Former US President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to pardon ex-Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison after being found guilty of importing cocaine into the US. Trump also expressed support for conservative candidate Tito Asfura in the upcoming Honduran general election, criticizing other candidates and accusing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug-related activities. The former president’s statement came amidst the backdrop of US counternarcotics operations in the region, which legal experts have questioned.
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Donald Trump is considering the deportation of the family of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members. Trump also announced that his administration will “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” in response to the shooting. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, reportedly entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. One of the National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, has died from her injuries.
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President Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to 36%, marking the lowest point of his second term, with disapproval reaching 60%. This decline follows three months of stability and coincides with the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history and losses for the Republican Party in off-year elections. Both Republicans and independents have significantly worsened their ratings of Trump, while Democrats remain largely negative. Trump receives more negative than positive ratings on nine domestic and foreign issues, with ratings on the economy, healthcare, and the federal budget particularly low.
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The article reports on a series of military strikes launched during the Trump administration targeting alleged drug-running boats, resulting in over 80 deaths. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly issued a verbal order to leave no survivors, leading to a second strike that killed two survivors of an initial attack. Legal experts and members of Congress have raised concerns, labeling the actions as potential extrajudicial killings and war crimes. While the Department of Defense declined to comment, the administration maintains the strikes are legal, targeting “narco-terrorists” in an ongoing “armed conflict.”
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The Danish government has implemented a night watch alert system to monitor any comments President Trump makes about Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. This measure was established in response to Trump’s past statements, including his consideration of military or economic coercion to gain control of the mineral-rich island. The foreign ministry team works shifts to address the time difference with the U.S. and react to any mentions of Greenland. This approach reflects Denmark’s diplomatic efforts to navigate the Trump administration’s interest in the territory and anticipate potential actions, as meetings are planned to discuss cooperation.
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In recent weeks, President Trump has made a series of disparaging remarks targeting female journalists, including calling them “stupid,” “piggy,” and “terrible.” These comments have raised questions about the treatment of women in the media and the impact of such language from a position of power. Experts suggest these actions diminish women’s expertise and roles, potentially encouraging similar behavior. The White House has responded by emphasizing the administration’s transparency and criticizing the press.
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Former US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed strong criticism of the second Trump administration, citing perceived corruption and declining political standards. Kerry also voiced disappointment in the recent Cop30 climate conference, suggesting it lacked ambition and that the US’s absence negatively impacted the outcome, potentially hindering the global transition away from fossil fuels. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the clean energy transition’s continuation, although he expressed concern about the timeline to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Kerry further indicated that the COP process is “losing credibility,” due to disappointing outcomes.
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Reports indicate that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may face a war crimes prosecution for allegedly ordering a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean to kill survivors of a U.S. missile attack. According to sources, Hegseth issued an order to kill everyone on board the boat, which was suspected of carrying drug smugglers. Following the initial strike, a second missile attack was reportedly ordered to eliminate any survivors, a decision that could constitute a war crime. While the Pentagon denies the allegations, the incident is under scrutiny as it potentially violates the laws of armed conflict by killing individuals unable to fight.
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President Trump announced the termination of all orders signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen on Friday. This declaration, made on Trump’s social media platform, claims any document not directly signed by Biden is now canceled, though the specific orders targeted remain unspecified. Trump alleges the autopen’s use was illegal, despite the Justice Department confirming its legality, and has previously fixated on the matter. Biden, in response to prior accusations, has affirmed he made all presidential decisions during his term.
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President Trump announced plans to initiate land strikes in Venezuela “very soon,” expanding the ongoing military operations that currently include attacks on boats suspected of drug trafficking in international waters. This expansion of military action comes after weeks of attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, and amid a U.S. military buildup near Venezuela, including the deployment of significant naval and troop presence. While escalating military pressure, Trump also signaled openness to potential diplomatic engagement with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This decision follows the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
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John Q. Hosedrinker