International

Kamala Harris seeks to shorten distances with Trump in conservative areas of Pennsylvania

US Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned this Friday in Republican counties of Pennsylvania, in a strategic effort to reduce Donald Trump’s advantage in that region and increase the Democratic chances of conquering this key state for the November elections.

Harris ended the day with a rally on a university campus in Wilkes-Barre, where he proposed an “economy of opportunities” for the middle class, reaffirmed his defense of the right to abortion and described Trump as a divisive leader, focused on his own interests.

“We need a president who works for all Americans and who stops trying to divide us. People are already tired of that,” Harris said, receiving continuous applause from the public.

At one point in the event, the vice president was interrupted by demonstrators protesting against the war in Gaza. One of them raised his voice, causing discomfort among the attendees. Harris intervened, and although he expressed that he “respected their voices,” he reminded them that “at that moment, she was talking.”

Harris’ campaign considers that this Friday’s visits to conservative areas of the interior of Pennsylvania are an opportunity to reduce Trump’s advantage.

His strategy is to attract undecided voters in Republican counties, in order to decrease Trump’s margin of victory in those areas and ensure that Harris gets enough votes at the state level to win Pennsylvania.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Harris’s campaign

Wilkes-Barre, where he gave his speech, is in Luzerne County, an area that Barack Obama won in 2008 and 2012, but that passed into the hands of Trump in 2016, when he beat Hillary Clinton by almost 20 points. In 2020, Biden lost Luzerne by 14 points.

Harris’ other stop was in Johnstown, located in Cambria County, about 100 kilometers east of Pittsburgh. This county also shows a trend similar to that of Luzerne: Obama won it in 2008 and 2012, but Trump conquered it in 2016 and 2020.

In Johnstown, Harris talked to voters in a place that functioned as a cafe and bookstore. He told them that he is aware of his responsibility to win “each” of his votes, and therefore wants to spend time in the communities where they reside.

“That’s why I’m here, and we’re going to spend much more time in Pennsylvania,” said Harris, who has dedicated six of the last seven days to campaigning in this state.

His campaign team has highlighted the importance of Pennsylvania, since with 19 votes in the Electoral College, it is one of the states that could decide who reaches the White House.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

On Friday, Harris’ campaign indicated in a statement that 16 of its 50 offices in Pennsylvania are located in rural counties where Trump won by a wide margin in 2020. The goal is to limit Trump’s advantage in those areas of the state, and thus increase the Democratic possibilities in the contest.

International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.