International
Two replicas of 4.0 and 4.2 shake southern Peru, after a magnitude 7 earthquake
Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 and 4.2 shook southern Peru in the early hours of this Friday, less than an hour after another 7.0 earthquake shook the department of Arequipa and the neighboring regions.
The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) detailed on social network X that the two earrtakes occurred in the coastal district of Yauca and its neighbor Lomas.
The first tremor, of magnitude 7.0, occurred at 0:36 (5:36 GMT) with an epicenter 54 kilometers southwest of the coastal district of Yauca, where last Saturday there were two earthquakes of magnitude 5.7 and 5.
Shortly after, the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation of the Peruvian Navy issued a tsunami alert for the area.
However, shortly after he detailed that “the arrival of the first wave is recorded at 12:51 a.m. from a height of the order of 15 centimeters.”
The Prime Minister, Gustavo Adrianzén, told the RPP station that the tsunami alert has already been lifted.
Peru is located in a region known as the Pacific Firebelt, where more than 80% of the world’s seismic activity is produced.
The last devastating earthquake in the country occurred in front of the coastal city of Pisco in August 2007, when a movement of magnitude 7.9 hit that town and the entire southern region of Ica, with a balance of more than 500 deaths, as well as millionaire losses in infrastructure and housing.
The Prime Minister of Peru, Gustavo Adrianzén, reported that the earthquake has caused material damage but, so far, no fatalities have been reported.
“Thank God, until this time we have no fatalities registered,” Adrianzén told the RPP station before adding that the tsunami alert that was launched after the strong telluric movement, which had its epicenter in the Pacific Ocean, has also been ruled out.
Adrianzén expressed his solidarity with the populations affected by the earthquake and asked them for “tranquility”, because the authorities are already doing the evaluations to address any emergency.
“Yes, there has been an affectation in some properties,” he confirmed before ratifying that all the information that is available is still preliminary.
The prime minister reiterated his call for “calm and tranquility,” but always asked to maintain security measures since, despite a tsunami having been ruled out, it is possible that an abnormal swell will appear on the coast.
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
-
International4 days agoArsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals
-
Central America3 days agoNicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations
-
International3 days agoDominican ‘False Hero’ Arrested for Faking Role in Nightclub Collapse That Killed 231
-
International2 days agoACLU seeks emergency court order to stop venezuelan deportations under Wartime Law
-
International4 days agoBogotá residents line up for yellow fever vaccine amid national alert
-
International4 days agoDeSantis’ immigration crackdown sparks alarm in Venezuelan Communities in Doral
-
Central America2 days agoUN complaint filed against Costa Rica over detention of migrant children
-
International4 days agoMexico refuses to restore ties with Ecuador while Noboa remains in office
-
International1 day agoThousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
-
Central America9 hours agoSenator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
-
International9 hours agoPope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom