International
The trial against Sarkozy opens for financing his campaign with Gaddafi money
The Paris Correctional Court began on Monday the trial against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and twelve other men for the alleged irregular financing of the 2007 electoral campaign with money from the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy, who turns 70 at the end of the month, did not want to make statements to the press before the start of the hearing, to which he presented himself in a dark suit and black tie.
In the brief interrogation to which the president of the court, Nathalie Gavarino, subjected all the defendants present (some did not attend, there is one who is considered probably dead and another is in Lebanon, in search and capture), the former head of the French State between 2007 and 2012 recalled that his current profession is a lawyer.
Before the hearing began, Sarkozy was talking in the courtroom with several lawyers and with the other three of the main defendants, former ministers Claude Guéant, Brice Hortefeux and Éric Woerth, as well as with his brother Guillaume.
In this process, which will last until April 10, the French president between 2007 and 2012 is accused of crimes that, if found guilty, could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 375,000 euros.
Sarkozy’s convictions
The former conservative president has already been convicted on two occasions, and one of them is definitive, after the opinion a month ago of the Supreme Court, with a firm sentence of one year in prison for a case of corruption and influence peddling, which he can serve under house arrest with an electronic bracelet.
In addition, Sarkozy has been sentenced in the first instance for the irregular financing of his failed presidential election campaign of 2012 (he lost to the socialist François Hollande), to a sentence of one year in prison, half exempt from compliance and the other half under house arrest.
The appeal trial has already taken place and the decision will be known during this year.
The first hearing this Monday will be dedicated to procedural appeals that try to annul the process.
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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