International
Modi leads the count of the Indian elections with a smaller margin than expected
The preliminary results of the Indian general elections show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in the lead but with a lower margin than expected.
The BJP leads the vote trend in 236 seats out of the 543 of the Lower House of Parliament or Lok Sabha in the running, according to data from the Electoral Commission of India (ECI), and with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) it leads it would stand at 282.
A political force requires 272 seats to win the majority, a result that the BJP achieved with ease in 2019, by obtaining 303 seats.
The same data from the ECI place the Congress Party (INC), the main formation of the opposition, with 99 seats.
The historic formation leads a coalition of opposition parties known as the National Inclusive Alliance for the Development of India or simply INDIA, with more than 200 seats.
The ECI does not specify what percentage of votes has been counted, so the trend could vary as the count progresses.
The Indian Electoral Commission began on Tuesday to total the votes of the general elections to the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, the largest votes in the world in which almost 650 million people participated over more than six weeks.
At the moment, the ECI only concludes the results of a constituency, in the city of Surat, in the western state of Gujarat, Modi’s home state.
The electoral authority attributed the victory directly to the BJP, being the only formation that managed to run for that region.
This is the only phase of the electoral process that takes place simultaneously in this country with almost one billion voters that required seven phases for voting, held between April 19 and June 1, convening groups of more than 100 million voters each.
The Hindu nationalist leader is looking for a third consecutive term and had set himself the goal of achieving 400 seats with his alliance.
Modi has made a fierce campaign in search of the two-thirds parliamentary majority that allow him to promote constitutional reforms.
At the same time, the result of these elections will offer a real look at the strength of opponents of Modi, a coalition that includes the historic Indian Congress Party, of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
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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