World News

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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Five Rajdhani Express coaches derail after collision in Assam, eight elephants killed

Five Rajdhani Express coaches derail after collision in Assam, eight elephants killed

National Times Bureau :- A train accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Assam’s Hojai district when the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants. The impact killed eight elephants and injured one, while five coaches of the train were derailed. No human casualties have been reported so far. The incident took place around 2.15 am in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. According to NF Railway, the elephants suddenly appeared on the track, prompting the loco pilot to apply the emergency brakes. Despite this, the animals struck the…
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Seven arrested over Hindu man’s lynching in Bangladesh over alleged blasphemy

Seven arrested over Hindu man’s lynching in Bangladesh over alleged blasphemy

National Times Bureau :- At least seven suspects have been arrested in the case of lynching and killing a Hindu man, Dipu Das over allegations of blasphemy.  "In the incident of beating to death Sanatan Dharma adherent youth Dipu Chandra Das (27) in Valuka, Mymensingh, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven individuals as suspects. The arrested individuals are— Md. Limon Sarkar (19), Md. Tarek Hossain, Md. Manik Mia, 4 Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain, and Md. Miraj Hossain Akon. RAB-14 conducted operations at various locations and arrested the aforementioned suspects," the Chief Advisor wrote on…
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