El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced during a White House meeting with President Trump that he would not facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a U.S. deportee who was wrongly sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Bukele stated, "Of course I’m not going to do it," when asked about the possibility of returning Abrego Garcia.
The case has become a significant legal issue, currently under review by the Supreme Court, which has ordered the Trump administration to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return. However, Trump has reportedly defied this order. Bukele further remarked that returning Abrego Garcia would be akin to smuggling "a terrorist into the United States," a statement that elicited a smile of approval from Trump.
In a separate development, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, took the witness stand in a landmark antitrust trial that could potentially dismantle his company. The U.S. government has accused Meta of illegally establishing a monopoly through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. This trial represents a significant challenge to Zuckerberg's business operations.
During the proceedings, federal lawyers presented Zuckerberg with internal communications regarding his acquisition strategy. In response to a 2012 email discussing Instagram's development, Zuckerberg acknowledged that while he initially considered it "relatively early thinking," the company ultimately invested heavily in the platform after its acquisition.
Zuckerberg is expected to continue his testimony today, as the eight-week trial unfolds with both the government and Meta presenting contrasting narratives about the company's growth over the past two decades. A ruling against Meta could compel Zuckerberg to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially reshaping the landscape of Silicon Valley.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced a tour of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, aiming to garner support from neighboring nations amid ongoing U.S. tariffs that threaten economic stability. In an essay released prior to his visit, Xi urged countries to unite in defending free trade and fostering an open international environment.
While Xi is likely to receive a warm welcome, Vietnam and other regional nations are also seeking to negotiate with the Trump administration for reduced tariffs, which may limit their willingness to make overt pro-China statements.
In other news, Blue Origin successfully launched a space tourism flight featuring singer Katy Perry and five other women, including Jeff Bezos' fiancée. The flight was promoted as an initiative to inspire more women to pursue careers in science, although some critics argue that the effort may not have fully achieved its intended goals.
Additionally, the literary world mourns the loss of Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, who passed away at the age of 89. As the last surviving member of the Boom movement, Vargas Llosa was celebrated for his politically charged novels that intricately explored moral complexities and the absurdities of life.
For further engagement, readers are encouraged to explore various recommendations, including baking a flourless chocolate cake, listening to tributes for the late musician Amadou Bagayoko, and watching the film "The Amateur," among other activities.