The Amarnath Yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage in the Kashmir valley, is set to resume after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jammu & Kashmir administration, along with security agencies, is making extensive preparations to ensure a smooth and secure experience for pilgrims. Registration for the Yatra has begun, with several banks facilitating the process. The Yatra, which boosts the local economy by involving various stakeholders, is expected to see record attendance. It will start on June 30 and conclude on August 11, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

Stephen Lawrence Day serves as an opportunity to promote societal change and the role of education in enhancing life opportunities. Reflecting on experiences in the London Borough of Hillingdon and the Local Government Association, the author emphasizes the importance of addressing the specific educational needs of diverse communities. The London Challenge and high prior attainment among ethnic minorities are highlighted as key factors in London's educational improvements. The author, a member of the Education Select Committee and founder of the APPG for Race Equality in Education, advocates for a focus on early years education and policies tailored to community needs. The APPG for Race Equality in Education is open for engagement through social media and their website.

The article reports on the COVID-19 situation in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), India. It states that 17 new deaths have been reported, bringing the total number of fatalities to 365. Of these, 16 deaths occurred in the Kashmir division and one in the Jammu division. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases in J&K has reached 19,869, with 450 new cases reported. The article provides a detailed breakdown of cases and recoveries by district. It also mentions the number of active cases, recoveries, and the testing figures. The government has emphasized the importance of maintaining physical distance, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and wearing face covers in public places as preventive measures against the virus.

In a controversial move, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu & Kashmir appointed an agriculture department employee, who also works as a newsreader for Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Srinagar and Radio Kashmir Srinagar, as a Presiding Officer in the civic polls. This individual allegedly misused his journalist tag to bypass a queue and gain entry to the Revenue Training Institute Bemina. The employee has been previously shielded from complaints by the head of his department, who benefits from positive news coverage. The article also mentions other employees engaging in similar practices, such as a teacher who works for DDK Srinagar and heads the media cell at the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, despite there being qualified individuals with degrees in Mass Communication & Journalism.