International
Víctor Manuel opens the 37th Black Week of Gijón, with a record of guest authors
The singer-songwriter Víctor Manuel has opened this Friday the program of cultural activities that for ten days, until July 14, will take place in the thirty-seventh edition of the Black Week of Gijón, which has reached the record number of 250 guest authors of different literary genres.
After the cut of the traditional black tape in an enclosure of 33,000 square meters in an old shipyard, Víctor Manuel has starred in the first round table with a conference on the song ‘Asturias’, by the poet Pedro Garfias, to which he put music and became an unofficial anthem for Asturians.
The Tent of the Encounter, the main of the four in which writers’ meetings with their readers take place, has also hosted the screening of the documentary ‘Asturias, the journey of a song, produced by Televisión del Principado de Asturias (TPA), which narrates the genesis of the poem created by Garfias in 1937.
Hours before the opening ceremony, which has been attended by the president of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, the enclosure has been opened to the public, which houses the tents for meetings of writers with readers, book and craft markets, an amusement fair and stages for musical performances.
Barbón and the director of the festival, Miguel Barrero, have presided over the cut of the film at the inauguration accompanied by municipal authorities to the sound of the music of the charanga ‘El ventolín’.
Social movements of solidarity with Palestine, the Sahara and peoples of Ibero-America have concentrated in front of the Tent of the Encounter to make their demands heard.
This Black Week, which will be the largest in its 37 years of history by number of authors and cultural activities, will pay tributes to Paco Ignacio Taibo, Julio Cortázar, Juan Carlos Onetti and Antonio Machado.
During the contest, the winners of the Dashiell Hammett awards will be announced, for the best crime novel written in Spanish and published during the past year; Rodolfo Walsh, of non-fiction literature; the Spartacus, of a historical novel; the Celsius, of science fiction or fantasy: and the Silverio Cañada, the first crime novel by an author.
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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