Category: International

The White House will soon undergo its first major structural addition since 1948, with construction set to begin on a new $200 million, 90,000 sq ft ballroom under President Donald Trump’s second term. Designed to accommodate up to 650 guests, the new venue aims to address limitations of the current East Room, which holds only 200 people. The ballroom will replace the East Wing and be built with funds from Trump and “patriot donors”, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump calls it his “gift to the country.” He cited frequent logistical issues with outdoor tents on the South Lawn during large events, especially in inclement weather. “They wanted [a ballroom] for many, many years,” Trump told. The project will be designed by McCrery Architects, built by Clark Construction, and engineered by AECOM. Unlike past cosmetic changes Trump made—like gold filigree and a redesigned Rose Garden—this new ballroom will be a permanent legacy structure.

In a devastating barrage overnight, Russian forces launched 309 Shahed and decoy drones alongside eight Iskander-K cruise missiles at Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing at least 13 people—including a 6-year-old boy—and injuring 132 others, authorities reported Thursday, July 31, 2025. Among the wounded are 14 children, the highest number in a single attack on the city since the invasion began in early 2022. A nine-story residential building in the Solomianskyi district partially collapsed under the strike, trapping residents under its rubble. City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said rescue teams are working around the clock to free survivors. “It is just stress and shock—there is nothing left,” said 35-year-old Yana Zhabborova, whose doors and windows were blown off as she slept with her two young children inside. Ukraine’s air defenses managed to intercept and jam 288 drones and three missiles, but the remaining five missiles and 21 drones struck their targets, authorities said. In total, more than 100 buildings—including homes, schools, kindergartens, medical facilities, and university buildings—sustained damage across 27 locations in Kyiv, with severe hits reported in both Solomianskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts. Simultaneously, Russian attacks hit other regions: in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, a five-story residential block was struck, killing one person and wounding at least 11 others, according to regional military chief Vadym Filashkin. In response, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed it shot down 32 Ukrainian drones targeting sites within Russia, including an industrial facility in Penza and railway infrastructure in Volgograd. On the eastern front, Russia’s military announced “full control” over Chasiv Yar, a strategically vital city in Donetsk that has been fiercely contested for 18 months. Ukrainian spokesperson Victor Trehubov dismissed the claim as “fabrication,” noting continued clashes and contested zones around the town, per both Ukrainian General Staff reports and independent mapping by DeepState. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes in a Telegram post: “Today, the world once again saw Russia’s answer to our desire for peace with America and Europe. New demonstrative killings. That is why peace without strength is impossible.” He urged Ukraine’s allies to honor defense commitments and increase pressure on Moscow toward genuine negotiations.

Trade negotiations between Canada and the United States have hit turbulent waters after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his government’s intent to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, drawing a sharp response from former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Canada’s move: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” The comments come just days before an August 1 deadline to finalize a new trade agreement between the two nations. Trump has threatened to impose a 35% tariff on all Canadian goods not covered under the current US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) if a deal is not reached. While Carney confirmed that tariff negotiations have been constructive, he admitted that a final deal may not be ready by the deadline. The unexpected foreign policy move has now introduced a new layer of complexity into the talks. Canada’s Move: Conditional Recognition of Palestine Carney announced that Canada plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the 80th UN General Assembly in September, following recent similar declarations by the United Kingdom and France. However, he stressed that Canada’s recognition is conditional. The Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Mahmoud Abbas, would need to: Carney said the decision was driven by the deteriorating situation in Gaza, stating, “There is no room for delay in coordinated international action to support peace.” U.S. and Israeli Response The U.S. administration, under Trump’s leadership, has rejected any recognition of Palestinian statehood, arguing it rewards Hamas. Trump, known for his unwavering support of Israel, has maintained that the policy undermines Israeli security and legitimizes terror, despite acknowledging widespread starvation in Gaza. The Israeli embassy in Ottawa condemned Canada’s announcement, saying it legitimizes the “barbarity of Hamas,” referring to the group’s attacks on October 7, 2023. In contrast, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Canada’s move as a “historic” step. A Growing International Shift Canada’s decision aligns it with France, which recently announced its intent to recognize Palestine at the same UN session. The UK, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has also pledged recognition—conditional upon Israeli agreement to a ceasefire and other key steps. Carney’s statement reflects a shift in Canada’s long-standing position that a two-state solution must come through bilateral negotiations. “Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable,” he said, citing not only Hamas terrorism but also the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Trade at Risk With a trade deadline looming and Trump’s threat of steep tariffs on Canadian imports, Carney’s diplomatic stance could come at a high economic cost. The 35% tariff would hit sectors not covered by USMCA, putting Canadian exports at risk and possibly triggering retaliatory measures. This development highlights the deepening rift between North American allies over Middle East policy—and the high-stakes balancing act between foreign diplomacy and economic pragmatism. The world will now be watching whether Canada’s principled stance will stall its trade talks with Washington—or force a recalibration in U.S. policy as global consensus begins to shift on Palestine.