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Heavy Monsoon Rains Cause Floods and Landslides in Rohingya Camps in Bangladesh, Damaging Over 1,400 Homes

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Torrential monsoon rains over May 31 and June 1 have triggered severe flooding and landslides across the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, causing widespread damage and displacement. According to reports from the UNHCR, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and other humanitarian agencies, at least 53 landslides were recorded across 33 camps, damaging more than 1,400 shelters. The heavy rains and strong winds have forced thousands of families to leave their homes, with communal spaces converted into temporary shelters. Tragically, one refugee died when a wall collapsed, and 11 others were injured by lightning strikes during the storms. Humanitarian partners have been working proactively to mitigate risks by pre-positioning relief supplies such as tarpaulins, ropes, sleeping mats, water purification tablets, and jerrycans. Despite these efforts, critical funding shortfalls threaten the ability to provide adequate emergency support as the monsoon season continues through August. Moderate...
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Bangladesh Supreme Court Restores Jamaat-e-Islami’s Registration, Clearing Path for Election Participation

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Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has ordered the Election Commission to restore the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, overturning a decade-old ban imposed in 2013 under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. This ruling officially reinstates the Islamist party’s legal status, allowing it to contest the upcoming general elections expected by June 2026. The Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, directed the Election Commission to reinstate Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration without delay but left the decision on the party’s traditional election symbol, the “scale,” to the Commission. The party’s registration had been revoked following allegations of opposition to Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and its involvement in political violence. Jamaat-e-Islami’s legal team welcomed the decision, stating it would promote a more inclusive, multiparty democracy in the country. The party had appealed the ban following the ousting of Hasina’s government in August 2024 am...
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Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus Pushes for Political Consensus on Democratic Reforms

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Nobel laureate and interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is intensifying efforts to build consensus among Bangladesh’s rival political parties to implement crucial democratic reforms ahead of the next general election, expected by mid-2026. Since taking office in August 2024 following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass protests, Yunus’s caretaker government has pledged to overhaul the country’s political and electoral systems to ensure free and fair elections. However, progress has been slow amid deep divisions between major parties, including the ruling Awami League and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Political discord over election timelines and reform details has created uncertainty, with some analysts warning that the caretaker government’s authority is increasingly challenged by entrenched interests within the police, civil bureaucracy, and military. Yunus has repeatedly emphasized the need for national reconciliation and systemic change...
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Pakistan Nears Deal with IMF on Income Tax Relief for Salaried Class Amid Budget Negotiations

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Pakistan is on the verge of finalizing an important agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide income tax relief to the salaried class in the upcoming federal budget for fiscal year 2025-26. This development comes after intense negotiations aimed at easing the tax burden on wage earners while balancing the country’s fiscal needs. According to official sources, the IMF has agreed in principle to reduce income tax rates across various salary slabs. One of the key proposed changes is raising the annual tax-free income threshold from the current Rs 600,000 to Rs 1 million. This means that monthly salaries up to Rs 83,000 will become exempt from income tax, a significant increase from the existing exemption limit of Rs 50,000 per month. Under the new proposal, tax rates for salaried individuals would be lowered substantially. For example, the tax rate on a monthly salary of Rs100,000 may be cut from 5% to 2.5%, while those earning Rs 183,000 per month could see their ra...
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Over 200 Inmates Escape Karachi Prison Following Earthquake Tremors

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In one of the largest prison breaks in Pakistan’s history, 216 inmates escaped from Malir District Jail in Karachi late Monday night after a series of mild earthquakes rattled the city. Prison authorities had evacuated inmates from their cells as a safety precaution during the tremors when a group of prisoners overpowered guards, seized weapons, and fled the facility. According to Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, the chaos erupted as prisoners were gathered outside their cells in the courtyard. Nearly 100 inmates forced open the main gate, leading to the mass escape. Security forces responded with aerial firing, resulting in one inmate killed and three security personnel injured during ensuing clashes. Police and paramilitary forces have since launched a massive manhunt. So far, 78 escapees have been recaptured, while over 130 remain at large. Authorities confirmed that none of the fugitives are convicted militants; most are charged with drug-related offenses and other crimes. ...
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Heavy Monsoon Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides in Northeast India, School Closed in Mizoram

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Northeast India has been severely impacted by relentless monsoon rains since late May, causing widespread flooding and deadly landslides across several states. At least 36 people have lost their lives, and over 550,000 residents have been affected, with the State of Assam bearing the brunt of the disaster. In Assam, continuous heavy rains have caused major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Barak, to overflow, inundating 1,254 villages and damaging more than 12,000 hectares of crops. The state has reported 11 fatalities, with floodwaters disrupting road, rail, and ferry services, and prompting power outages in many areas. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered electricity disconnections in vulnerable zones to prevent electrocution and assured relief efforts for affected communities. Mizoram’s Aizawl district witnessed landslides that claimed five lives, leading authorities to close all schools as a precautionary measure. Similarly, flood alerts have been issued in Assam, Manipur...
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Indian Chess Prodigy D Gukesh Stuns Magnus Carlsen with First Classical Win at Norway Chess 2025

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In a dramatic and historic encounter at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament, 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh delivered a stunning upset by defeating former world number one Magnus Carlsen in a classical game for the first time in his career. The victory, achieved in Round 6 on June 1, has been hailed as one of the biggest upsets of the year and a testament to Gukesh’s resilience and fighting spirit. The game was a rollercoaster, with Carlsen dominating for most of the match and maintaining a winning position for a significant duration. However, Gukesh’s perseverance paid off in a tense time scramble when Carlsen made a critical blunder, allowing the young Indian to turn the tables and seal the victory. Gukesh himself admitted the win was unexpected, saying, “99 out of 100 times I would lose, but it was just a lucky day”. Carlsen’s frustration was palpable as he banged the table and scattered pieces in disbelief after the loss. Despite this, he acknowledged Gukesh’s fightin...
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