Canada will follow the UK and France in recognizing Palestine as a legitimate sovereign state. This decision comes amid growing international concerns about how to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Just yesterday, the Israeli military killed over 50 Palestinians who were waiting for food aid in Gaza. I hope this strong diplomatic stance can create the momentum needed for Israel to recognize that its unacceptable behavior must end. If Israel can at least behave sanely in this moment, the war could conclude on terms more favorable to them.

President Zelenskyy recently signed a bill that would have terminated several anti-corruption agencies in the war-torn country. That decision triggered significant protests, leading him to sign a new bill that reinstates and protects those same agencies. For some time, in my opinion, Zelenskyy has appeared to be leveraging an unwinnable war to advance the corrupt interests that have dominated Ukrainian politics for decades. Hopefully, at least having these watchdogs in place can provide a semblance of meaningful oversight.

At a time when governments worldwide are treating emerging technologies like cryptocurrency in varied ways, Algeria has chosen to ban it entirely. Cryptocurrency represents perhaps the most important development in creating a more fair and just world in the last 50 years, and Algeria's decision sets an unnerving precedent for how bad governance can stifle this laudable progress. Even worse, the ban seems arbitrary and simply a means for an authoritarian government to exercise unreasonable control over its citizens.

South Korea will increase its investments and pay tariffs as part of a new deal. Mexico's current tariffs will be extended by a couple of months following successful talks between the two presidents. India appears to be shocked by a newly imposed 25% tariff, but these tariffs did come after repeated threats of a substantial tariff from the president. I keep saying it, but much to the chagrin of free-trade purists, these tariffs seem to be working without causing markets to collapse or spiral into chaos. One can't help but question whether reversing the neoliberal agenda has been possible all along but was simply ignored due to the influence of the interests of capital.

The National Urban League has declared a state of emergency in response to the behavior of the Trump administration. This type of hyperbolic rhetoric from our leadership leaves us constantly inept and reactionary. There are ample reasons to disagree with the administration's decisions, but instead of making a rational case for alternative policies that might be more compelling, the Urban League has opted for a "sky is falling" approach. This approach is unfortunately only going to alienate many of the same people they hope to represent in our truly complex political environment.

The federal government is targeting the implementation of DEI programs, declaring them fundamentally against the law. At the heart of the issue is the difficulty in acknowledging that race- and gender-based policies are typically problematic while also recognizing that historic injustices have created an uneven playing field. Ultimately, those truly invested in a DEI approach will have to find ways to advance their cause using private resources, as the government's position must be that race or gender based policies are likely illegal.

Michigan missed its July deadline to create a budget, and a new report suggests that its finances will be strained by taking on funding responsibilities previously handled by the federal government. The state will now manage additional costs for programs like SNAP and Medicaid. I'm personally a big advocate for public benefits, but I believe most of the funding for social programs should happen at the state level. Despite their frustration with the Trump administration, this is a problem Michigan needs to wrestle with now and be clear on how to provide resources to residents going forward.

The significant amount of money will be used for various construction projects, including improving parks, expanding health centers, and housing horses for the police department. The city believes that participatory budgeting is an important element of the democratic process and will result in a more equitable distribution of resources. No matter the process, it is interesting to watch a sizable city like Columbus attempt to rebuild itself.

The Ohio legislature is pushing back on the governor and seeking to constrain the state's ability to raise taxes. Under current laws, If needed, local governments were allowed to raise taxes to cover shortfalls, but the legislature is moving to limit that possibility. Schools are worried that reductions in property taxes, combined with restrictions on alternative funding sources, will leave them underfunded. While those concerns are legitimate, many Ohioans have experienced skyrocketing property taxes, and their representatives are acting in their interest by trying to reduce them.

Kansas City has adopted an "anti-displacement comprehensive plan" to prevent long-standing residents from being displaced. It is a tricky time for many cities, as they seem to want both a rapid influx of capital and to keep existing communities intact. I think the problem is that these cities are addicted to the prospects of growth, which largely manifests in the thoughts of political and economic elites. Maybe, just maybe, growth isn't all it's cracked up to be, and the way to provide affordable housing is simply to keep the city affordable instead of lucrative for investors.