International
Emotional support dogs help firefighters fighting fires in California
At least three emotional support dogs have been deployed at the Incident Command Post (ICP) in Palisades, one of the most devastating fires that continues to be active in Los Angeles, California, in order to provide some “love and joy” to firefighters who continue to fight the flames.
From very early Brisket, a three-year-old golden retriever Labrador, walks with his coach and police officer Amy Tate at the ICP located in Zuma Beach, Malibu, to share a moment with the firefighters as they line up to receive their breakfast and prepare to return to the fire zone.
The city agent of Glendale (California) believes that the presence of these highly trained emotional support dogs helps firefighters feel a little “at home” in critical emergency moments like the one that has been living in Los Angeles County for more than a week.
“Many people miss their families and their dogs. So if we can give them a couple of minutes of a little dog love, that’s our job,” Tate replies to EFE.
When Brisket appears the firefighters “come very quickly and ask me to caress him, kiss him and hug him, and tell me about their dogs at home or dogs they have had in the past and show me photos, which is really great,” he explains.
On normal days, Brisket is a service dog of the Glendale Police Department that, according to Tate, has become “a celebrity” for the various activities he carries out in the community.
The dog usually sits next to victims when they interview them and they have to remember the trauma.
Brisket “taste forty orders. He knows how to open and close doors, turn on lights, pick up things from the floor, help with the laundry, open the fridge, whatever you need,” he says.
In the same ICP also walks Ember (Brasa in Spanish), a Sheepadoodle dog that attracts firefighters who do not miss the opportunity to take a picture of her and spend some time with her.
The dog, who began her service in 2024, wears a Riverside County firefighters cap on her head and her trainer Bari Boersma points out that by petting these animals, people experience a decrease in tension and feel better.
“All these dogs that are here in this camp are trained through the first recognized therapy organization and then continue and obtain one more certification in animal-assisted crisis response training. So they have higher certifications than therapy dogs,” he explains to EFE.
Since January 7, Los Angeles, California, has faced one of the worst devastation crises due to the outbreak of a series of fires that are still active and have left at least 25 dead.
The Palisades fire, one of the most lethal foci, has been able to contain itself by 19% and has devastated one of the most exclusive areas of the city of stars, while the Eaton has managed to contain itself by 45%.
Central America
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing the state of Maryland, held a meeting in El Salvador with deported MS-13 gang member Kilmar Ábrego García, a member of the criminal group classified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
“Kilmar Ábrego García, miraculously resurrected from the ‘extermination camps’ and ‘torture chambers,’ now sipping margaritas with Senator Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” wrote President Nayib Bukeleon X (formerly Twitter), sharing photos of Van Hollen, Ábrego García, and a lawyer sitting together at a Salvadoran hotel.
The deported gang member is seen wearing a plaid shirt and a flat-brimmed cap, seated at a table with glasses and coffee cups. The senator also shared images of the meeting on his own social media accounts.
Bukele reaffirmed that Ábrego will remain in El Salvador and will not be returned to the United States.
“Now that his health has been confirmed, he has earned the honor of remaining under the custody of El Salvador,” Bukele added.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the senator’s meeting with Ábrego on Truth Social, calling Van Hollen “a fool” for advocating for Ábrego’s return to the U.S.
International
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Easter Sunday and, with a faint voice, wished a “Happy Easter” to the thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
A month after being discharged from a lengthy hospital stay, the presence of the 88-year-old pontiff had remained uncertain, with the Vatican not confirming his attendance ahead of time.
Eventually, the pope made a brief appearance in a wheelchair shortly after 12:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT) to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (“to the city and to the world”).
Although no longer wearing an oxygen cannula, the Argentine Jesuit relied on a close aide to read his Easter message, which touched on major global conflicts.
Francis condemned the “dramatic and unworthy humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and called for a ceasefire, while also expressing concern over the “growing climate of antisemitism spreading across the globe.”
He further emphasized the importance of religious freedom and freedom of thought, stating that without mutual respect, “peace is not possible.”
International
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
Thousands of protesters gathered on Saturday (April 19, 2025) in major cities like New York and Washington, as well as in small communities across the United States, in a second wave of demonstrations against President Donald Trump. The crowds denounced what they view as growing threats to the country’s democratic ideals.
In New York City, demonstrators of all ages rallied in front of the Public Library near Trump Tower, holding signs accusing the president of undermining democratic institutions and judicial independence.
Many protesters also criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policies, including mass deportations and raids targeting undocumented migrants.
“Democracy is in grave danger,” said Kathy Valyi, 73, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. She told AFP that the stories her parents shared about Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1930s Germany “are happening here now.”
In Washington, demonstrators voiced concern over what they see as Trump’s disregard for long-standing constitutional norms, such as the right to due process.
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
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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