International
The US warns of the threat of dengue in the country after cases skyrocketed in the world
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are alerting doctors and local health authorities, especially in the southern U.S., about the threat of dengue in the country after the disease skyrocketed globally.
“Althog there are currently no reports of an outbreak in the continental area of the United States, cases around the world have increased at an alarming rate,” Gabriela Paz-Bailey, director of the CDC’s Dengue Office, based in Atlanta, Georgia, told EFE.
According to data from the agency, so far this year a total of 2,241 cases have been reported in the United States, an increase compared to 2023, taking into account that 3,036 were registered throughout the year.
Photograph of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for the transmission of dengue. EFE/Andre Borges
Of the total number of cases so far in 2024, 1,498 were counted in Puerto Rico, where local authorities declared a state of emergency in March after registering historical figures of this disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, also a carrier of Chikunguña, yellow fever and Zika.
“The increase in travel during the summer to places where dengue is common can lead to greater local transmission in the United States, so it is important for health professionals to test patients who have a fever and have traveled to places where dengue is frequent,” Paz-Bailey said.
Therefore, the epidemiologist urges those who travel to these countries to use repellent, because they want to prevent them from returning with the virus and it from spreading in the United States, since the mosquito is present in several states of the country, especially in the south.
“This imports of the virus by case of dengue in travelers can result in it being transmitted locally, although they are generally short chains of transmission and outbreaks that can be controlled, they are not the explosive outbreaks we see in Puerto Rico,” Paz-Bailey stressed.
Historically, local cases have been reported in Hawaii, Florida and Texas, and have recently been reported in Arizona and California, according to the director of the Dengue Office.
“But where we expect there to be more possibilities of transmission is in the southern United States, where the Aedes aegypti mosquito exists, and Florida has been one of the states that has reported the most locally acquired cases,” said the expert, who assures that heat is a factor that is contributing to the increase in cases globally.
Paz-Bailey explains that the mosquito is now present in areas where it could not survive before because the temperatures were lower. Likewise, hurricanes, floods and other “extreme phenomena” generate favorable conditions to generate breeding sites for these insects and thus multiply.
According to the CDC, approximately one in four people infected with the dengue virus – for which there is no specific drug to treat – get sick and some of them suffer from serious symptoms that can be life-threatening in a few hours, so hospitalization is required.
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
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
