International
South African mother on trial for allegedly selling missing daughter
A South African woman went on trial Monday, accused of kidnapping and selling her young daughter in a case that has drawn national attention.
Kelly Smith, along with her partner and another man, is facing charges in connection with the disappearance of her daughter, Joshlin, who was six years old when she went missing over a year ago. Despite a nationwide police search, Joshlin remains unaccounted for.
Smith—whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith—has been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. Prosecutors allege that she arranged her daughter’s abduction in exchange for payment, with the help of her partner, Jacquin Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty as the trial commenced in a sports hall in the small coastal town of Saldanha Bay. The trial was moved to the hall to allow community members to attend.
Smith initially received widespread support following Joshlin’s disappearance, with neighbors joining the police in searching the sand dunes near the impoverished shantytown where they lived. She claimed she had left Joshlin in Appollis’ care on the day of her disappearance in February 2024 and had not seen her since.
The case took a shocking turn when police detained Smith for questioning and later arrested her. Another woman who had been arrested was not charged and is reportedly expected to testify as a witness for the state.
Prosecutors stated in their indictment that Smith had been planning to sell Joshlin and her two other children since August 2023. However, only Joshlin went missing. They also alleged that Smith and Joshlin were seen getting into a white vehicle with a bag of clothes on the day the girl was reported missing.
The case has sparked outrage in the community, with crowds gathering outside the sports hall chanting, “We want Joshlin back,” according to local media reports.
Judge Nathan Erasmus stated that if convicted, the three defendants could face life imprisonment.
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.
Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza
Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
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
-
International2 days agoTrump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
-
International4 days agoRussia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
-
Central America2 days agoPanama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
-
International5 hours agoMarco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions
-
International5 hours agoMexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza