theTamilGlobal

In a historic achievement, Pakistan’s economy has officially crossed the $400 billion threshold for the first time, reaching approximately $411 billion in the fiscal year 2025, according to provisional estimates by the National Accounts Committee (NAC). This marks a 2.68% growth from the previous year’s $372 billion, reflecting a notable recovery despite ongoing economic pressures. The nominal GDP growth, averaging a compound annual rate of 9.3% over the past five years, places Pakistan among the world’s top 40 largest economies. The economy expanded from Rs105.1 trillion in FY24 to Rs114.7 trillion in FY25, with sectors showing mixed performance: agriculture grew modestly by 1.18%, industry faced a slight contraction, and services demonstrated stronger recovery. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted this milestone as a sign of steady progress, while acknowledging that achieving the government’s long-term goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2035 will require sustained r...

On June 11, 1990, a horrific massacre unfolded in eastern Sri Lanka when over 600 unarmed police officers, who had surrendered under assurances of safety, were brutally executed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This atrocity, one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka's protracted civil conflict, remains a stark testament to the LTTE's ruthless disregard for human life and international norms. The police officers, ordered to lay down their arms by the then Inspector General of Police Ernest Perera under political directives, trusted promises of safe conduct. Instead, they were systematically abducted, taken to remote jungles such as Thirukkovil, and mercilessly shot dead with their hands tied behind their backs and blindfolded. The massacre claimed the lives of 774 officers in total, including Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim personnel, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of LTTE's violence. This mass killing exemplifies the LTTE's broader pattern of war cri...

A devastating tragedy struck western India on Thursday when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, killing at least 241 people and leaving just one survivor. Catastrophe Unfolds Minutes After Departure The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew—including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian—departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. Mere minutes after takeoff, the plane issued a Mayday call before plunging into the Meghani Nagar area, striking a medical college hostel and nearby buildings. The impact unleashed a fireball and thick black smoke, visible for miles, as the fully fueled jet ignited on contact. Scenes of Chaos and Heroic Rescue Efforts Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene: a thunderous explosion, flames engulfing the crash site, and frantic efforts by emergency respon...

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Berlin today, commencing a pivotal three-day official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit, spanning June 11 to 13, is set to deepen economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations and marks a significant step in Sri Lanka’s international engagement strategy. Warm Welcome and High-Level Talks President Dissanayake touched down at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, where he was warmly received by German officials and members of the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. The President’s itinerary includes high-level discussions with President Steinmeier, the German Chancellor, and key members of the Federal Government. These talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in priority areas such as trade, the digital economy, investment, and vocational training, aligning with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities. Focus on Economic Transforma...

Pakistani security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Kolpur area of Kachhi district, Balochistan, resulting in the killing of two militants, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. The operation targeted terrorists affiliated with a group designated by the Pakistani government as “Fitna al Hindustan,” which it describes as an Indian-sponsored proxy organization. During the operation, security forces engaged the militants in an intense exchange of fire, leading to their elimination. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site. The ISPR statement said the slain militants were “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” in the region. It added that sanitization operations are ongoing to remove any remaining threats in the area. This incident follows a series of recent counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan and other provinces, where Pakistani forces have intensified efforts agai...

Indian Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi has renewed serious allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of orchestrating a systematic rigging of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. In a detailed op-ed titled "Match-Fixing Maharashtra," Gandhi outlined a five-step process he claims was used to manipulate the democratic process and warned that similar tactics could be employed in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. According to Gandhi, the alleged rigging began with "rigging the panel for appointing the Election Commission," followed by the addition of fake voters to electoral rolls and artificially inflating voter turnout. He further accused the BJP of targeting bogus votes precisely in constituencies where it needed to secure victories and then concealing the evidence of these malpractices. “How to steal an election? Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy,” Gandhi...

On the evening of June 5, 2025, SriLankan Airlines flight UL306, operating from Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo to Singapore, was forced to make an emergency landing at Medan Kuala Namu International Airport in Indonesia due to a technical malfunction experienced mid-flight. The Airbus aircraft, carrying 93 passengers and eight crew members, was diverted as a precautionary measure to ensure safety. Following the landing, an Indonesian technical team inspected the aircraft and determined that repairs would require additional time. Consequently, SriLankan Airlines arranged for passengers to be accommodated in nearby hotels. However, the process was complicated by stringent immigration formalities imposed by Indonesian authorities, who initially refused permission for the passengers to leave the airport. This refusal created a tense and distressing situation, particularly for Indian nationals onboard, who reportedly faced difficulties in securing timely clearance and accommo...

The world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, has officially opened in Indian-administered Kashmir, marking the completion of a decades-long infrastructure project that connects the disputed region to the Indian mainland by rail for the first time. The bridge, which towers 359 meters above the Chenab River—surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower—forms a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, a 272-kilometer line that traverses hazardous Himalayan terrain through 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the inauguration, highlighting the project as a feat of engineering and a milestone for connectivity in the region. However, the opening comes at a time of heightened tension and scrutiny over India’s policies and actions in Kashmir, a territory claimed by India, Pakistan, and China, and one of the most militarized zones in the world. Human Rights Violations Cast a Shadow While the Indian government touts the railway as ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...