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Worldnews

'Coming Back With Nothing'

Inside the reverse migration away from the US Necocli, Colombia – In the seaside town of Necocli, a white boat eases onto the shore. From a distance, it is identical to the many tourist skiffs that cruise along Colombia’s picturesque Caribbean coast. As the passengers disembark, however, there are no photos and few smiles. Among them is a 21-year-old from Venezuela named Luis Angel Yagua Parra. It is not his first time passing through this port. “I arrived at the border, but I couldn’t cross,” he said, reflecting on his journey north to reach the United States. A faded blue band, representing his boat ticket, dangles around his wrist. “So I came back.” Yagua Parra, along with the more than 50 passengers on board, has retraced his steps backwards across what was once one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. For years, migrants and asylum seekers travelled north from South America to reach safety and opportunity in the US. But now, with an immigration crackdown unfolding in the US, there are reports of an inverse trend emerging: wherein migrants are retreating from the US border in search of a new home elsewhere. The reversal has been stark. Last year alone, more than 302,200 people attempted to travel northwards from South America, according to the United Nations. However, as President Donald Trump makes asylum all but impossible to obtain in the US, migration northwards has slowed to a trickle. The Darien Gap — a sliver of untamed forest and steep terrain — used to be the main artery connecting South America to the north. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people would struggle to cross the land bridge on their way to the US. But not any more. The United Nations notes that, between January and March of this year, only 2,831 people made the dangerous trek. That marks a 98-percent drop compared with the same period in 2024. Yagua Parra made that journey himself, in his efforts to reach the US. The International Organization for Migration has called the path north to the US the world's deadliest land route for migration. “The road was tough. Many things happened — kidnappings, everything,” Yagua Parra said, tattoos freckling his young features. “People are hungry there. It’s hard. Ugly things happen.” When he reached the southern US border, though, he found himself one of the thousands unable to cross. Upon taking office for a second term in January, President Trump cancelled the CBP One app, the online portal used to schedule asylum appointments. Anyone who crossed the border without documents was also barred from claiming asylum protections. Meanwhile, the US increased the military presence on the border, further driving down crossings. The Trump administration touted those measures as contributing to "historic lows" for border apprehensions. But the migrants unable to cross found themselves stuck in Mexico, stranded in a border region beset by trafficking and exploitation. So Yagua Parra came back, leaving Mexico in April. He and the other occupants of their boat paid between $250 and $300 each for a return journey to Colombia. According to local aid workers, about 100 people are arriving south from Panama each day in Necocli. Other "reverse migration" routes are cropping up on Colombia's Pacific coast. As sandalled feet clattered to shore in Necocli, a Virgin Mary statue stood sentinel at the pier’s edge. Her plastic gaze welcomed the migrants and asylum seekers back to South America. Many had previously gotten as far north as Mexico. But some even reached the US and decided the political climate had grown too hostile for them to stay. Leaning against one of the pier's metal barriers, a young Venezuelan father, 31, lifted his daughter into a baby carrier strapped to his chest. Nine months ago, she was born in the US state of Colorado. But her parents, both of whom asked to remain anonymous, said life in the US had grown untenable. President Trump's hardline immigration policies and "mass deportation" campaign left them scared that their family would be ripped apart. “We had to leave [the US] with our child,” said the girl's mother, 29. “We were afraid they were going to kick us out. I heard so many stories about migrants being separated from their children. I prefer to leave voluntarily.” Still, the gruelling three-day journey from Panama to Colombia left their baby exhausted. “She’s a gringa,” her father joked, as he bounced his daughter rhythmically in her carrier. A heavy rucksack competed for space on his shoulder. They plan to return to Venezuela. Those who are able to continue their journey generally hop away on the public buses parked near the pier, while some migrants remain in Necocli, often due to a lack of funds. Pastor Jose Luis Ballesta Mendoza, 57, helps run a food hall for those who remain in Necocli. His church has provided a hot lunch and psychological care for passing migrants for the last five years. “The migration that was going northward has changed,” he said. “They are coming back.” As he spoke, he forged onward with his work. His fingers fluttered over the keys of a laptop. “We started the year with a small number of migrants, but this has been increasing," he explained. "Every day, we are attending to around 120 or 130 people.” In his food hall, families huddle over hot plates brought from the kitchen. Steam curls upwards amid the hungry chatter of knives and forks. A free meal goes a long way, especially for those left destitute from the expense of migration. “We’re returning to the same place that we sold everything to leave,” said one Venezuelan man, 36, who also asked to remain anonymous. Behind a fringe of dark hair, his eyes moved between his wife, 33, her son, 16, and the busy kitchen. They spent about $1,500 each to travel from their home country to Mexico. There, they waited nine months to get an asylum appointment with US officials. But the appointment never came. They felt they had no choice but to go back to Venezuela. “We’re coming back with nothing, having to start from zero," he said. Though the food hall remains, those returning through Necocli are finding a town whose capacity for humanitarian care has been significantly reduced. Local advocates credit the shift to a decline in foreign aid from the US, as well as the perception of reduced need as migration northward slows. “Most of the NGOs here have closed,” Pastor Ballesta Mendoza said. “Before, there were 17 entities working here. Now, there are only seven.” He fears the lack of funding could force his food hall — the only one still open on weekdays — to close down as early as August. “Very little support remains,” said Sister Maria Elena Osorio Henao, 59, who for the last 18 months has been working with the nonprofit Fundacion Diocesana Compartir, handing out supply bags to arriving migrants. “The only one handing out kits is me.” She believes that the town needs more humanitarian funding in order to meet the growing needs of return migration. “They arrive hungry and cold. They are living in the street without sufficient clothing,” she said. “One food hall that provides a lunch and nothing more is not enough.” Few have felt the lack of shelter more acutely than Venezuelan couple Marisela Bellorin, 47, and her partner Yeral Banegas, 48. Six months ago, they arrived in Necocli with the intention of crossing the Darien Gap and heading northwards. “We first came chasing the so-called American dream,” said Bellorin. But the couple did not have the $1,000 needed to fund their journey. Since then, they have been homeless in Necocli with their two children, 8 and 11. The four of them currently camp beneath the concrete bones of a half-constructed building, with little protection from the elements. “It’s hard — cooking on a wood fire, sleeping badly,” said Banegas. “I don’t sleep here, and neither does she. The children sleep, but we have to watch over them.” Sunlight fills their makeshift home from empty holes in the ceiling, and tangled plants burst from cracks in the floor. Bellorin apologised for the mess. “It’s normally more orderly,” she said, “but we’re packing to leave.” Her family has decided to move on. In one day's time, they will begin the long road to Chile. “If they are going to send us back," Banegas said of the US, "it’s better to just go somewhere else.” The family has already started to gather their belongings in plastic bags for the trip. Freshly washed clothes, once intended for a long voyage north, hang to dry in the pools of sunlight. The colourful sketches of a child, meanwhile, have been drawn directly on the concrete walls. One shows four stick figures, each marked with a label: “Me, Brother, Mummy, Daddy.” Their crayon smiles watch as the family packs. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Worldnews

Why Did India Lose Jets To Pakistani Fire In May Fight?

Navy Captain Shiv Kumar’s comments suggesting the government stopped the military from hitting back spark furore. An Indian naval officer has conceded that the country lost fighter jets to Pakistani fire during their conflict in May and says the losses were a result of “constraints” placed on Indian forces by the government in New Delhi. Captain Shiv Kumar, defence attache at the Indian embassy in Jakarta, made the comments at a seminar in Indonesia on June 10. The remarks went largely unnoticed at the time until The Wire, an Indian publication, reported on them on Sunday. Kumar’s claims have sparked a political storm in India, where the opposition Indian National Congress party called them an “indictment” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. So what did Kumar say, how have the Indian government and opposition responded, and what happened between India and Pakistan on May 7? Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a military confrontation on May 7 when India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine sites in six cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir with multiple missile attacks. India said it hit “terrorist infrastructure” in response to the killings of tourists on April 22 in Pahalgam in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan, on the other hand, said dozens of civilians were killed in the missile attacks along with several military personnel. Islamabad said it downed six Indian jets in retaliation, including at least three Rafale fighters. Pakistan military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said all the planes were downed inside Indian territory. An information war also ensued, in which India and Pakistan traded conflicting allegations and claims, but they both agreed on one fact: Aircraft from neither side crossed into the other’s territory during the attacks. In subsequent days, the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours exchanged tit-for-tat missile strikes and drone attacks on each other’s territory until a ceasefire was reached on May 10. It was announced by United States President Donald Trump, who insisted he brokered it – a claim New Delhi rejects. India insisted all its disputes with Pakistan must be settled bilaterally and there is no room for third-party involvement. During the seminar organised by Air Marshal Suryadarma University in Indonesia, Kumar said he “may not agree [with an earlier Indonesian speaker’s claim] that we lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft”. Kumar added: “That happened only because of the constraints given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defence” on May 7. The naval attache said the Indian military subsequently changed tactics and began to target Pakistani military installations. “We first achieved suppression of enemy air defences, and then that’s why all our attacks could easily go through using Brahmos missiles,” Kumar added. The Brahmos, a product of an Indian-Russian joint venture, is a long-range missile. Indian media reported that India fired Brahmos missiles at  Pakistani airbases on the night of May 9-10. After Pakistan first said it had shot down six Indian jets on May 7, New Delhi did not officially confirm or deny those assertions. When Chinese state news outlet The Global Times reported that Pakistan had brought down the Indian fighters, the Indian embassy in China described it as “disinformation”. But subsequently, Indian officials started to suggest that they had lost planes. When asked by reporters on May 11 whether Pakistan had managed to down Indian jets, Indian Director General of Air Operations AK Bharti said: “We are in a combat scenario, and losses are a part of it. As for details, at this time, I would not like to comment on that as we are still in combat and give advantage to the adversary. All our pilots are back home.” Then, General Anil Chauhan, India’s chief of defence staff admitted that Indian jets were downed by Pakistan, without specifying the number of jets, during interviews on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, which took place May 30 to June 1. Chauhan’s acknowledgement, made during interviews with the Reuters news agency and Bloomberg TV, marked the first time an Indian official admitted that Indian jets were shot down. “What was important is why did these losses occur and what we’ll do after that,” Chauhan said. When a Bloomberg reporter asked Chauhan about Pakistan’s claims that six Indian jets were downed, Chauhan responded that this information was incorrect. He added that “what is important is … not the jets being downed but why they were downed”. Chauhan said India “rectified tactics” after the May 7 losses and then “hit airbases deep inside Pakistan, penetrated all their air defences with impunity, carried out precision strikes” before the May 10 ceasefire. In a statement posted on its X account on Sunday, the Indian embassy in Indonesia said: “[Kumar’s] remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a mis-representation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker.” The embassy said that in the presentation, Kumar explained that Operation Sindoor was launched to target “terrorist infrastructure” and the attache was trying to emphasise that the Indian response was deliberately not escalatory. “The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood,” it added in a barb at Pakistan, where the military is the most dominant institution. We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attache at a Seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a mis-representation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker. The presentation… — India in Indonesia (@IndianEmbJkt) June 29, 2025 Not really. While neither the Indian government nor the military has ever bluntly linked the loss of jets to the Modi administration’s orders to the armed forces on May 7, New Delhi has been consistent in its narrative over its objectives that day. In a media statement after India launched missiles on May 7, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the actions of India’s military “were measured, nonescalatory, proportionate and responsible”. Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian army, who accompanied Misri to the briefing, emphasised that “no military establishments were targeted”. After the ceasefire, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told reporters that before firing at Pakistan on May 7, New Delhi had “sent a message to Pakistan that we are firing at terrorist infrastructure, we are not striking at the military, so the [Pakistani] military has the option of standing out and not interfering in this process”. “They chose not to take that good advice,” Jaishankar said. The Indian government argued that the Pakistani military’s response to New Delhi’s May 7 attack forced it to also retaliate, culminating in the missile exchanges on May 10. The main opposition Congress party has been asking Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government to inform parliament about India’s air losses during the conflict. When Chauhan admitted Indian planes were downed, Congress members demanded a review of India’s defence preparedness. “There are some very important questions which need to be asked,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in an X post at the time. “These can only be asked if a Special Session of the Parliament is immediately convened.” Kumar’s remarks have revived those calls. “The Modi government has misled the nation from the start – failing to disclose the aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor,” Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote on X on Sunday, calling the comments by Kumar an “indictment” of the government. “No wonder they are ducking our demand for a Special Session of Parliament like the plague. They know they’ve compromised national security, and they’re terrified of what the Congress Party will expose before the people of India,” Khera wrote. Another Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh, posted on X on Sunday: “Why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting and take the Opposition into confidence? Why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected?” On April 22, a group of armed men killed 26 people – almost all of them tourists – in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in India-administered Kashmir. An armed group called The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack. New Delhi insisted that the TRF is an offshoot of another Pakistan-based armed group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and has blamed Pakistan for supporting such groups. Islamabad denied the allegation and called for a neutral inquiry into the attack. After the Pahalgam attack, the already dwindling relationship between the neighbours worsened. Pakistan and India scaled back their diplomatic engagement, suspended their participation in bilateral treaties and expelled each other’s citizens. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Fluminense Into Club World Cup Quarterfinals After Stunning Inter Milan 2-0

The Brazilian side advance to face either Manchester City or Al Hilal in a quarterfinal on Friday. Fluminense have reached the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a stunning 2–0 win over Inter Milan as German Cano’s early goal and Hercules’s stoppage-time strike toppled the Champions League runners-up. Fluminense struck after three minutes when Cano pounced on a deflected cross and headed in from close range, putting the ball through goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s legs for a dream start in the sweltering heat in Charlotte, North Carolina, the US on Monday. The Brazilian side nearly doubled the lead in the 30th minute, when Sommer spilled Jhon Arias’s initial effort and Samuel Xavier fired the rebound attempt narrowly wide of the far-left post. And in the 39th minute, Ignacio thought he had doubled Flu’s advantage, only to be ruled fractionally offside by the automated review system. The pattern of more Inter Milan possession but more dangerous Fluminense chances continued early in the second half, and Sommer reacted superbly in the 62nd minute to dive and push Arias’s effort from beyond the penalty area just around his left post. Lautaro Martinez came closest to pulling Inter Milan level, forcing the 44-year-old Fabio into a pair of saves in the 80th and 82nd minute, then striking the post with another low effort only seconds later. Eleven minutes later, Inter Milan’s at times shaky defence was exposed for a second time. Hercules found himself free at the edge of the 18-yard box following a throw-in, and he drove a composed, low finish into the bottom right corner and sent the Fluminense fans into delirium. Fluminense captain Thiago Silva said he was “very proud of my team and teammates” for beating such a top side and in extremely hot conditions. “I’m very happy for myself and the team,” he told DAZN. “Ten days ago, I had an injury, and it wasn’t easy to play today. But I am very happy with the medical team … it was very very important for me to play today.” The result ensured that there will be two Brazilian quarterfinalists in the first edition of this expanded tournament format, after Palmeiras also reached the last eight. Fluminense will play the winner of Monday’s later game between Manchester City and Al Hilal in the quarterfinals. If heavily favoured Manchester City progress, it would present a rematch of the 2023 Club World Cup final, which Manchester City won 4-0. Inter Milan were eliminated in the second round 30 days after they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. They also narrowly finished second in the Italian Serie A. Cristian Chivu, Inter Milan’s coach, hailed his team for their attitude as they battled to come back from conceding such an early goal. “We didn’t give up; we tried until the end. We tried to make some changes even in the formation. It wasn’t our day,” he told DAZN. “We didn’t expect them to play five at the back, but they were well organised with the low block on defence. It was tough for us to find solutions, especially in the first half when we tried a lot … in the second half, maybe we tried to switch a little bit more, to play outside and with some more crosses. “We also tried to build something with two strikers in a 4-4-2. Until the end, we tried, but it wasn’t our day.” Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Baburao Returns: Paresh Rawal Confirms Comeback In Hera Pheri 3 After Controversy

The world of Indian comedy cinema has some unforgettable names, but few characters have left as enduring an impression as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. Played by the inimitable Paresh Rawal, Baburao became a cult favorite since his debut in Hera Pheri (2000), with his quirky glasses, hilarious mispronunciations, and unmatched comic timing. Now, following a lot of speculation and a reasonable amount of controversy, Paresh Rawal has confirmed that he will be reprising the iconic role in Hera Pheri 3. And for the fans, that’s nothing less than cinematic gold. The Hera Pheri franchise has been the pillar of Indian comedy for more than two decades. The equation between Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal became iconic, with Rawal’s character of bumbling but lovable landlord Baburao becoming a heartthrob across generations. So when news broke early this year that Rawal had walked out of the third installment over financial differences and court cases, disappointment was the order of the day. However, the air has finally been cleared. Speaking on a recent podcast, Paresh Rawal confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3. “When something is so well loved by people, we have to be extra careful; it is our responsibility towards the audience,” he said. “You can’t take that for granted; you must work hard and give them your best.” With those words, Rawal reaffirmed not just his involvement but his emotional connection to the role that made him a household name. The road to Rawal’s return was not smooth. In May 2025, Rawal stunned everyone in an interview with Bollywood Hungama by announcing that he had quit the project. The news made waves in social media as much as it did in the entertainment scene, leading to a backlash from his fans and rumors about what the future of the film held. The situation escalated when Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, reportedly issued a legal notice to Rawal demanding Rs. 25 crore in damages. The actor returned the Rs. 11 lakh signing amount he had earlier received, along with 15% annual interest and an additional goodwill sum, formally stepping away from the film. Lying at the core of the controversy was the payment term. Rawal’s remuneration, said to be Rs. 15 crore, was to be made only a month after the eventual release of the film, estimated for late 2026 or even 2027. Such extended delays in payment understandably induced reluctance, particularly for a veteran actor with decades of experience. Despite the complications, both sides seem to have recognized the cultural weight of Baburao’s character and the irreplaceable value Paresh Rawal brings to it. As Rawal explained in his recent statement, “It was meant to come together earlier too, but we had to fine-tune things with each other. Priyadarshan, Akshay, and Suniel are all talented people and friends for many, many years.” His statement is not only reconciliation but also a mutual pledge towards fulfilling the promise of Hera Pheri 3. Although official news regarding the revamped deal hasn’t been released, Rawal’s assurance hints that the economic and legal obstacles have now been overcome, clearing the way for the reunion of the trio long overdue. The first Hera Pheri by Priyadarshan in 2000 was not merely a movie; it became a pop culture phenomenon. The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), only established the trio’s comedic gold. With one-liners that continue to trend as memes and scenes that are seared into the memory of the audience, the franchise has gathered a devoted fan base of all ages. Over the past few years, fan pressure for a third installment has only gotten louder. But Hera Pheri 3 was delayed with script revisions, director changes, and cast doubts. The uncertainty over Paresh Rawal’s participation merely fueled rumors. But with the original trio now signed up and the production house getting its creative wheels in sync, things finally look to be back on track. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, production for Hera Pheri 3 is expected to begin later this year. Directed by Farhad Samji, the film promises to retain the heart and humor of the original while bringing a fresh twist to the story. Viewers can look forward to more of Baburao’s funny faux pas, Raju’s plotting, and Shyam’s deadpan responses. If executed well, Hera Pheri 3 might usher in a successful comeback not only for the trio but also for the old-school brand of comedy that Bollywood appears to have abandoned in recent years. The news of Paresh Rawal’s return isn’t just a casting update; it’s a celebration. In an age where nostalgia sells but rarely delivers, having the original trio return in Hera Pheri 3 is a rare chance to bring back authentic humor rooted in timeless performances. For audiences who grew up quoting Baburao’s lines and for a new generation discovering the franchise through memes and reruns, Hera Pheri 3 now holds the promise of laughter, chaos, and the return of one of India’s most iconic characters. The good news? Baburao is back. And this time, everything is resolved.