International
Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismailite Muslims, dies at the age of 88 in Lisbon
Prince Karim al Hussaini Aga Khan IV, philanthropist and spiritual leader of the Ismailite Muslims, died this Tuesday in Lisbon at the age of 88 surrounded by his family.
Its foundation, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), reported in a statement the death of the 49º imam of the Ismailite Shiite Muslims and “direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad.”
The note added that, after this death, his designated successor will be announced.
Born in Switzerland in 1936 and raised in this country and in Kenya, he was studying at Harvard when he was appointed imam of between 12 and 15 million Ismailites that are estimated to be in the world in 1957 by his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
Known for his opulent mansions and his taste for careers, Karim al Hussaini Aga Khan was known for his work as a philanthropist and being in charge of the network of institutions around the world dedicated to education, health, social and economic development, and culture.
It is not known for sure how much his fortune amounted to, there are those who place it in billions of dollars.
The Ismailites are a Shiite Muslim minority that since the 19th century has granted the title of Aga Khan to their imam, who is attributed a direct descent from Muhammad.
The imams have no control over any specific territory but exert their influence through the AKDN.
Portugal hosts one of the largest Ismailite communities in Europe, with between 8,000 and 10,000 people.
Ten years ago, the Portuguese Government and Aga Khan signed an agreement to establish the world headquarters of the Ismali Imamat in Portugal.
Three years later, Aga Khan officially designated the Henrique de Mendoça Palace in Lisbon as the global headquarters of the Ismaeli Imamat.
Among the honors he received throughout his life stands out that of “her highness”, granted by Queen Elizabeth of England in 1957, and that of “her royal highness” that was granted to her two years later by the then Shah of Iran.
Two times married and with four children, he created a business empire that goes from the banking sector to hotels.
In the 1960s he founded the luxury tourist enclave of Porto Cervo, in Sardinia (Italy), and the Costa Smeralda yacht club, which became a pole of attraction for European royalty, Hollywood actors and celebrities of the time.
Even so, in the interviews he defined himself as a religious leader rather than an entrepreneur and claimed to be focused on fighting poverty by promoting the autonomy of people and culture.
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.
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