A Yale study has identified 210 facilities in Russia and occupied Ukraine where abducted Ukrainian children are subjected to forced militarization, including combat and paratrooper training, as well as producing military equipment like drones. Over 19,500 children have been abducted since the 2022 invasion, with only about 1,600 returned, and some coerced into Russian citizenship through fostering and adoption programs. It would seem that the most just outcome would be children being raised in such a way that they have the best opportunity to flourish and develop into adulthood.

A report from the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law indicates that jihadists in Nigeria destroy approximately 100 churches monthly, totaling 19,100 churches attacked over the past 16 years. Perpetrators such as Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen have contributed to over 185,000 deaths since 2009, including 125,000 Christians, with 7,087 Christians massacred in the first 220 days of 2025. The Nigerian government has got to do more to rein in these horrific instances of terrorism, as the increasing normalization of political, ethnic, and religious violence is going to cause the country to come apart if left unchecked.

India and the EU have completed 13 rounds of free trade agreement negotiations since resuming in 2022, aiming to finalize the deal by the end of 2025 amid U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. The agreement seeks to enhance trade in goods worth €120 billion annually, diversify supply chains, and address concerns over India's ties with Russia, while including potential collaborations in defense and technology. We personally are not fans of free trade, but it is obviously totally up to the European and Indian government(s) to decide if they want to link the fates of these nations by incentivizing trade.

The Federal Reserve has implemented a quarter-point interest rate cut, lowering the key rate to a range of 4.00% to 4.25%, in response to a slowing job market with only 22,000 jobs added in August and unemployment at 4.3%. Officials have signaled potential for three additional cuts this year, adopting a data-dependent approach amid inflation at 2.9% and mixed market reactions including gains in the Dow. It is an important reminder that the Federal Reserve principally has two jobs: to keep inflation steady and to ensure unemployment is not too high.

Attorney General Pam Bondi initially stated that the Justice Department would target individuals using hate speech following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking criticism from both conservatives and legal experts. She later clarified that the DOJ will not prosecute hate speech but will investigate threats inciting violence, emphasizing the protection of free speech while addressing illegal activities and political violence. One of the key questions that we must wrestle with as a nation is the utility of "hate speech laws," as it clearly is a thorny legal concept and creates real tensions between its enforcement and our First Amendment rights.

The U.S. citizenship test will now include 128 questions on history and politics, and require applicants to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions administered orally. New topics cover the 10th Amendment, Federalist Papers, Dwight Eisenhower, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, with the changes reinstating a 2020 version and applying to applications filed after mid-October. It would stand to reason that not only should citizens be forced to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts but that all Americans should be competent across these areas in order to receive full civic benefits.

A Florida appeals court has ruled the state's open carry ban unconstitutional, influenced by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The shift in legal doctrine has led the attorney general to instruct law enforcement to stop arrests for the practice. The ruling, effective September 25, aligns Florida with most states allowing open carry, though some Democrats express concerns about public safety and tourism impacts. Open carry seems to be part and parcel of building a society where owning arms is commonplace and not something to be obscured or repressed.

The Texas Education Agency is investigating approximately 280 complaints against teachers for alleged comments related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Several school districts have already taken disciplinary actions against staff in response to these complaints. This is just one example of many regarding the fallout from those who are crass or critical in the wake of Kirk's death. No matter one's opinion on the assassination, or the respective commentary about it, we cannot lose sight of the fact that free speech and expression are quintessential elements of our republic.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has certified Fayetteville as a sanctuary city due to the mayor's statement that police do not participate in civil immigration violations, violating state law against limiting ICE cooperation. Consequently, the city is ineligible for discretionary state funding until the policy is reversed, with officials reviewing potential funding losses. If I was in charge of Fayetteville, I would be inclined to not exacerbate an already precarious fiscal situation and follow through with the changes needed to procure the state funding.

Birmingham's new ordinance, effective October 1, enables foreclosure on non-owner-occupied blighted properties with unpaid code enforcement liens exceeding $1,500 for over six months. This measure aims to recover the city's annual $3 to $4 million spent on maintenance and demolition, targeting repeat offenders to improve neighborhoods. We usually come down strongly on the rights of property holders, but here is a great example of a city demanding more from property owners. Owning property is a risky, expensive, and time-consuming endeavor, and if the owners are unwilling or unable to commit to the task, it is best they let go of their deeds and titles.