The Taliban implemented a nationwide internet blackout in Afghanistan by severing fiber-optic connections across multiple provinces, starting earlier this month and escalating to a full shutdown that reduced national connectivity to 14% of normal levels. This ban, ordered by leader Haibatullah Akhundzada to prevent “immoral activities,” has severely impacted mobile services, businesses, education, and humanitarian efforts amid ongoing crises like aid cuts and earthquake recovery. Attempting to repress access is one of the biggest mistakes governments can make in the modern era. Not only are they attempting to prop up an authoritarian theocracy, they are now provoking an uprising by disabling what many have come to recognize as an essential utility.

In Madagascar, at least 22 people died and over 100 were injured during youth-led anti-government protests that began peacefully over water and power shortages, with security forces using tear gas, beatings, and live ammunition leading to a violent response. In Peru, Gen Z protesters rallied against pension reforms and President Dina Boluarte’s low approval ratings amid corruption and economic issues, resulting in clashes that injured over a dozen people and disrupted the mining industry. Between this and the overthrow of the communist regime in Nepal, we might start to wonder if Gen Z will come to be the most revolutionary generation since the Boomers. Perhaps they, as a generation, are willing to burn down the system that has yielded them very little good.

Moldova’s pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, secured a parliamentary majority with about 50% of the vote, strengthening the country’s path toward EU accession amid allegations of Russian interference like vote-buying and disinformation. The victory over pro-Russian blocs is seen as a mandate for reforms including fighting corruption, modernizing infrastructure, and distancing from Moscow’s influence, with a 52.1% voter turnout despite bomb threats and cyberattacks. It’s always so interesting when national elections serve as a proxy for competing powers like the EU and Russia.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the federal deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland to protect immigration facilities following President Trump’s announcement, authorizing “full force if necessary” amid claims of threats from domestic terrorists. Oregon officials sued the administration, arguing the move violates state sovereignty and the Posse Comitatus Act, especially since local protests have been small and violent crime has decreased significantly in the city. We will continue to advocate for political leaders to become more compliant with the federal government in an effort to keep the enforcement of immigration law from turning into lawlessness and chaos.

The Trump administration plans to open 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal mining while reducing royalty rates and repealing regulations on pollutants like carbon dioxide and mercury to revive the declining industry. Environmental groups warn this could increase air and water pollution and raise electricity costs, as coal faces competition from cheaper natural gas and renewables. We will continue to highlight efforts related to energy production as ensuring adequate power production is perhaps the most critical infrastructure issue of our time.

U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted arrests in downtown Chicago as part of “Operation At Large” under Trump’s “Midway Blitz,” with Commander Gregory Bovino stating detentions are based on appearance, experience, and intelligence. Governor JB Pritzker criticized the militarized patrols as intimidating and harmful to businesses, noting the operation has resulted in hundreds of arrests despite falling local crime rates. Having Border Patrol conduct policing in this manner is obviously a recipe for disaster. Our advice remains the same: governors must come into compliance with the federal agenda or we’re going to end up with disputes that can’t be resolved through conventional means.

The 2025 state test results show stagnant or declining scores, with only 42% of students from 3rd to 8th grade meeting expectations in ELA and 41% in math, remaining below pre-pandemic levels and highlighting persistent gaps for students of color, those with disabilities, and English learners. Only 13 districts matched or exceeded pre-pandemic performance in both subjects, amid a recent ballot measure eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement, which may have contributed to lower 10th-grade participation and scores. We really need to be more observant as a country of what’s happening with our kids’ education. Nothing short of a cultural revolution can reverse this trend, so we can probably stop beating up on teachers and hammering on the school districts because they alone cannot solve this.

Towns like York, Sanford, Lewiston, and Houlton in Maine are installing AI-enabled surveillance systems, such as license plate readers that track vehicles and identify people by attributes. In fact, Sanford has already approved a 60-day trial and York is already operating six cameras. Privacy concerns from the ACLU include potential Fourth Amendment violations, data sharing with federal agencies, and accuracy issues leading to wrongful detentions, despite claims the technology aids investigations without using facial recognition. We will continue to highlight how AI is being integrated into modern governance, particularly in policing. It increasingly appears that there is no hitting the brakes on this incorporation, so the only thing worth discussing is the outcomes and particular regulatory mechanisms that can keep us out of the dystopian nightmare.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner called President Trump a “fascist” and compared his supporters to Adolf Hitler during a confrontation with conservative activist Frank Scales. He accused Trump supporters of spreading hate and not believing in equality. The viral incident followed Scales’ disruptions at Krasner’s town halls discussing potential National Guard deployments, with Krasner urging Scales to read about World War II and condemning the politicization of the Justice Department. The thing here is not that public officials aren’t allowed to have opinions, but rather, we should elect public officials capable of speaking in ways that bring the temperature down, especially in a moment like this. Many disagree with Trump and his supporters; however, we ought to be slow to tell tens of millions of people that they, by virtue of supporting Trump, hate equality and love fascism.

Citing funding shortages and media campaigns amid corruption scandals and his federal indictment, New York City Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from his reelection bid. The dropout boosts candidates like Andrew Cuomo, who may gain moderate support, and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, while Republican Curtis Sliwa remains in the race despite low odds in the Democratic-leaning city. This won’t be the first time NYC has had a socialist mayor, but this time, given the level of polarization and controversy, will certainly be more-let’s say exciting-than the last one.