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Moments after Daniris Espinal walked into her new apartment in Brooklyn, she prayed. In ensuing nights, she would awaken and touch the walls for reassurance — finding in them a relief that turned to tears over her morning coffee. Those walls were possible through a federal program that pays rent for some 60,000 families and individuals fleeing homelessness or domestic violence. Espinal was fleeing both. But the program, Emergency Housing Vouchers, is running out of money — and quickly. Funding is expected to be used up by the end of next year, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and obtained by The Associated Press. That would leave tens of thousands across the country scrambling to pay their rent. It would be among the largest one-time losses of rental assistance in the U.S., analysts say, and the ensuing evictions could churn these people — after several years of rebuilding their lives — back onto the street or back into abusive relationships. "To have it stop would completely upend all the progress that they’ve made,” said Sonya Acosta, policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which researches housing assistance. “And then you multiply that by 59,000 households,” she said. The program's future rests with Congress The program, launched in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden as part of the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act, was allocated $5 billion to help pull people out of homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking. People from San Francisco to Dallas to Tallahassee, Florida, were enrolled — among them children, seniors and veterans — with the expectation that funding would last until the end of the decade. But with the ballooning cost of rent, that $5 billion will end far faster. Last month, HUD sent letters to groups dispersing the money, advising them to "manage your EHV program with the expectation that no additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming." The program's future rests with Congress, which could decide to add money as it crafts the federal budget. But it's a relatively expensive prospect at a time when Republicans, who control Congress, are dead set on cutting federal spending to afford tax cuts. Americans remain sceptical of generative AI in journalism, study reveals Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, who championed the program four years ago, is pushing for another $8 billion infusion. But the organizations lobbying Republican and Democratic lawmakers to re-up the funding told the AP they aren't optimistic. Four GOP lawmakers who oversee the budget negotiations did not respond to AP requests for comment. “We’ve been told it’s very much going to be an uphill fight,” said Kim Johnson, the public policy manager at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Recipients face uncertainty after years of stability Espinal and her two daughters, aged 4 and 19, are living on one of those vouchers in a three-bedroom apartment with an over $3,000 monthly rent — an amount extremely difficult to cover without the voucher. Four years ago, Espinal fought her way out of a marriage where her husband controlled her decisions, from seeing her family and friends to leaving the apartment to go shopping. When she spoke up, her husband said she was wrong, or in the wrong or crazy. Isolated and in the haze of postpartum depression, she didn’t know what to believe. “Every day, little by little, I started to feel not like myself,” she said. “It felt like my mind wasn’t mine.” When notices arrived in March 2021 seeking about $12,000 in back rent, it was a shock. Espinal had quit her job at her husband's urging and he had promised to cover family expenses. Police reports documenting her husband’s bursts of anger were enough for a judge to give her custody of their daughter in 2022, Espinal said. But her future was precarious: She was alone, owed thousands of dollars in back rent and had no income to pay it or support her newborn and teenage daughters. Financial aid to prevent evictions during the pandemic kept Espinal afloat, paying her back rent and keeping the family out of shelters. But it had an expiration date. Around that time, the Emergency Housing Vouchers program was rolled out, targeting people in Espinal's situation. 53% of Americans have unfavorable view of Israel, compared to 42% in 2022 A "leading cause of family homelessness is domestic violence" in New York City, said Gina Cappuccitti, director of housing access and stability services at New Destiny Housing, a nonprofit that has connected 700 domestic violence survivors to the voucher program. Espinal was one of those 700, and moved into her Brooklyn apartment in 2023. The relief went beyond finding a secure place to live, she said. “I gained my worth, my sense of peace, and I was able to rebuild my identity." Now, she said, she's putting aside money in case of the worst. Because, “that’s my fear, losing control of everything that I’ve worked so hard for.”

 U.S. Vice President JD Vance held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as New Delhi looks to avoid American tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration. Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day visit to India, met with Modi at his residence in New Delhi and the two leaders “reviewed and positively assessed the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation," Modi’s office said in a statement. They also “welcomed the significant progress” in the negotiations of an expected trade deal between the two countries, the statement said. The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner and the two countries are now holding negotiations aiming to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year. They have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between the two countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well. The deal “presents an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries, with the goal of enhancing bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner,” Vance’s office said in a statement. Vance’s first visit to New Delhi came amid the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's now-paused tariff program against most countries, including India. It also coincides with a rapidly intensifying trade war between the United States and China, which is New Delhi’s main rival in the region. Modi's office said that the two leaders “noted continued efforts towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defense, strategic technologies and other areas" and “exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday that Vance’s visit will “further deepen the India–U.S. comprehensive global strategic partnership.” Vance combines business with pleasure Vance was greeted with an Indian classical dance performance after he arrived at New Delhi’s Palam airport on Monday, following his visit to Rome, where he met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, a day before the pontiff's death. Vance was accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, a practicing Hindu whose parents are from India, along with their three children and officials from the U.S. administration. Vance to meet Modi, Meloni during trip to India and Italy with wife Usha The family visited the Akshardham Hindu temple in New Delhi after their arrival and are expected to tour the iconic Taj Mahal monument and the 12th-century Amer Fort — a UNESCO world heritage site — during their trip. India's importance in counterbalancing China's influence India is a close partner of the U.S. and an important strategic ally in combating the rising influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region. It was also part of the Quad, which is made up of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia and is seen as a counterbalance to China’s expansion in the region. Trump is expected to attend a summit of Quad leaders in India later this year. Washington has long sought to develop a deeper partnership with New Delhi, which is seen as a bulwark against China. Modi particularly established a good working relationship with Trump during his first term in office, and the two leaders are likely to further boost cooperation between their countries. Modi was among the first leaders to visit the U.S. and hold talks with Trump after he returned to the White House. During his visit, he hailed a “mega partnership” with the U.S., and kickstarted a negotiation process to minimize the possible fallout of Trump’s tariffs. The two leaders also said they planned to grow their defense partnership, with India signaling compliance with the Trump administration’s demands, saying it will purchase more oil, energy and defense equipment from the U.S. Modi also has cooperated with Trump's moves to deport migrants as India has accepted many of its citizens from the U.S. in the past few months. Regardless, Trump targeted India with a 26% levy, part of which has since been paused. However, he has continued to call India a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king.” Trade talks are pressing for India The trade negotiations are especially urgent for India, which could be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs, particularly in the agriculture, processed food, auto components, high-end machinery, medical equipment and jewelry sectors. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s former foreign secretary and ambassador to the U.S., said that Vance’s visit comes at a time of global upheaval in world trade. He said ties between New Delhi and Washington could see an upsurge under Trump’s presidency, mainly in technology-sharing and defense. “U.S. trade policy under Trump offers an opportunity for India to embed itself in a bigger way in the U.S. markets and global supply chains,” Shringla said. Modi's government is also hoping to attract investment from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Last month, Musk’s Starlink entered into agreements with two of India’s top telecom operators to provide satellite-based internet services. Musk also indicated that he would visit India later this year after speaking last week with Modi, signaling that there could be progress in the electric carmaker’s push to enter the Indian market. Modi expressed respect for Yunus despite Hasina’s disrespect: CA’s Press Secretary   India is also a major defense partner of the U.S. It has in recent years embedded advanced American jets, helicopters, missiles and military gear into its armed forces. The two countries have announced plans to sign a 10-year framework later this year for strengthening their defense partnership.

The regional science-policy finance dialogue brought together 57 policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to align research priorities with policy needs and promote investment in sustainable solutions for South Asia. From 7 to 8 April 2025 the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) co-organised the regional science-policy dialogue on ‘Prioritising research for sustainable development: Building a greener, inclusive, and resilient South Asia.’ During the two-day dialogue, discussions focused on how to minimise research gaps, strengthening regional partnerships, and scaling up investments in climate resilience and economic sustainability in South Asia. Keynote speaker at the dialogue Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies, Nepal highlighted, ‘The knowledge that will be generated here, along with the integration of research and innovation into policy and practice, is going to help us all lay a strong foundation for sustainable growth. “As we continue this important dialogue, I encourage you to actively participate, share your insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate on forward-thinking solutions that will help us achieve our shared goals. “Dr Nitya Rao, Professor, Gender and Development, University of East Anglia emphasised, ‘To build a greener, inclusive and resilient South Asia we need to start with people. We need to find a way to bring these diverse voices from the ground into the debate – research, policy and action on adaptation to climate change – as ultimately it is individuals, households and communities, often marginalised, who bear the brunt of coping and adaptation.’ During the discussions participants recommended: Explore and invest in blended finance models, such as public-private partnerships and climate funds, to diversify and increase financial support for critical research initiatives. ICIMOD Director General, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said, ‘ICIMOD’s role is to bring people like you—experts, thought leaders, policymakers, business leaders together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and take that learning to shape policies and practices. “We learn from you, analyse data, and share it with others who could benefit from it. The recent geopolitical developments clearly highlight the need for enhanced regional cooperation. It should motivate us to pool our resources and collaborate even more effectively to tackle our own challenges and seize the opportunities in front of us.” Moving forward participants agreed that linking policy and research needs cocreation of knowledge. It is a continuous process rooted in partnerships. By creating credible evidence with various stakeholders, we can foster meaningful changes in South Asia. This regional dialogue is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the United Kingdom International Development through its Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative.

Google is set to face a pivotal legal challenge on Monday as the U.S. government pushes to dismantle parts of the company, arguing that it has transformed its once-innovative search engine into an oppressive monopoly. Over the next three weeks, a Washington courtroom will host what’s known as a “remedy hearing,” where both sides will present arguments over how to penalize Google for violating antitrust laws. Witnesses, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, are expected to testify. The U.S. Department of Justice is urging a federal judge to impose sweeping measures, including banning Google from securing multibillion-dollar partnerships with companies like Apple that help entrench its search dominance. The government also wants Google to share its user data with rivals and divest from its widely used Chrome browser. This critical phase follows more than four years after the Justice Department initially sued Google, accusing it of exploiting its dominance in the online search market to suppress competition and innovation. In a key ruling last year, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found that Google had engaged in anticompetitive practices, particularly by locking its search engine into popular platforms such as iPhones, PCs, and Android devices. That verdict now sets the stage for determining what corrective steps the company must take. Since its humble origins in a garage in 1998, Google has grown into a tech giant with major influence across email, mapping, video, browsing, smartphone software, and cloud infrastructure. Building on its legal victory, the Justice Department now argues that dramatic changes are essential to curbing Google’s market control and that of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. “Google’s illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that — no matter what occurs — Google always wins,” the Justice Department stated in documents detailing its proposed remedies. “The American people thus are forced to accept the unbridled demands and shifting, ideological preferences of an economic leviathan in return for a search engine the public may enjoy.” Although the proposed penalties originated under President Joe Biden’s administration, they remain supported under President Donald Trump, whose first term saw the filing of the original case. Since then, the Justice Department has framed Google’s dominance as not just an economic threat, but also one to civil liberties. “The American dream is about higher values than just cheap goods and ‘free’ online services," the department argued in a March 7 court filing. “These values include freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to innovate, and freedom to compete in a market undistorted by the controlling hand of a monopolist." Google, however, contends that the proposed remedies go too far and aren’t justified by the court’s findings. The company claims that its success stems from user preference, not monopolistic behavior. “The ‘unprecedented array of proposed remedies would harm consumers and innovation, as well as future competition in search and search ads in addition to numerous other adjacent markets,” Google’s legal team wrote. “They bear little or no relationship to the conduct found anticompetitive, and are contrary to the law.” The company also raised concerns over potential risks associated with the remedies, particularly the requirements to share search data and possibly divest Chrome. “The breadth and depth of the proposed remedies risks doing significant damage to a complex ecosystem. Some of the proposed remedies would imperil browser developers and jeopardize the digital security of millions of consumers." China cautions nations against trade deals with US that could harm Beijing This legal showdown is considered the most significant U.S. antitrust battle since the 1990s when Microsoft faced similar charges for leveraging Windows to suppress competition. That case ended with a judge ordering a partial breakup of Microsoft — a remedy later overturned on appeal. While Google plans to appeal Mehta’s decision labeling its search business as an illegal monopoly, it cannot do so until the current remedy hearings conclude. Closing arguments are scheduled for late May, and Mehta is expected to issue a final decision by Labor Day. The case against Google’s search business is one of several high-profile antitrust actions targeting major tech firms. Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is currently defending itself against monopoly accusations in a separate Washington D.C. trial. Apple and Amazon have also come under similar scrutiny. Meanwhile, another recent ruling in a separate case found Google guilty of abusing its power in the digital advertising space — a decision that will lead to yet another remedy hearing, possibly later this year or in early 2026, again raising the possibility of a company breakup.

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America whose warm demeanor and dedication to the marginalized endeared him to millions — even as his critiques of capitalism and stance on climate change drew backlash from conservatives — passed away on Monday at the age of 88. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, announced. Following the news, church bells rang out across Rome in mourning. Francis had been battling chronic lung issues for years and lost part of one lung in his youth. He was hospitalized at Gemelli hospital on February 14, 2025, due to a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. His stay lasted 38 days — the longest of his 12-year papacy. From his very first words as pope — the simple “Buonasera” (“Good evening”) — to his acts of compassion toward refugees and the poor, Francis immediately set a new tone for the papacy, emphasizing humility rather than grandeur in a Church still reeling from scandals and criticism. Elected on March 13, 2013, following the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio revitalized a centuries-old institution that had seen its global influence decline. However, his papacy was not without controversy. His progressive approach, outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, and restrictions on traditionalist practices upset many conservatives. One of the most difficult moments of his leadership came in 2018, when his mishandling of a major clergy abuse case in Chile reignited outrage over the Church’s failure to confront abuse. As a pope known for connecting with crowds and visiting the world’s fringes, Francis also had to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the global Church from a locked-down Vatican. He urged humanity to reflect deeply during the crisis, seeing it as a chance to reassess the global economic and political systems that, he argued, had widened the gap between the wealthy and the poor. “We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented,” Francis said to an empty St. Peter’s Square in March 2020. He emphasized the importance of solidarity, saying the pandemic revealed the need “for all of us to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.”

China on Monday issued a warning to other countries, urging them not to strike trade agreements with the United States that could be detrimental to Beijing. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are among the countries that have initiated trade talks with Washington following President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping tariffs targeting nearly all U.S. trading partners. Although the new tariffs were temporarily suspended for most countries amid market turbulence, the U.S. raised its already high duties on Chinese imports. “China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement. “If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.” Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged the countries negotiating trade agreements with Washington to “approach China as a group” alongside the United States. China's Commerce Ministry criticized the U.S. tariffs on other countries as a form of economic bullying, according to a statement attributed to an unnamed spokesperson. “Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot win respect,” the statement read. “For one’s own temporary selfish interests, sacrificing the interests of others in exchange for so-called exemptions is like seeking the skin from a tiger. It will ultimately only fail on both ends and harm others without benefiting themselves.” Beijing said it remains open to dialogue with Washington, though no talks have been scheduled. Trump has targeted China with the steepest trade measures, imposing multiple rounds of tariffs that amount to a combined 145% duty on Chinese goods. China has responded with its own tariffs, totaling 125% on American imports. The tariff exchanges have unnerved exporters, delayed shipments, and raised concerns about broader global economic fallout.

US Vice President JD Vance landed in India on Monday on a four-day trip, during which he will attend personal engagements and hold discussions focused on trade, as India aims to avoid U.S. tariffs, pursue a bilateral trade deal with Washington, and deepen its relationship with the Trump administration. On the first day of his primarily personal visit, Vance is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their talks are expected to cover bilateral relations, following up on the agenda set during Modi’s February meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington. India and the United States, which is New Delhi’s top trading partner, are currently engaged in talks aimed at finalizing a bilateral trade agreement within the year. Both countries have set an ambitious goal to more than double their trade to $500 billion by 2030—a move that could significantly enhance economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic relations. Vance’s inaugural trip to New Delhi comes at a time when Trump's tariff measures against several countries, including India, are on pause. It also takes place against the backdrop of an escalating trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, India’s key regional competitor. “We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week. Upon arriving at New Delhi’s Palam airport on Monday—after a visit to Rome where he met Pope Francis on Easter Sunday—Vance was welcomed with a traditional Indian classical dance performance. He is traveling with his wife, Usha Vance, whose parents are originally from India, their children, and members of the U.S. administration. The couple is also set to tour historic sites in Jaipur and Agra. Vance set to visit India for bilateral talks on economic, trade and geopolitical ties   India remains a key strategic partner for the United States, especially in efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The country is also a member of the Quad—alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia—which is widely viewed as a regional counterweight to China’s ambitions. Trump is expected to attend a Quad leaders’ summit in India later this year. Modi cultivated a strong working relationship with Trump during his first term and is expected to continue deepening collaboration with the U.S. He was among the earliest leaders to visit Washington and engage with Trump following his return to the presidency. During that trip, Modi lauded the U.S.-India “mega partnership” and launched negotiations aimed at minimizing the impact of Trump’s tariff measures. The two leaders also expressed a shared interest in expanding defense cooperation. India has indicated its willingness to align with U.S. priorities by pledging to increase purchases of American oil, energy, and defense equipment. Nevertheless, Trump imposed a 26% tariff on India—currently on hold—and has continued to label India a “tariff abuser” and the “tariff king.” New Delhi is especially eager to conclude trade negotiations, as the country stands to be significantly affected by potential reciprocal tariffs from the Trump administration, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, processed foods, auto parts, advanced machinery, medical equipment, and jewelry.  

U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital killed 12 people and wounded 30 others, the Houthi rebels said early Monday. Zelenskyy says Russia is trying to create an ‘impression of a ceasefire’ as attacks continue The deaths mark the latest in America’s intensified campaign of strikes targeting the rebels. The U.S. military’s Central Command declined to answer questions about the strike or discuss civilian casualties from its campaign. The Houthis described the strike as hitting the Farwa neighborhood market in Sanaa’s Shuub district. That area has been targeted before by the Americans. Footage aired by the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel showed damage to vehicles and buildings in the area, with screaming onlookers holding what appeared to be a dead child. Others wailed on stretchers heading into a hospital Strikes overnight into Monday also hit other areas of the country, including Yemen’s Amran, Hodeida, Marib and Saada governorates. The strikes come after U.S. airstrikes hit the Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen last week, killing at least 74 people and wounding 171 others. The strikes follow the resumption of negotiations in Rome between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Washington has linked to its attacks in Yemen. The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel. The new U.S. operation against the Houthis under Trump appears more extensive than attacks on the group were under President Joe Biden, an AP review found. The new campaign started after the rebels threatened to begin targeting “Israeli” ships again over Israel blocking aid from entering the Gaza Strip. From November 2023 until this January, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors. That has greatly reduced the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees $1 trillion of goods move through it. The Houthis also launched attacks targeting American warships without success.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of staging a false impression of an Easter ceasefire, despite continued military aggression across the front line. Speaking on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces were still launching attacks even after President Vladimir Putin had publicly announced a unilateral truce for the holiday. "On Easter morning, it's clear the Russian army is trying to project an image of a ceasefire," Zelenskyy posted on X. "But in reality, they continue attempts to advance and inflict losses." Ukrainian forces recorded at least 59 shelling incidents and five assaults by Russian units, along with dozens of drone strikes, all taking place after Putin’s ceasefire declaration. Zelenskyy added that, although Ukraine reciprocated the ceasefire gesture, Russia has ramped up the use of heavy weaponry. He did, however, note that Easter morning passed without air raid sirens—an unusual and welcome pause. In one particularly deadly incident, several Ukrainian troops were killed in an ambush in the Donetsk region. Zelenskyy vowed that the Russian soldiers responsible would be “eliminated.” Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed Ukrainian forces launched overnight attacks in the Donetsk area and flew 48 drones into Russian territory, causing civilian casualties. The ministry insisted Russian troops were fully observing the ceasefire. In Kherson, a Russian-occupied region in southern Ukraine, Moscow-installed officials also accused Ukraine of continuing attacks. Zelenskyy says Putin's vow on Ukraine's energy infrastructure unrealistic Zelenskyy called for Russia to honor the ceasefire in full and reiterated Ukraine’s offer to extend the truce for an additional 30 days beyond its scheduled end at midnight Sunday. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, there has been no response from Moscow. “Either Putin lacks control over his army, or Russia simply doesn’t intend to end the war,” Zelenskyy said. “This is just a PR stunt.” Just hours after announcing the ceasefire, President Putin attended an Easter service in Moscow at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, led by Patriarch Kirill—a vocal supporter of the war. Putin gave no specifics on how the ceasefire would be enforced, nor whether it included airstrikes or ground operations. His announcement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump commented that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are “coming to a head,” and said both sides were taking negotiations seriously. The U.S. State Department on Sunday reaffirmed its support for “a full and comprehensive ceasefire.” Officials highlighted recent peace discussions in Paris and confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared encouraging developments in a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.  

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele proposed carrying out a prisoner swap with Venezuela on Sunday, suggesting he would exchange Venezuelan deportees from the United States his government has kept imprisoned for what he called “political prisoners” in Venezuela. In a post on the social media platform X, directed at President Nicolás Maduro, Bukele listed off a number of family members of high-level opposition figures in Venezuela, journalists and activists detained during the South American government’s electoral crackdown last year. “The only reason they are imprisoned is for having opposed you and your electoral fraud,” he wrote to Maduro. “However, I want to propose a humanitarian agreement that includes the repatriation of 100% of the 252 Venezuelans who were deported, in exchange for the release and surrender of an identical number (252) of the thousands of political prisoners you hold.” Among those he listed were the son-in-law of former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González, a number of political leaders seeking asylum in the Argentine embassy in Venezuela, and what he said were 50 detained citizens from a number of different countries across the world. Bukele also listed the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, whose house the political leader has said was surrounded by Venezuelan police in January. Bukele said he would ask El Salvador's foreign ministry to be in contact with the Maduro government, which did not immediately respond to the post. The proposal comes as El Salvador has come under sharp international scrutiny for accepting Venezuelans and Salvadorans deported by the Trump administration, which accused them of being alleged gang members with little evidence. Deportees are locked up in a “mega-prison” know as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), built by the Bukele government during his crackdown on the country’s gangs. Controversy has only continued after it was revealed that a Maryland father married to a U.S. citizen, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported by mistake. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the U.S. government to facilitate his return but there's no sign of that happening. El Salvador’s archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas on Sunday called on Bukele not “to allow our country to become a big international prison.” Despite the controversy, Bukele maintained that all of the people he has kept in the prison were “part of part of an operation against gangs like the Tren de Aragua in the United States.”