International
Starmer says that the electoral result gives him a “clear mandate” to govern for change
Labour Keir Starmer, the new British Prime Minister, said this Saturday that the resounding victory achieved in the general elections has given his party “a clear mandate” to govern “for change” in the four nations of the United Kingdom.
In a press conference held today at the headquarters of the Government in Downing Street after meeting for the first time with his newly formed cabinet, Starmer said that his Executive will launch “a policy in this country that works” for citizens.
Labour won overwhelmingly, with 412 seats (out of a total of 650), in the advance general elections held in this country last Thursday, where the ‘tories’ suffered their worst defeat in their history, leaving only 121 deputies.
Starmer revealed that in that first meeting with his team of ministers he has conveyed to them “how to implement the plans that we have detailed in our electoral program” in addition to detailing “exactly” what I expect “in terms of standards, execution and the trust that the country has placed in them.”
Starmer brought together for the first time his newly launched cabinet, before which he stressed the “enormous amount of work to be done” that awaits his Government after winning the general elections by a large majority.
Starmer and his new team posed briefly and very smiling for the local media at the beginning of the meeting, held at the headquarters of the British Executive on Downing Street.
“Colleagues, it is absolutely fantastic to welcome you to the Cabinet, our first meeting. And it has been the honor and privilege of my life to have been invited by the king, His Majesty the king, yesterday to form a Government and to form the Labour Government of 2024,” Starmer told his new ministers.
“And now we are holding our first cabinet meeting. With which I welcome you. We have a huge amount of work to do, so now we get to it,” Starmer added to the applause of the team, in which there are heavyweights of labor such as the “number two” and head of Housing, Angela Rayner, or the new head of Economy, Rachel Reeves.
At the end of that meeting, Starmer is scheduled to hold a press conference.
In that cabinet meeting, according to the labor environment, the “first steps” that this government will take in power will be outlined, which include, among others, how economic stability will be achieved, how the huge waiting lists in the public health system will be resolved or how the problem of illegal immigration will be addressed.
Labour put an end to 14 years of conservative governments at the polls, sinking the formation of Rishi Sunak, by achieving a resounding majority of 412 seats (out of a total of 650) compared to the 121 of the ‘tories’.
The now opposition British Conservative Party focuses its efforts on finding a new leader who manages to straighten the course of the formation, in its worst crisis after the electoral defeat of last day 4 and the departure of the until then head of the formation and prime minister, Rishi Sunak.
Faced with this calamitous panorama, the conservatives have returned to the opposition as a weakened and management-less formation after 14 years in power.
The party must begin the process to elect its new leader after Rishi Sunak announced his intention to resign once the formal process to fill that vacancy has been enabled.
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
