A Punjabi Sikh youth has shared a tearful video from Mexico, claiming he was trapped after travelling through the illegal “donkey route” to seek opportunities abroad. He alleges that he was severely beaten after attempting to escape the network and says he is struggling to walk. The unidentified youth, reportedly speaking from inside a room, warned others not to trust agents promising safe passage through illegal migration routes. He admitted making a mistake and urged people not to follow his path. The incident highlights the risks of illegal migration, including exploitation, violence, extortion, detention and threats to migrants’ safety. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong warning to India during Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations, declaring that every drop of Pakistan’s water is a “red line.” He said Islamabad would give a direct response if New Delhi did not change course over the suspended Indus Waters Treaty. Sharif also warned that any future threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty or security would receive a stronger response than the May 2025 conflict. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and stressed that Islamabad wants peace but will not interpret peace as weakness. Sharif also highlighted Pakistan’s newly signed defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (PC: X)

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Indian-origin strategist and former BBC executive Gautam Rangarajan as Expert Adviser on Structure and Process at 10 Downing Street. Rangarajan, who spent more than three decades at the BBC, brings extensive experience in corporate strategy, organisational transformation and public-service broadcasting. His new role comes as Burnham undertakes major changes to the UK government’s structure, including establishing a new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet and expanding regional devolution. Rangarajan is expected to advise on improving government structures and processes, although specific responsibilities have not yet been fully disclosed. (PC: Linkedin)

Seven workers were killed and several others injured after water and debris suddenly entered an under-construction tunnel at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, trapping workers inside the tunnel. Rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, Army, ITBP and other agencies were deployed to locate and evacuate those trapped. Fourteen injured workers were rescued and taken to hospital, while authorities continued searching for missing workers. The sudden flooding reportedly followed heavy rainfall and landslide activity in the area. Officials are monitoring the situation as rescue operations continue under difficult conditions.

The United States has accused India and more than 40 countries of helping Chinese exporters bypass high US tariffs by rerouting goods through third countries. A White House report, titled “The Great Transshipment Scam,” alleges that Chinese products are being repackaged, relabelled or minimally processed elsewhere before entering the US market as goods from another country. India, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and the European Union are among those identified as higher-risk locations. US trade adviser Peter Navarro said Washington will deploy AI-based technology, including “Detective Border,” to detect suspicious shipments and strengthen tariff enforcement. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has imposed an 8 pm closing deadline for shops, markets and shopping malls as a severe natural-gas shortage worsens the country’s power crisis. Under the directive effective Thursday, commercial establishments can operate only from 11 am to 8 pm, while hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses are exempt. The electricity shortage has caused widespread load-shedding, with the national grid facing a shortfall of several hundred megawatts during peak hours. Bangladesh has sought additional diesel supplies from India through an existing cross-border pipeline to support gas-fired power generation. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi discussed energy cooperation with Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, who said diesel shortages had directly affected electricity production. (PC: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

Former Gorkha soldiers and their supporters protested in Nepal’s Pokhara, demanding that India resume recruiting Nepali youths into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme. Nepali citizens have served in the Indian Army for more than two centuries, but recruitment has remained disrupted since 2020. Protesters specifically called for Agniveer opportunities, arguing that Nepali youths should receive military employment rather than being pushed towards jobs in the Gulf. The demonstration comes days before Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth’s scheduled visit to Nepal. The recruitment issue has become a significant concern for former Gorkha soldiers and aspiring recruits, amid uncertainty over whether and when India will restart enlistment from Nepal under its current military recruitment system. (PC: India Today)

A 25-year-old man from Kurukshetra, Haryana, Vishu Sharma, was allegedly stabbed to death by three men outside his room in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday. His family said Vishu was called outside before the attack, while the motive remains unknown. He had last spoken to his family on Monday and was reportedly planning to return to India during Diwali. Vishu had moved to Europe in 2022, first working in Portugal, then undergoing military training and serving in the French Army before relocating to Germany, where he worked in delivery services. His family is completing formalities to bring his remains home. 

A 17-year-old Indian-origin teenager, Arjun Aravind, has been charged with killing his mother and younger brother at their home in Acton, Massachusetts. Police said 45-year-old Sudha Venkatesan and 14-year-old Siddarth Aravind were found dead inside the house on Tuesday with signs of trauma. Aravind allegedly fled in his mother’s Honda Accord after the incident, triggering an overnight search. Police later found him inside the car in Wayland and arrested him without incident. Prosecutors said investigators found evidence that he had recently searched online, including through ChatGPT, for theoretical ideas and fantasies about killing his family. The investigation is ongoing. (PC: NDTV)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said India is showing growing interest in the Northern Sea Route, as Russia seeks to expand Arctic shipping and strengthen trade links with Asia. Putin said India and China are among the countries discussing greater cooperation with Moscow on the route, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans along Russia’s Arctic coast. He said Russia is open to international cooperation under maritime law. The route could provide India with another trade link to Russia and improve access to energy and goods. However, extreme weather, sea ice, high costs and limited infrastructure remain major challenges for wider commercial use. (PC: X)