International

The IPA calls the White House’s veto of AP agency journalists arbitrary

The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) described on Wednesday as “arbitrary” the restriction imposed by the Government of Donald Trump on journalists from the American news agency The Associated Press (AP) to cover events in the White House.

The measure was adopted in retaliation for AP’s decision to continue using the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’ and not ‘Gulf of America’ as ordered by Trump.

The IAPA, based in Miami, stressed that it is a censorship and intimidation that violates freedom of the press.

The government prevented an AP reporter from attending a presidential event in the Oval Office on Tuesday, while another agency journalist was excluded from an event in the White House Diplomatic Room.

AP executive editor Julie Pace revealed that the White House warned the agency that it would not have access to the Oval Office if it does not align its editorial standards with Trump’s executive order of last January 20, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’.

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AP condemned the Trump Administration’s measure as an attack on independent journalism. The agency recalled that it maintains the use of the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’, although it recognizes the new name imposed by the White House within the US sphere.

The US agency emphasized that this order is not valid outside the United States and that other countries and international organizations are not obliged to adopt it.

“It is alarming that the Trump government punishes AP for its independent journalism,” Pace said.

The president of the IAPA, José Roberto Dutriz, expressed his concern about this measure. “The restriction on journalistic coverage and the warning against AP demonstrate a disturbing intention to impose official criteria on information of public interest, with the threat of reprisals for those who do not bend to them,” he said in a statement.

He added that freedom of the press is guaranteed by the United States Constitution and must be respected without conditions.

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Carlos Jornet, president of the IAPA Commission on Freedom of the Press and Information, described the action as an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the style and editorial line of a media outlet.

“This is an arbitrary imposition by the government on journalistic work,” Jornet said.

“Prior censorship, interference or direct or indirect pressure on any informative expression violates the right to freedom of expression,” he added.

The White House Correspondents Association also protested on Tuesday against the decision of the Trump Administration and said that “it should not penalize journalists who work because it is not happy with the decisions of its editors.”

In contrast, AP announced that it will call Mount McKinley the elevation located in Alaska that previous President Barack Obama (2009-2017) had renamed Mount Denali out of respect for native traditions.

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“It is an area located only in the United States, and as president Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country,” AP said.

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..

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“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.

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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.

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“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.