Geographically northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, at the center of a long-running dispute
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding resolution encouraging the use of equal-area map projections, notably Equal Earth, to correct distortions in the Mercator map. The measure, led by the African Union via Togo, passes 164 votes in favour with six abstentions; the United States votes against. Several nations express concerns over depictions of disputed regions. The move is not binding but signals a shift in global cartography and education.
The Indus Waters Treaty remains under strain as India suspends its participation after a Kashmir attack the Pakistan government denies involvement in. Pakistan warns any change to water flows could amount to war, while mediators push for dialogue and adherence to international law.
A magnitude 6.1 to 6.2 earthquake strikes Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, with the epicenter reported by regional authorities. Tremors are felt across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage. Afghan authorities confirm impact in Kabul and surrounding areas. Emergency services in affected Pakistani provinces have placed district administrations on alert.
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.
Protesters marching toward India’s Parliament have faced teargas, batons, and pellet gun injuries. Police deny pellet use, while eyewitnesses describe injuries; a broader youth-led movement seeks education reform. The government has not yet released a final report on the incident.
Protests linked to the JAAC have escalated as elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceed in three phases amid a nationwide crackdown. Officials report clashes and casualties, while JAAC demands political reform and abolition of reserved refugee seats. International observers call for access and transparency as media restrictions intensify.
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.
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.
The final phase of the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceeds as protests flare and violence rises. Amnesty International reports dozens of civilian deaths and several security force casualties; two British nationals are detained amid ongoing clashes. The UK has updated travel advisories and ministers have engaged with Pakistani authorities.
The Washington Post reports that during a July 8 Ankara stop, Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller plane to avoid an Iranian threat. Journalists and some aides remained on the decoy aircraft, while security officials say the move was to protect the president. Details of passenger lists and the full sequence remain undisclosed.
Pakistan has warned that threats to its sovereignty will be met with a strong response, as protests mark independence commemorations and a new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey surfaces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes Pakistan’s aim for peace but confirms a firm stance on water and security amid ongoing regional tensions.
The Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden has drawn protests from groups warning the RSS, led by Mohan Bhagwat, promotes Hindu nationalism. Organisers say the event aims for unity, while critics accuse it of masking a history of minority discrimination in India. Local officials debate potential sanctions and the broader implications for diaspora politics.
The International Court of Arbitration has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force, obliging India to limit construction on the Ratle hydroelectric project in Kashmir. Both sides remain locked in a long-running dispute over water-sharing between India and Pakistan, with a neutral expert due by mid-2027 to assess project compliance.
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding move to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth map to better reflect continental sizes. The vote saw 164 members in favour with the United States abstaining or opposing; several countries express concerns about disputed territories and implications for regional shading.
The United Nations has endorsed a shift toward the Equal Earth projection, encouraging adoption over the Mercator map. The resolution, supported by 164 countries, stops short of mandating change but calls for broader use in education, media and policy discussions. The United States opposes the move, with concerns over disputed territories.