A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical mission crashed near the Texas coast on Monday, resulting in at least two fatalities. The incident adds to a day of significant global and regional developments, including sharp political commentary from former US President Donald Trump on Venezuela and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's critique of the ruling BJP's governance model in India.
Mexican Navy Medical Flight Crashes, Search On For Missing
A small plane operated by the Mexican Navy met with a tragic accident near Galveston, Texas, on Monday, December 23, 2025. The aircraft was carrying a one-year-old medical patient and seven other individuals. Officials confirmed that at least two people lost their lives in the crash.
Mexico’s Navy stated that four individuals were successfully rescued from the site. However, search operations are actively underway for two more people who are believed to have been inside the plane at the time of the incident. The passenger manifest included four Navy officers and four civilians, though authorities have not yet specified which among them are deceased or missing.
Notably, two passengers were representatives of the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting Mexican children suffering from severe burn injuries. The crash site was located near the base of a causeway along the Texas coastline, approximately 50 miles (80.5 km) southeast of Houston.
Global Political Spotlight: Trump on Venezuela, Tensions in Bangladesh
In a separate development, former US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Speaking from his Florida residence on Monday, Trump suggested it would be a "smart" move for Maduro to step down from his position. He cautioned that any attempt by Maduro to "play tough" would have severe and lasting consequences, marking a continuation of Washington's pressure on Caracas.
Meanwhile, concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh were highlighted by former Indian diplomat Anil Trigunayat. Commenting on statements made by Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Trigunayat described the situation in the neighbouring country as "extremely delicate and dangerous." He pointed to recent incidents of violence, including the lynching of a Hindu individual, and stressed the imperative for protecting minorities. Trigunayat also expressed hope for transparent elections scheduled for February 12th and reiterated India's support for the people of Bangladesh under its Neighborhood First policy, while emphasising that Bangladeshi territory should not be used against India's security interests.
Domestic Political Discourse: Rahul Gandhi's 'Two Visions' Critique
On the home front, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS, framing the current political dynamic as a clash between two visions for India. He accused the BJP-RSS combine of believing in "rule by a single strong leader," contrasting it with an alternative vision that advocates running the country through dialogue, consensus, and by hearing the voices of its diverse states and cultures.
Gandhi argued that India's complexity and diversity make it impossible for one person to decide its future, a principle he stated is embedded in the Constitution which defines India as a union of states. He criticised the BJP government's model for allegedly refusing to engage in such inclusive discussions.
In other news, a fire broke out in three shops at Naveen Mandi in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district. Fire Service Officer Arshad Khan reported that the blaze was brought under control using three fire tenders, preventing it from spreading further.
