International

Thousands of people join the retirees’ march in the capital of Argentina

Thousands of demonstrators began to mobilize in the vicinity of the Parliament of Argentina in support of the demands of the retirees, in the midst of a deployment of about 2,000 police officers, streets cut by the security forces, fences and warnings to the population not to attend the demonstration.

University professors, unions and social organizations joined the protest in an atmosphere of tension.

The march began in an atmosphere of tranquility around 17:30 local time (20:30 GMT), although there are moments of tension between demonstrators and security forces agents.

Retirees ask for improvements in their pensions, medication coverage and that the social security moratorium be maintained, for which pension is collected even if 30 years have not been contributed, and which expires next Sunday.

“When I worked I had enough to live, now that I’m retired not. I have an extra job to support myself. But I’m not coming for myself, I’m coming for all the retirees who can’t come,” Monica, one of the women present at the march, told EFE.

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“The straw that broke the camel’s back was last Wednesday’s repression. Hitting a retiree, it was not necessary,” Monica added.

This demonstration is held in the middle of a strong security operation, with about 2,000 police officers deployed and the streets surrounding Parliament, 100 meters around, fenced with fences to prevent the circulation of vehicles and control the passage of people.

“Protest is not violence. The Police are going to repress any attack against the Republic,” read this morning in a message, accompanied by a symbol of danger, reproduced on screens and speakers in the train stations that connect the capital with the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires.

This communication service of Trenes Argentinos is usually used to inform about issues related to the service of trains or state health campaigns, such as vaccination or disease prevention.

A week ago the police repressed in a very forceful way the march of the retirees, then also supported by unions and football fans, with the result of more than 120 detainees and fifty injured, including the photographer Pablo Grillo, who is still in serious condition because of the impact of a tear gas cartridge on his head.

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The Government asked Justice on Tuesday to arrest 29 people who participated in last week’s protest, banned them from entering football stadiums and offering a reward of ten million pesos (about 9,500 dollars) for anyone who provides data that allows them to identify “those who promoted the riots” in Congress.

International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.