International
Iran warns that it could review the civilian use of its nuclear doctrine for Israeli threats
Iran could revise its “nuclear doctrine” – which until now dictated an exclusively civilian use of this energy – if Israel threatens to attack its atomic centers, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned on Thursday in the midst of the escalation between the two countries.
“If the false Zionist regime wants to use the threat of attacks against our nuclear centers as a method of pressuring Iran, it is possible for Iran to review its nuclear doctrine and policy and leave previous considerations behind,” warned General Ahmad Haghtalab, commander of the Revolutionary Guard responsible for safeguarding Iranian atomic facilities, the Mehr agency reported.
Iran has so far assured that its nuclear program has an exclusively civilian purpose and even the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, even issued a fatua – religious ruling – that condemns atomic weapons.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Hosein Amir Abdolahian, assured in New York that his country warned the United States that it would attack Israel in retaliation for the bombing of the consulate, something that Washington has denied.
“We clearly said through messages to the Americans that the decision taken by the Supreme National Security Council headed by the president (Iran) to punish the Zionist regime (Israel) was final and final,” Abdolahian said upon his arrival in New York.
“After the punitive action, at approximately 2.30 on Sunday, we sent another message to the United States through diplomatic channels in which we affirm that we are not looking for an escalation of tension in the region,” the minister said, according to the Iranian state agency IRNA.
The United States Government denied on Monday that Iran notified it in advance when the attack on Israel was going to take place and the targets it had planned to hit, contradicting the version of the Iranian Government and other neighboring countries.
Iran launched a missile and drone attack against Israel last Saturday, in retaliation for the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, in which seven members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed.
Israel has stated that they will respond to the Iranian attack, before which Tehran has raised the tone of its warnings and has in turn assured that it will take action against a possible Israeli retaliation.
Abdolahian is in New York to participate in a meeting of the UN Security Council, which will vote on a resolution presented by Algeria to request the membership of Palestine as a full-fledged state of the UN.
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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