NATO plans to deliver weapons to Ukraine that will be purchased from the United States, ensuring a steady flow of military support amid ongoing conflicts. This move is a reminder that de-escalation and peace talks have fundamentally stalled, and the war may continue to rage on, risking even more casualties, particularly on the Ukrainian side of things. In my opinion, Western powers and the Ukrainian government must set aside their pride and do what needs to be done to end the bloodshed.

Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to house arrest while he stands trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup following his 2022 election loss. His prosecution has drawn global attention because his transition from power was highly volatile, with the country shifting from his market-driven, free-enterprise-focused governance to a more progressive and leftist administration under the current president. For the good of the country, it is appropriate that he receive a fair trial and just punishment.

The World Bank has approved $748 million in financing for Türkiye to upgrade its electricity transmission infrastructure, aiming to enhance grid reliability and support the integration of renewable energy sources. As we know, the ability to produce and distribute power has always been important and will only become more critical as the world undergoes the most intense wave of the digital revolution. As usual, I'm highly skeptical of the funding schemes of the World Bank in relation to these types of projects, but hopefully the funds do in fact facilitate the improvement of the lives of the people in Türkiye.

NASA's acting administrator has directed the agency to accelerate efforts to deploy a nuclear reactor on the moon's surface as part of broader plans to be able to sustain the presence of humans in space. While the exact applications remain unclear, the reactor is expected to provide reliable power for lunar habitats, scientific instruments, and resource extraction operations. This development serves as a cogent reminder that the expansion of human civilization into space is increasingly not just the stuff of aspirational fiction writing, but something that's just on the horizon.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied plans to withhold FEMA funding from states or cities that boycott or divest from Israel, countering circulating rumors that those involved in the movement would be punished. However, a DHS spokesperson acknowledged that while no such policy is in place, the department views the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel as rooted in antisemitism. Clearly, DHS cannot read the room, as BDS calls have largely been triggered by Israel's actions in Gaza, which can only be described as genocidal.

The Department of Justice has released a list of cities and states facing litigation due to their sanctuary status, emphasizing that local jurisdictions cannot selectively reject federal law. The federal government is clearly committed to enforcing immigration policy and, simply put, states and cities lack the authority to simply disregard laws they dislike. In my opinion, this failure of compliance by states and cities does not reflect conscientious objections but rather obstinate behavior from elected officials, which will make governance more volatile, unwieldy, and ineffective throughout the entire country.

The mayor of Durham, North Carolina, has defended his use of the term "Y.N." (young n*****) during a town hall, expressing frustration with crime and violence in the city and refusing to apologize. He urged contextual understanding of his remarks but doubled down on addressing the issues head-on. Being frank about what's going on is the first step to fixing the problem, so I support his use of the term as I think it rings clearly to the right ears. Y.N. culture is not only sad, it's dangerous, and if parents aren't enough to get the message across, hopefully public officials can make the messaging clear.

Both states have approved legislation enabling schools to implement policies banning cell phones during school hours to improve focus and reduce distractions. The initiative has elicited mixed reactions, with advocates arguing it's in the best interest of children for their social, physical, and educational development, while critics call it a recipe for overpolicing and an unfair intrusion into personal property. I think the grip cell phones have on children must be broken somehow, and since they are not needed for educational purposes, they should be banned from schools.

Baltimore County has proposed a new district map designed to reflect organic boundaries and more equitably distribute political power throughout the area. Local redistricting efforts like this are underway amid broader debates at state and federal levels, such as those in Texas, but local changes can be even more impactful in altering the day-to-day experiences of residents' lives.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is leaving the National Governors Association alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, citing escalating political divisions. This move highlights the increasing fractures in relationships among political leaders, as well as diverging understandings of what constitutes reasonable governance. Tempers seem to be running high about redistricting policies and other state-level decisions, but I would hope the governors can at least maintain a platform to foster communication among each other despite disagreements on how states can and should be run.