International
Hutis say that they attacked 3 other ships and the United States, that a Ukrainian freighter was hit
Yemen’s Shiite Houthi rebels claimed new attacks “with direct impact” against three other merchant ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, while the United States confirmed that a Ukrainian-owned freighter was hit and a member of its crew was seriously injured.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yehya Sarea, said in a statement that the new attacks were carried out “with drones and missiles during the last 24 hours,” shortly before the US force in the area announced that one of those attacks caused a fire on a Ukrainian freighter, operated by Poland, and “serious injuries” to a member of its crew.
“The first attack targeted the Verbena ship in the Arabian Sea (…) the second the Seaguardian (…) and the third the Athina,” said the insurgent spokesman, who assured that the latter two were hit in the Red Sea, and that the three actions were carried out with drones and ballistic missiles and had a “direct impact.”
Sarea did not reveal more details about the attacked vessels, although the U.S. Central Command. (Centcom, in English) said in his account in X that “two anti-ship cruise missiles of the Houthis, backed by Iran, hit M/V Verbena.”
It is “a bulk cargo ship operated by Poland, Ukrainian-owned and with the flag of Palau” that “reported damage and subsequent fires on board,” according to the message from Centcom, which pointed out that “the crew continues to fight the fire,” and that “a civilian sailor was seriously injured during the attack.”
“A plane of the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) medically evacuated the sailor who was injured in a nearby associated ship to receive medical attention,” Centcom added, pointing out that the M/V Verbena recently docked in Malaysia and was heading to Italy with wooden construction material.
The new attacks of the Houthis come after the fighters of this Shiite ideology movement announced on Wednesday a similar action in the Red Sea against a Greek freighter that was “seriously damaged”, in a new escalation of violence on that strategic sea route.
“This continuous reckless behavior of the Houthis backed by Iran threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of sailors in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” the Centcom message added.
He pointed out that “the Houthis claim to act on behalf of the Palestinians in Gaza and yet attack and threaten the lives of third-country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza,” and “their threat makes it more difficult to provide help to the people of Yemen and Gaza.”
Since mid-November, the Houthis have claimed dozens of attacks on merchant ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, which they accuse of being Israelis or linked to Israel, in response to that country’s attacks on the Palestinian enclave.
Its actions against navigation have intensified in the last two weeks, while the United States and the United Kingdom have also intensified their bombings against Houthi positions in the context of an operation started in February to protect navigation in the Red Sea.
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
Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International2 days agoTrump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
-
International4 days agoRussia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
-
Central America2 days agoPanama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
-
International4 hours agoMarco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
-
International4 hours agoMexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza