INTERNACIONAL
White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting sharpens focus on Trump’s ballroom construction proposal
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The shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening has thrust fresh attention on President Donald Trump’s push to build a secure ballroom at the White House, a proposal he says could prevent such threats.
A gunman armed with multiple weapons opened fire near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton — where hundreds of journalists, celebrities and government officials were attending the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
A Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a ballistic vest, and the suspect was quickly taken into custody, authorities said. Trump told reporters at the White House that he spoke with the agent, adding that he is expected to recover.
SECRET SERVICE IN LINE OF FIRE AT WHCD SHOOTING STILL UNPAID DUE TO DEM-LED SHUTDOWN
Security officials hunt for threat after shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Trump pointed to the incident as evidence that the hotel venue was «not a particularly secure building,» arguing that a new White House ballroom — equipped with features like bulletproof materials — would offer a safer alternative.
But the proposal faces hurdles.
The project has been slowed by legal challenges over whether the administration bypassed required approvals, with courts weighing the scope of presidential authority as the case moves forward.
SPRAWLING NEW $250M WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM TO BE PAID FOR BY TRUMP AND DONORS
Demolition continues at the White House East Wing in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2026, as President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to build a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom funded by private donations. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom has become a political flashpoint, with critics raising concerns about cost and preservation, while Trump and his allies frame it as a largely privately financed security upgrade.
While the White House has hosted countless ceremonial events, it has never had a dedicated ballroom. The new structure would fill that gap, replacing the historic East Wing with a space built to accommodate large-scale gatherings.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ballroom would seat roughly 650 guests and reflect the building’s classical design.
«The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders… without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away,» Leavitt said during a July 31 briefing, calling the project «a much-needed and exquisite addition.»
FROM THE OVAL OFFICE TO THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER, THE GILDED MAKEOVER EXPANDS
A rendering shows the interior design of the new White House ballroom, provided by McCrery Architects and the White House. (White House)
Since returning to office, Trump, a former real estate developer, has embarked on a series of projects aimed at altering the look and feel of the White House and other iconic Washington landmarks.
In February, the president announced in a Truth Social post that the Trump Kennedy Center will close for a two-year renovation.
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In October, Trump unveiled a new monument planned to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary next year. The monument, a near twin of Paris’ iconic Arc de Triomphe, is meant to welcome visitors crossing the Memorial Bridge from Arlington National Cemetery into the heart of the nation’s capital.
President Donald Trump holds models of an arch while delivering remarks during a fundraising dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Trump has also added golden accents to the Oval Office, added a «walk of fame» to the colonnade outside the Oval Office, renovated the Lincoln bathroom, paved part of the Rose Garden and installed two large American flags on the White House grounds.
white house, donald trump, national security, karoline leavitt, kennedy center
INTERNACIONAL
German officials want to know why Berlin attack suspect was free despite alleged ISIS support
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In the wake of the recent violent attack in Berlin near a pride festival, German officials are left to contend with the questions surrounding why suspect Abdul Ballout was free to perpetrate the assault despite his recent conviction related to supporting ISIS.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday wished to know how the violent assault could have been prevented.
«We must do everything to protect people in Germany as best possible from such criminals, from dangerous people who for whatever reason can’t be taken into custody,» Merz said, according to The Associated Press.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told public broadcaster ZDF during an interview that in light of the 21-year=old suspect’s conviction and record of backing the Islamic State, it did not make sense that the man was roaming free.
«You can assume that it certainly would have made sense to put this person in custody,» he noted, according to the report.
BERLIN PRIDE ATTACK SUSPECT KILLED IN POLICE CONFRONTATION: AP
A suspect with alleged ties to Germany’s Islamist scene is on the run after authorities say he plowed a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival before attacking others with a machete in what officials believe was an Islamic terror attack that left one person dead and at least 29 others injured. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber; Berlin Police)
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner told regional broadcaster RBB in an interview that while he did not wish to question the independence of the court system, when it comes to the matter of this attack, «words fail me.»
The suspect in the recent Berlin attack went to Lebanon last year with the goal of traveling to Syria to join ISIS, according to an English translation of a joint release from the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Berlin Court of Appeal, which noted that the man «was born and raised in Berlin and is a German citizen.»
The attack on Saturday night left one dead and 29 injured, according to the AP, which reported that 21-year-old Abdul Ballout is suspected of plowing a van into people near a pride festival prior to apparently slashing people with a machete in what authorities think was a terror attack.
The suspect was killed by authorities on Sunday.
«According to current information, the 21-year-old allegedly attacked the special forces officers with a bladed weapon, whereupon they used their firearms,» an English translation of a July 26 joint press release from the Berlin Police and public prosecutor’s office noted. «The man suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.»
ISIS POISED TO EXPLOIT HISTORIC US IRAQ EXIT, TERROR GROUP ‘ACTIVELY WAITING IN THE GAPS,’ EXPERT WARNS
Police officers stand near a vehicle crashed into a tree after driving into a crowd near Berlin’s annual Pride event, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Earlier this year, a Berlin juvenile court convicted Ballout of preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state, and publishing propaganda supporting ISIS.
A news release from the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office and Berlin Court of Appeal said the court sentenced Ballout to one year and 10 months in youth custody before prosecutors appealed.
Officials have stated that the man was granted a suspended sentence, but the news release states: «The decision regarding the suspension of this sentence on probation was deferred for six months pursuant to Section 57 in conjunction with Section 61 Paragraph 1 of the Juvenile Courts Act. The court also imposed various conditions on Abdul B., including placing him under the supervision of a probation officer. The court lifted the existing arrest warrant, as pretrial detention primarily serves to secure the criminal proceedings and does not constitute a prejudicial punishment.»
FBI ARRESTS 3 MEN WHO ALLEGEDLY PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO ISIS, FUNDED DRONE ATTACKS TARGETING US TROOPS OVERSEAS
Emergency personnel and police gather in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
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The news release noted that the case was not over, given that the appeals process had yet to play out.
«This conviction is not yet legally binding, as the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed an appeal. The Public Prosecutor’s Office had requested a longer, non-probationary sentence for a juvenile and the continuation of the arrest warrant,» the release noted.
world, terrorism, germany, crime world, isis
INTERNACIONAL
San Salvador Centro prevé 1.2 millones de visitantes en Sívarland durante las Fiestas Agostinas de 2026
Más de 1.2 millones de visitantes se esperan en Sívarland durante las Fiestas Agostinas 2026, según anunció el alcalde de San Salvador Centro, Mario Durán, en conferencia de prensa.
Las celebraciones se llevarán a cabo del 1 al 6 de agosto en San Salvador, con el parque de diversiones como centro de las actividades culturales, artísticas y recreativas de la temporada. La organización prevé una afluencia récord de salvadoreños y turistas, así como estrictas medidas de orden, seguridad y ambiente familiar para todos los asistentes.
Como cada año, el evento rinde homenaje al Divino Salvador del Mundo y suma programación en distintos puntos de la ciudad, con la participación de artistas nacionales e internacionales, innovaciones logísticas y la habilitación de piscinas municipales gratuitas hasta el 9 de agosto. La información completa sobre actividades, mapas y horarios está disponible en sivarland.com.
Sívarland 2026: parque de diversiones y expectativa de récord
La apertura de Sívarland, ubicada en el complejo del Estadio Cuscatlán, está programada para el sábado 1 de agosto a las 3:00 pm, después del tradicional desfile del correo.
El alcalde de San Salvador Centro, Mario Durán, afirmó: “Nos estamos preparando para superar los 1.2 millones de visitantes y demostrar nuevamente que Sívarland es el parque de diversiones más grande y moderno de El Salvador y que las Fiestas Agostinas son los festejos más esperados del país”.
El parque ofrecerá juegos mecánicos, espectáculos musicales, presentaciones de DJ y una zona exclusiva para Uber. Las actividades se extenderán desde el mediodía hasta la medianoche, del 2 al 6 de agosto. El año pasado, la asistencia superó el millón de personas y se busca mantener esa cifra.
En el recinto se ofrecerán comidas típicas, artesanías y una variedad de puestos de venta, bajo controles de higiene implementados en conjunto con el Ministerio de Salud y la alcaldía.
El 1 de agosto a las 5:00 am inicia la alborada al Divino Salvador del Mundo en la Plaza Salvador del Mundo, con un ensamble de 60 mariachis y la repartición de atol shuco. El desfile del correo se desarrollará a partir de las 9:00 am, avanzando por el Paseo General Escalón y la Alameda Roosevelt hasta llegar al Parque Cuscatlán.
Durante la tarde, Sívarland abrirá sus puertas con presentaciones musicales, espectáculos infantiles y la actuación de agrupaciones como Grupo Melao, Julissa Ventura y la Sonora Maya. Las actividades artísticas y recreativas continuarán todos los días con conciertos, mezclas de DJ, juegos y presentaciones para distintos públicos.
El domingo 2 de agosto, la tarde infantil contará con el show de Cocolito, un concierto de Los Redd y un cierre bailable a cargo de Marito Rivera y su Grupo Bravo. El lunes 3 de agosto, a las 9:00 am, iniciará el Desfile del Comercio desde la Plaza Salvador del Mundo. Por la tarde, Sívarland tendrá música electrónica y el concierto de La Sonora Dinamita.
El martes 4 de agosto, la programación continuará con la Orquesta Salzón y la Orquesta Platinum. El miércoles 5 de agosto se dedicará al entretenimiento infantil, sets de DJ en vivo y conciertos de Faro y su banda junto a La Auténtica Banda LL.
El jueves 6 de agosto, el cierre incluirá ambiente familiar, música electrónica, la presentación de Los Corsarios y el concierto de gala de la Orquesta de Los Hermanos Flores.
El Centro Histórico de San Salvador albergará eventos como el concierto de la Orquesta de San Salvador el sábado 1 de agosto en la Plaza Gerardo Barrios, a las 6:00 pm. El domingo 2 de agosto, el Mercado Hula Hula será sede del Gran Social de Salsa, con la presentación especial de Salsalvador All Stars, una clase magistral con la participación de más de 10 academias nacionales y amenización de DJs.
El lunes 3 de agosto, desde las 3:00 pm, las plazas principales tendrán la primera jornada del Festival Tradiciones, con juegos típicos (trompo, yoyo, capirucho y saltacuerdas), talleres de dibujo, pintura y elaboración de piscuchas, el taller de pintura Fernando Llort, presentaciones de la marimba de San Salvador, ballet folclórico de Casa Maya, la Banda del Bicentenario y un concierto de la Big Band de la Orquesta Sinfónica de San Salvador Centro.
El martes 4 de agosto se llevará a cabo el concurso SívarBand 2026. Las actividades iniciarán a la 1:00 pm con el desfile de las 16 bandas participantes, desde la Plaza Simón Bolívar, pasando por la calle Rubén Darío, hasta la Plaza Gerardo Barrios. La municipalidad entregará $17,000 en premios, distribuidos en ocho categorías y un reconocimiento especial.
El miércoles 5 de agosto, el Parque Cuscatlán tendrá la segunda jornada del Festival Tradiciones desde las 2:00 pm, con talleres creativos, juegos tradicionales y una variedad de platillos típicos preparados por emprendedores locales, además de presentaciones de la marimba de San Salvador, danza folclórica de Casa Maya, música andina, intervención de Los Historiantes de San Antonio Abad y muestras de talento cultural.
La Alcaldía de San Salvador Centro desplegará un operativo de seguridad, limpieza y atención de emergencias en todos los espacios de actividades. El Cuerpo de Agentes Metropolitanos (CAM) instalará una sala de monitoreo con 100 cámaras de videovigilancia conectadas al sistema Sívar Seguro. Mil agentes municipales, policías y efectivos militares estarán en patrullaje constante, y se habilitará el número 2204-6800 para denuncias.
Habrá una zona Uber exclusiva sobre la calle Los Viveros, que facilitará el acceso y la salida de los visitantes. Este modelo, implementado por segundo año consecutivo, fue destacado por la empresa Uber como pionero para eventos masivos en Centroamérica, el Caribe y la región andina.
En el ámbito de limpieza, cerca de 600 empleados de Desechos Sólidos trabajarán de forma permanente en todos los puntos de actividad. Más de 100 recipientes estarán distribuidos para los residuos. La campaña “Los buenos salvadoreños no ensucian” busca la colaboración ciudadana en el cuidado del espacio público.
El dispositivo incluye 500 puestos de venta, áreas de sanitarios, puestos de primeros auxilios con ambulancias y medidas de higiene supervisadas por el Ministerio de Salud.
Del 1 al 9 de agosto, la Alcaldía de San Salvador Centro habilitará los complejos municipales para que las familias puedan disfrutar de piscinas gratuitas en horario de 8:00 am a 4:00 pm. La medida contempla la apertura de todos los complejos municipales bajo administración de la alcaldía, permitiendo el ingreso sin costo a niños, jóvenes y adultos. El servicio estará disponible durante nueve días consecutivos, cubriendo tanto el periodo principal de las Fiestas Agostinas como los días inmediatamente posteriores.
corresponsal:Desde San Salvador, El Salvador
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President Donald Trump doesn’t want the Senate to leave town with his flagship election security measure still on the line.
It’s less than two weeks until the upper chamber makes a jailbreak from Washington, D.C., and the schedule is already jam-packed with key items, from blockbuster confirmations to a long-awaited sanctions package targeting Russia.
But only one legislative priority matters to Trump: the SAVE America Act. And despite the political reality in the Senate, the president wants the bill passed by any means necessary.
TRUMP’S SAVE AMERICA ACT STALLS AS MCCONNELL’S ABSENCE COMPLICATES SENATE PATH
Congressional Republicans, President Donald Trump and the GOP base want voter ID turned into law, but one barrier stands in the way: the political reality of the Senate. (Leon Neal/Getty Images; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
«John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to ‘leave town’ until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of, including a full and deep-throated SAVE AMERICA ACT, the Budget, and the ever looming Debt Ceiling disaster, 1929,» Trump declared on Truth Social.
«The Dumocrats will do it on day one and can’t believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership,» he continued. «Remember, stupidity always brings LOSING & DEATH!»
GOP RIFT GROWS AS THUNE HITS BRAKES ON TRUMP’S ELECTION BILL TO AVERT SHUTDOWN
While Congress’ annual break during August is often viewed outside the Beltway as vacation time for lawmakers, during a midterm election year, it allows for crucial hours on the road for incumbents to have face time with voters and make their pitch to keep their seat.
Republicans are hungry to campaign and sell their agenda, particularly last year’s tax cut package, Trump’s «one big, beautiful bill,» but are facing headwinds from the war in Iran and affordability issues.
And there are three races on the 2026 map that are troubling for the Senate GOP in its quest to maintain its majority: Maine, Alaska and Ohio.
Still, Trump has warned that unless the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, they will suffer the consequences at the ballot box, and he has routinely called for the elimination of the filibuster for many of his priorities, but neither has the votes to happen in the upper chamber.
TRUMP’S PATIENCE ‘RUNNING OUT’ AS THUNE FIRES BACK OVER STALLED ELECTION SECURITY BILL
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, spoke during a news conference about the SAVE America Act at the U.S. Capitol on March 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
It comes as tensions between the White House and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., are on the rise.
Last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that Trump’s patience was «running out» with Thune over the legislation, which prompted the top Senate Republican to fire back that the White House should focus its energy on Democrats blocking the SAVE America Act and work the phones to get Republicans to a «yes» vote.
Trump is also not alone in his push for Thune to cancel the upcoming break.
Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Ashley Moody, R-Fla., have all announced their intent online to object to Thune calling for recess toward the end of this work period.
«I hereby object to any effort to put the Senate into recess in August — at least until such time as the Senate has passed the SAVE America Act — and hereby request a roll call vote,» Lee said on X.
«Do not assume you have my consent,» he continued. «You do not.»
Typically, recess or state work periods are a consent exercise in the Senate, meaning that all lawmakers agree to skip town and head back to their states to do work on the ground. But a single senator can object on the Senate floor and force a vote to decide whether the upper chamber stays or goes.
Trump and the GOP trio’s demands come at an inflection point in the Senate.
Thune has prioritized averting a government shutdown and is encouraging ongoing negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to hammer out a deal before the break begins. He’s threatened to hold the House-passed budget resolution that would, among other things, set up a rough framework to pass the SAVE America Act through budget reconciliation.
All that comes after he and other Republicans have made clear the political reality that SAVE America Act, as written, does not have the votes to pass in the upper chamber, neither from Democrats nor the GOP.
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And whether the legislation, or a version of it, can survive the reconciliation process remains to be seen, given that, as written, the SAVE America Act is primarily policy and doesn’t have a budgetary impact — a key requirement of the party line process.
«It’s still likely to be a 60-vote exercise, even if it’s done with a budget resolution,» Thune told Fox News Digital. «Unless it’s done with, you know, structured to allow grants to states that’s incentive-based, and principally budgetary, not policy.»
politics, donald trump, john thune, senate elections, congress
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