US Secretary Rubio visits Mexico amid crackdown on cartels
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Mexico and Ecuador to advance President Donald Trump’s priorities on combating illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and countering China’s influence in Latin America. This is Rubio’s first trip to Mexico since taking office, Reuters reported.
The visit follows a recent US military operation targeting a Venezuelan drug vessel and comes amid strained US-Mexico relations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has criticized US immigration raids and rejected unilateral military actions, though both countries are collaborating on a new security agreement.
Washington has increased surveillance of Mexican cartels and labeled some as terrorist organizations. Rubio’s talks aim to strengthen security cooperation, manage migration, curb illicit drug flows, address US-Mexico trade tensions, and ensure Mexico is not a route for Chinese goods avoiding US tariffs. Discussions are also expected to cover USMCA reforms to reinforce bilateral cooperation, according to Reuters.
OpenAI announces parental controls for ChatGPT after teen’s suicide
OpenAI will roll out parental controls for ChatGPT within a month, aiming to help families manage teen use safely. Parents can link accounts, restrict features like chat history and memory, set age-appropriate response rules, and receive alerts if their child shows signs of distress, Al Jazeera reported.
The announcement comes amid criticism after a California couple sued the company, blaming ChatGPT for their 16-year-old son’s suicide. Experts warn AI can be risky for vulnerable users, noting chatbots often handle high-risk mental health queries inconsistently.
Psychiatrist Hamilton Morrin welcomed the controls but said broader safeguards and collaboration with clinicians are needed to make AI safer for young users.
China's parade of new weaponry sends message of deterrence
China showcased its biggest military parade to date, rolling out long-range nuclear missiles, hypersonic weapons, drones, and air-defense lasers in a display meant to project strength and deter rivals.
The show of force was aimed at multiple audiences—the US and its allies, regional powers like India and Russia, and potential arms buyers—underscoring Beijing’s growing military reach and its resolve over issues such as Taiwan, according to Reuters.
Analysts noted, however, that while the parade highlighted China’s ambitions, some of the advanced systems may still be in testing rather than fully deployed.
Russia says it will help China overtake the United States on nuclear power
Russia has pledged to support China in its push to surpass the United States as the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said on state television after talks in Beijing, according to Reuters.
US currently leads with nearly 97 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity, while China operates about 53.2 GW but is rapidly expanding its reactor network. Likhachev said Beijing aims to exceed 100 GW to overtake Washington, and Moscow is already contributing to that goal.
Russia has helped construct four nuclear reactors in China and is building four more. Likhachev noted China’s growing demand for uranium and nuclear fuel, adding it will likely rely on Russian technology to develop advanced closed fuel cycle reactors, Reuters reported.
