A disputed region under Indian administration, with evolving constitutional status since 2019
Public schools and universities in the region are undergoing formal audits of books and digital resources. Authorities say the reviews aim to remove misleading or unlawful content, while critics warn of growing censorship and threats to academic freedom. The move follows protests and the removal of two books from school libraries earlier this year.
Kirandeep Kaur has been killed in her Hayes home. A 46-year-old man is charged with murder. Vigils have been held and families in the UK and Punjab seek answers and repatriation for the victim.
The BCCI has named uncapped fast bowler Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement for India’s tour of Sri Lanka after Bumrah withdrew with knee discomfort. Nabi, from Jammu and Kashmir, earns his first senior call-up, while Sai Sudharsan’s participation remains subject to fitness clearance. The series starts in Galle on Aug. 15.
Polling is under way in four PK-administered Kashmir constituencies as security is tightened. The JAAC boycott persists, while PML-N is expected to lead the regional government after securing a majority in earlier phases; violence and protests have marked the campaign.
Rains have kept Brahmaputra and other rivers above danger levels in Assam, displacing hundreds of thousands and submerging farmland. Relief camps are operating as authorities assess damage and plan payouts amid mounting health and food security concerns.
The monsoon has intensified, causing deadly floods and landslides across multiple Indian states. Assam and Jharkhand report the highest casualties, while Kerala and Kashmir face ongoing damage as the weather system continues to unleash heavy rainfall. Officials warn that climate-driven changes are raising the risk of future disasters.
Pakistan’s Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026 have been issued, requiring accreditation and travel clearance for reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Rights groups call the move a restriction on press freedom; the government says it provides a transparent framework for registration and reporting.