International
Chancellor Scholz to Vance: We will not accept intrusions in democracy and elections
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded this Saturday to US Vice President JD Vance that the Central European country will not accept that foreigners meddle in democracy and the German elections with their support for the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and calls to eliminate the cordon sanitaire that the other parties have imposed on it.
“The AfD is a party, which, from its ranks trivializes as ‘bird shit’ of German history National Socialism and its monstrous crimes – crimes against humanity, such as those committed in (the Nazi concentration camp of) Dachau,” Scholz said in his speech at the Munich Security Conference.
The Chancellor recalled that Vance had visited the day before his controversial speech in which he criticized European democracy precisely in the extermination camp northwest of Munich, where he said that this terrible place – where at least 41,500 people died of hunger, diseases, torture, murders and the consequences of imprisonment – reminds everyone the reason why “we must work so that this does not happen again.”
Therefore, Scholz stressed, the commitment to the “never again!” is not compatible with support for the AfD, and “that is why we will not accept strangers intervening in our democracy, in our elections and in the formation of democratic opinion in favor of this party.”
The social democratic politician, who is running again as a candidate for chancellor in next Sunday’s general elections, emphasized that this “is not acceptable, and even less among friends and allies,” in reference not only to Vance and his speech in the middle of the German election campaign, but also, although without naming him, to the explicit support of technological billionaire Elon Musk to AfD.
“We firmly reject it. We decide for ourselves what happens to our democracy. Us and no one else!
The German chancellor maintained that “current democracy in Germany and Europe is based on the historical certainty that democracies can be destroyed by radical anti-democrats.”
“That is why we have created institutions that make our democracies defenses against their enemies. And rules that do not restrict our freedom, but protect it,” he insisted.
Vance’s speech has created great discomfort in Germany and among several European leaders who listened to his words in Munich, since his central thesis was that the main threat to Europe did not come from either Russia or China but from the interior of the continent itself.
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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