Latest news with #U.S.Capitol
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Temperatures in 8 States Will Feel Hotter Than Hottest Place on Earth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least eight states were expected to see temperatures that would feel hotter than those in Death Valley—often referred to as the hottest place on Earth—on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Why It Matters These forecasts come as the U.S. has been facing a widespread heat wave this week, which saw multiple temperature records surpassed. The heat index—also called apparent temperature—reflects how hot it actually feels to the human body when humidity is factored in with the air temperature, the NWS says. A person drinks from a canister near the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 23, 2025, as a significant heat wave hits the region. A person drinks from a canister near the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 23, 2025, as a significant heat wave hits the region. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images What To Know According to an NWS forecast for Furnace Creek—a community within Death Valley National Park—a peak heat index value of 103 degrees Fahrenheit is expected on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, extreme heat warnings, issued when "a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur," warned of "dangerously hot conditions" across parts of the Eastern U.S. Central and eastern parts of North Carolina were forecast to face heat index values climbing to 115 F. Across Virginia, areas in the central, southern, and eastern regions were projected to experience index levels of 110 or higher. According to the NWS, sections of east and southeast Pennsylvania were likely to reach heat index readings as high as 105. Areas in Delaware and Maryland were preparing for heat index values peaking at 108, while neighboring New Jersey faced projected highs near 107. Elsewhere, northeastern Kentucky, southeastern Ohio, and much of West Virginia's lowlands were all expected to see heat indexes nearing 104. The heat wave has seen multiple record temperatures broken, according to the NWS. The service's New York forecast office reported on Tuesday a "record setting day across the area." On Tuesday afternoon, temperatures at Newark International Airport hit 103 degrees, surpassing the previous June 24 record of 97 degrees set in 1966, it said. This also tied the monthly record for the warmest temperature recorded for the month of June. What People Are Saying The National Weather Service, Eastern Region, said on X on Tuesday: "There's no doubt about it many were feeling hot, hot, hot today in the Eastern United States! Many daily records were set. By the way, if you want to cool off you had better luck in Las Vegas, NV today which only reached 94 for a high!" NWS Mount Holly/Philadelphia said on X, Tuesday: "While the peak of the heat and humidity from the ongoing heat wave are past us, it will still be very hot on Wednesday with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat indexes around 100-105°. We'll get a more noticeable break in the heat by Thursday." What Happens Next At the time of writing, the latest of the extreme heat warnings was in effect until 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
White House Says Activists Have Right to Display 'Ugly' Anti-Trump Statue
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A White House spokesperson said that in America "you have the freedom to display your so-called 'art,' no matter how ugly it is" after a statue mocking President Donald Trump and highlighting praise of him from authoritarian leaders was placed on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Speaking to the Washington Post, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: "If these Democrat activists were living in a dictatorship, their eye-sore of a sculpture wouldn't be sitting on the National Mall right now." Is is unclear who the creators of the artwork are. Why It Matters Critics of Trump have long argued he has authoritarian impulses, with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris saying during the campaign she believed her opponent was a "fascist" ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Trump strongly denied these claims, and in turn argued Harris was a "threat to democracy." What To Know According to the Washington Post in their request for a National Park Service permit, the creators said the artwork was a response to the June 14 military parade, which Trump attended. The parade took place to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincided with Trump's birthday. Republican Senator Rand Paul said it could look like "images you saw of the Soviet Union or North Korea." The new piece of protest art on The Mall is an 8-foot-tall sculpture featuring a reconstruction of the Statue of Liberty's head being crushed by a large gold-colored thumbs-up, along with the wording "DICTATOR APPROVED" and a series of quotes from leaders with various levels of authoritarian, if not autocratic, tendencies praising Trump. The quotes featured are from such leaders as Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Putin's reads: "President Trump is a very bright and talented man." And Bolsonaro's: "We do have a great deal of shared values. I admire President Trump." An anti-Trump art installation statue is seen in front of the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall on June 17, 2025 in Washington, D.C. An anti-Trump art installation statue is seen in front of the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall on June 17, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Kayla Bartkowski/GETTY The permit application was issued by one Mary Harris though no further information about her or any other associated artists was provided, according to the Washington Post. It runs until 5 p.m. ET on June 22. According to the publication, the new sculpture is "very similar in style and materials" to a number of other pieces of protest art that were displayed in locations including the National Mall during the fall of 2024. One of these featured a bronze reconstruction of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk with a large swiveled turd on top of it along with references to the January 6, 2021, storming of Congress by Trump supporters in a bid to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. A plaque placed on the artwork read: "This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 to loot, urinate and defecate throughout those hallowed halls in order to overturn an election." What People Are Saying White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: "If these Democrat activists were living in a dictatorship, their eye-sore of a sculpture wouldn't be sitting on the National Mall right now. In the United States of America you have the freedom to display your so-called 'art,' no matter how ugly it is." Speaking to the Washington Post, Francesca Carlo, a 20-year-old visiting Washington D.C. from Cleveland, said: "If all these authoritarian politicians approve of our president then maybe people will see a pattern recognition and see where democracy is headed." On X one user from Harlem, New York, wrote: "New public art that was just installed on the National Mall. The artist, obviously, is brilliant, but an enormous shoutout to the genius who managed to secure a permit in order to erect the statue legally." What Happens Next The "dictator approved" artwork has a permit to remain in its position on the National Mall until June 22. It remains to be seen if other similarly styled works will appear going forward.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Fireworks Bill Passes in Boost to Trump's Big US Party
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iowa has passed a bill regarding the use of fireworks that may help President Donald Trump bolster celebrations for an upcoming U.S. anniversary. Why It Matters The nation's anniversary is important to Trump. In a January executive order, the president established himself as chair of the Salute to America Task Force 250 and said there would be a "grand celebration" on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the order, Trump said he will create a national sculpture garden with statues of famous figures in American history like John F. Kennedy. He will create a Great America State Fair—a one-year exhibition that will feature exhibits from every state in the country, which Trump wants to host at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Trump also wants a military parade to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, on June 14, which also is his birthday. Fireworks burst above the National Mall and, from left, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2024, in Washington. Fireworks burst above the National Mall and, from left, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2024, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein What To Know Ahead of celebrations, the Iowa House has passed a bill prohibiting county boards of supervisors and city councils from limiting or banning fireworks on July 3 and 4 and December 31. That means Iowans will be able to buy a wider range of fireworks and will be able to do private displays on more days of the year. The bill, which passed 51-39, will enable people to take part in more fireworks celebrations on July 4. What People Are Saying Iowa Republican state Representative Bill Gustoff, who managed the bill on the floor: [Lifting local restrictions would allow] "the unwary, patriotic American in Iowa" to celebrate the nation's anniversary legally. "Mr. President, we welcome that idea in Iowa, and we're ready, willing and able to host the party. Iowans would want to join their fellow citizens from around the nation to celebrate the semi-quincentennial birthday of the greatest nation in history, in the need to enable Iowans to be part of that celebration." Iowa Democratic Representative Eric Gjerde, who introduced a failed amendment trying to prohibit the use of fireworks for personal use: "When we take away the local control of cities and counties to determine what works best for them and what works best for their individuals—to me, it's just easier to say, let's just get rid of consumer fireworks altogether and stick with the display fireworks by our cities and our counties. "So I think that even though we all enjoy—I enjoy a good firework display—but I also think we need to be certain that's what's in the best interest for everybody." Donald Trump, in a May 2023 social media video: "Two hundred and 50 years of American independence. What a great country and we have to keep it that way. But that's why as a nation, we should be preparing for a most spectacular birthday party." What Happens Next The bill will now go to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermont state historic sites will begin opening soon for the 2025 season with new exhibits
Vermont's historic sites are getting ready to open for another season, with Bennington Battlefield Monument leading the way on Friday, May 16, followed by Chimney Point, Hubbardton Battlefield, Mount Independence and President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site the following week, opening on Friday, May 23. The last to open will be the site of Vermont's first U.S. President, the President Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site, opening on Saturday, May 24. "The Vermont State Historic Sites present history where it happened, and provide exciting experiences for everyone," Laura Trieschmann, state historic preservation officer, said in a news release. "This year we are honoring the Semiquincentennial with events, exhibits and lectures that highlight the American Revolution, signing of the Declaration of Independence and Vermonters' role in the fight for independence." The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site has a new exhibit in the museum and education center examining how Revolutionary-era ideals shaped Coolidge's presidency. The exhibit will include a display of Revolutionary-era munitions and artefactual remnants unearthed at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont. Mount Independence will have an ornamental plaster frieze and mural depicting significant events in American history by Constantino Brumidi, artist for the U.S. Capitol in the late 19th century. Historian Willard Sterne will speak about his new biography, "John Hancock: First to Sign, First to Invest in America's Independence," at Mount Independence on June 14. On June 29, Hubbardton Battlefield will present a lecture titled "The Strong Women of Western Vermont during the American Revolution." On July 4, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Bennington Battle Monument. There will also be a parade at Plymouth Cemetery to lay a commemorative wreath from the White House to honor Calvin Coolidge on his 153rd birthday. There's more. On the weekend of July 12-13, there will be a reenactment of the 1777 Battle of Hubbardton at Hubbardton Battlefield, the only engagement of the American Revolution fought entirely on what would become Vermont soil. Senator Justin Morrill State Historic Site in Strafford and Old Constitution House in Windsor are closed this season for preservation. Bennington Battle Monument will be closed the week of June 9 for routine maintenance on the exterior of the structure. It will reopen to the public for Vermont Days on June 14. Contact Dan D'Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@ Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bennington Battlefield Monument, other Vermont historic sites to reopen
Business Journals
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Journals
Fiesta Asia Street Fair celebrates Asian culture in the heart of Washington, D.C.
2025 marks the 20th year of Fiesta Asia in Washington, D.C. As part of the annual event, dragons, lions, karaoke and more will take over Pennsylvania Avenue NW on May 17. The Fiesta Asia Street Fair is celebrated as the longest running, most inclusive and the largest free Pan-Asian Festival in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. 'We are so excited to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We always pride ourselves on presenting our festival with authenticity, wholesomeness and accessibility. Never has Washington, D.C. or anywhere else for that matter seen so many heritages represented in the same space — or so many dragons and lions commingling on an open street,' said Wuiping Yap with the Asia Heritage Foundation. Noticing there weren't a lot of celebratory festivals for the Asian community 20 years ago in the metropolitan area, Yap thought about how many outdoor festivities are held in Asian cultures. She also thought there was a lack of representation and understanding of the Asian heritage. She reached out to friends in her performing arts community to start the grassroots street fair and hold it right in front of the U.S. Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue. Yap and that core group of founders are still integral to the festival's organization 20 years later. 'A lot of friends and families and different community groups all lent their strength and support to the founding of the event,' she said. 'Our goal has always been and will be to preserve and promote Asian heritage and culture through arts, traditions, cuisine and way of life. We remain relevant even after 20 years because someone must do it — to create and maintain the platform for cultural heritage promotion. Also, our nimble size and like-minded partners make decision-making and creative innovations a breeze.' expand What started as one and a half stages, has grown to five stages featuring dance, martial artists, contemporary performances, group performances and Persian artists. More than 1,000 performers are expected at this year's fair. In addition to the varied heritage programs and activities representing more than 20 cultures, there will be a special parade featuring more than 10 fiery dragons and 20 lions; a karaoke duel on the latest Asian pop songs; a neko cosplay challenge (a cat-like costume play); and many more exciting activities. 'The Fiesta Asia Street Fair is a hallmark event of Passport DC, taking place during International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, D.C.,' said Angie M. Gates, president and CEO of Events DC. 'This lively festival showcases Asian culture and is part of a series of events this month that celebrate the diverse local, national and international communities in our nation's capital. We invite residents and visitors alike to join us in experiencing this fair and to explore our vibrant global city.' A brand-new tradition for this year's Fiesta Asia is an inaugural cook-off battle for the public to show off their best ramen, demonstrate their dumpling wrapping skills or sushi rolling talents. Festival organizers will have all the tools and ingredients necessary for festival goers to sign up on the spot. The public also can learn how to do a dragon dance, a unique opportunity for participants. 'Come in as a group or company to adopt a dragon and have an experience,' Yap said. 'Who doesn't want to be able to say, 'I did a dragon dance down Pennsylvania Avenue?'' She added, 'Everyone is welcome to partake as a dragon performer or simply come as a cheering spectator. Do not miss the opportunity to celebrate Asian heritage with us.'
