Canadian politician and former prime minister
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to open talks on a deeper EU–Canada partnership, including possible associate status, expanded trade and cooperation on defence, AI, energy, critical minerals and Arctic projects. Carney has said Canada wants a "unique alliance," not full EU membership, and will address the European Parliament Thursday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have contacted friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been handling separate inquiries that began with local whistleblower tips, including probes into the first partner’s taxes and former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges.
The Obama Presidential Center has opened on Chicago’s South Side with a star-studded dedication ceremony and performances. Four living former presidents attended the invite-only event; President Donald Trump did not. The $850 million, 19-acre campus will open to the public on Juneteenth and will house a museum, public library branch, athletic facilities and public spaces.
Canada and Alberta are advancing a major oil pipeline to connect Alberta’s oil sands to British Columbia’s coast, aiming to diversify exports beyond the United States. The plan envisions a 1+ million-barrel-per-day flow to Asia, along with LNG capacity and port expansions. Indigenous consultation and environmental safeguards are part of the talks, though opposition from BC and some First Nations persists.
Canada has opened the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit after a Canada-only ribbon cutting. The opening has occurred while the US has imposed 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods and the two countries remain in talks over how toll revenue and other terms will be shared.
Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
The White House has announced 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, to take effect in 30 days under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The duties will hit products from wine to cement and hockey sticks, exclude energy and critical minerals, and target goods previously protected by the USMCA; Ottawa has called the move a USMCA violation.
Canada braces for a renewed fight as Washington imposes 50% tariffs on a wide range of imports. Prime Minister Carney leads a united Team Canada in negotiations with Trump’s administration, while provinces warn of disrupted industries and rising uncertainty. Talks aim to avert full escalation before the August 19 deadline.
A coalition of 25 US states has filed suit in the US Court of International Trade to stop 10–12.5% tariffs that took effect in July on goods from about 60 trading partners. Plaintiffs say the administration has used forced‑labour claims to recreate broad levies courts have already struck down; the White House says the duties are lawful under Section 301.
The Khalra case in Punjab remains a touchstone for human rights accountability after Paramjit Kaur Khalra and Sikh activists were subjected to disappearances, torture, and killings tied to state actions during the 1980s. Recent films and international attention rekindle debates over state accountability and freedom of expression.
Canada has matched the United States’ 50% tariffs on a broad range of goods, escalating a tense trade war. Ottawa says it will apply counter-tariffs across sectors including steel, dairy, appliances and electronics, while promising support for affected businesses as talks stall. The row centers on autos, housing materials and consumer items, with markets reacting to the broader clash over sovereignty and trade rules.
The United States has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20bn of Canadian goods and Canada has announced dollar‑for‑dollar retaliation, naming more than 700 U.S. products for 15%, 25% or 50% duties from Sept. 8. The moves have hit metals, autos, food and household goods and are pushing costs for manufacturers and consumers on both sides of the border.
Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume and has apologised after critics said the product and its promotional image evoked Jim Crow–era minstrel caricatures. The retailer has deleted the listing, opened an internal review and said the item "should never have been part of our assortment," while activists and some analysts have renewed boycott calls and warned of reputational fallout.
A cross-border sports club in Derry has grown to about 100 members, uniting communities and highlighting the social value of sport beyond wins. A veteran player mentors a younger partner, while supporters emphasise health, inclusion, and cross-border links.
Apple has updated Apple Maps to display “Lake America” to U.S. users after President Trump ordered the U.S. geographic names database to rename Lake Ontario. Google had already rolled out the change for U.S. viewers; Canada and many services continue to display Lake Ontario. MapQuest has refused to change and has seen a surge in downloads.
The EU will propose a new law to shield children from social media harms, while Ursula von der Leyen is due to outline a possible age limit for minors. Canada’s Carney will address the European Parliament as Brussels pushes for safer platforms and closer Canada–EU ties.