International
Retired man on trial for drugging wife for rape ring, 50 others accused

A retired man accused of drugging his wife for nearly a decade to deliver her to strangers who raped her in their home in southern France is currently on trial, in a case involving 50 other defendants.
The hearings for this landmark case, which highlights abuse through chemical submission, will take place over four months before a criminal court composed of professional judges in Avignon.
Gisèle P., the 72-year-old victim, remained stoic on the second day of this high-profile trial in Avignon, where the 51 defendants, including her partner of nearly 50 years, face up to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape.
The 51 defendants, all men aged 21 to 68 at the time the crimes were discovered, will appear until December 20, with 18 of them in the defendants’ enclosure.
The list includes individuals from various professions and backgrounds: firefighter, shopkeeper, nurse, former police officer, electrician, businessman, journalist, among others, both single and married or divorced. None have notable psychological disorders, but all, according to forensic experts, exhibit a sense of “omnipotence” over the female body.
Most had only visited the main defendant’s home in Mazan once, while ten visited several times, some for up to six nights. Many claim they believed they were participating in the fantasies of a libertine couple.
However, according to the 71-year-old primary defendant, “everyone knew” that his wife was drugged without consent. He argues that “each individual had free will” and could have “left” upon realizing the situation.
The retired man, a former employee of the EDF electricity company, admitted to administering powerful anxiolytics, primarily Temesta, to his wife without informing her.
According to his statements, he began doing this in 2011, when the couple, together since 1971, lived in the Paris region before moving to Mazan in 2013.
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.
-
International4 days ago
Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals
-
Central America3 days ago
Nicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations
-
International3 days ago
Dominican ‘False Hero’ Arrested for Faking Role in Nightclub Collapse That Killed 231
-
International2 days ago
ACLU seeks emergency court order to stop venezuelan deportations under Wartime Law
-
International4 days ago
Bogotá residents line up for yellow fever vaccine amid national alert
-
International4 days ago
DeSantis’ immigration crackdown sparks alarm in Venezuelan Communities in Doral
-
Central America2 days ago
UN complaint filed against Costa Rica over detention of migrant children
-
International4 days ago
Mexico refuses to restore ties with Ecuador while Noboa remains in office
-
International21 hours ago
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
-
Central America4 hours ago
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
-
International4 hours ago
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom