International
Rubio highlights to the Israeli president Trump’s “deep commitment” to the hostages
The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, assured this Sunday to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, that Donald Trump is “firm and deeply committed to the goal of each and every hostage returning home.”
“And don’t rest, don’t shut up, don’t forget until they all return home,” Rubio said with Herzog to the media, shortly before the meeting between the two began at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
Rubio highlighted as a priority the joint work of the US Administration with the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the hostages back, although he also highlighted among the regional challenges to face the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains its troops, that of Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and, above all, the relationship with Iran.
“We have always sought peace and we have always wanted peace in our region. And I think that your visit here, as well as your ability to change and influence our region are enormous and can bring great hope to our people and the peoples of the region,” Herzog said.
The Israeli president also emphasized Israel’s efforts to return the 73 remaining hostages in Gaza (70 captured by Hamas in the October 7 attack and three who were previously in the enclave) to return to Israeli territory.
“We are screaming, suffering, praying, working tirelessly to bring each and every one of our hostages back home. This is our greatest hope as a nation and as individuals and I want to thank you for this effort and for carrying out this sacred mission,” the Israeli politician continued.
In his statements, however, Rubio focused on the Iranian regime, assuring that behind groups such as Hamas or the Shiite group Hezbula in Lebanon, as well as Assad in Syria or the Houthis of Yemen, is Iran.
“It is still a fundamental challenge that we have before us, but know that there has not been a stronger defender of the State of Israel in the White House than President Trump, to whom I have the honor of serving as his secretary of state,” he said.
The US Secretary of State also held meetings this Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar.
In the first, Netanyahu claimed that he works “in total cooperation” with Trump, with whom he also values the resumption of the war if the hostages are not released.
However, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza have not yet begun (they should have done so on February 3), according to EFE Hamas sources, despite the fact that it is during this stage when the release of the rest of the living hostages is proposed, in addition to the definitive end of the war.
International
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
At least four armed men, allegedly linked to an organized crime group, were killed Sunday night during a shootout with police officers at Ponta das Canas beach on the island of Florianópolis, capital of the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Santa Catarina Military Police, one of the men killed was a native of the state of São Paulo (southeast) and identified as a leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a gang that controls drug trafficking in the Papaquara community in northern Florianópolis, one of Brazil’s most popular tourist areas.
Police said officers were conducting a patrol in the Ponta das Canas neighborhood when they noticed a man entering a house in a hurry, raising suspicion. Upon entering the residence, they encountered four heavily armed individuals.
During the police operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to seize an officer’s rifle, triggering the exchange of gunfire. “Faced with the imminent threat and the criminals’ high firepower, the officers responded to stop the aggression,” the Military Police said on social media.
International
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
The U.S. government will use $4.65 billion from an emergency fund to finance payments under SNAP, the country’s primary food assistance program, covering roughly “50% of benefits for eligible households,” according to a Department of Agriculture official in court filings.
The administration, however, does not plan to make up the funding shortfall through other resources, as noted in documents submitted to a federal court in Rhode Island.
This announcement follows a federal judge’s order in Providence — one of two issued last week — requiring the government to tap emergency funds to ensure the program remains operational.
The Trump administration argues that SNAP is running out of money amid a month-long federal government shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans who continue to blame each other for the crisis.
President Trump said on Friday that he was willing to release the necessary funds if the courts required it and emphasized that he does not want “Americans to go hungry.”
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, accused Trump and the Republican Party on Sunday of “weaponizing hunger” during the political dispute.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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