International
North Korean soldiers cross the dividing line with the South for the third time in June
North Korean soldiers working in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas crossed the border briefly, for the third time so far this month, to which the South responded again with warning shots that made them return to their territory.
North Korean troops crossed the central section of the border dividing line around 11:00 local time (2:00 GMT), as reported by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in a statement collected by the Yonhap news agency.
Before the incursion, the South Korean Army fired warning shots that caused the soldiers from the North to return to their side of the border, the JCS explained, which added that the event seems to be accidental again, since Pyongyang’s troops soon resumed their work in the area.
It is the third time that a border incident of this nature has occurred this June, amid the increase in tension between neighboring countries. On June 9 and 18, groups of North Korean soldiers carried out similar events, which the JCS does not consider intentional either.
North Korea has been deploying troops in front-line areas since April to carry out activities such as planting mines, erecting walls that could serve as anti-tank barriers and reinforcing roads.
Both Koreas have begun to resume activities around the DMZ after Seoul recently decided to suspend compliance with a military security treaty signed in 2018 to reduce tensions, in protest against the sending of balloons to the South by the North Korean regime loaded with waste.
Tension on the peninsula has increased especially since at the beginning of the year Pyongyang decided to withdraw from the Constitution the need to carry out the reunification of the peninsula and declared the South as its main enemy.
This Thursday’s border incident also occurs days after the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, made his first visit to North Korea in more than 24 years and met with the leader of the North Korean regime, Kim Jong-un, with whom he signed a new strategic agreement that contemplates mutual military assistance in case the other is assaulted.
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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