International
The United States expresses condolences for the “unfortunate” accident that ended Raisí’s life
On Monday, the United States expressed its “official condolences” for the “very unfortunate” accident that killed former president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisí, and said it had no information about the causes of the accident.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed his “official condolences” for the death of Raisí and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hosein Amir Abdolahian, in a helicopter crash that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin considered “very unfortunate” in another statement.
“While Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Miller said in a statement.
In a subsequent press conference, the same spokesman defined Raisí as one of those responsible for “the brutal repression of the Iranian people for almost four decades,” including the executions of thousands of political dissidents in 1988.
“We regret any loss of life. We don’t want to see anyone die in a helicopter accident, but that doesn’t change their history,” Miller said.
The spokesman also revealed that Iran asked the United States for assistance in the search and recovery of the damaged helicopter, but did not give more details about it.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, Austin said that the United States “had nothing to do” with that accident and, when asked if Israel could be involved, he said that it will be the investigation being carried out by the Iranian authorities that sheds light on what happened.
“Regarding the death of the Iranian president in the very unfortunate helicopter accident, we continue to monitor the situation, but at this time we do not have details about the origin of the accident,” he emphasized.
Faced with the question of whether the United States would modify the deployment of its troops in the region in the face of the uncertainty generated by the death of Raisí, the head of the Pentagon ruled out changes in this regard and stated that, for the moment, they do not expect there to be an impact on the security of the region.
Raisí lost his life on Sunday in a helicopter accident, after the aircraft made a forced landing in the Varzaghan area, in northwestern Iran.
The Foreign Minister, the governor of East Azerbaijan, Malek Rahmati, the leader of the Friday prayers of the city of Tabriz, Mohammad-Ali Ale-Hashem, also traveled on the aircraft, in addition to two pilots of the aircraft, a flight attendant, the presidential head of security and a guard.
Everyone died in the accident.
After the announcement of Raisí’s death, the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, approved on Monday that the first vice president, Mohamad Mojber, assume as interim president of the country and declared five days of national mourning for the death of Raisí and his companions.
International
Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza
Irish rock band U2, which spent Tuesday and Wednesday filming a new music video for its song Street of Dreams in the Historic Center of Mexico City, received an invitation to perform at the capital’s iconic Zócalo square from Mayor Clara Brugada.
Brugada shared the invitation through social media posts accompanied by photos and a video showing her meeting with the band members.
“This is an invitation for you to perform in our wonderful public square, the Zócalo. You are welcome here, and we would love to have you,” Brugada said in the video while handing a document to Bono, the band’s lead singer.
Bono responded by saying that the group would like “to begin its new tour in Mexico City.”
Referencing one of the band’s most famous songs, In the Name of Love, Brugada said she was greeting Bono along with The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr..
“Welcoming U2 to our capital means celebrating music, connection and the emotion that can be felt in every corner of this city,” Brugada wrote in one of her messages. “We are a city open to the world, vibrant and full of stories shared from the stage to the streets.”
She also described the Zócalo as “the country’s most important public square” and a cultural landmark for Latin America.
Over the years, the Zócalo has hosted massive concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands including Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Manu Chao, Café Tacvba, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Tigres del Norte, La Maldita Vecindad, Silvio Rodríguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Rosalía and Shakira, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans.
International
Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington hopes to persuade China to take a more active role in stopping Iran from escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, arguing that the crisis directly threatens Asian commercial interests.
“It is in China’s interest to resolve this situation. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to stop what it is doing now and trying to do in the Persian Gulf,” Rubio said during an interview with journalist Sean Hannity on Fox News while traveling aboard Air Force One.
The top U.S. diplomat said the conflict and concerns over the possible disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already affected China’s interests.
Rubio noted that “a Chinese cargo ship was struck over the weekend,” referring to the exchange of attacks reported last Friday between Iran and the United States.
The remarks come amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the region and the potential impact on global trade routes and energy supplies.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza
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International1 day agoTrump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
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International2 hours agoMarco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
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International2 hours agoMexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza