how world leaders have made commemorations part of their diplomatic playbook

President Donald Trump plans to build a $200,000 ballroom at the White House, aiming to create a venue that can accommodate 650 guests, significantly more than the East Room's 200-capacity. Set to begin construction in September 2025, the project will be privately funded and designed by McCrery Architects, focusing on preserving the historical elegance of the White House. Want More Context? 🔎

Scientists exploring the depths of the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian trenches in the northwest Pacific Ocean discovered unique life forms, including crimson tube worms and clusters of clams, thriving at depths of 31,000 feet. These organisms rely on chemosynthesis, utilizing chemicals from the ocean floor instead of sunlight, challenging previous notions about life in extreme environments. Want More Context? 🔎

Five jockeys, Rowan Scott, Callum Rodriguez, PJ McDonald, Tom Eaves, and Jack Garritty, were forced to turn back mid-flight due to an engine failure in their Piper PA-31 aircraft while en route to Goodwood. The pilot managed a safe emergency landing at Bagby Airfield, with no injuries reported, and an investigation into the incident is set to be conducted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Want More Context? 🔎

Hundreds of far-right protesters have gathered in Epping for three consecutive weeks, demanding the closure of the Bell Hotel, where an asylum seeker was charged with attempting to kiss a minor. While the council voted to close the hotel, anti-racism counter-demonstrators outnumbered the far-right, highlighting the ongoing tensions over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels. Want More Context? 🔎

A resurgence of acid rain concerns has arisen with the detection of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent "forever chemical," in various environments, including rainfall, rivers, and even human urine. While the environmental impact of TFA remains uncertain, its increasing prevalence poses potential threats to ecosystems and human health, prompting calls for regulatory action. Want More Context? 🔎

A five-month-old boy died from heat exposure after being left in a hot car by his father, Jeremy Hansen, who forgot him while at a business in Hastings, Nebraska. Hansen, 36, was arrested and charged with negligent child abuse resulting in death, with community members expressing support for him amid the tragedy. Want More Context? 🔎