Global Controversies Unfold as Trump Exits Office

The US Congress is considering a defense bill that would withhold a portion of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget until the Pentagon releases footage of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela. The bill, which authorizes $901 billion in defense spending, is expected to pass with bipartisan support. The provision is in response to controversy surrounding the killing of survivors of an initial boat strike on September 2, with some critics calling it a war crime. The Pentagon has briefed a small number of lawmakers on the incident, but the video has not been released publicly, aside from a 29-second snippet posted by President Trump.

The Honduran attorney general has issued an arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was recently pardoned by US President Donald Trump after being convicted of drug trafficking offenses in the US. Hernández is accused of money laundering and fraud in Honduras, related to a massive anti-corruption investigation known as Pandora II. His attorney claims the arrest warrant is a political move by the ruling Libre party, while the director of Honduras' Specialized Unit against Corruption Crimes stated that an earlier international arrest warrant had been in place since September 2023. Trump formally pardoned Hernández on December 3, despite criticism from both Republican and Democratic members of Congress.

The Trump administration has ordered U.S. consular officers to deny visas to foreign nationals involved in censorship or attempted censorship of protected speech in the United States. The directive, sent to all U.S. missions on December 2, instructs officers to review applicants' employment histories, social media profiles, and other publicly available information to determine if they have worked in roles related to misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, or online safety. The policy applies to all visa categories, with special scrutiny applied to H-1B applicants, who frequently work in the tech sector. The move is part of the administration's effort to tie U.S. visa policy to its free-speech agenda, and comes amid criticism of censorship in Europe. Vice President JD Vance and Undersecretary of State Sarah Rogers have spoken out against European censorship policies, citing examples of individuals being investigated or jailed for their speech.

Honduras' attorney general has ordered the arrest of former President Juan Orlando Hernández after he was pardoned by US President Donald Trump. Hernández was released from prison in the US after serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking. The attorney general has asked Interpol to execute a 2023 arrest warrant for Hernández on charges of fraud and money laundering. Hernández's lawyer claims the move is politically motivated, while the attorney general had previously stated that his office would take action to end impunity. The drama unfolds as Honduras awaits the outcome of its national elections, with Trump's endorsement of a candidate from Hernández's party potentially influencing the result.

The Honduran attorney general has issued an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was recently pardoned by US President Donald Trump and released from prison. Hernández faces charges of money laundering and fraud related to his first presidential campaign in 2013. The warrant was announced on International Anti-Corruption Day, and the attorney general cited corruption and criminal networks that have affected the country. Hernández's lawyer claims the move is politically motivated, as the governing Libre Party's candidate is trailing in the recent presidential election. Hernández was previously convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison in the US for drug-trafficking and weapons charges, but was pardoned by Trump.

The article discusses how Hamas has regained control in Gaza since Israeli forces withdrew in October under a ceasefire agreement. Hamas has re-established its presence on the streets, executed opponents, and imposed fees on imported goods. The article highlights Hamas's continued dominance in Gaza despite being weakened.