International
Devastating floods in Southern Brazil leave dozens dead and missing
The heavy rains in southern Brazil have resulted in catastrophic floods that have left at least 55 people dead and 67 missing in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This unprecedented climatic disaster has devastated rural areas and severely impacted the state capital, Porto Alegre, this Saturday.
The overflow of watercourses and landslides have disrupted numerous routes throughout the state, affecting nearly 300 localities, many of which are isolated. The catastrophe has affected approximately 377,000 people, including 32,600 who were forced to evacuate their homes and belongings.
The rapid rise in the level of the Guaíba River inundated the historic center of Porto Alegre, one of the largest cities in the south of the country, with a population of nearly 1.4 million. According to the city hall, the river level reached 5.04 meters, surpassing the previous record of 4.76 meters set in 1941, during the worst floods recorded to date.
On Saturday, the city was in a state of chaos, with many streets submerged in water as residents scrambled to evacuate their homes.
Amidst rescue efforts, a major explosion at a gas station in the northern part of the city killed at least two people. The incident occurred when vehicles used in the operations were refueling at the flooded station, sending a thick cloud of smoke into the air.
In many places, long lines formed as people tried to board buses, while those in cars struggled to navigate through the waters. The situation also forced the cancellation of bus arrivals and departures at the city’s main station, located along the swollen Guaíba.
Porto Alegre’s international airport had suspended operations on Friday indefinitely.
In the Navegantes neighborhood in the northern part of Porto Alegre, José Augusto Moraes de Lima called on firefighters to rescue a child trapped in his home, as a leg injury prevented him from evacuating the child himself. “Suddenly, in a matter of minutes, everything was flooded. I lost everything, television, wardrobe, bed, refrigerator,” recounted the 61-year-old merchant.
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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