The Great Indian Exodus: Why 12 Countries Are Tightening the Screws in 2025

 


Hey, friend, grab a coffee—let’s talk about something wild that’s been flying under the radar. In 2025, a dozen countries, from the shiny streets of Singapore to the deserts of Qatar, are making life tougher for Indian workers, students, and expats. We’re talking Malaysia, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, the USA, UK, Canada, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Singapore—places that have long been magnets for India’s ambitious diaspora. But now, these nations are rolling out stricter immigration rules, tougher visa renewals, and policies that scream “locals first.” It’s a seismic shift, and it’s hitting Indian professionals, students, and laborers hard. So, what’s driving this? Is it just economics, or is something deeper—like nationalism or geopolitics—at play? Let’s unpack it.The Numbers Tell a StoryIndia’s diaspora is massive—18 million strong, the largest in the world. The UAE alone hosts 3.5 million Indians, while the US and Saudi Arabia each have over 2 million. These folks aren’t just chasing dreams; they’re sending back billions—$100 billion in remittances in 2022, per the World Bank. That’s a lifeline for India’s economy. But now, countries are slamming on the brakes. In the US, for instance, the Modi government is reportedly working with the Trump administration to identify and deport 18,000 undocumented Indians, with estimates suggesting the real number could be closer to 725,000. That’s not a typo. It’s a deliberate move to protect legal migration pathways, like the coveted H-1B visa, but it’s leaving many in limbo.In Canada, where Indians make up the largest migrant group, immigration policies are tightening. The Express Entry system, once a golden ticket for skilled workers, is getting pickier, with fewer slots for international students and professionals. Australia’s points-based system is skewing toward local hires, and New Zealand’s visa rules are making permanent residency a distant dream. Even Gulf nations like Qatar and Kuwait, where Indians dominate as engineers, doctors, and laborers, are pushing “nationalization” policies—fancy talk for prioritizing their own citizens.Why the Sudden Clampdown?So, what’s going on? First, let’s talk economics. Many of these countries are grappling with post-COVID recovery, inflation, and unemployment spikes. In the UK, for example, the government’s been vocal about reducing foreign workers to “protect British jobs.” Sound familiar? It’s a playbook straight out of rising nationalism, where leaders stoke fears that foreigners are “taking over.” Germany, facing labor shortages, still tightened its visa rules for non-EU workers, including Indians, to appease voters wary of immigration. My take? It’s a bit hypocritical—countries rely on Indian talent for tech, healthcare, and construction, but when the political heat is on, they’re quick to point fingers.Then there’s geopolitics. India’s growing clout—think Quad alliances and cozying up to the US to counter China—hasn’t gone unnoticed. But it’s a double-edged sword. The US, under Trump’s second term, is doubling down on border security, with Project 2025 proposing over 175 immigration restrictions. India’s cooperation on deportations is a strategic move to keep H-1B visas safe, but it’s a tough pill for those being sent back. In the Gulf, where citizenship is a pipe dream for Indian workers, “Saudization” and similar policies are about asserting local control, not just economics. It’s like these countries are saying, “Thanks for building our cities, now go home.”The Human CostHere’s where it gets real. Imagine you’re an Indian software engineer in Silicon Valley, grinding for years on an H-1B visa, only to face a renewal rejection. Or a nurse in the UK, suddenly told your skills are “less essential” because of new quotas. Students are hit hard too—Canada and Australia, once top destinations for Indian students (over 1 million study abroad annually), are slashing post-study work visas. A friend of mine, a grad student in Toronto, told me she’s scrambling to find a job before her visa expires. “It’s like they lured us here, then pulled the rug,” she said. That’s the vibe for many.In the Gulf, it’s even bleaker. Indian laborers, often from Kerala or Andhra Pradesh, work grueling jobs in construction or hospitality. They send most of their earnings home—85% in the UAE, per a World Bank report. But with policies like Kuwait’s and Qatar’s pushing local hires, these workers face deportation or job loss with no safety net. No citizenship, no permanent residency—just a one-way ticket back. It’s not just about money; it’s about dignity, stability, and dreams deferred.My Take: A Global Identity Crisis?Here’s my two cents: this isn’t just about immigration policies. It’s a global identity crisis. Countries are wrestling with who gets to belong in a world where borders feel both porous and sacred. Nationalism is spiking—look at Assam’s “pushback” policy, deporting undocumented migrants to Bangladesh, or the US’s border emergency declarations. But let’s be real: Indian workers aren’t the problem. They’re propping up economies, from coding apps in Singapore to building skyscrapers in Dubai. The irony? These same countries are happy to take Indian remittances or talent when it suits them.That said, I get the other side. Local workers deserve opportunities, and governments have to balance public sentiment. But scapegoating migrants—especially a group as integral as India’s diaspora—feels like a lazy fix. It’s not solving unemployment; it’s just shifting the blame. And for India, losing its diaspora’s economic contributions could sting, especially if returnees struggle to reintegrate.What’s Next?This wave of restrictions is a wake-up call. For Indian expats, it’s time to rethink strategies—maybe exploring emerging destinations like Germany or France, which are still courting Indian students (France wants 30,000 by 2030). For India’s government, it’s a chance to leverage its diaspora’s skills back home, though that’s easier said than done with 1.75 million Indians renouncing citizenship since 2011. And for the world? Maybe it’s time to stop treating migration as a zero-sum game.So, what do you think? Are these countries right to prioritize locals, or are they shooting themselves in the foot by pushing out talent? Drop your thoughts—I’m curious to hear.
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A Curious Cure or a Risky Ride? The Truth About Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Diabetes

 

Some remedies wear halos until the fine print kicks in.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is one of those miracle-sounding names that pop up in wellness conversations—a natural antioxidant your body already makes, supposedly armed to fight aging, fatigue, and even diabetes. For years, it's been hyped in health circles as a hero compound that turns sugar into energy and shields your cells from oxidative stress.

But here’s what’s not talked about enough: for diabetics, that halo can quickly turn into a hazard.

The Antioxidant That Does It All (Almost)

Let’s start with the good.

Alpha-lipoic acid lives inside every cell, helping convert glucose into energy and cleaning up dangerous “free radicals” along the way. These unstable molecules are like sparks flying around inside your body—if left unchecked, they can lead to inflammation, heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Some studies even suggest that ALA supplements may help with diabetic neuropathy, the painful nerve damage common in long-term diabetes. In Europe, doctors sometimes prescribe it as a treatment to reduce tingling, numbness, and burning pain.

Sounds perfect, right?

Well, almost.

The Hypoglycemia Risk That Catches People Off Guard

Here’s where things get tricky: ALA and diabetes medications don’t always get along.

Because ALA helps your body use insulin more efficiently, taking it alongside drugs like metformin, insulin, glipizide, or pioglitazone can drop your blood sugar too low—leading to hypoglycemia.

We’re talking sweating, dizziness, shaking hands, blurred vision. In some rare cases, even fainting or seizures.

Even more bizarre? In people with a certain genetic variation, ALA may trigger an autoimmune reaction against insulin—something called Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome (IAS). It’s rare, but when it hits, the body treats its own insulin like a foreign enemy, crashing blood sugar levels unpredictably. Fortunately, symptoms usually go away once you stop taking ALA—but not before a serious scare.

🗣️ Dr. Fareha Jamal, Doctor of Pharmacy and Research Associate at BioNTech:

“The issue isn’t that ALA is dangerous—it's that it’s powerful. For diabetic patients, especially those on insulin or sulfonylureas, it can tip the balance. Patients often underestimate how even natural supplements can exert pharmacological effects. That’s why supervised use is critical.”

A Pharmacy in Conflict: 29 Drug Interactions to Watch

If you’re on medications, here’s another thing to keep in mind: ALA doesn’t play well with a long guest list of drugs.

Over 29 medications have known interactions with alpha-lipoic acid. Many are diabetes-related—think glimepiride, glyburide, tolbutamide, and others. Most of the interactions are minor, but if you're taking multiple medications, even minor interactions can snowball.

And it’s not just prescription drugs. Vitamins, herbal supplements, or even over-the-counter pain relievers might also complicate things.

“What concerns me,” Dr. Fareha notes, “is how often people mix supplements with prescription meds without telling their doctor. Alpha-lipoic acid could be helpful, but not if it lands you in the ER with hypoglycemia.”

Should You Take It? Only If Your Doctor Says So

The bottom line?

Alpha-lipoic acid is promising, especially for people with nerve pain or oxidative stress. But for those with diabetes or blood sugar instability, it’s not a DIY supplement.

Talk to your doctor. Get your blood sugar monitored. And be wary of “natural” wellness tips that don’t come with medical context.

Because in the age of self-prescription, the difference between healing and harm might just be one capsule away.

🔍 Expert Contribution Acknowledgment
This article includes insights from Dr. Fareha Jamal, Doctor of Pharmacy and Research Associate in MAP Screening & Biology at BioNTech, Munich. Dr. Jamal specializes in immuno-oncology, cell culture, FACS analysis, ELISAs, and assay development. Her input was instrumental in understanding the clinical context of alpha-lipoic acid’s use in diabetic patients.

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What’s Happening to Indian Students and Workers in America Right Now?

 

“I check my mail every morning with my heart racing… because any day could be the day ICE comes for me.”

That’s what a senior engineer told Aevy TV last month. His wife just had a baby. He’s been in the U.S. for nine years. Still on an H1B visa. Still temporary. Still scared.



And he’s not alone.

Something is happening to Indians in America. It’s not just whispers anymore—it’s quiet panic.
But few are willing to talk on record. And fewer still are connecting the dots.

🔍 Credit & Source
This story is based on an original investigation by Aevy TV, one of India’s most fearless independent media platforms.
📺 Watch the full video here

A Quiet Wave of Deportations No One Saw Coming

Last month, Aevy TV came across a strange case:

An Indian student had his U.S. visa revoked.

His crime?

A speeding ticket.

Assuming it was a glitch, they looked deeper. Then came more cases.
Jaywalking. Parking violations. Minor traffic issues from years ago.

So they asked their community:

“Are you an Indian student or professional in America? Tell us what’s happening.”

Within 48 hours:
112 responses.
45% shared the same story—minor infractions and sudden visa termination.

The Trump 2.0 Rulebook: “Catch and Revoke”

The game changed in 2025.

Trump’s new executive order authorized enhanced enforcement of legal status violations. Translation?

  • Any police interaction—no matter how small—can trigger visa scrutiny.

  • They dig through your entire history.

  • Even resolved cases (like a parking ticket from 2021) can get your visa cancelled in 2025.

Surveillance Isn’t Just Physical Anymore

Enter AI surveillance.

A new U.S. program called Catch and Revoke monitors international students’ social media activity.

If you’ve liked or shared content about Palestine, Hamas, or attended any protest—even peacefully—your visa may be under threat.

It’s not a conspiracy. It’s official policy. And it’s already active.

Why Indians Are the Primary Target

Indians are disproportionately affected. Here’s why:

  • 1/3 of all international students in the U.S. are Indian.

  • 330,000 Indian students entered U.S. schools in 2024 alone.

  • 72% of H1B visa holders are Indian.

According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, over half of recently terminated student visas belonged to Indian nationals.

We’re overrepresented. We’re overexposed. And now, we’re over-policed.

Deportation Scams & Exploitation

Fear is a market—and scammers are cashing in.

Impersonating immigration officials, they call Indian students and threaten deportation unless they pay up.

One student lost ₹4.2 lakhs to a fake “ICE official.”

Even worse? Fake emails claiming to be from the Indian Consulate warning of passport blacklisting.

What About H1B Workers?

Even those who graduate, land jobs, and win the H1B lottery aren’t safe.

Minor offenses, a single social post, or sudden layoffs can lead to revocation.

  • You get 60 days (soon to be 30) to find another job.

  • No job = out of status = illegal = deportation.

And the Green Card wait for Indians?

195 years.
Yes, that’s not a typo.

Due to the 7% cap rule, India—with 1.4 billion people—gets the same quota as Luxembourg.
1.2 million Indians are already in line.

Advice from the Ground


Aevy TV spoke to dozens of Indians in the U.S. Here’s what they shared:

For Future Students:

  • Don’t assume permanent settlement is possible.

  • Have backup plans: Canada, UK, Australia, or India.

  • Don’t take massive loans assuming U.S. salaries will repay them.

  • Build skills valuable globally, not just in the U.S.

For Current Residents:

  • Document every immigration interaction.

  • Keep a lawyer on speed dial.

  • Don’t tie all your assets to the U.S.

  • Be emotionally ready to return—it’s not your failure.

Resilience: The Indian Spirit Isn’t Backing Down


Despite all odds, many Indians are fighting back—and winning.

One student, laid off twice last year, got an H1B approval while speaking to Aevy TV.

There’s grit. There’s hope. There’s resistance.

“We paid to study here. We will finish what we came for.”

If You’ve Been Through It, Share It

If you’re an Indian student or worker in the U.S. who has faced this ordeal and come out the other side—please share your experience.

Your story could save someone else's dream.

Because in an America driven by quotas, algorithms, and paranoia—knowledge is the only shield we’ve got.

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We Are All Jews Here”—But Some Are More Equal Than Others

 

A boy in uniform salutes the Israeli flag while his grandmother, wrapped in a faded shawl from Gondar, stands behind him with tears in her eyes. He is Ethiopian. She is proud. And yet, even in that moment of belonging, something lingers. Something unsaid.

Maybe this is what integration looks like: uniforms, Hebrew fluency, and youth protests sparked by police bullets.

Maybe that’s the tragedy too.

You ever wonder how a country born from persecution can build its own ladders of exclusion?

When Justice Wears a Kippah but Looks Away

Let’s talk about success—because it’s always the counterpoint, isn’t it?

“But look,” someone says, “that Ethiopian girl just became a judge.”

True. But what of the dozens of Ethiopian teenagers locked away for petty crimes at rates three times higher than their peers?

And sure, Mizrahi music plays in Tel Aviv clubs. But whose accent do newscasters still mimic when they want to sound "uncultured"?

Israel's founders dreamed of ingathering exiles—Jews of all colors and customs. But not all exiles were welcomed equally. Ashkenazim (European Jews) became the architects. Mizrahim (Jews from Arab lands) were assigned the guest rooms. Ethiopians? Sometimes, they were made to knock twice.

In the 1990s, Israel’s national blood bank was found to have been quietly discarding blood donations from Ethiopians—for fear of HIV. No press release. No apology. Just a silent verdict that echoed: "Your blood isn't good enough."

The Mizrahi Majority That Still Feels Peripheral

Now here’s a twist: Mizrahim aren’t a minority in Israel. They’re the majority.

And still, they earn 36% less on average than Ashkenazim. A Mizrahi resume gets fewer callbacks. And the university halls remain disproportionately Ashkenazi.

How did a people who carried Arabic lullabies, Persian poems, and North African cuisine into Israel end up being told to drop their “Arab habits”?

Ben Gurion once dismissed Moroccan Jews as “primitive.” Policy followed prejudice. Arabic was discouraged, French was fine. Middle Eastern customs were exoticized, then erased.

Traditional Yemeni dance became “Israeli folk dance.” Not Yemeni. Not Arab. Just… assimilated.

 Echoes from Karachi, Dhaka, and Kabul

If you're South Asian, this all sounds familiar.

Ahmadis in Pakistan. Chakma tribes in Bangladesh. Hazaras in Afghanistan. Every post-colonial state inherits fault lines—and often deepens them.

Israel privileged its European Jews just as our own post-Partition elites favored Urdu-speaking migrants or those with colonial-era diplomas. It's not about religion. It's about who speaks the “right” language, wears the “right” clothes, eats the “right” food.

It’s why an Ethiopian Israeli might distance himself from African asylum seekers. Why a Mizrahi youth might lean harder into Israeli nationalism—just to prove he’s not “Arab.”

Because when the state says, “We’re all Jews here,” it doesn’t always say it equally.

 Beyond the ‘Apartheid’ Frame

Here’s where it gets tricky. Is this apartheid?

Not in the South African sense. Ethiopian and Mizrahi Jews are citizens. They vote. They serve in the army. Some rise to high office.

But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find softer walls—less visible, but just as real. Cultural exclusion. Bureaucratic cold shoulders. Ashkenazi dominance in media, academia, and the rabbinate.

That’s not apartheid. But it is discrimination. And it demands a reckoning.

Seeds of Change, But Will They Grow?

Some signs offer hope.

Ethiopian officers now command army units. Mizrahi chefs are reclaiming pride in their culinary heritage. Activists are louder. Protests more visible.

But systems are stubborn. A state that questions the Judaism of Ethiopian elders or marginalizes Mizrahi prayer traditions isn't just being bureaucratic. It’s sending a message: there’s a hierarchy here. You’re in it. But not on top.

Final Thought: The Danger of Simple Stories

We want our stories to be clean. Israel is either a refuge or a colonizer. Mizrahim are either fully Israeli or forever outsiders. Ethiopians are either victims or success stories.

But life isn’t binary. It's layered. And acknowledging injustice doesn’t mean denying belonging.

Maybe the better question isn’t: “Is Israel racist?”
Maybe it’s: “How can any society born of trauma avoid reproducing it?”

South Asians should ask the same. We've done it too.

Because in the end, building a just society isn’t about purity. It’s about courage—especially the courage to see your own reflection in the eyes of those you once othered.

Then again, maybe silence says enough.

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Iran Unwatched: The Death of Nuclear Accountability

 The cameras are off. The inspectors are gone. And Iran's nuclear sites are once again shrouded in uncertainty

Not exactly the kind of thing that helps you sleep better at night, right?

The UN's nuclear watchdog—the IAEA—has quietly pulled out its inspectors from Iran. This comes after Tehran suspended their cooperation, claiming that Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities were carried out with foreign complicity, perhaps even with UN knowledge. Accusations, denials, diplomatic silence. And now: blindfolds.

Do you ever get the feeling the world is just sleepwalking into another crisis?

The Last Trust Is Gone

For years, the International Atomic Energy Agency had been the one thin thread connecting Iran to the global nuclear order. Despite public showdowns and sanctions, Tehran had, more or less, allowed IAEA inspectors to monitor its uranium enrichment sites.

Not anymore.

After a mysterious April strike—reportedly an Israeli sabotage operation—Iran cut the cord. Inspectors were shown the door. As of June, according to the IAEA's own public statement, there are no longer any effective monitoring or verification activities underway in Iran [ source ].

And it's not just about losing access. It's what comes next.

No cameras. No logs. No data.

Just a shadow of centrifuges spinning underground. Maybe for energy. Maybe not.

The Nuclear Deal Is Dead. We Just Haven't Held the Funeral.

Remember the JCPOA? That 2015 deal that froze Iran's nuclear progress in exchange for sanctions relief?

Yeah, that's been a corpse for a while. Trump pulled out in 2018. Biden tried CPR but never really followed through. Europe watched, nervously, from the sidelines.

And now?

Iran is reportedly enriching uranium to 60%—a stone's throw from weapons-grade. Experts say that's technically still below the 90% threshold, but functionally, it's like standing on the edge of a cliff and insisting you haven't jumped yet.

Meanwhile, Israel keeps playing James Bond. Assassinating nuclear scientists. Blowing up reactors. Always just enough to delay, never enough to stop. And certainly without any international consequences.

So let me ask: why should Iran—or any other country—keep playing by the rules when its adversaries don't?

Is the Non-Proliferation Treaty Still a Thing?

This is the part no one likes to talk about.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was built on a big promise: nuclear haves would disarm over time, and have-nots would abstain. In return, the UN would ensure peaceful use and mutual security.

But today?

  • The US and Russia still have thousands of warheads.

  • Israel has never signed the NPT, yet it's widely believed to have nukes (and never faces sanctions).

  • North Korea walked out, built bombs, and got a few summits out of it.

  • India and Pakistan? Not signatories. Both nuclear.

And Iran? Still technically in the treaty. Still officially without a bomb. But punished more severely than several countries who actually built them.

That's not a deterrent. That's a recruitment flyer.

Because if the lesson is: “Get nukes and we'll leave you alone”… then who wants to be the last honest guy in the room?

The Real Fallout

Let's be real: this isn't just about Iran.

When monitoring collapses, the entire system cracks. Trust this. Precedents are set.

Saudi Arabia has already signaled its intent to match Iran “step by step.” Turkey and Egypt aren't far behind. And if regional players lose faith in the global system's fairness, they'll build their own security guarantees—in steel and plutonium.

This is how you slide from tension to arms race.

And from arms race to catastrophe.

So who will monitor Iran now?

Maybe no one.

Maybe we'll get more grainy satellite images. More anonymous leaks. Another NYT exposé.

But the era of direct access? Of inspectors walking into nuclear sites with clipboards and Geiger counters?

That might be over.

And if it is, we should stop pretending we have control.

Because the truth is: we're now flying blind in the most dangerous airspace of all.

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Pentagon in Panic as Iran Swaps Su-35 Delays for China's J-10Cs


Touchdown from Moscow to Beijing Something shifted in Tehran last month, and it has the Pentagon pacing. Iran quietly inked a deal for 36 Chinese Chengdu J-10C fighter jets, with eyes on 150 over time. No more waiting on Russia's broken promises. No more patch jobs on 40-year-old Phantoms. This is serious air-force modernization—fast.



The Su-35 Shuffle Just two years ago, Iran celebrated a 50-jet Su-35 order from Russia. Payment delivered, jets nowhere in sight. Only four Su-35s tricked in before everything froze—thanks to Moscow's own logistical snags and diplomatic pressure over Ukraine. Reliance on Russia suddenly felt like building skyscrapers in quicksand. It was a rude awakening. Iran's legacy fleet—F-14s, F-4s, F-5s, MiG-29s—fell apart under the stress of Israeli strikes and US raids that exposed glaring air-defense gaps. Time to look elsewhere.

Enter the J-10C China to the rescue. J-10C is not a toy. It boasts a pulse on the battlefield with AESA radar, PL-15 long-range missiles, and electronic-warfare suites that make older jets blush. Pakistan's Air Force already uses them, rack-rating high in drills against Indian Rafales. That performance gave Tehran the confidence to make the leap. Plus, China dangled AWACS support—those eye-in-the-sky planes that tie it all together. Iran is reportedly negotiating the KJ-500 system alongside the fighters. Command and control, upgraded.

Perspective: This Is No Hot Take Here is my view. Iran is not just buying hardware. It is sending a message: it will fill its own war machine, sanction dodging be damned. This is a strategic pivot away from Russia's unreliable hand. It chips away at US air dominance in the Middle East. And it rebalances power calculations around Israel—no small feat if J-10Cs start buzzing closer to its borders.

A New Axis in the Skies Don't think of this as a purely bilateral flip. It dovetails with wider Sino-Iran ties. Defense ministers from China, Russia, and Iran met in Qingdao in June under the SCO banner, swapping assurances on joint security. For Iran, Beijing looks like the steadfast partner Moscow failed to be. For China, a foothold in the Persian Gulf region. It is an axis built on mutual annoyance with Washington.

What It Means on the Tarmac Practically, what happens next?

  • Pilot Training Overhaul: Iran must train crews on unfamiliar Chinese avionics and flight-control logic. That could take months, not years—assuming parts and instructors arrive on schedule.

  • Maintenance Ecosystem: No room for improvisation. Chinese jets need Chinese spares, or Iran's cannibalization trick will ground the fleet. Unless Beijing sweetens the deal with factories or factories in Iran—a real game-changer.

  • Regional Deterrence: Even a dozen J-10Cs bolstered by AWACS can complicate Israeli sorties. Israeli F-35s may lose some freedom of action to avoid those PL-15 missiles.

Sidebar (Literal) Small detour: The J-10C is nicknamed “Vigorous Dragon” in Chinese service. Very dramatic. Iran might rebrand it something more poetic. Imperfect rhyme aside, the point stands—it is a breath of fresh air for Tehran's brass.

Over to You: Will This Soar? So will these jets really shift the balance? Or will bureaucratic and technical hurdles clip their wings before they reach full strength? Iran's gamble on China is bold. But bold moves come with bold risks.

What do you think—are we looking at a new era in the Middle Eastern air game, or just another ambitious arms deal that will sputter on the runway? Leave your take below.

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Why Cities from Jakarta to New York are Slowly Disappearing Beneath Our Feet: The Sinking Reality of Karachi

 I remember watching the ground crack in a neighboring urban block and wondering if the earth itself was tired of holding our weight. The bl...