International
U.S. Congress reveals a budget that cuts aid to UNRWA and strengthens the border
A group of legislators from the US Congress revealed on Thursday a budget agreement valued at $1.2 trillion that cuts aid to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and strengthens the border with Mexico with more agents and funds for surveillance.
The budget package amounts to that amount because it aims to finance for the rest of the fiscal year, until September 30, such important departments as Defense, to which 886 billion dollars would be allocated, 3% more than last year.
Legislators are now entering a race against the clock to give the green light to the project before midnight on Friday, when the deadline for approving a new budget expires.
If it does not reach enough votes, the Administration must cease its activities, when it runs out of funds, something that in the United States is known as the “government closure.”
The legislative text reached after intense negotiations between leaders of the Republican party and the Democrat of both Houses and includes concessions to conservatives, such as the increase in the budget for “border security” and the withdrawal of United States funds from UNRWA until March 2025.
At the end of January, Washington “temporarily” paused funding to the UN agency, after Israel denounced that some of UNRWA employees were allegedly linked to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
The United States is the main donor of this UN agency, which provides assistance to the inhabitants of the Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the withdrawal of funding from the agency was described as “inhuman” by the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard.
The agency opened an investigation to investigate these complaints and after a preliminary report was known, where it was concluded that the agency respects the “neutrality” principle, while Canada and Sweden decided to restore their financial support, which they had removed following the U.S. decision.
One of the points to reach the budget agreement was the financing of the Department of Homeland Security, because migration has become an important issue.
The project includes an increase in the capacity of detention centers for migrants, up to 42,000 beds, as well as money to hire more workers of the Border Patrol, increasing the staff by about 7,000 agents.
In turn, he proposes to reduce federal aid to non-profit organizations that help migrants by 20%, an idea that came from Republican legislators, who accuse these groups of “incenting” migration.
The text also indicates granting 12,000 special visas for Afghan citizens who have collaborated with the U.S. Government during the war in this country.
On the other hand, the agreement increases the salary of the military by 5.2% and allocates 300 million dollars in military aid to Ukraine, through the Pentagon’s Security Assistance program.
To be approved, the project needs the support of two-thirds of the Lower House. Members of the ultra wing of the Republican party, called Caucus de la Libertad, have said that they disagree.
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.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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