EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that shooting down Russian fighter jets intruding into NATO airspace is an option on the table following recent violations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also urged NATO countries to shoot down Russian jets that violate their airspace during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As we continue to see escalations at all levels between the West and Russia, it’s becoming increasingly unclear exactly what would need to happen for the situation to resolve itself through diplomatic engagement.

China has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent by 2035 from peak levels and increasing non-fossil fuel share to over 30 percent, as announced by President Xi Jinping at the U.N. climate summit. However, experts criticize the targets as falling short of what is needed to meet global climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

ASEAN leaders have agreed in principle to admit East Timor as the 11th member of the bloc, granting it observer status and allowing participation in meetings. A roadmap for full membership has been adopted, with capacity building support from member states. It is interesting to see ASEAN grow in size and thereby influence as regional global coalitions seem to be the best unit of collaboration between nations as overarching global entities like the United Nations appear to be waning in power and influence.

A sniper attacked a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas, resulting in one detainee dead and two critically wounded, with the shooter dying from a self-inflicted wound. Ammunition left behind bore anti-ICE messages, indicating a targeted attack motivated by opposition to immigration enforcement. Terrorism is the type of political activity that undermines the potential for the rule of law to remain in place and therefore is deeply concerning.

Democrat Adelita Grijalva’s victory in Arizona’s special House election secures the 218th signature needed for a discharge petition to compel a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s investigative files. This bipartisan effort aims to demand transparency from the Department of Justice amid ongoing demands that the files be made public. The release of the Epstein files is important not only because it would represent meaningful steps toward pursuing justice, but also because it serves as a litmus case for how transparent we expect the government to be regardless of the sensitivity of the matter.

Federal agencies are rehiring hundreds of employees terminated under the Department of Government Efficiency’s cost-cutting measures to address critical service gaps. For instance, the General Services Administration is reinstating around 300 workers, reflecting a broader reversal in workforce reductions across various departments. Although the see-saw effect of being fired and rehired is tiring, hopefully through this effort we can get a better understanding of what the appropriate size of some of these federal agencies should be.

Arkansas agriculture leaders warn that one in three farms could close without immediate aid due to skyrocketing costs and low commodity prices. The state has seen a surge in farm bankruptcies, prompting calls for substantial support to prevent widespread closures and impacts on supporting businesses. Farmers have been getting absolutely decimated by our economic arrangements for the last 50 years. We’ve got to make farming an industry which can sustain small- to middle-scale business endeavors.

ICE detainees at the Louisiana Lockup in Angola prison initiated a hunger strike demanding medical care, hygiene products, and clean water, amid reports of mistreatment. DHS officials refute the claims, asserting that media reports prompted the action and emphasizing that the facility houses violent offenders. Only transparent investigations can reveal the truth of the claims that the prison is providing inhumane conditions, and if it is, that must be rectified no matter the criminal past of its residents.

The Jackson City Council passed a resolution opposing school choice programs that divert public funds to private education, with a 5-1 vote. This stance contrasts with state Republican efforts to prioritize school choice, highlighting concerns over undermining public schools. School choice has always been a highly contested issue so it is interesting to see the council nearly unanimously disapprove of the idea.

The New Orleans City Council has postponed a decision on expanding police use of facial recognition technology, citing needs for further study on its impacts. This delay follows revelations of secret use and amid debates over privacy, accuracy, and potential effects on immigration enforcement. Obviously the problem with integrating this type of technology is that once it is in place it will only expand and intensify. However, it seems like the boat on limiting the use of facial recognition tech has already sailed so it’s perhaps best to simply focus on regulation that helps its implementation not result in massive abuses of power.