Monday, August 3rd, 2026
Seven Years After Article 370: Modi’s Kashmir Gamble Came at the Cost of Democracy
By Shazia Malik On the morning of August 5, 2019, India awoke to one of the most cruel constitutional decisions ever made in India, since Independence. In a move that had been central to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) political agenda for decades, and an election promise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked Article 370, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and reorganizing the state into two Union Territories. Supporters hailed the decision as the final step toward India’s complete national integration, saying it would dismantle barriers to investment,Read More
Trump says new Iran talks set to start after calling off massive attack
WASHINGTON, AUG 3: US President Donald Trump said that new negotiations with Iran will begin Monday after he decided to hold off on striking Iran to pursue a deal to end the war entering its sixth month. Trump told reporters on Sunday that the talks would cover the Strait of Hormuz –- a route for global energy supplies that has become a key sticking point in the conflict — and ultimately, the denuclearization of Iran. “When the allies asked to call it off, you’ve got to sort say ‘Well, let’sRead More
Russia steps up protection of Black Sea cargo ships, develops alternative routes
MOSCOW, AUG 3: Russia said on Monday it was stepping up protection of ships in the Azov-Black Sea basin while also developing alternative cargo routes, in a move that follows a sharp escalation of attacks at sea by both sides in the war in Ukraine. The Russian transport ministry said that in response to “the tense situation in the Sea of Azov stemming from hostile drone attacks on maritime vessels,” it had set up a task force to find new routes and switch cargo flows to other modes of transport.Read More
PML-N secures simple majority to form govt in AJK, claims Sanaullah
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Monday claimed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured a simple majority to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after winning 23 of the 45 seats. Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam in Islamabad, the senior PML-N leader claimed victory on 13 seats in the second phase of the AJK elections, including four of the seven seats in Muzaffarabad, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured three seats. According to Sanaullah, the PML-NRead More