Negotiations for a global treaty to combat plastic pollution collapsed in Geneva after deep divisions emerged among nearly 200 countries. Oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia opposed limits on plastic production and favored waste management instead, while others pushed for constraints on manufacturing practices and the use of harmful chemicals. In the end, the consensus-based process left the issue unresolved, and that seems insufficient given plastic production is projected to rise 70% by 2040 and recycling rates are below 10%. I don't think we're going to be able to find international consensus on this issue anytime soon, so it will likely be best for citizens to push for robust protections in their respective countries.

The founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, has reached an agreement with Haiti's interim government to deploy nearly 200 private security personnel to combat rampant gang violence, with plans to keep forces in the country for up to 10 years. The company may collect taxes and gain access to resources as part of the deal. This provokes real questions about sovereignty given the deployment of powerful private security forces to restore order. However, this will be the type of force that would be needed to dispel the gangs of any illusion that they are an actual threat to the elite security forces in the world; they are only a meaningful threat to a seriously compromised government like Haiti's.

The African Union has endorsed the "Correct the Map" campaign to replace the distorted 16th-century Mercator map with more accurate maps like the 2018 Equal Earth projection. The older map makes Africa appear smaller than Greenland despite being the world's second-largest continent and home to over 1 billion people. The efforts to warp our perceptions of global relations through the systematic effort to make Africa appear smaller than it is serve as a useful reminder of how insidious white supremacy is and just how dedicated many have been to distorting global perceptions of the continent.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb have declared a directive from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unlawful and signaled non-compliance, amid President Trump's push to assert federal control over the D.C. police for immigration enforcement, prompting a federal judge to partially roll back the efforts and threaten a temporary restraining order if unresolved by Friday. This is grandstanding of the highest order to me, and I think whether they disagree or not, it's in the best interest of both the mayor and the attorney general to respect the chain of command. To my knowledge, nothing unlawful has actually occurred, so they must deal with the consequences of a federal government that's moving to clear the streets in the area.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher struck down two Trump administration memos from the Education Department that threatened to withhold federal funding from schools and universities continuing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. She ruled that the guidance violated procedural requirements by imposing significant regulatory changes without proper process, though she did not address the merits of the policies themselves. The judge said they can't do it based on procedural grounds, but I can't shake the suspicion that this is actually an ideological ruling to thwart an effort she finds harmful. I am staunchly anti-censorship, so I am sympathetic to those who see the guidance as an effort to censor speech.

District Judge Vince Chhabria issued a preliminary injunction blocking HHS under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from sharing personal data of 79 million Medicaid enrollees with ICE for deportation purposes in 20 states. He noted that while not categorically unlawful, the policy reversal lacked reasoned decision-making and, given the federal government's mass deportation plans, would deter immigrants from seeking emergency medical care. I really can't get my head around this decision as the judge outright admits there's nothing unlawful about the behavior of the HHS in relation to ICE. I think we're reaching a dangerous place in this country where obstinance is being confused with principled resistance, and that type of lack of coherence is going to lead to systemic failures.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, aiming to shelter 1,500 unsheltered people by December, is facing scrutiny from city councilors over gaps in long-term planning, 90-day shelter limits, enforcement of the camping ban amid 7,000 unsheltered residents, and budget cuts to eviction prevention; the plan emphasizes rapid housing transitions and family reunifications but lacks details on broader resources. Homelessness is really a serious problem all throughout the country, and elected officials who promise solutions must be held accountable. That is true for public leaders of every ideological stripe, so I'm happy to see some pressure being applied here by Portland's public officials.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a November ballot measure called the "Election Rigging Response Act," which will allow lawmakers to redraw California's congressional maps mid-decade. This new procedure would bypass the independent redistricting process currently in place, but the governor believes the move must be made in retaliation for Republican efforts in Texas to gain up to five House seats. Gerrymandering on partisan lines is legal, so in principle I only dislike the move but have no real concerns about it. I think in this case, though, the measure will fail because in California it will have to be put to a public vote, and I don't think Californians will go for it.

A proposed 2026 ballot initiative filed by Brandon Cary and Jorge Rodriguez would amend Colorado's constitution to grant the governor emergency powers to suspend its independent redistricting commission and appoint a temporary body to redraw congressional districts in response to "national redistricting imbalances," such as Texas Republicans' recent map changes to add GOP seats. I'm always suspicious of efforts to centralize and expand powers, so I hope this doesn't work.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price, already facing embezzlement and perjury charges, has been hit with two more public corruption charges by the L.A. County District Attorney's Office this week. This is why oversight is important. I have a feeling if properly investigated, we'd find many cases of councilors behaving in a similar fashion, thus compromising public trust and undermining the ability of residents to actually be represented.