International
NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary in the city and the scenario that saw it born
“If there is something certain today, if there is something inevitable in the future, it is the will of the peoples of the world for freedom and for peace,” the then president of the United States Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) from the now named Andrew W. Auditorium. Mellon of Washington, where NATO will commemorate its 75th anniversary.
It was April 4 and, when he articulated these words, the president was about to sign the North Atlantic Treaty, which established the international organization, in this imposing building of classical architecture in the center of the American capital.
After 75 years, the Atlantic Alliance gathers again this week in the city, in this case for the celebration of its annual summit of leaders in a Washington convention center. And they will also take the opportunity to return to the Mellon Auditorium that saw her born.
In that space that since 1987 bears the name of the American banker Andrew William Mellon, the heads of state and government of NATO, today made up of 32 countries, will gather this Tuesday.
Originally from Pittsburgh (Pennylvania), W. Mellon was born in 1855 and, apart from his important impetus in industries such as aluminum, steel and petroleum, he was an American ambassador to the United Kingdom and Secretary of the United States Treasury.
In addition, a collector and philanthropist, he helped build the National Gallery of Art of the United States, located a few streets from the auditorium that remembers him.
It was inaugurated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) on February 25, 1935 and, since then, with its six Doric columns in the portico, it has been imposed in the historic center of Washington.
A few hours before the souvenir event, in the surroundings of the complex of government buildings of the Federal Triangle – of which the Auditorium is part – there is a tense calm, since the construction is located within the perimeter of control that the security forces have delimited for these days.
It is not usual that the important avenue that gives access to the auditorium can be seen so lonely and that, during the three days that the summit lasts, it will be completely fenced to prevent any unauthorized vehicle or person from crossing the established borders.
The presence of vehicles from the District of Columbia Police and the United States Secret Service on every corner shows that streets without traffic respond to the sharp increase in security measures.
At the time of the foundation, it was the flags of 12 countries that presided over one of the rooms of the Auditorium: those of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the United States, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
In the same auditorium, the start will be given to a summit focused on storpin support for Ukraine and with current challenges on the table, among which the Russian war in Ukraine or the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza stand out.
“For us, war is not inevitable. Men with courage and vision can still determine their own destiny,” former President Truman said in 1949 with applause; in 2024, and from the same city, the partners have the opportunity to endorse that conviction.
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.
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