The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld laws in Idaho and West Virginia that prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female school sports teams, marking a major legal victory for supporters of sex-based sports categories in the country.

In a closely watched decision, the court ruled by a 6-3 majority in favour of the state laws, overturning lower court rulings that had previously sided with transgender student-athletes challenging the restrictions. The judgment is expected to influence similar laws already enacted in more than two dozen US states.

The cases before the court involved Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act. Both laws require students to compete in sports teams based on their biological sex rather than gender identity. Transgender athletes Lindsay Hecox from Idaho and Becky Pepper-Jackson from West Virginia had argued that the measures violated constitutional equal protection guarantees and anti-discrimination provisions under Title IX.

Writing for the majority, the court concluded that states can maintain separate sports categories based on biological sex and that such policies do not violate federal law. The ruling is expected to strengthen similar restrictions already in place across several Republican-led states.

The decision comes amid an ongoing national debate in the United States over transgender rights, fairness in women’s sports and the interpretation of federal anti-discrimination laws. The issue has become a major political and cultural flashpoint in recent years, with several states introducing legislation governing transgender participation in school and college athletics.

The Supreme Court’s verdict is also seen as part of a broader trend of rulings by the conservative-majority court on transgender rights issues, including previous decisions concerning gender-affirming care and military service policies.

Thousands of people continued their protest in Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Tuesday, marking the 22nd consecutive day of demonstrations against Islamabad’s control over the region.

The protest, being held at Rawalakot’s Eidgah Ground, saw speakers and participants express dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s governance in the region. Protesters asserted that the territory should not remain under Pakistan’s control and warned that they could seek stronger engagement with India if their concerns remained unaddressed.

The latest demonstrations are part of a broader wave of unrest witnessed across several parts of PoK in recent weeks. Protesters have raised concerns over political rights, governance, and what they describe as increasing repression by Pakistani authorities. Large sit-ins and rallies have been reported in Rawalakot and other towns, with participation from civil society groups, students and women.

The ongoing movement has been coordinated by groups including the Awami Action Committee, which has previously issued a charter of demands to Pakistani authorities. Protest leaders have warned of expanding the agitation if their demands are not met.

The protests come amid heightened tensions in the region, where demonstrations and clashes between protesters and security forces have been reported in recent weeks. Several rights groups and activists have also alleged crackdowns and restrictions in parts of PoK.

At least five people were killed in a shooting in the northern German town of Stade on Monday, prompting a large-scale police operation and the arrest of two suspects, authorities said. The incident took place near a youth welfare facility, sending shockwaves through the community.

Police said shots were fired in the Dankersstrasse area, where emergency personnel and heavily armed officers were deployed following reports of gunfire. Several people were also injured, although officials have not yet disclosed the exact number or the severity of their injuries.

Authorities confirmed that two individuals, including the suspected gunman, have been taken into custody. Investigators have not yet revealed a possible motive behind the attack, and inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Large police operation launched

Following the shooting, police urged residents to avoid the area and allow emergency services to carry out their work. Officials later stated that there was no indication of any further danger to the public.

The facility where the shooting occurred reportedly provides support and temporary accommodation to vulnerable young mothers and their children. All confirmed fatalities were adults, according to preliminary information released by authorities.

Investigators are continuing to examine the scene and interview witnesses as they work to determine what led to the deadly incident.