World News

Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years, Draws Massive BNP Show of Strength in Dhaka

Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years, Draws Massive BNP Show of Strength in Dhaka

Dhaka, December 25: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman received a massive public reception on Thursday as he returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, marking a significant political moment ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Thousands of BNP leaders, workers and supporters lined major routes in the capital, including the 300 Feet Road and areas around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, to welcome the party leader amid heavy security deployment. The scale of the gathering reflected strong enthusiasm within the party ranks and among supporters across the city.Rahman travelled in a bus decorated in BNP colours,…
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California Activates Emergency Response as Holiday Storm Brings Flooding Threat

California Activates Emergency Response as Holiday Storm Brings Flooding Threat

California (Rajeev Sharma): California has moved into emergency mode after a powerful storm swept through Los Angeles and much of Southern California, prompting officials to warn of worsening conditions over the next several days. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency as heavy rainfall led to rising river levels and growing concerns about landslides. The storm system, fueled by the moisture-rich weather pattern known as the “Pineapple Express,” has drenched urban areas and foothill communities alike. Authorities say saturated ground and fast-moving water have increased the risk of mudslides, particularly in regions previously affected by wildfires. Emergency crews are…
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Deadly Explosion During Prayers Shakes Nigeria’s Maiduguri

Deadly Explosion During Prayers Shakes Nigeria’s Maiduguri

Maiduguri (Rajeev Sharma): A bomb blast inside a mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri left five people dead and at least 35 others wounded on Wednesday night, according to local police authorities. The explosion occurred while worshippers were gathered for evening prayers, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood. The Borno State Police Command said initial evidence suggests the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Police spokesperson Nahum Daso stated that investigators recovered remnants believed to be part of an explosive vest, alongside testimonies from people who witnessed the incident. He added that security forces have cordoned off the…
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Libyan Officials Killed in Plane Crash Near Ankara; Investigation Underway

Libyan Officials Killed in Plane Crash Near Ankara; Investigation Underway

Ankara (Rajeev Sharma): A tragic aviation accident near Ankara, Turkey, claimed the lives of several senior Libyan officials, along with the aircraft’s crew, on Tuesday night. The Falcon 50-type business jet crashed near the village of Kesikkavak in Haymana, roughly 70 kilometers south of the Turkish capital. Among the victims were some of Libya’s top military personnel, including Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, head of Libya’s ground forces; Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, leader of the military manufacturing authority; Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, an advisor to the chief of staff; and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, a military photographer attached to the chief of staff’s…
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US enhances online vetting for H-1B visas; delayed interviews likely to impact Indian techies

US enhances online vetting for H-1B visas; delayed interviews likely to impact Indian techies

National Times Bureau :- The United States has announced an expansion of online and social media reviews as part of routine visa screening for all H-1B and H-4 applicants worldwide, regardless of nationality. In a short statement, the US Embassy in India advised applicants to submit their visa applications as early as possible and to be prepared for longer processing times for these categories. "WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS. Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted…
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Five killed, one missing as Mexican Navy plane crashes near Galveston, Texas

Five killed, one missing as Mexican Navy plane crashes near Galveston, Texas

National Times Bureau :- Five people were killed on Monday when a small aircraft operated by the Mexican Navy crashed into the waters off the coast of Galveston, Texas, officials said. The plane was carrying eight people at the time of the accident—five fatalities have been confirmed, two occupants survived, and one individual remains missing, according to the Mexican Navy. The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission involving specialized medical transport when it went down shortly after 3 pm near Galveston, along the Texas coastline, about 50 miles southeast of Houston.  US Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker confirmed the…
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Mexican Navy Aircraft Crashes Near Galveston, Leaving Five Dead

Mexican Navy Aircraft Crashes Near Galveston, Leaving Five Dead

Texas (Rajeev Sharma): A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical support mission crashed near the Texas coastline close to Galveston on Monday, resulting in at least five fatalities, authorities confirmed. The incident prompted an extensive response from US and Mexican agencies, with search operations carried out in nearby waters. The plane was carrying eight people at the time of the crash, including a minor who was reportedly being transported for medical treatment. Mexico’s Navy said the group comprised four naval officers and four civilians, though officials have not yet clarified which passengers were among those killed. Two individuals on board…
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Epstein Files Vanish From US Justice Department Website, Triggering Political Backlash

Epstein Files Vanish From US Justice Department Website, Triggering Political Backlash

Washington, December 21, 2025: At least 16 documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were removed from the US Justice Department’s public website within 24 hours of being uploaded, igniting political criticism and renewed scrutiny over the handling of the high-profile case. The disappearance of the files, which reportedly included images referencing former US President Donald Trump, has not been explained by the department. The documents were publicly accessible on Friday but were no longer available by Saturday. According to reports, the missing material included photographs of artwork depicting nude women and images showing photographs displayed on furniture and…
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Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand disrupted as locals perform Haka dance to oppose religious procession

Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand disrupted as locals perform Haka dance to oppose religious procession

National Times Bureau :- Sikh Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) in Manurewa, a suburb of South Auckland, was briefly interrupted after it came across a group of protestors linked to Destiny Church and led by Pentecostal preacher Brian Tamaki.  Although the encounter remained peaceful, it drew police intervention and sparked intense debate around religious freedom, immigration and multiculturalism in New Zealand. Reports and videos circulating online show the Sikh procession and the protest group confronting each other on a public road, leading to a tense standoff that lasted for some time. Police officers stood between the two groups to prevent the…
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Epstein-Linked Documents Quietly Removed From DOJ Website, Prompting Outcry Over Missing Records

Epstein-Linked Documents Quietly Removed From DOJ Website, Prompting Outcry Over Missing Records

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): A set of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was abruptly taken down from a US Justice Department website within a day of being published, with officials offering no public explanation for their removal. The unexplained disappearance has reignited debate over transparency and accountability in one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent history. At least 16 documents that were visible online on Friday were no longer accessible by Saturday. Among them was a photograph that included former US President Donald Trump standing alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Epstein’s close associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The…
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