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
Former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84
Dick Cheney, former U.S. vice president under George W. Bush and a chief architect of the 2000s “war on terror,” died Monday night at age 84.
According to a family statement, Cheney passed away due to complications from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.
Cheney, who rose to political prominence as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford in the 1970s, went on to become one of the most influential vice presidents in U.S. history during the Bush administration (2001–2009). He was widely known as one of the strongest advocates for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In his later years, however, Cheney emerged as a vocal critic of the Republican Party under Donald Trump’s leadership.
“Dick Cheney was a great man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country and to live with courage, honor, love, kindness, and a passion for fishing,” his family said in a statement.
International
Sheinbaum maintains 70% approval despite growing discontent in Mexico
Seven out of ten Mexicans — 70% — approve of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s performance a little over a year into her term, even as disapproval reached its highest level in October at 30%, according to a monthly survey published by the newspaper El Financiero.
The approval rating marks a slight decline compared to September (73%), August (74%), and especially February, when Sheinbaum peaked at 85%. Meanwhile, disapproval rose to 30%, three points higher than in August and double the levels recorded between January and March, when just 15% of respondents disapproved of her leadership.
Of the 1,000 Mexicans surveyed, 59% rated the government’s response to last month’s deadly storms — which left 83 people dead and 16 missing — as good or very good. Additionally, 56% gave positive marks to cleanup and recovery efforts, while 40% viewed them negatively.
Support programs for affected families received 53% positive and 42% negative evaluations. Sheinbaum’s visits to impacted areas generated a narrower split: 50% approval versus 45% disapproval.
The president’s empathy stood out as her most valued attribute, earning 63% favorable ratings, followed by honesty (59%), leadership (59%), and ability to deliver results (47%).
International
Shootout in Sinaloa leaves 13 gunmen dead as authorities rescue kidnapping victims
A confrontation between Mexican security forces and an armed group in the troubled state of Sinaloa left 13 gunmen dead and four others arrested, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported on Monday.
Sinaloa, located on the Pacific coast, has been shaken for more than a year by a violent power struggle between factions of a powerful local cartel — a conflict that has resulted in at least 1,700 homicides, including 57 minors, and nearly 2,000 disappearances.
The shootout occurred around 12:45 p.m. local time (18:45 GMT) in the municipality of Guasave, where authorities were able to rescue nine kidnapped individuals following the clash. Officers also seized seven vehicles, long weapons, and tactical equipment, according to the minister’s post on X.
García Harfuch explained that security forces “were attacked by an armed group hiding under a bridge” while patrolling the La Brecha community of Guasave, prompting an “immediate response” from authorities.
The detainees and seized items have been turned over to Mexico’s federal prosecutor’s office, he added.
The internal war within the Sinaloa Cartel erupted after the capture of longtime leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who was betrayed and extradited to the United States in July 2024 by the son of his former partner Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Guzmán has been serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison since 2019.
Former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84
Sheinbaum maintains 70% approval despite growing discontent in Mexico
Shootout in Sinaloa leaves 13 gunmen dead as authorities rescue kidnapping victims
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
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