International
Rubio highlights to the Israeli president Trump’s “deep commitment” to the hostages
The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, assured this Sunday to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, that Donald Trump is “firm and deeply committed to the goal of each and every hostage returning home.”
“And don’t rest, don’t shut up, don’t forget until they all return home,” Rubio said with Herzog to the media, shortly before the meeting between the two began at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
Rubio highlighted as a priority the joint work of the US Administration with the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the hostages back, although he also highlighted among the regional challenges to face the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains its troops, that of Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, above all, the relationship with Iran.
“We have always sought peace and we have always wanted peace in our region. And I think that your visit here, as well as your ability to change and influence our region are enormous and can bring great hope to our people and the peoples of the region,” Herzog said.
The Israeli president also emphasized Israel’s efforts to return the 73 remaining hostages in Gaza (70 captured by Hamas in the October 7 attack and three who were previously in the enclave) to return to Israeli territory.
“We are screaming, suffering, praying, working tirelessly to bring each and every one of our hostages back home. This is our greatest hope as a nation and as individuals and I want to thank you for this effort and for carrying out this sacred mission,” the Israeli politician continued.
In his statements, however, Rubio focused on the Iranian regime, assuring that behind groups such as Hamas or the Shiite group Hezbula in Lebanon, as well as Assad in Syria or the Houthis of Yemen, is Iran.
“It is still a fundamental challenge that we have before us, but know that there has not been a stronger defender of the State of Israel in the White House than President Trump, to whom I have the honor of serving as his secretary of state,” he said.
The US Secretary of State also held meetings this Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar.
In the first, Netanyahu claimed that he works “in total cooperation” with Trump, with whom he also values the resumption of the war if the hostages are not released.
However, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza have not yet begun (they should have done so on February 3), according to EFE Hamas sources, despite the fact that it is during this stage when the release of the rest of the living hostages is proposed, in addition to the definitive end of the war.
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.
Mulino Vows Tougher Crackdown as Homicides Increase in Panama
Arévalo Announces Overhaul of Guatemala’s Prison System Amid Security Crisis
Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza
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
-
International4 days agoTrump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
-
Central America4 days agoPanama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
-
International3 days agoMarco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
-
International3 days agoMexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza
-
Central America1 day agoArévalo Announces Overhaul of Guatemala’s Prison System Amid Security Crisis
-
Central America1 day agoMulino Vows Tougher Crackdown as Homicides Increase in Panama