World
Titanic tourist submarine goes missing with 5 people aboard
US and Canadian coast guard teams were racing Monday to locate and rescue a submersible tourist vessel with five people aboard that went missing on a dive to the Titanic’s wreckage in the North Atlantic.
The 21-foot (6.5-meter) craft, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, began its descent early Sunday and lost contact with the surface less than two hours later.
One of those on board is believed to be a British aviator, after he posted on social media about joining the expedition beforehand.
The US Coast Guard said it has launched a sweeping search approximately 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, while the Canadian Coast Guard said it too is taking part in the effort with fixed wing aircraft and a ship sent to the search zone.
“It is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area, but we are deploying all available assets to make sure that we can locate the craft and rescue the people on board,” US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters in Boston, where he was overseeing the operation.
“We work very very hard” in the search effort, “and our crews take this personally,” he added.
Time is a critical factor. The vessel has a range of 96 hours for a crew of five, and Mauger said Monday afternoon he believed it still had 70 or more hours of remaining oxygen.
On its website OceanGate Expedition says a dive expedition to the Titanic site was “currently underway.”
The company uses a submersible named Titan for its dives to a maximum depth of 4,000 meters (13,100 feet).
In a statement quoted by CBS News and other media outlets, OceanGate Expeditions said: “Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families.”
British billionaire and aviator Hamish Harding had on Sunday posted on his Instagram account that he was “proud to finally announce” he had joined the OceanGate Expedition “for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic.”
“Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023,” added the 58-year-old aviator.
“A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow.”
Admiral Mauger would not confirm the identity of any of those onboard.
Harding wrote that “the team on the sub has a couple of legendary explorers, some of which have done over 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s.”
OceanGate was not immediately reachable, and Harding’s company Action Aviation, contacted by AFP, declined to comment.
On surface or underwater? –
The US Coast Guard has launched two C-130 planes to survey the surface, while Canada has deployed aircraft “which utilizes sonar technology with buoys,” Chief Petty Officer Robert Simpson told AFP.
He said that “after the expected time of return” for the submersible, the OceanGate ship “conducted an initial search and were unable to find anything or any sign of the submarine and they contacted the Coast Guard.”
OceanGate said in its statement it was “deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.”
The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from England to New York with 2,224 passengers and crew on board. More than 1,500 people died in the tragedy.
The wreckage is in two main pieces 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, some 13,000 feet underwater. It was found in 1985 and remains a source of fascination and a lure for nautical experts and underwater tourists.
Without having studied the craft itself, Alistair Greig, professor of marine engineering at University College London, suggested two possible theories based on images of the vessel published by the press.
He said if it had an electrical or communications problem, it could have surfaced and remained floating, “waiting to be found.”
“Another scenario is the pressure hull was compromised -– a leak,” he said in a statement. “Then the prognosis is not good.”
An underwater rescue While the submersible may still be intact during its dive, “there are very few vessels” able to go to the depth to which the Titan might have traveled.
World
Trump dismisses claims of handing presidency to Musk as ‘hoax’
Could Elon Musk, who holds major sway in the incoming Trump administration, one day become president? On Sunday, Donald Trump answered with a resounding no, pointing to US rules about being born in the country.
“He’s not gonna be president, that I can tell you,” Trump told a Republican conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
“You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said of the Tesla and SpaceX boss, who was born in South Africa.
The US Constitution requires that a president be a natural-born US citizen.
Trump was responding to criticism, particularly from the Democratic camp, portraying the tech billionaire and world’s richest person as “President Musk” for the outsized role he is playing in the incoming administration.
As per ceding the presidency to Musk, Trump also assured the crowd: “No, no that’s not happening.”
The influence of Musk, who will serve as Trump’s “efficiency czar,” has become a focus point for Democratic attacks, with questions raised over how an unelected citizen can wield so much power.
And there is even growing anger among Republicans after Musk trashed a government funding proposal this week in a blizzard of posts — many of them wildly inaccurate — to his more than 200 million followers on his social media platform X.
Alongside Trump, Musk ultimately helped pressure Republicans to renege on a funding bill they had painstakingly agreed upon with Democrats, pushing the United States to the brink of budgetary paralysis that would have resulted in a government shutdown just days before Christmas.
Congress ultimately reached an agreement overnight Friday to Saturday, avoiding massive halts to government services.
World
Seven confirmed dead in Western Mexico plane crash
At least seven people died when a light aircraft crashed Sunday in a heavily forested area of Jalisco in western Mexico, local authorities reported.
The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was flying from La Parota in the neighbouring state of Michoacan.
Jalisco Civil Protection said via its social media that the crash site was in an area that was difficult to access.
Initial authorities on the scene “reported a preliminary count of seven people dead,” who haven’t been identified yet, according to the agency.
“A fire was extinguished and risk mitigation was carried out to prevent possible additional damage,” it added.
Authorities said they were awaiting the arrival of forensic investigators to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of additional victims.
World
12 Pathways to U.S. citizenship available in 2025
There are twelve main pathways for individuals to apply for U.S. citizenship, each with specific criteria and procedures.
These options include family-based immigration, employment opportunities, and asylum, providing various routes for those seeking U.S. citizenship.
According to the DAAD Scholarship, prospective applicants can pursue different immigration routes, depending on their situation.
From marriage to a U.S. citizen to qualifying for the Diversity Visa Lottery, each pathway leads to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship.
Below is a breakdown of the twelve most common ways to gain U.S. citizenship.
1. Military Service Pathway
Non-citizens who serve in the U.S. military can apply for naturalization during active duty or after one year of service.
Apply here: Naturalization through Military Service
2. Family-Based Immigration (Immediate Relatives)
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21—do not face annual visa caps. After receiving a Green Card, they can apply for citizenship after 3 to 5 years.
Apply here: Green Card for Immediate Relatives
3. Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
Marrying a U.S. citizen allows immigrants to apply for a Green Card through a spousal visa. After three years of marriage as a permanent resident, they may apply for naturalization.
Apply here: Spousal Visa Information
4. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery offers a random selection process for applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. If selected, individuals receive a Green Card and can apply for citizenship after five years.
Apply here: DV Lottery Application
5. Employment-Based Immigration (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)
Highly skilled workers or professionals in high-demand fields may obtain a Green Card through employment-based visas, including EB-1 and EB-3 categories. After five years, applicants can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Apply here: Employment-Based Green Card
6. Refugee or Asylum Seeker Pathway
Individuals fleeing persecution can apply for refugee or asylum status and later adjust their status to permanent resident. After five years, they may apply for citizenship.
- Apply here: Asylum Application
- Apply here: Refugee Information
7. Family-Based Immigration (Preference Categories)
Siblings and married children of U.S. citizens can apply for Green Cards, though the process may take several years due to long waiting times. Once approved, applicants can apply for citizenship after five years.
Apply here: Family Preference Green Card
8. Study-to-Citizenship Pathway
International students who graduate from U.S. universities on F-1 visas can transition to work visas like H-1B, secure employer sponsorship, and eventually apply for citizenship after five years.
Apply here: Steps to Naturalization
9. Special Immigrant Visas and Humanitarian Pathways
Special immigrant visas are available for those who have worked with U.S. forces abroad or victims of trafficking. After receiving a Green Card, they may apply for citizenship.
Apply here: Special Immigrant Visa
10. EB-5 Investor Visa
Through the EB-5 program, individuals who invest $900,000 to $1.8 million in a U.S. business may obtain a Green Card. Citizenship can be pursued after five years.
Apply here: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
11. Adoption Pathway
Children under 18 who are adopted by U.S. citizens automatically gain citizenship upon entering the U.S. as permanent residents.
Apply here: Adoption Process
12. Special Legal Provisions
Some individuals may qualify for citizenship under special provisions, such as the U visa for victims of crime or the registry for those who have lived in the U.S. since 1972.
Common requirements for U.S. citizenship
Regardless of the pathway, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have continuous residence for 3 to 5 years as a Green Card holder, and be physically present in the U.S. for 18 to 30 months, depending on their specific situation.
Additionally, applicants must demonstrate good moral character, pass an English and civics test, and take the Oath of Allegiance.
The road to U.S. citizenship in 2025 involves multiple options, each with its own challenges. Understanding the requirements of each pathway is essential for anyone seeking permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.
-
News7 days ago
Naseni’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Named 2024 Winner Of Daily Global Newspaper Conference Series Award For Science, Technology, Innovation, And Infrastructure
-
Relationships1 week ago
Four dating tips for single mum
-
Relationships5 days ago
‘I wish I met you before the wrong person’ – says Portable’s baby mama, Honey Berry, as she flaunts new lover
-
Politics1 week ago
Ibrahim Kashim resigns as Bauchi SSG
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Apostle Femi Lazarus, others top Spotify most streamed podcasts in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa
-
News6 days ago
Lagos state government shuts Lord’s Chosen Church, businesses across Lekki, VI, others over noise, environmental infractions
-
Business4 days ago
PoS operators increase withdrawal charges, blame electronic levy, cash scarcity
-
Politics1 week ago
Rep seeks increased participation of women in politics