Editorial Roundup: United States | US & World News

• By-election results were announced today for three assembly constituencies following votes cast on July 30, 2026. • Key outcomes include the BJP retaining the Manjalpur seat in Gujarat, while the Congress party secured a victory in Datia, Madhya Pradesh.

• A violent crackdown on protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), specifically in the hub of Rawalakot, has resulted in deaths and serious injuries to civilians, including teenagers as young as 15. • According to a BBC report featuring accounts from local residents, doctors, and families, the victims were targeted while protesting for basic rights.

• Opposition parties have warned that Parliament's monsoon session may face a total washout unless the government agrees to specific debate topics. • The opposition is demanding formal discussions regarding donations for the Ram temple and Union Minister Amit Shah's comments on the police crackdown on students.

• The Jammu Kashmir Awami Conference (JAAC) protest group has urged residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to boycott upcoming elections, labeling the process as "fraud at gunpoint." • JAAC leaders claim that any government formed through these polls will lack legitimacy and have called for supporters to join demonstrations in Muzaffarabad instead of voting.

• U.S. manufacturing activity surged to a four-year high in July, marking a significant recovery for the industrial sector. • The growth was primarily driven by a strong increase in new orders and expanded hiring efforts across the industry.

• The PML-N party secured a victory in the second phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marking a significant political shift in the region. • Security concerns escalated in northwest Pakistan with a rising death toll from attacks, while recovery efforts continue for climbers on Broad Peak.

• Deadly protests have erupted in Pakistan-administered Kashmir over the allocation of 12 refugee seats, leading to calls for election boycotts and staggered voting. • The Jammu and Kashmir Awareness Campaign (JAAC) claims these seats allow external political parties to influence the local government and divert essential development funds.

• The House Ethics Committee has recommended the censure of Representative Chuck Edwards following an investigation into "inappropriate conduct" toward female staffers. • The panel found that Edwards sent staffers "lavish" gifts, invited them to intimate vacations and dinners, and wrote notes expressing "effusive affection."

• President Donald Trump announced on Monday that a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the country's denuclearization is "imminent." • Iran has confirmed it is currently engaged in discussions with mediators to resolve these tensions.

• The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee has issued an information request to determine how Congress should overhaul the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). • The move follows several federal court rulings that overturned the agency's "click-to-cancel" rules and noncompete bans, as well as criticism regarding the FTC's 2022 data privacy rulemaking.

• President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it has a "last chance" to sign a deal, though he maintains he is under no specific time constraint. • Iran has stated it is not currently in talks with the U.S. but is discussing a new Strait of Hormuz route with Oman.