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Tecoluca, El Salvador CNN —Sunlight pours into the cavernous building. Opened less than two years ago, it is already an iconic feature of the “new El Salvador” of President Nayib Bukele. The cells are meticulously clean — an intentional and stark contrast to the dingy and squalid prisons of El Salvador’s past. He even created his own clique, “Crazy Criminals,” now tattooed across his back, after he returned to El Salvador. Critics inside and outside El Salvador question the veracity of the government’s crime data and claimed success over the gangs.

Persons: El Salvador ”, Nayib Bukele, ”, Cecot, Belarmino, Gustavo Villatoro, “, El Salvador —, ‘, Marvin Vásquez, he’s, —, Vásquez, ” Vásquez, “ Rob, it’s, “ It’s, García, Bukele, ” Bukele, …, Juan Carlos Sánchez, Belarmino García, David Culver, Evelio Contreras, Cecot’s García, El, Salvador Molinas, Molina, we’ve Organizations: El Salvador CNN, El, CNN, Central American, Barrio, Law Foundation, Bukele Locations: El Salvador, El Salvador’s, El, Los Angeles, Cecot, America, San Salvador

Karnal, India CNN —The sun blisters the arid ground in Karnal, a district in India’s northern Haryana state, where empty houses stand testament to an acute problem that’s driving some residents to take unimaginable risks. Ankit Chaudhary says he paid an agent to help him take the 'donkey route' into the US but lost his money. His account matched that of another smuggling agent CNN spoke to in Haryana. But even if Trump wins the November election, smugglers CNN spoke to in India predict an eventual revival of the “donkey” route. “In my opinion the donkey route will never completely stop,” said the first agent.

Persons: ”, Ankit Chaudhary, ” Chaudhary, Narendra Modi, “ Viskit, ” Modi, “, Bharat, Chaudhary, Rajeev Kumar, Malkeet, ” Kumar, Young, Muzaffar Chishti, ” Chishti, ” Ankush Malik, Malik, They’ve, Chishti, ‘, ’, Frederic J . Brown, CNN's Ivan Watson he's, Trump, we’re, ” Trump, Kamala Harris, Gary Coronado, ’ Kumar, Kumar Organizations: India CNN, USA, CNN, US, Pew, India’s Ministry of Labour, Employment, Panama City, International Labour Organization, Migration, Institute, Biden, YouTube, Customs, Border Protection, Justice Department, Biden Administration, Border Patrol, Migrants, Getty, White, Democratic, Trump, Immigrants, Border, Los Angeles Times, El Locations: Karnal, India, India’s, Haryana, United States, Latin America, Mexico, El Salvador, Mator, Kaithal, New Delhi, Dubai, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Istanbul, Panama, San Salvador, Guatemala, New York, Qatar, Amsterdam, Springs , California, AFP, San Diego, South Asia, September’s

You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. The exceptions are flights to South America, as well as transatlantic and transpacific flights, which allow a carry-on bag. Spirit AirlinesFees for checked and carry-on baggageSpirit charges varying fees for checked bags and carry-on bags. Opt for a carry-on bag whenever possible, as most airlines allow at least one free carry-on bag. Oversized bags: Fees for oversized bags depend on the bag's dimensions.

Persons: aren't, Doesn't, stow, Miles, it's, Harlan Vaughn Harlan Vaughn, he’s, Harlan, Read Organizations: Business Insider, Citi, Mastercard, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, U.S . Airlines, American Airlines, U.S, U.S ., Airlines, Delta Airlines, United, New Zealand, Delta, Express Card, U.S . Supermarkets, PayPal, United Airlines, United ®, United Club, ℠, FDIC, Southwest Airlines, Southwest ®, Rapid, Southwest, Rapid Rewards, JetBlue Plus, Card, Alaska, Spirit Airlines, Chase, American Express, Frontier Airlines, Frontier, American, Citi ® Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, U.S . Virgin, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Guyana, Cuba, North America, South America, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Europe, Israel, Qatar, Australia, Suriname, Panama, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, San Salvador, El, North, South, North Africa, South Africa, Emirates, New, Brazil, East, Africa, Asia, Central, delta.com, Delta, California , Idaho , Oregon, Washington, Dallas , Texas

San Salvador, El Salvador CNN —For decades, life choices were bleak for many in El Salvador: Leave or die. El Salvador, once synonymous with violence and waves of emigration, saw a dramatic drop in crime. We are not stupid.”Villatoro’s words echo the brutal reality El Salvador has faced for years. Unlike in places like Cuba or China, where residents can seem nervous to criticize repressive regimes, in El Salvador the optimism appears real. Evelio Contreras/CNNTeresa Lilian Gutierrez is caught in the middle, and her experience shows the many complexities of life in El Salvador today.

Persons: Nayib Bukele, Victor Bolaños, Blanca, “, ” Victor, ” Blanca, Evelio Contreras, Bukele, Victor, Diego Morales, ”, El, ” Diego, Salvadorans, Diego, Jairo, “ We’ve, … it’s, ” Jairo, ‘, El Salvador, —, Cecot, Gustavo Villatoro, they’ll, Bukele’s, Donald Trump, ” Trump, ” Villatoro, Juan Carlos Cornejo, Juan Carlos, Socorro Jurídico, Juan Carlos ’, Critics, CNN Teresa Lilian Gutierrez, San Salvador . “, “ He’s, …, they’re, René Merino, Merino, Blanca Bolaños Organizations: San Salvador , El, San Salvador , El Salvador CNN —, New, New York City, CNN, El, Central, Rights Watch, Northern, Customs, Border Protection, World Bank, Houston, La Libertad, Barrio, El Salvador Presidency Central, ”, Republican National Convention, Salvadoran, Officials Locations: San Salvador ,, San Salvador , El Salvador, El Salvador, New York, Denver, San Salvador, Central American, Central America, Honduras, Guatemala, El, Houston, Florida, Austin, Hawaii, Tamanique, Salvadoran, United States of America, Santa Ana, “, Socorro, Cuba, China, La Campanera, San Salvador ., Mariona, America, Bukele

☆ At least 30 dead after days of heavy rains in the Northern Triangle
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Merlin Delcid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

San Salvador CNN —At least 30 people have died in the heavy rains pounding Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador this week, according to authorities in each country. In El Salvador, 19 deaths have been recorded due to the storms, the director of Civil Protection, Luis Alonso Amaya, told local media. Among the victims are two minors who died after a landslide buried their home in the Soyapango district, located about six miles from capital San Salvador. More than 2,500 people in El Salvador have been evacuated from their homes and have been placed in shelters. In Guatemala, 10 people died have died due to the rains and more than 350 people have been evacuated and are staying in shelters, according to the country’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred).

Persons: Luis Alonso Amaya Organizations: San Salvador CNN —, San Salvador . Locations: San Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Soyapango

☆ Miss USA and Miss Teen USA’s mothers speak out: ‘They were ill-treated, abused, bullied and cornered’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Days after their daughters’ decisions to relinquish their pageant titles, the mothers of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava are speaking out — in place of their daughters, who they say are still bound by non-disclosure agreements with the Miss USA organization. It marked the first time a titleholder in Miss USA or Miss Teen USA had resigned, and both happened in quick succession. For now, the mothers are warning prospective pageant contestants about getting involved with Miss USA. On Wednesday, the runner-up for Miss USA, Savannah Gankiewicz from Hawaii, will step up and take the title in a ceremony. But Miss Teen USA remains open, as the runner-up from 2023, New York’s Stephanie Skinner, declined to be crowned in a public statement on Instagram.

Persons: Miss USA Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, ” Barbara Srivastava, Jackeline Voigt, “, UmaSofia Srivastava, Noelia Voigt, ”, Jackeline, Laylah Rose, Rose, ” Voigt, Voigt, Noelia, ” Rose, Hector Vivas, Barbara Srivastava, ” Jackeline, Stephanie Skinner, Miss Pennsylvania Teen Maggie Ross, it’s Organizations: CNN, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss, Morning America, Morning, ABC, 72nd Miss Universe, Getty, Miss Universe Organization, JKN Global, Teen, Miss Pennsylvania Teen Locations: Miss USA, Miss, Sarasota , Florida, Sarasota, San Salvador, Savannah Gankiewicz, Hawaii

She flagged down a cab and asked the driver if he happened to know anyone who made the delicate paper flags. The man took her to his brother Don Rene Mendoza, who, by sheer chance, was a master of the trade. After speaking with Amezkua for more than five hours, Mendoza agreed to pass the craft tradition on to her. The Spanish also began importing papel china — thin, tissue-like paper from China, often used to wrap other goods. This confluence led to the creation of the papel picado used today to decorate a variety of celebrations in Mexican culture, most notably Day of the Dead, when it is placed around altars of deceased loved ones.

Persons: Blanka Amezkua, San Salvador Huixcolotla, Amezkua, Don Rene Mendoza, Mendoza, Papel, Marcelo Alejandro Ramirez Garcia, Rojas Organizations: International Museum of Art, Science Locations: San Salvador, Mexican, Mexico, McAllen , Texas, Spanish, China

☆ El Salvador Removes Income Taxes for Money From Abroad
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - El Salvador's Congress approved on Tuesday a reform to remove income taxes previously imposed on money from abroad, in a move to attract more foreign investment. Money flows from abroad in forms such as remittances and investments in companies will now be exempt from tax, lawmakers said. Prior to the reform, incomes equal to or greater than $150,000 had to pay a rate of 30% at the time of entry into the country. "The initiative aims to stimulate domestic and foreign investment to boost the economy and generate better and more employment opportunities," said lawmaker Suecy Callejas in Congress when defending the reform. (Reporting by Nelson Renteria; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sarah Morland)

Persons: Suecy Callejas, Nelson Renteria, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, Salvador's

☆ U.S. Mends Fences With El Salvador's Bukele as China Lurks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Now, more than ever, the U.S. needs Central American nations like El Salvador to curb migration to the southern border. In October, the State Department's top Latin America diplomat, Brian Nichols, visited El Salvador and posed for photos with Bukele. WAITING IN THE WINGSAt the same time, there are growing ties between China and El Salvador. Although of limited commercial importance in itself, El Salvador offers China a foothold in Central America, and in 2017 broke relations with Taiwan in favor of China. "El Salvador wants to do trade with everyone," Bukele said during his victory speech on Sunday night.

Persons: Diego Oré, Sarah Kinosian, Nelson, Nayib Bukele, Jean Manes, Bukele's, Brian Nichols, Antony Blinken, Bukele, Manes, Ana Maria Mendez, Salvadorans, El Salvador, El, Margaret Myers, Diego Ore, Nelson Renteria, Christian Plumb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, El Salvador, Central American, U.S, U.S ., Central, State Department's, El, U.S . State Department, Washington Office, U.S . Customs, USAID, The U.S, Inter, Huawei, Washington, Diego Locations: United States, U.S, El Salvador, Latin America, America, China, Honduras, Washington, China's, San Salvador, Central America, Taiwan, Mexico City

☆ El Salvador election results delayed, despite president’s declaration of victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | Martin Goillandeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Court on Monday said it had asked polling stations across the country to manually record the results of Sunday’s presidential election after electronic transmission of results stopped updating overnight at around 31%. Voters line up at a polling station during general elections in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Sunday. El Salvador now has the world’s highest incarceration rate. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, left, accompanied by his wife Gabriela Rodriguez, waves to supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace in San Salvador, El Salvador, after polls closed on Sunday. A lopsided win for Bukele would likely give the young leader more leeway to reform El Salvador in his heavy-handed vision.

Persons: CNN — El, Nayib Bukele, Bukele, Moises Castillo, Bukele’s, El, Gabriela Rodriguez, autocrats, ” –, CNN’s David Shortell Organizations: CNN, Sunday, AP, El Salvador, Bukele Locations: San Salvador , El Salvador, El Salvador, American

☆ Bukele Landslide Shifts El Salvador to One-Party State, Amplifies Democracy Fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Sarah Kinosian and Nelson RenteriaSAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - The landslide re-election of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was cheered by supporters of his gang crackdown, but has worried opponents who fear the country is sliding into a de facto one-party state. El Salvador had "made history" for electing a single party "in a fully democratic system," he said. But rights groups said they are worried about where the country is headed and forecast further curbs on civil rights. They are just grateful he crushed the gang violence plaguing El Salvador for decades and that they can go outside after dark again. "Democratic spaces are closing in El Salvador, civil society is closing down and there is an environment of fear to speak out," said Claudia Ortiz, a lawmaker who has clashed with Bukele and ran for the upstart Vamos party.

Persons: Sarah Kinosian, Nelson, Nayib Bukele, Bukele, El Salvador, Gabriela Santos, State Anthony Blinken, Daniel Ortega, Gladis Munoz, Claudia Ortiz, Nelson Renteria, Drazen Jorgic, Christian Plumb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, El Salvador, U.S, Human Rights, University of Central America, El, State, Bukele Locations: El Salvador, U.S, Central America, El, Nicaragua, Venezuela

☆ EL Salvador's Bukele Declares Himself Winner of Presidential Vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele declared himself the winner of presidential elections held on Sunday, hours after polls closed but before the electoral body announced official results. "According to our numbers, we won the presidential election with more than 85% of the votes and a minimum of 58 out of 60 Assembly deputies," Bukele said on X, referring to the 60-seat legislative assembly.

Persons: Nayib Bukele, Bukele Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Salvadorans are headed out to vote Sunday in a presidential and legislative elections that’s largely about the tradeoff between security and democracy. Nonetheless, about eight out of 10 of voters support Bukele, according to a January poll from the University of Central America. "He just needs a little bit more time, the time he needs to keep improving the country,” Mena said. In the lead-up to Sunday’s vote, Bukele made no public campaign appearances. “There’s this growing rejection of the basic principles of democracy and human rights, and support for authoritarian populism among people who feel that, concepts like democracy and human rights and due process have failed them,” said Tyler Mattiace, Americas researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Persons: —, Bukele, El, Farabundo, ”, Marleny Mena, Mena, ” Mena, “, Tyler Mattiace Organizations: SALVADOR, University of Central, Nationalist Republican Alliance, Liberation Front, Human Rights Watch Locations: El Salvador, University of Central America, San Salvador's, Americas

☆ In El Salvador, self-styled ‘world’s coolest dictator’ Nayib Bukele heads for re-election amid human rights concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Employees of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal load boxes containing electoral material for the presidential and legislative elections at the Electoral Organization Directorate in San Marcos, El Salvador, on February 2, 2024. He adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador in 2021 and invited the tech-bros of the world to surf in the Pacific. Under Bukele, El Salvador’s homicide rate has plummeted. So, while El Salvador no longer faces record murder rates, it now boasts the highest incarceration rate in the world. Camilo Freedman/AFP/Getty ImagesA tale of two victimsJackelyne Zelaya does not see the enduring state of emergency as a problem.

Persons: Jocelyn Zelaya, ”, Jackelyne, ” Jackelyne Zelaya, Marcela, Jocelyn, Mara Salvatrucha, Zelaya, “, isn’t, Nayib, Yuri Cortez, Bukele, El, Camilo Freedman, Jackelyne Zelaya, won’t, Maria, tipster, Marvin Reyes, EFE, Guillermo Villatoro, Villatoro, Salvadorean Sandra Hernandez, Jose Dimas Medrano, Stringer, ‘, ’, Ilhan Omar, Samuel Rodriguez of MOVIR, “ Bukele, Daniel Noboa, Latinobarometro, she’s, Maria ’, ” Maria Organizations: CNN, World Bank, El, Employees, Electoral, Getty, FMLN, Civil, Justice Department, Army, “, Congress, Police, National Police, Security Ministry, Human Rights, Democratic, Barrios, Washington DC Locations: San Salvador, Zelaya, El Salvador, American, San Marcos, AFP, America, Latin America, United States, New York, El Salvador’s, Santa Ana, El Rosario, Honduras, WOLA, Washington, Ecuador, El

☆ Last Salvadoran Woman Imprisoned Over Baby's Death Calls for Change
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

El Salvador has one of the most draconian abortion bans in the Americas, which critics say extends to women who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths. Many women have been sentenced to decades in prison on charges of killing their children. The 28-year-old woman, known as Lilian, was the last woman still imprisoned on such charges, according to two local civil rights groups. "I call on people stop denouncing other innocent women," Lilian told a press conference after a judge last month acquitted her of a 30-year sentence after seven years behind bars. Lilian, who is also the mother of a 10-year-old, said she was happy to be reunited with her family.

Persons: El, Lilian, Lillian, Nelson Renteria, Raul Cortes, Sarah Morland, Leslie Adler Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, Central, Citizens, Group Locations: El Salvador, Central American, Americas, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Caribbean

☆ I'm the first plus-sized woman to compete at Miss Universe and I made the top 20. My story is changing society's standards.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett is the first plus-sized woman to compete and place at Miss Universe. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jane Dipika Garrett, who represented Nepal at Miss Universe in November. That moment really, really inspired me. Then I saw the Miss Universe Nepal application was open and I was inspired to try it. AdvertisementAfter Miss Universe, I've gotten so many messages from people who said they were inspired by me.

Persons: Jane Dipika Garrett, Garrett, —, I've, Olivia Cuplo, Hector Vivas, MARVIN RECINOS, El Organizations: Miss, Service, Miss Universe, Getty Locations: Nepal, United States, Pennsylvania, San Salvador , El Salvador, AFP, Miss Nepal, El Salvador

☆ Nicaragua's Miss Universe franchise owner accused of conspiracy
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild and Miss Colombia Camila Avella the top five finalists, take part in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Nicaraguan police late on Friday charged the owner of the local Miss Universe franchise with conspiracy, money laundering and spreading fake news, just weeks after the Central American nation's first victory in the pageant. Authorities have accused Karen Celebertti, director of the Miss Nicaragua franchise, her husband and son with conspiracy against the government, according to a statement issued by the national police. Celebertti's local Miss Universe organization has been used to "turn pageants into political traps and political ambushes, financed by foreign agents," the police statement said. Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios won the title of Miss Universe on Nov. 18, becoming the first Central American to wear the crown.

Persons: Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, Colombia Camila Avella, Jose Cabezas, Karen Celebertti, Celebertti, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, Palacios, Ismael Lopez, Toby Chopra Organizations: Miss, Miss Nicaragua, 72nd Miss Universe, REUTERS, Nicaraguan police, Miss Universe, Central American, Reuters, Authorities, Central, Nicaraguans, Police, Inter, American, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Miss Puerto, Miss Thailand, San Salvador, Miss Nicaragua, Nicaragua, Central American, New York

☆ El Salvador's president asks for leave of absence to seek reelection
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele speaks during the inauguration of the 3 de Febrero hydroelectric power plant in San Luis de La Reina, El Salvador October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAN SALVADOR, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced on Tuesday he will formally ask Congress to approve a leave of absence over the next few days to allow him to run for reelection as president of the Central American nation next year. In a televised speech, Bukele said he is formally requesting the leave of absence "to dedicate myself to the campaign," but he did not name his temporary replacement in his brief remarks. While critics question Bukele's ability to seek a second consecutive term, citing a constitutional prohibition, the country's top court ruled he could run in 2021. The judges on that court were appointed by Congress, which is dominated by Bukele's New Ideas party.

Persons: Nayib Bukele, San Luis de La, Jose Cabezas, Bukele, Nelson Renteria, David Alire Garcia Organizations: El, San Luis de La Reina, REUTERS, SALVADOR, Central American, Congress, Bukele's, Thomson Locations: San Luis, El Salvador

☆ Miss Universe: Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua wins 2023 pageant in El Salvador
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016). Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Nicaragua, competes in the evening gown round. A newly-crowned Palacios waves to the audience in attendance at the Miss Universe pageant final. Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.

Persons: CNN — Sheynnis Palacios, Anntonia, Carson Kressley, influencer Avani Gregg, Janelle Commissiong, Iris Mittenaere, Sheynnis Palacios, Hector Vivas, Palacios, Porsild, Moraya Wilson, Australia, Mary Wollstonecraft, “, ”, Marvin Recinos, Colombia, Camila Avella, Karla Guilfú, Athenea, Congeniality, R’Bonney Gabriel Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Universe, Getty Locations: Nicaragua, El Salvador’s, San Salvador, Thailand, Aden, Trinidad & Tobago, France, Miss Nepal, Miss Pakistan, Miss Nicaragua, British, AFP, Miss Puerto Rico, USA

☆ See the best evening gowns at the 2023 Miss Universe competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bolivia, Estefany Rivero. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Brazil, Maria Brechane. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bulgaria, Yuliia Pavlikova. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Slovakia, Kinga Puhová Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss South Africa, Bryoni Govender. The 2023 Miss Universe pageant also marks longtime Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart’s last year.

☆ El Salvador Hosts Miss Universe as Protesters Denounce Mass Arrests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - At least 300 people protested in El Salvador on Saturday against an anti-gang crackdown they said was putting innocent people behind bars, hours before the Central American country hosts the Miss Universe competition for the first time since 1975. The crackdown is widely popular among Salvadorans and has helped reduce crime and homicide rates, attracting international events like Miss Universe, which El Salvador has reportedly invested $60 million to host. Protesters in the capital San Salvador marched on Saturday from the city's Monument to the Constitution to a hotel where dozens of Miss Universe delegates are staying. "We want Miss Universe to see that Salvadorans are suffering," said Guadalupe Avila, 67, whose 27-year-old son Carlos was arrested 19 months ago. Some protesters wore sashes that said "Miss Political Prisoners," "Miss Persecution," and "Miss Mass Trials," referencing group trials that have been announced for thousands of people arrested in the crackdown.

Persons: Nayib Bukele, Guadalupe Avila, Carlos, Avila, Nelson Renteria, Chizu Nomiyama Organizations: SALVADOR, Reuters, Saturday, Central American, Miss, El, Protesters Locations: El Salvador, San Salvador

☆ El Salvador hosts Miss Universe as protesters denounce mass arrests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Police officers stand guard at a protest to demand help for the release of people detained during the state of emergency decreed by the government to curb gang violence, ahead of the Miss Universe gala to be held in San Salvador, El Salvador November 18, 2023. The crackdown is widely popular among Salvadorans and has helped reduce crime and homicide rates, attracting international events like Miss Universe, which El Salvador has reportedly invested $60 million to host. Protesters in the capital San Salvador marched on Saturday from the city's Monument to the Constitution to a hotel where dozens of Miss Universe delegates are staying. "We want Miss Universe to see that Salvadorans are suffering," said Guadalupe Avila, 67, whose 27-year-old son Carlos was arrested 19 months ago. Some protesters wore sashes that said "Miss Political Prisoners," "Miss Persecution," and "Miss Mass Trials," referencing group trials that have been announced for thousands of people arrested in the crackdown.

Persons: Jose Cabezas, Nayib Bukele, Guadalupe Avila, Carlos, Avila, Nelson Renteria, Chizu Organizations: Police, Miss, San Salvador , El, REUTERS, SALVADOR, Saturday, Central American, El, Protesters, Thomson Locations: San Salvador ,, San Salvador , El Salvador, El Salvador, San Salvador

☆ Miss Universe 2023 preliminary: Highlights from the national costume competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s a serious question, but with a delightfully nonsensical answer: All served as inspiration for national costumes on display during the 2023 Miss Universe pageant’s preliminary competition. (Specifically, those were the looks donned by Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic and, yes, Miss Switzerland.) Eighty-four countries are represented at this year’s Miss Universe, which is taking place in the El Salvadoran capital of San Salvador. Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, is one of the first “curvy” women to compete at Miss Universe; Erica Robin, meanwhile, is the first woman to represent Pakistan at the pageant. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesTrue to form for the competition, Miss France ventured into Moulin Rouge's costume department.

Persons: Miss Great, Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, Erica Robin, R’Bonney Gabriel, Hector Vivas, Miss Brazil, El Salvador's, Alex Peña, Ireland's, carnations, Miss Nigeria's, Miss Curaçao's, Marina Machete, Miss Malaysia, Serena Lee, Jordanne Levy, Moulin, Anntonia Porsild, Bryoni Natalie Govender, Miss Mongolia's Organizations: CNN, Swiss Guard, Miss, El, Oxford English, Miss Netherlands, Games, country's Air Force, Images Locations: Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Switzerland, El Salvadoran, San Salvador, Netherlands, Portugal, Miss, Pakistan, USA, Miss Iceland, Venezuelan American, Costa Rica, Miss Portugal, Honduras, Jamaica, Thailand, South Africa

☆ Top MS-13 leader to stand trial in New York on terrorism charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members wait to be escorted upon arrival at the maximum-security jail in Zacatecoluca, El Salvador, January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSAN SALVADOR, Nov 15 (Reuters) - A top leader of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang will stand trial in New York on terrorism charges, the U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday. El Salvador citizen Elmer Canales, known as "Crook de Hollywood," was arrested by Mexican authorities last week and sent to Texas, where a federal court on Wednesday ordered him to face trial in New York. Canales, along with 13 other MS-13 members, was indicted in 2020 on terrorism charges relating to his alleged involvement in organized crime in the U.S., Mexico and El Salvador over the past two decades. When Canales' indictment was unsealed in early 2021, he was behind bars in El Salvador, and the U.S. requested his extradition.

Persons: Mara Salvatrucha, Jose Cabezas, Elmer Canales, Crook, Canales, Merrick Garland, Nayib Bukele, Nelson Renteria, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, SALVADOR, U.S . Justice, El, Wednesday, U.S, Justice Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Zacatecoluca, El Salvador, New York, Texas, U.S, Mexico, United States, Salvadoran, Guatemala

Since the end of October, citizens of 57 largely African countries and India have had to pay the fee, according to El Salvador’s aviation authority. Also, the U.S. has been pressuring Central American countries to curb migration flows to its border with Mexico. El Salvador’s aviation authority said most passengers who have to pay the fee are headed to Nicaragua on the commercial airline Avianca. Political Cartoons View All 1244 ImagesA flight itinerary of one Senegalese migrant seen by The Associated Press showed the migrant passing through Morocco, Spain and El Salvador before landing in Managua. “Part of me wonders ... we will not critique the Bukele administration as much because it’s supposedly reducing the levels of migrants?”___Associated Press writer Marcos Alemán in San Salvador, El Salvador, contributed to this report.

Persons: — El, El Salvador’s, Nayib Bukele, Donald Trump's, Bukele, Joe Biden, ”, Biden, Pamela Ruiz, ” —, Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A, Nichols, “, Ruiz, Marcos Alemán Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Aviation, Central, Associated Press, El Salvador, El, U.S . State Department, Central America, International Crisis, State, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Crisis Locations: MEXICO, India, U.S, Mexico . U.S, Nicaragua, Haiti, Cuba, Africa, Morocco, Spain, El Salvador, Managua, United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, San Salvador , El Salvador

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