International
Hurricane Beryl to bring dangerous winds and storm surge to windward islands

The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed that Beryl is now a hurricane and is expected to intensify rapidly.
“Beryl is now a hurricane and is forecasted to intensify rapidly. It is expected to bring potentially deadly winds and a storm surge to the Windward Islands as a major hurricane. A hurricane warning is already in effect for Barbados,” the NHC reported.
As of yesterday, Beryl was located 1,785 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados and 4,805 kilometers east-southeast of the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It was advancing westward at a speed of just over 30 kilometers per hour.
Authorities indicated that Beryl was generating sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 85 kilometers per hour.
The NHC’s forecast showed that the tropical system was moving westward along the northern coast of South America, with the projected path showing it east of the coasts of Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Additionally, Beryl could produce sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour. According to the NHC, Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the average formation date for the first hurricane being August 11.
In light of this weather situation, hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, with a tropical storm warning for Martinique and Tobago.
“Interests in other parts of the Lesser Antilles should closely follow Beryl’s progress. Additional watches and warnings are likely to be required today for parts of the area,” the NHC communicated prior to declaring Beryl a hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center has forecasted a very active season this year. U.S. authorities have assessed a 70% probability of having between 17 and 25 named tropical cyclones, of which eight to 13 could become hurricanes.
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.
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