International
Iran warns of “serious consequences” to Israel if it attacks Lebanon
The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned on Monday, during a conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, that there will be “serious consequences” if Israel makes the “big mistake” of attacking Lebanon.
“If the Zionist regime (Israel) attacks Lebanon, it will make a big mistake that will have serious consequences for it,” Pezeshkian told Macron, the Tasnim agency reported.
The Iranian president’s warning comes amid speculation about the Israeli response to the attack attributed to his ally Hizbulah that caused the death of 12 children in the Drusian town of Majdal Shams, located in the Golan Heights occupied by Israel.
Pezeshkian also expressed “his great concern” about the escalation of tensions on the southern borders of Lebanon with the Jewish State, whom he accused of committing “terrible crimes.”
“For more than 75 years of the occupation of Palestine, there is no crime that the Zionists have not committed,” said the president, who will be sworn in tomorrow before Parliament after it was ratified yesterday in the post by the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khameni.
Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Israel’s response to the attack “will come, and it will be tough.”
Last night, the country’s security cabinet, which brings together the military and intelligence leadership along with ministers of important portfolios, authorized Netanyahu to decide on a response against Hizbulah.
Iran already warned Israel yesterday not to carry out “new adventures” in Lebanon since this could “lead to increased instability, insecurity and war in the region.”
Iranian diplomacy did not respond, however, to Israel’s accusations that the attack is its responsibility since it is Hizbulah’s main ally.
Iran leads the so-called ‘Ace of Resistance’, an informal anti-Israeli alliance formed in addition to Hezbollah by the Palestinians of Hamas or the Houthis of Yemen, among others.
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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