International
Hurricane Erick rapidly strengthens to category 3 near Southern Mexico

Erick has rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). It is currently located about 90 km (56 miles) south-southwest of Puerto Ángel, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
The hurricane is expected to continue strengthening overnight as it moves closer to Mexico’s southern coastline. Erick is forecast to make landfall Thursday morning, just east of Acapulco, as a major hurricane. If it does so as a Category 3 or stronger, it would be the most powerful hurricane on record to strike Mexico in the month of June.
The storm underwent rapid intensification on Wednesday morning, fueled by extremely favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions, including very warm sea surface temperatures. A tropical system is considered to be rapidly intensifying when its maximum sustained winds increase by at least 55 km/h (35 mph) within 24 hours.
Hurricane-force winds are expected to affect coastal areas Wednesday night. Regions near and east of the storm’s landfall point are likely to experience dangerous storm surge, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall, with totals up to 400 mm (15.7 inches). These conditions pose a high risk of flash flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous terrain. Because Erick’s approach is nearly parallel to the coastline, even minor shifts in its track could significantly alter the timing and location of landfall impacts.
International
Argentina uncovers alleged russian influence network operating on its soil

The Argentine government announced on Wednesday that it has identified a group of Russian nationals allegedly engaging in suspicious activities within the country, potentially linked to strategic interests of the Kremlin. The statement was made by Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni during a press briefing.
According to Adorni, an investigation by the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) uncovered the presence of a foreign organization known as “La Compañía” (“The Company”), reportedly operating in Argentina to form a network of individuals loyal to Russian interests, with the goal of conducting disinformation and influence campaigns against the Argentine state.
The group’s activities are believed to include spreading content on social media, infiltrating local NGOs, and collecting political intelligence. The SIDE investigation also revealed links between this organization and “Project Lakhta”, a well-documented Russian foreign interference initiative previously connected to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the late oligarch and founder of the Wagner Group.
Prigozhin died in a plane crash in 2023, just two months after leading an armed rebellion against Russia’s military leadership during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The suspected leader of “La Compañía” has been identified as Lev Konstantinovich Andriashvili, a Russian national residing in Argentina, allegedly funded from abroad and connected to local operatives. His wife, Irina Iakovenko, who also lives in the South American country, was likewise named by officials.
International
Vatican launches fundraising campaign to support Pope’s charity works

The Vatican launched a new communication campaign on Wednesday to encourage donations to ‘Peter’s Pence’, the fund that supports the Pope’s charitable initiatives, amid declining revenue in recent years.
“On June 29 – which this year falls on the last Sunday of the month – the traditional Peter’s Pence collection will take place, coinciding with the liturgical feast of Saints Peter and Paul,” the Vatican announced in a statement.
It described Peter’s Pence as “a concrete way of supporting the Holy Father in his mission of service to the universal Church.”
The statement adds: “Peter’s Pence represents a gesture of communion and participation in the Pope’s mission to proclaim the Gospel, promote peace, and spread Christian charity.”
To support the initiative, the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy and the Dicastery for Communication have prepared a range of informative and multimedia materials explaining the collection’s purpose. During Wednesday’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square, a video featuring images of Pope Leo XIV was shown to raise awareness and encourage donations.
International
Salvadoran journalist detained by ICE after covering anti-Trump protest in Atlanta

Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara was transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on Wednesday, days after being arrested while covering a protest in Atlanta against President Donald Trump.
Guevara, a native of San Salvador and founder of the independent outlet MG News, was moved into immigration custody shortly before 4:00 a.m. local time, according to records from the DeKalb County jail in Georgia. His detention has raised alarm among family members and lawyers, who expected his release after posting bail and completing a 48-hour hold due to his lack of permanent residency.
“What they did to Mario is an injustice,” said his wife, Miriam Guevara. She confirmed she spoke to him on Tuesday and that he remained hopeful about regaining his freedom.
On Saturday, Guevara was live-streaming a demonstration by the ‘No Kings’ movement when he was arrested by Doraville police, despite identifying himself as a journalist. He placed his phone on the ground to continue recording as officers approached but was detained and charged with pedestrian obstruction, unlawful assembly, and blocking a roadway.
“He was arrested unfairly, and the videos clearly show it. Mario has done this kind of reporting for 20 years without ever having any issues,” said his attorney, Giovanni Díaz, emphasizing that Guevara complied with police instructions.
Guevara, who has more than 782,000 followers on Facebook, previously worked as a photojournalist for La Prensa Gráfica in El Salvador and as a reporter for Mundo Hispánico in Atlanta before founding his independent news channel, where he often documents ICE operations in the region.
Another attorney, Zacharias Gaeta, noted that Guevara holds a valid work permit, that his deportation case was administratively closed, and that he has a pending immigration petition based on his U.S.-born son who recently underwent brain surgery.
“We’re still hopeful that everything will turn out fine,” said Katherine Guevara, the journalist’s daughter, who voiced her family’s concern over the situation.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the arrest as a “crude form of censorship”, warning that press freedom is facing growing challenges in the United States.
-
International3 days ago
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
-
Central America3 days ago
Guatemala cracks down on prison corruption with over 20 raids in recent weeks
-
Central America4 days ago
Nicaraguan exile coalition urges Costa Rica to receive U.S. deportees fleeing Ortega regime
-
Central America4 days ago
First woman elected president in the Americas, Violeta Chamorro, dead at 95
-
International3 days ago
Judge to rule next week on injunction against Trump’s student visa restrictions
-
International3 days ago
Trump directs ICE to focus deportation efforts on democratic-led states
-
International3 days ago
Israeli strike targets Iran’s state news agency amid escalating conflict
-
International3 days ago
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
-
International2 days ago
Netanyahu: “Today it’s Tel Aviv, tomorrow could be New York”
-
International3 days ago
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
-
International2 days ago
Panama supports Morocco’s autonomy plan as sole solution for Western Sahara dispute
-
Internacionales2 days ago
Tropical storm Erick expected to become hurricane as it nears southern Mexico
-
International3 days ago
Netanyahu: Israel is ‘changing the face of the Middle East’ amid Iran strikes
-
Central America15 hours ago
Panama mine workers demand reopening amid economic slump and mining ban
-
International16 hours ago
Mexico discovers drug smuggling tunnel connecting Tijuana to San Diego
-
Central America16 hours ago
Guatemalan journalist Zamora wins legal battle, still held over new charges
-
International5 hours ago
Argentina uncovers alleged russian influence network operating on its soil
-
Central America5 hours ago
Nicaragua slashes highway speed limit to 50 km/h, drawing public mockery
-
International5 hours ago
Iran ambassador warns U.S. bases will be “legitimate targets” if attacked
-
International5 hours ago
Vatican launches fundraising campaign to support Pope’s charity works
-
International5 hours ago
Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran signals a turning point in the Middle East
-
International5 hours ago
Wang Yi urges peace talks amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran
-
International5 hours ago
Bolivian president warns Israel-Iran conflict could trigger ‘Third World War’
-
International5 hours ago
Guterres urges diplomacy amidst escalating Israel-Iran conflict
-
Internacionales5 hours ago
DHS official Kristi Noem hospitalized in Washington, condition stable
-
International5 hours ago
U.S. requires student visa applicants to keep social media profiles public
-
International5 hours ago
Salvadoran journalist detained by ICE after covering anti-Trump protest in Atlanta
-
International6 hours ago
Australia and New Zealand begin evacuations amid Israel-Iran conflict
-
International5 hours ago
Putin says Iran has not asked Russia for help against Israeli attacks
-
International5 hours ago
Meta’s WhatsApp denies iranian state TV’s spying allegations amid conflict
-
International5 hours ago
FDA approves first twice-yearly HIV prevention shot in the U.S.
-
International5 hours ago
Daughters of merengue star Rubby Pérez file lawsuit after nightclub collapse