In preparation for the 2026 Rath Yatra, Odisha Police conducted a mega mock drill named 'Operation Chakravyuh' in Puri. The drill, aimed at countering potential terrorist attacks and handling hostage situations, involved STU and SOG commandos. For the first time, advanced robots were deployed during the exercise. The mock drill showcased real-time response strategies, including fire safety measures and hostage rescue from high-rise buildings near the Jagannath Temple, ensuring an impenetrable security cover for the millions of devotees expected to visit. https://argusnews.in/odisha/operation-chakravyuh-jagannath-temple-rath-yatra-2026-security-drill

After the Snana Yatra, Lord Jagannath is suffering from a high fever and is currently in the 'Anasara' room. Today, the sacred 'Phuluri Oil' prepared with 24 medicinal ingredients at the Bada Odia Matha will be applied to the deities' bodies by Daitapati servitors to cure the fever. Due to the Lord's illness, traditional music and chants are prohibited in the temple, and devotees are currently offering prayers to 'Pati Dian' instead of the main idols. https://argusnews.in/odisha/lord-jagannath-fever-phuluri-oil-ritual-anasara-puri-2026

A unique wedding ceremony was organized at the Maa Shyamakali Temple in Bargarh, where two specially-abled couples tied the knot. Facilitated by the 'Power of Divyang' organization, the couples—Swapna Sahoo with Rajkumar Sahoo and Sabita Singh with Pradip Kumar Panda—started their new lives together. The event was attended by Bargarh MLA Ashwini Kumar Sarangi and Atabira MLA Nihar Ranjan Mahananda, who congratulated the newlyweds. The president of the organization, Shyamsundar Agrawal, played a key role and encouraged other specially-abled individuals seeking marriage to contact the organization for support. https://www.dharitri.com/two-specially-abled-couples-tie-the-knot-in-a-mass-marriage-at-bargarh/

The Indian stock market witnessed a massive crash on Wednesday as the Sensex plummeted 1677 points and Nifty fell by 517 points. This downfall, triggered by rising tensions between the US and Iran and a hike in crude oil prices, led to investors losing approximately ₹8 lakh crore in a single day. Market capitalization of listed companies dropped to ₹471 lakh crore. Global market sentiments weakened after US President Donald Trump announced the end of a ceasefire, pushing crude oil prices to $78.09 per barrel. https://sambad.in/business/sensex-crashes-1677-points-investors-lose-8-lakh-crore-us-iran-tensions-12146405

Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling has directed all government and private nursing colleges in Odisha to maintain high standards of quality. He warned of strict action against institutions failing to meet prescribed norms regarding education, safety, and training. District Collectors have been instructed to conduct impartial inspections and submit reports to DMET by the end of July. Any irregularities found during the probe will lead to stringent legal consequences. https://odishasambad.in/odisha-health-minister-orders-strict-inspections-of-private-nursing-colleges/

The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) has announced the Hindi shortlist for the prestigious KLF Book Awards 2026. Featuring works published in 2025, the list spans five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Translation, and Debut. Notable authors like Gyan Chaturvedi, Amol Palekar, and Malini Awasthi are among those nominated. Founded by Rashmi Ranjan Parida, the awards celebrate literary excellence and intellectual depth. Winners will be announced in September 2026, followed by a grand presentation ceremony on October 3-4 at the 'KLF Indraprastha' event at the India International Centre in New Delhi. https://odishatazanews.com/?p=207469

A study by researchers at IIT Bhubaneswar reveals a worrying increase in surface temperature hotspots across Odisha due to rapid urbanization and deforestation. Analyzing 20 years of satellite data, the report highlights that districts like Khordha, Cuttack, Ganjam, and Sundargarh are most affected. Coastal areas are seeing hotspot expansions of 2% to 9% annually. The research, published in 'Environmental Science: Advances', warns of public health risks and environmental imbalance, suggesting urgent measures like massive afforestation and heat-resistant infrastructure. https://prajuktiodisha.com/iit-bhubaneswar-study-odisha-global-warming-surface-temperature-rise

Following strict action from the Government of India, Meta has removed approximately 1.60 lakh suspicious accounts in the last six months. The company is utilizing Artificial Intelligence to detect and prevent child sexual exploitation and online crimes. Meta reported that last year it automatically removed over 40 million accounts and 36 million pieces of content related to child safety violations. This move comes after the Indian government issued a notice seeking clarification on measures taken to stop exploitative networks on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. https://argusnews.in/national/meta-removes-160000-suspicious-accounts-india-government-crackdown

The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) will host the 'Technology Conclave-2026' at SOA University, Bhubaneswar, on July 11-12. The event focuses on energy security, nuclear reactors, semiconductor technology, and coal gasification. Eminent experts from NITI Aayog, DRDO, and SAIL will participate. It aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry while encouraging startups and young engineers. https://prajuktiodisha.com/inae-technology-conclave-2026-soa-bhubaneswar-odisha

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting the global job market, particularly in the US, where over 1 lakh jobs were lost in the first six months of the year due to AI implementation. Major tech firms like Oracle have conducted massive layoffs, affecting around 30,000 employees including 12,000 Indians. Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas shows that in June alone, 31% of layoffs were AI-driven. The trend is growing as tech giants prioritize AI investment over human labor. https://argusnews.in/international/ai-job-losses-us-over-100000-jobs-lost-six-months