International
Iran confirms that it launched an attack with “drones and missiles” against Israel
Almost an hour after the launch of the drones, the Guardians fired a first shot of ballistic missiles against targets located in deep areas of the occupied territories (Israel).
Iranian state television announced in the early hours of Sunday that the Guardians of the Revolution, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic, launched an attack with “drones and missiles” against Israel.
“In response to the numerous crimes committed by the Zionist regime, including the attack on the consular section of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus and the martyrdom of a group of commanders and military advisors of our country in Syria, the air force of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired dozens of missiles and drones against specific targets within the occupied territories,” state television said, quoting the Guardians’ public relations department.
The operation, called “honest promise,” was “launched with the approval of the Higher National Security Council and under the supervision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces,” he told television, indicating that the details would soon be made “in the knowledge of the heroic people of Iran and the freedom fighters of around the world.”
The official news agency Irna specified that, almost an hour after the launch of the drones, the Guardians fired a “first shot of ballistic missiles against targets located in deep areas of the occupied territories (Israel).”
A few minutes after the start of the operation, the account on social network X of the Iranian supreme guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, again published a message stating that “the diabolical regime will be punished.”
On April 3, Ayatollah Khamenei declared that Israel would receive “a slap” after the bombing, which Iran attributed to the Hebrew State, against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, in which seven members of the Guardians of the Revolution, including two generals of the Quds Force, his foreign operations arm, died two days earlier.
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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