A tearful video of a Punjab man allegedly stranded in Mexico has surfaced online, in which he makes an emotional appeal to people not to take the so-called “donkey route” to reach the United States. The man, who appears distressed in the video, reportedly says he made a mistake by choosing the illegal migration route and warns others against trusting people who promise an easy journey abroad.

The man is seen speaking from what appears to be a room while visibly emotional. He reportedly claims that he travelled to Mexico as part of an irregular migration journey and alleges that he was assaulted after attempting to escape from the people involved in facilitating his travel. He also appears to appeal directly to viewers, urging them not to make the same decision.

The video has drawn attention in Punjab, where the desire to travel abroad has led some young people and families to rely on agents promising quick and inexpensive routes to the US and other Western countries. However, the exact identity of the man, his location and the circumstances surrounding the video could not be independently verified.

The term “donkey route”, also known as the “dunki route”, is commonly used to describe irregular migration journeys in which travellers move through multiple countries before attempting to enter their intended destination without the necessary legal documentation. For people trying to reach the US, such journeys can involve long and dangerous crossings through parts of Latin America and Mexico. The route can expose migrants to serious risks, including trafficking, extortion, violence, detention and abandonment. Travellers may also be forced to pay large sums of money to agents or intermediaries, sometimes leaving their families heavily indebted.

Punjab has witnessed several cases in recent years involving people who attempted to reach the US through such routes. Some migrants have returned after being detained or deported, while families of others have reported losing substantial amounts of money during unsuccessful journeys. In one case reported in 2025, a Punjab man allegedly paid ₹41 lakh to an agent for a journey that took him through several countries before he reached Mexico and attempted to enter the US. He was later deported. Other cases have involved migrants becoming stranded in unfamiliar countries or facing dangerous conditions during their journey.

The risks have prompted repeated warnings about unverified immigration agents and promises of guaranteed entry into the US. Authorities and immigration experts generally advise prospective migrants to check visa requirements carefully, verify the credentials of agents and use official immigration channels rather than relying on illegal routes.

For families considering overseas migration, the emotional video from Mexico serves as another reminder that the promise of a quick route to America can conceal serious dangers. While the specific claims made by the man in the video still require independent confirmation, his reported message is clear: taking an illegal migration route can carry consequences far beyond the money spent on the journey. As the video continues to circulate on social media, it has once again raised questions about the networks that facilitate irregular migration and the risks faced by people who place their trust in them.
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A 17-year-old Indian-origin teenager has been charged with allegedly killing his mother and younger brother inside their family home in Acton, Massachusetts, in a case that has drawn attention after investigators reportedly discovered disturbing online searches involving fantasies about killing his family.

The teenager, identified as Arjun Aravind, is accused of killing his 45-year-old mother, Sudha Venkatesan, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind. Police discovered the bodies at the family’s Martha Lane residence on Tuesday evening after Arjun’s father requested a welfare check when he could not contact his wife and children. A tutor who had arrived at the home for a scheduled appointment also became concerned after receiving no response. When police entered the house, they reportedly found Siddharth on the first floor and Sudha in the basement. Both had suffered apparent trauma, according to authorities.

Investigators said Arjun was not at the residence when officers arrived. Police later determined that he had allegedly left in his mother’s Honda Accord and launched a search for him. He was eventually located early Wednesday in nearby Wayland after officers responding to an unrelated alarm encountered the vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident.

The investigation took another troubling turn when authorities said they had uncovered online activity involving Arjun and ChatGPT. According to prosecutors, the teenager had reportedly explored theoretical ideas and fictional scenarios involving the killing of his family. Investigators are examining the material as part of their effort to determine what may have led to the alleged attack.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive, and officials have cautioned that disturbing internet searches or fictional writing, by themselves, do not establish criminal intent or prove guilt. Investigators are continuing to examine digital records, physical evidence and other circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Arjun faces two murder charges along with additional allegations involving assault and battery and the unauthorized use or theft of a motor vehicle. Because he is 17, the case involves specific rules concerning juvenile defendants, although the murder charges are being handled in district court. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Arjun have not been proven in court. Authorities are continuing to establish the sequence of events inside the home and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the mother and son.
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On International Youth Day, Rahima Mahmut, Executive Director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, has drawn attention to the alleged separation of Uyghur children from their families, warning that the practice is contributing to the erosion of their cultural and religious identity. Mahmut said the day is meant to celebrate the hopes, aspirations and potential of young people, but argued that many Uyghur children have been deprived of the opportunity to grow up within their own families and communities.

According to Mahmut, as many as 900,000 Uyghur children had been separated from their parents by 2019 and placed in state-run boarding schools and residential kindergartens. She alleged that the policy has resulted in children becoming increasingly disconnected from the Uyghur language, culture and faith, adding that the number of children affected could now be significantly higher.

She also pointed to footage that she said showed Uyghur children between the ages of five and 11 being encouraged or pressured to pledge allegiance to the Chinese military. The children were reportedly speaking Mandarin rather than Uyghur. Mahmut described the alleged practice as indoctrination rather than education.

Mahmut further claimed that some Uyghur children had been left without their parents after both were allegedly detained in political prison camps. She cited estimates suggesting that the wider detention system could involve up to three million people, while also alleging that forced labour transfers had separated other children from their families.

She additionally raised allegations concerning forced abortions and sterilisation involving Uyghur women, arguing that such policies had prevented some children from being born. Mahmut described the alleged measures as part of a broader attempt to weaken Uyghur identity by targeting younger generations. She argued that separating children from their parents and placing them under state control could undermine family ties and reduce children's exposure to their language, traditions and religious beliefs.

"The CCP's goal is clear: replace the family with the Party," Mahmut said. On International Youth Day, she urged the international community to support Uyghur children and young people and defend their right to grow up with their families, speak their native language and maintain their cultural identity. Mahmut said Uyghur youth should be able to build their futures with dignity, freedom and without fear, stressing that the next generation should have the opportunity to determine its own future.
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At least 111 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, triggering widespread destruction and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams continue searching for survivors. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. Strong tremors were felt across large parts of the country, including major cities such as Cali, Pereira, Armenia and Manizales. Buildings were damaged, roads were affected and emergency services were placed under significant pressure as authorities responded to the disaster.

The death toll has continued to rise as rescue workers reach more affected areas. Officials have warned that the number of fatalities could increase further as search teams examine collapsed buildings and other damaged structures. Hundreds of people have also been injured, while many families remain anxious about relatives who have not yet been located.

One of the biggest concerns following the earthquake has been the safety of damaged buildings. Many residents have chosen to remain outdoors rather than return to their homes, fearing that weakened structures could collapse during aftershocks. Streets and open spaces in some affected communities have become temporary gathering points for people who are uncertain whether their houses are safe. The earthquake has caused significant damage to infrastructure and public facilities. Hospitals have also been affected, complicating efforts to treat people injured in the disaster. In Cali, part of a hospital was damaged, forcing emergency personnel to manage patients under difficult circumstances. Other buildings, schools and historic structures in affected cities have also suffered damage.

Manizales was among the cities where the earthquake caused visible destruction, including damage to a historic cathedral. The extent of the damage is still being assessed as emergency crews and local authorities work to inspect buildings and restore essential services. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national state of emergency following the earthquake, allowing authorities to mobilise additional resources for rescue, relief and recovery operations. Military personnel, police officers, firefighters and emergency workers have been deployed to assist affected communities.

Security measures have also been increased in some areas as authorities attempt to maintain order while residents remain displaced. Officials are simultaneously working to provide shelter, food and medical assistance to people unable to return to their homes. Rescue operations remain the government's immediate priority. Teams are continuing to search through rubble for people who may still be trapped, while engineers assess whether damaged buildings can be safely entered. The difficult terrain around Chocó and damage to transportation infrastructure could make the relief operation more challenging in some remote communities.

The earthquake has also raised concerns about the longer-term recovery. Once search-and-rescue operations are completed, authorities will face the task of repairing or rebuilding homes, hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure. For residents who survived the earthquake, the crisis is far from over. Many are still sleeping outside and waiting for officials to determine whether their homes are structurally safe. As rescue teams continue their work, authorities are expected to release further updates on casualties and damage in the coming days. The situation remains fluid, with the death toll and extent of destruction likely to change as emergency teams reach more affected areas and complete their assessments.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Only weeks after basking in the success of the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is now facing growing pressure over his position. Infantino has apologised for his controversial proposal to sell the World Cup, but the apology has failed to stop calls for him to step down. The plan has sparked widespread criticism, raising fresh questions about his leadership and whether this latest controversy could prove too damaging. Why did the proposal trigger such a strong backlash, and could it ultimately bring Infantino’s FIFA presidency to an end? Sport reporter Jack Snape joins host Reged Ahmad to examine the growing crisis surrounding the FIFA chief and what could happen next.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Iran has reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz, while the Houthi movement has announced a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, placing two of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints under simultaneous pressure. The developments threaten to disrupt key global energy and trade routes, with Saudi Arabia's alternative oil export corridor through the Red Sea also facing increasing uncertainty. In an in-depth discussion, Andrea Heng and Poh Kok Ing examine the growing economic implications of these developments. Joined by Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco, they explore how financial markets are responding to disrupted supply chains, rising shipping and insurance costs, and the potential for renewed inflationary pressures as global trade routes are forced to adapt.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

British politics is once again making headlines with an unexpected electoral contest. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is preparing to defend his political standing in a by-election that could see him face just one challenger: the satirical candidate Count Binface. The unusual matchup has attracted widespread attention, highlighting both the serious political issues surrounding the vote and the growing role of political satire in modern democracy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The guardian.