Led by Jamaica, several Caribbean nations are taking a fresh approach to probe the British government's view on the legality of the slave trade, which could open the door to reparations. This push to the UK's top court is a bold step toward resolving debates over justice for slavery's harms, potentially offering closure for everyone involved by provoking a defining statement.

The UK is moving to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in all elections. Supporters say if teens can work and pay taxes, they deserve a say, but teenagers obviously are still developing the ability to think long-term, making them vulnerable to quick political promises that could harm good governance. Expanding voices might energize things, but it risks short-sighted decisions, especially if it is apparent that the decision is a partisan play to boost youth turnout.

Ukraine has named a new prime minister and defense minister, aiming to boost arms production and hold firm against Russia. This change suggests the war will drag on rather than wind down, as the new team seems set on pushing back harder against Russia aggression, which could ramp up the fighting.

The Senate has passed a bill cutting $9 billion in spending, mostly from foreign aid ($8 billion-plus) with the rest hitting public broadcasters like PBS and NPR; the House is likely to approve it next. While many worry about less help abroad and reduced access to reliable news, particularly for poor and rural Americans, these cuts could encourage smarter use of money at home and question whether aid truly builds independence overseas.

The Treasury has targeted leaders of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua with sanctions. This ramps up the fight against their growing influence here, which can be understood as a part of the broader battle over borders and security. Under the Trump administration the gang has been labeled a foreign terrorist origination which gives the federal government greater leeway in aggressively curtailing their operations.

After over a decade of delays and billions spent, the feds are pulling funding from California's high-speed rail project due to ongoing mismanagement. It's a tough blow for a project that promised better, greener travel, but it forces accountability when progress stalls. This highlights the frustration of big infrastructure dreams clashing with real-world execution, pushing us to demand results for taxpayer dollars while still chasing innovative goals.

A federal court has backed Arkansas's ban on critical race theory in public schools, keeping the spotlight on what history lessons should look like. CRT supporters see it as key to unpacking inequalities, but the ruling supports teaching a unifying story of America's past instead. Even if no view of history is perfectly neutral, focusing on progress and shared positives might better inspire students than a purely critical approach.

Seattle tops the list for inflation nationwide, adding pressure to an already pricey city. Beyond national trends, its progressive policies might be factoring in and its worth examining for how local choices affect everyday costs.

In his State of the City speech, the mayor shared plans for growth, noting solid strides despite hurdles ahead. Oklahoma City might have more momentum than meets the eye, positioning it as a model for other midsize cities.

Oklahoma's state revenue has hit record levels, thanks in part to boosts from things like the Thunder's playoff success. This shines a light on how overlooked states are quietly booming, while places like New York and California face economic, political and social turbulence. It's a reminder that growth isn't just in the usual spots and states like Oklahoma could be the next big stories in American opportunity.