VENEZUELA: Caracas has resumed accepting repatriation flights from the US, which it halted on March 8, after the Donald Trump administration had started mass deportations of unregistered immigrants. The first flight landed today.

National assembly president Jorge Rodriguez said “migration is not a crime” and the decision was taken to protect these citizens.

Venezulan President Nicolas Maduro called for the return of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador, warning its leader Nayib Bukele: “Guarantee their health and release them, because they are kidnapped.”

CANADA: Prime Minister Mark Carney asked the governor-general to dissolve parliament today, triggering a general election.

The unelected banker is running for a seat in Ottawa to enter the legislature for the ruling Liberals.

The party looked headed for certain defeat until recently, but US President Donald Trump’s trade war and talk of annexing the country have bolstered its position against the more pro-Trump Conservatives. Canada votes on April 28.

FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “poison” of anti-semitism today after an assault on the chief rabbi of Orleans.

Rabbi Arie Engelberg was attacked on Saturday while walking with his young son. His assailant reportedly hurled anti-semitic abuse before attacking him.

The attacker has been arrested and placed in a psychiatric facility. 

VATICAN: Pope Francis was released from hospital today after five weeks in which he nearly died of pneumonia.

The 88-year-old’s hospital stay was carefully watched as his papacy’s anti-war and pro-refugee politics, combined with a perceived softening of Catholic Church condemnation of homosexuality, has angered conservative prelates, who could regain control in any papal election following his death.