On Thursday (June 26), Thai and Cambodian leaders visited different sections of their disputed land border amid rising tensions linked to a territorial disagreement, as Thailand’s government faces increasing instability. The strained relations follow brief armed clashes late last month in a contested border area, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Since then, both countries have engaged in retaliatory actions, including troop deployments, Cambodia’s halt of fuel and gas imports from Thailand, and Thailand’s partial closure of several checkpoints along their 817-kilometer border.
The dispute has added pressure to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is struggling to revive a weak economy and maintain a fragile coalition in the face of mounting protests and an impending no-confidence vote in parliament. During her visit to the Thai border town of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, across from Cambodia’s Poipet, Paetongtarn was welcomed by supporters, some holding signs of encouragement like "Love You Prime Minister Paetongtarn." She stated her visit aimed to review efforts against transnational crime and assess the effects of strict border controls, which have halted all cross-border traffic, including tourists and trade.
“We’re here to understand how this policy affects people and to find ways the government can assist,” she told officials during a meeting. Earlier in the week, the Thai leader blamed Cambodia for the rise in illegal online scam networks—a claim denied by Cambodian officials. Meanwhile, across the border in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited troops and officials near Thailand’s Surin province. Video footage showed him arriving by helicopter, dressed in military uniform, and addressing local authorities.
Previously, Paetongtarn and Hun Sen enjoyed close relations, partly due to Hun Sen’s longstanding ties with Paetongtarn’s father, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. However, a leaked phone call in which Paetongtarn criticized a senior Thai military official—an act considered taboo in Thailand—has sparked backlash and intensified political challenges for her.
Although she has since apologized, the Bhumjaithai Party cited the call as its reason for exiting the ruling coalition last week. The party has also announced plans to push for a parliamentary no-confidence vote against Paetongtarn and her cabinet. Adding to her troubles, a group of senators has requested Thailand’s Constitutional Court and anti-corruption agency to investigate her conduct, which could result in her dismissal. Meanwhile, anti-government groups are preparing for mass protests beginning Saturday to demand her resignation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has hired three researchers from OpenAI to join his new "superintelligence" team, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This development follows recent allegations by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who claimed that Meta has been attempting to lure away key employees from his company. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed the departures but did not provide additional information. The researchers—Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai—were previously working at OpenAI’s Zurich office. Their move highlights the growing competition among tech giants in the race to dominate the AI landscape.
The term "superintelligence" refers to a future form of artificial intelligence that would surpass human abilities in all domains. Although such advanced AI systems do not yet exist, they are considered the next step beyond artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is itself still theoretical. AGI would be capable of performing a wide variety of tasks at human-level proficiency, but experts believe its realization is still decades away.
According to the report, Zuckerberg has personally taken charge of the global search for AI talent, directly contacting researchers and entrepreneurs through emails and WhatsApp messages. His hands-on approach comes amid a wave of aggressive recruitment efforts. Last week, Sam Altman alleged that Meta had offered OpenAI employees bonuses as high as $100 million in an attempt to attract them—claims that underscore the escalating battle for top AI minds. In response, OpenAI has reportedly made significant counteroffers to keep its core team intact. Despite its early reputation as a leader in open-source AI, Meta has faced internal challenges, including delays in product launches and a series of employee exits. Altman noted that he believes Meta views OpenAI as its primary competitor in the field.
In another major move, Meta recently brought on Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to contribute to its superintelligence efforts. The company has also acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14.3 billion. Scale AI is known for its expertise in data labeling—an essential process in training large AI models. Through these strategic hires and partnerships, Meta is signaling its intent to compete seriously in the development of artificial general intelligence and beyond, despite the technical and ethical hurdles that still lie ahead.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday morning, as confirmed by security officials. The joint counter-terrorism operation, named "Operation Bihali," was launched following specific intelligence inputs. It involves coordinated efforts between the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
According to a statement from the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, contact was established with the terrorists in the Bihali region, leading to a gunfight that began shortly thereafter. The operation is ongoing, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in the area. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, stated that the encounter began early in the day and that the situation remains active as the forces continue to engage the militants.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a joint mock drill was conducted by various security and emergency agencies at the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The exercise was held as part of preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. The drill was carried out under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ganderbal.
The coordinated exercise saw participation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the CRPF’s 49 Battalion, the Indian Army, the Health Department, and Fire and Emergency Services, all aiming to ensure preparedness for the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
India’s economy continues to display remarkable resilience despite mounting global uncertainties, with robust growth in both the industrial and services sectors. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest monthly bulletin, high-frequency indicators point to sustained momentum in economic activity. This consistent performance is further reinforced by a favorable inflation outlook, with headline inflation staying within the RBI’s tolerance band of 4 percent for the fourth consecutive month in May, contributing to overall macroeconomic stability. The central bank also noted that financial conditions remain supportive, allowing for effective transmission of recent monetary policy changes. Following a 50 basis point cut in the repo rate aimed at stimulating growth, early indications suggest an uptick in credit activity across the economy.
While the global environment remains uncertain due to escalating trade tensions and geopolitical conflicts—particularly the Iran-Israel situation—the domestic economy appears largely unfazed. The RBI highlighted volatility in global financial and commodity markets, with rising crude oil prices and increased gold demand reflecting broader investor caution. Nevertheless, investor sentiment in India remained largely positive in May and early June, helped in part by temporary tariff suspensions by the United States.
India also led global peers in Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rankings for May, driven by a sharp increase in new export orders. This performance stood in contrast to declines observed in other major economies. On the domestic front, rural consumption is gathering pace, thanks to a strong agricultural season. Manufacturing firms reported capacity utilization above long-term averages, and agricultural production expanded across most key crops in the 2024–25 season. Consumer surveys suggest that current sentiment is stable and optimism for the future is on the rise. Drawing on these developments, the RBI concluded that the Indian economy remains on a firm footing, capable of withstanding external headwinds and continuing its growth trajectory.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from abp news.
Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, was seen walking with her children at the airport alongside her husband Jared Kushner (not in the frame), before boarding a water taxi in Venice, Italy, ahead of the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters
A ceasefire between Israel and Iran seems to be holding, despite some early breaches from both sides. However, a preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggests that recent American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites may have only delayed Tehran’s nuclear program by a few months. This raises questions about the likelihood of further violations and how U.S. President Donald Trump might respond. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Professor Lawrence Rubin from the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology to explore the situation.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
In Destination Anywhere, show producer Vaisali Prabhakaran chats with travel storyteller Divyakshi Gupta, the creator behind Quirky Wanderer, about her experiences exploring Himachal Pradesh. While the state is often associated with snow and Shimla, Divyakshi ventures off the beaten path to discover sacred mountain temples, centuries-old wooden architecture, and challenging high-altitude treks. She also delves into the tradition of Himachali Dham, a festive local feast, and recounts her journey along the dramatic Hindustan–Tibet Road.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey examine how Keir Starmer’s administration is handling the US president’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. They explore possible future developments and consider the implications for both the UK and the global community.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Singapore-based agribusiness giant Wilmar International is once again under scrutiny as Indonesian prosecutors challenge a prior acquittal related to alleged irregularities in securing palm oil export permits. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the potential impact on the company with Aaron Choo, Senior Assistant Director for Special Projects and Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
