 and historically associated with the Gandhara civilization. The ancient city, once a major center of learning in the region, is widely recognized for its archaeological and cultural significance spanning the Mauryan, Indo-Greek, and Kushan periods.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from UNESCO.
Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 50, including two children. The strikes damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure across multiple districts, with emergency teams continuing rescue operations. Ukrainian officials said the assault involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, forcing residents to take shelter in metro stations. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allies to speed up deliveries of air defense systems, warning the death toll could rise. The attack comes amid an increase in Russian strikes on Kyiv and follows Ukraine's long-range drone attacks on Russian military and energy facilities. Authorities also reported damage in several areas surrounding the capital, with three people injured in the Bucha district.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On the 2 July episode of Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Lorraine Tan, Morningstar's Director of Equity Research for Asia, for an in-depth analysis of the markets.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital wallets and quick online payments, cash is often viewed as outdated. Yet, for many people — from elderly citizens concerned about digital scams to families making everyday purchases at hawker centres — physical money remains a dependable and familiar way to pay. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore the importance of creating a payment ecosystem that remains accessible and inclusive for all. They speak with Wong Wanyi, FinTech Leader at PwC Singapore, about the role of cash in a rapidly changing financial landscape.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy return after a brief pause with a new episode exploring the shifting negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war, and why Donald Trump says the responsibility for reaching a deal now rests with his vice-president. Jonathan also examines the latest Kennedy family member entering the political arena, questioning whether voters are losing interest in political dynasties. He also looks at whether Trump’s planned reflection pool will be completed before the 4 July celebrations.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As AI continues to evolve, cyber risks are becoming a major business challenge rather than just a technical problem. The Five Eyes alliance warns that advanced AI models could transform the cyber threat landscape faster than anticipated. With AI being used for both attacks and defense, the question remains: who is ahead in this new automated cyber battle? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore this with Jayant Dave, Chief Information Security Officer at Check Point Software Technologies.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
