Posts tagged with "White House"

MAR-A-LAGO

People For Statement on FBI Search at Mar-a-Lago

Following news that FBI agents executed a search warrant at former president Donald Trump’s Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, today, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“The search of former president Trump’s home is a very serious matter. We do not know what evidence the FBI was seeking at Mar-a-Lago, but we do know that obtaining a search warrant requires a judge to have determined there is probable cause to believe there is evidence of a crime at the location being searched, and is unprecedented in the case of a former U.S. president. We also know that the National Archives discovered months ago that the former president mishandled classified documents by removing them from the White House to his Florida home, and that there have been numerous reports of his mishandling classified material while in office. The bottom line is this: tonight’s news reaffirms that in our American democracy, no one is above the law. That includes Donald Trump, even if his behavior often suggests he believes otherwise.”

About People For the American Way 
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more:  HERE.

August Top Stories

2022 has been a significant year for the history of planet Earth. Making it past the halfway point of the year, 360 reviews the leading stories for the month of August.

Brittney Griner receives nine-year sentence in Russia

United States’ WNBA player Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years of prison on Thursday August 4 in Russia. Griner pled guilty to cannabis possession charges earlier in the year after mistakenly breaking Russian law. When travelling to Russia in February of the year, Griner had vape cartridges that carried less than one gram of cannabis oil in them.

In the courtroom before hearing her sentence, Briner stated, “I want the court to understand that this was an honest mistake that I made while rushing, under stress, trying to recover from COVID and just trying to get back to my team.”

Moments after Griner was sentenced, the White House released a statement, reportedly in the name of US President Joe Biden. The statement read, “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney, […] It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”

Monkeypox outbreak continues to swarm the US

The viral disease known as monkeypox was recognized as a national health emergency in the US. After the first case was contracted around May of 2022, the virus has only continued to spread. Over 6,600 probable or confirmed cases have been reported in the states, with only Montana and Wyoming not having any reported cases.

Alex Jones defamation trial begins

Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ defamation trial commenced after years of claiming that the 2012 mass elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook was not real.

In 2018, 10 families of victims from the Sandy Hook shooting sued Jones, resulting in two suits in Texas and one in Connecticut. Since then, in 2019, Jones admitted that the shooting took place, but he continued to communicate false claims surrounding the event.

With the trial taking off in the beginning of August 2022, Jones has already lost the three cases by default judgement. The happenings inside of the courtroom have gained widespread attention, as videos of a victims’ family confronting Jones’ years of lies went viral online.

Jones attorney, also, accidentally sent the prosecution copies of Jones’ phone records that included his texts and emails – important documents that Jones has refused to hand over for years, resulting in his losses in three cases.

FLORIDA: Police arrest a woman for committing “sexual acts” with her dog for eight years while her ex-partner recorded it

As stated by the Pinellas County Sheriff, the 36-year-old woman “voluntarily participated in sexual activities with her dog”. Christina Calello, and her ex-boyfriend, Geoffrey Springer, 39, have been arrested in Florida. The woman is accused of having sex with her dog for eight years while Geoffrey recorded it, videos that were later stored on a hard drive. He will also face legal charges for having recorded the acts of his ex-partner and having “saved them on a flash drive”.

Four injured in lightning strike near White House

Four people have been seriously injured after being struck by lightning that struck this Thursday (August 4) near the White House, the residence of the president of the United States in Washington. At the press conference, the spokesman for the fire department of the US capital, Vito Maggiolo, stated that two adult men and two women received medical attention and were taken to hospital after receiving the “apparent impact” of lightning.

A man shoots a McDonald’s worker in New York for serving him cold fries, New York City

An employee of a McDonald’s in New York is in serious condition in the hospital after being shot during an altercation with a customer and his mother after an argument because the fries were cold, reported this Wednesday (August 3) the Police and the New York Post newspaper.

In a city where gunshots are frequent, this new episode took place on Monday night (August 1) in Brooklyn. Police confirmed to AFP that a 20-year-old man is charged and detained with “possession of firearms” and “attempted homicide.”

Balenciaga are now selling ‘the worlds most expensive trash bag’ for $1,790

The luxury brand has unveiled a brand new it-bag for Winter 2022 – dubbed ‘the worlds most expensive trash bag’ by the fashion house itself. The Balenciaga Trash Pouch retails for $1,790 and can be bought in Balenciaga’s boutiques and online now.

Khloe Kardashian & Tristan Thompson have welcomed their baby boy

The couple have become parents for the second time. The athlete and the celebrity announced last July that they were expecting their second child together, this time through a surrogate mother. “We would like to ask for kindness and privacy so that Khloé can focus on her family,” says the statement from the television businesswoman.

‘JOKER 2’ will officially be released in theaters on October 4, 2024

‘Joker 2′: Folie à Deux’ finally has a release date. The film starring Batman’s archenemy will be released in theaters on October 4, 2024. The film will be filming in December, with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in talks as Joker and Harley Quinn.

Huge Breakthrough as CANCER ‘disappears’ for all patients in drug trial

A new drug being tested for colorectal cancer has left doctors stunned after it returned 100% success rate in clinical trials. Dostarlimab (a drug with molecules made in a laboratory) works by exposing cancer cells, allowing the immune system to identify and destroy them. During those six months, patients received a dose of the drug every three weeks. Each of them cost about $11,000.

Conor Mcgregor is making his acting debut in Jake Gyllenhaal’s new movie

UFC star is headed to the big screen. Conor, who last fought in 2021, will star alongside actor Jake Gyllenhaal in Amazon Prime’s remake of the 1989 action/suspense movie “Road House.” “Conor McGregor is very excited to expand his storied career to Hollywood and join with Jake Gyllenhaal in this reimagining of ‘Road House,’ a beloved classic,” McGregor’s spokesperson Karen J. Kessler said.

Olivia Newton-John dies at the age of 73

Olivia Newton-John has passed away this Monday (August 8) at the age of 73. The Australian actress and singer was diagnosed with cancer more than 30 years ago and it was her husband, John Easterling, who was in charge of communicating the actress’s death to the world: “Olivia Newton-John passed away at her home in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends. We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

F.B.I. Searches Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Residence in Florida

FBI searches Trump’s Florida residence for official documents. “These are dark times for our nation, as my beautiful home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach is now being besieged, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” the Republican wrote in a statement. Trump expresses that “something like this has never happened to a president of the United States before” and that’s right: there is no precedent for a search of the house of a former president in US history.

Spain: Drug jabs in nightclubs

The cases of alleged chemical submission by jabs do not stop increasing. The common element in all the cases was the jab and that, in general, the victims are young girls. Some people perceive the jab at the moment of receiving it, while others see it more late or even the next morning. Some report symptoms include nausea, arm pain and confusion.

New virus of animal origin detected in China, 35 cases in humans

Henipavirus, that’s what the new virus of animal origin detected in China is named. The cases, none of them serious, were found in Henan and Shandong, according to the ‘Global Times‘ newspaper, which cites an article published by Chinese and Singaporean scientists in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine‘, one of the most recognized in the world.

United States expands availability of monkeypox vaccine manufacturing

The United States declared this August 4 a health emergency throughout the country due to monkeypox. The first states to declare a monkeypox health emergency were California and New York. Now the health agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has received emergency use authorizations for the monkeypox vaccines.

“Last week, I declared monkeypox a public health emergency to unlock additional tools that will help us contain and end this outbreak and to signal to Americans that we are taking our response to the next level,” Xavier Becerra (US Secretary of Health) said in a statement from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Africa: William Ruto wins the elections in Kenya

The Electoral Commission of Kenya has announced the winner of the elections to William Ruto, the current vice president, with 50.49% of the vote over candidate Raila Odinga, who received 48.85%. “I am going to work with all the political leaders,” in a “transparent, open, and democratic” country, assured William Ruto upon learning of his victory.

Australia: Man arrested after shooting at Canberra airport

A man was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of several shots at the main terminal of the Canberra airport (Australia’s capital), with no injuries reported, Australian police said. In pictures released on social media platforms, a police officer could be seen reducing a man to the floor inside the terminal, while the airport alarms sounded. From outside it was possible to observe the bullet impacts on the front window of the airport, according to images published by ABC public television.

US first lady Jill Biden tests positive for coronavirus

Jill Biden has tested positive for coronavirus and is suffering from mild symptoms, her spokeswoman reported on Monday (August 15), confirming that she will remain isolated for at least five days. The American first lady will remain isolated in her house in South Carolina and Joe Biden will return to the white house alone to continue with his agenda.

Life sentence for Shafee El Sheikh, the leader of the Islamic State commando who executed several journalists

The terrorist El Shafee el-Sheikh, leader of the ‘Beatles’, a jihadist group of the self-styled Islamic State and known for its cruelty and specialty in the torture, capture and execution of Western hostages, has been sentenced this Friday (August 19) to prison life by a United States court.

WHO confirms new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The World Health Organization has confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu region, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after the worst forecasts were found for a case classified as suspicious. There is a lot of concern and tension in the African country due to these data. The head of the WHO, Matshidiso Moeti, sees this type of resurgence “worrying and alarming”, which is “appearing more and more frequently”.

VICTORIA ALONSO RECEIVES 2022 Vision Award

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced on August 04, 2022, that Victoria Alonso, a powerful Latina presence in Hollywood and an executive producer of Marvel Studios’ biggest global film releases, will receive the 2022 Vision Award during the 35th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. The historic program, which was created by the White House to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in America, is among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions. Presented by TARGET with Official Broadcast Sponsorship by Nationwide, the 35th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. will air Friday, September 30^th on PBS stations and stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video app. Alonso will be honored alongside recently revealed Arts Honoree Los Lobos, and additional celebrated Latino artists and visionaries to be announced shortly.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is thrilled to honor Victoria Alonso’s incredible career as an executive for Marvel Studios, but, moreover, as an actionable leader in ensuring the industry’s representation looks and sounds like what the world looks and sounds like in an authentic way,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO, HHF. “Her elevated position as a Latina in Hollywood and corporate America cannot be overstated as our stories are told at a global level. It’s our turn to tell her story and celebrate our community’s accomplishment, cultural pride, and great promise.”

A native of Buenos Aires, Victoria Alonso moved to the U.S. on her own at the age of 19. She worked her way up through the film and TV industry, beginning as a PA before working at the VFX powerhouse Digital Domain. She served as VFX producer on a number of films, including Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, Tim Burton’s Big Fish, Andrew Adamson’s Shrek and Marvel’s Iron Man. She won the Visual Effects Society (VES) Award for outstanding supporting visual effects/motion picture for Kingdom of Heaven, with two additional nominations shared for Iron Man.

Victoria joined Marvel as the company’s executive vice president of visual effects and post production, doubling as co-producer on Iron Man, a role she reprised on Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. In 2011, she was upped to executive producer on the blockbuster hit The Avengers, a role she has maintained on all Marvel Studios’ releases since then, including Iron Man 3, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Black Widow, Spider-Man: No Way Home and, most recently, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder. During her tenure at the studio, Marvel films have amassed over $27 billion in global box office. In addition to executive producer, Alonso also serves as the studio’s President, Physical and Post Production, Visual Effects, and Animation Production.

Alonso has become an important voice in Hollywood as a producer, a Latina, and a senior female executive. She was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2021 Outfest Legacy Awards. In both 2019 and 2020, she was named one of People en Español Magazine’s top “Poderosa” Most Influential Hispanic Women. On multiple occasions, she has been named to Variety’s Power of Women L.A. Impact Report and The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100. With numerous other industry awards to her credit, 2019 also saw Alonso become the first woman ever to receive the key to La Plata, the capital city of Buenos Aires, where she was born.

Alonso is now joining Arts Honoree Los Lobos, A small sampling of previous HHA winners across the last 35 years include Rita Moreno, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Martin Sheen, Ricky Martin, Rubén Blades, Fania All-Stars, José Feliciano, Los Tigres Del Norte, Anthony Quinn, Juanes, Diego Luna, Juan Luis Guerra, and right up to the continued relevancy of recent winners such as Carlos Santana, Linda Ronstadt, Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen, Zoe Saldana, Residente, Selena Gomez and more inspiring figures ranging from essential farmworkers to pioneering NASA engineers.

The Royal Portfolio at Birkenhead House

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The Royal Portfolio is an award-winning collection of luxury hotels, resorts and lodges in South Africa, has unveiled three new, contemporary Private Residences at Birkenhead House overlooking the spectacular coastline of Hermanus.

Birkenhead House’s Private Residences – named Fernkloof, Kliphuis, and White House – each feature five or six en-suite bedrooms, providing a spacious getaway for large families or friends traveling together, and combining the freedom, privacy and conveniences of one’s own seaside residence with the exceptional service and amenities of Birkenhead House. The villas all boast open-plan kitchens and considerable living and dining spaces, and come equipped with an in-house staff of experienced butlers, chefs, and housekeepers.

Each property offers unique charms, including amenities such as outdoor showers, entertainment rooms, firepits, and swimming pools. As an extra perk, guests have unlimited access to the award-winning Birkenhead House’s outstanding dining and spa facilities. These prestigious villas occupy sought-after locations close to key attractions in Hermanus, such as the Hermanus Cliff Walk, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Voëlklip Beach, and Hermanus Golf Course.

The Royal Portfolio’s reservations team can assist in booking guests’ stays in the Private Residences, as well as curating unique excursions for all interests in and around the town, ranging from wine experiences to aerial whale watching and culinary tours.

“We are excited to announce these additional options in Hermanus, which perfectly complement a stay at The Silo Hotel’s Private Residences in Cape Town, or [an] intimate safari at Africa House, or The Farmhouse at Royal Malewane in the Greater Kruger National Park,” says Simon Mandy, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Royal Portfolio.

ABOUT THE ROYAL PORTFOLIO

The Royal Portfolio is a family-owned, values-based, and purpose-driven collection of exclusive hotels and lodges that offers restorative and enriching experiences in iconic destinations across South Africa, including: the Royal Malewane safari lodge in Greater Kruger National Park, La Residence in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, Birkenhead House in Hermanus, and The Silo in Cape Town.

Building Collapse in South Florida

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At least eleven people are dead after a building collapse in Surfside, FL. Rescue operations continue.

A condominium partially collapsed in South Florida on June 24, at 1:20 AM. At least half of the 135 units in the 13-story building have collapsed, according to the Miami-Dade mayor Danielle Levine Cava. The Champlain Towers South building was originally shaped like an “L,” but the lower half of that shape was completely sheared off, including the building’s pool and garage.

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is leading the rescue efforts along with multiple other agencies. The White House and FEMA are also monitoring the situation and will provide assistance to the local officials if needed.

A woman who resides on the ninth floor recalled her experience to Local 10, “The whole building shook like an earthquake. I opened my sliding glass and I saw a plume of dust and then I opened the door and I saw that the building had pancaked in the back.”

Another resident commented that he and his wife fled to the garage, only to find that the pipes had burst and it was flooded.

Rescue teams are recovering victims from the rubble, while all tenants in unaffected apartments are being evacuated. Firefighters continue to sift through the wreckage for victims, which includes using dogs and microphones.

“Debris is falling on them as they do their work. We have structural engineers on site to ensure that they will not be injured, but they are proceeding because they are so motivated and they are taking extraordinary risk on the site every day,” says Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, describing the “extreme risk” of the firefighters dangerous duty.

Over 400 workers are involved in the rescue effort, with up to 200 rescuers searching through debris at all times, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky.

Surfside Mayor Charles W. Burkett cannot think of a reason for this collapse to have happened, other than an unexpected sinkhole or human interference. While he confirmed that roof work was being done on this building, this is a regular occurrence that he doesn’t believe could have caused the collapse. However, former Surfside Vice Mayor Barry Cohen, a resident of the collapsed building, believes that the roof work actually may have compromised the integrity of the building.

Unfortunately, a thunderstorm has paused all rescue efforts for the time being, according to Commissioner Sally Heyman.

On Saturday, June 26, at least 159 people remained missing. On Monday, two more victims were found. As of Tuesday, June 29, the number of missing persons has decreased to 150.

The Champlain Towers South condominium community have continued to mourn the victims of the tragedy in the days following the harrowing accident.

A third lawsuit has now been filed against the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association on behalf of ninth floor resident, Raysa Rodriguez. Rodriguez is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial. The compliant alleges: ““Despite the obvious duties required by Florida law, and this admitted duty of care by the Association’s Declaration and other governing documents, Defendant, through their own reckless and negligent conduct, caused a catastrophic deadly collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside.”

Rodriguez additionally alleged that in 2018, “major structural damages” were outlined in a structural field survey report submitted to the defendant by Morabito Consultants. The compliant is seeking a class action status lawsuit to represent all of the condominium’s victims of the tragic accident.

Rodriguez’ attorney, Adam Schwartzbaum, argued that the building has been aware of these “critical” structural issues for some time, and that warning signs of collapse have been apparent for the last decade. Schwartzbaum says, “Certainly for at least three years, there was a major red flag…sirens flashing, alerting the condo association of this of this danger.” He elaborated in another comment that, “based on our investigation there were many warnings signs more than 10 years ago, maybe even longer. These are not things that were just a few years ago.”

A letter sent from the building’s condo association president reveals that damage to the basement garage of the building had become “significantly worse” since its prior inspection, three years ago. The letter also reveals that the estimated repair costs had risen from $9 million to $15 million, reveals USA Today.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has said that President Joe Biden thinks an investigation into the Champlain Towers South collapse should be set in motion.

The harrowing search-and-rescue operation is still currently underway, stretching into day six of the rescue effort.

A family reunification center has been set up for anyone looking for unaccounted or missing relatives at a community center at 9301 Collins Ave. Those searching for their loved ones or to report that they have been located are asked to call 305-614-1819. An emergency information hotline has also been created at 305-993-1071.

US Mass Shooting: Gun Violence in 2021

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New York City police released a video on Friday showing two children getting caught in a shooting. The 5-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister were rushing toward a bodega’s entrance for shelter when they heard gunshots, but they collide with another man who is also racing for cover, and all three of them tumble to the pavement.

While the children are laying between the shooter’s obvious target, the gunman continues firing at close range. Police said the shooter opened fire around 6:45pm ET Thursday in front of 1551 Sheridan Ave. The target fell on top and around the kids as he struggled to escape the gunfire.

NYPD shared in a tweet that both children were “very unfortunately not injured. However, this episode is a vivid example of how gun violence in America has been and is a major crime issue. Just a few days after the Bronx shooting mentioned, there were 10 overnight shootings on Monday, 21 June.

Countless shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives. On June 14, the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reported 272 mass shootings in 2021. Today, just one week after, the number is now reported at 297. This week’s shootings include incidents in New York City, Missouri, California, Florida, and Chicago.

As states begin to lift restrictions on social gatherings, shootings are happening more often. Over the course of the Covid pandemic, the federal government tracked gun sales exceeding a million per week – this benchmark has not been hit since gun tracking started in 1998. According to the GVA, the number of mass shootings has increased about 40% compared to 2020 (194 cases), and 65% from 2019 (164 cases).

America’s culture of guns has now become a culture of killing. Gun violence takes innocent lives and traumatizes the communities every day.

In April, after the devastating shooting in Atlanta – taking the lives of eight individuals – President Joe Biden has announced six initial actions to address to gun violence crimes. But truly effective change is possible only through federal legislation. Biden can expand background checks and band rifles, but Congress must step up in tightening gun laws for change to be effective.

Dear Melania Trump, Our 2nd Immigrant First Lady

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By Javier Pedroza

Dear Melania: Why didn’t you invite the new FLOTUS, Dr. Jill Biden, for a private tour of the White House living quarter?

“Under all circumstances, we must never desert ourselves”. – Louisa Catherine Adams, the first FLOTUS born outside of the United States of America (1825 to 1829). Historically, First Ladies are mostly respected and admired. The coveted position has been uncontroversial until 2021.

Melania Trump, formerly known as Melanija Knavs, was born on April 26, 1970 in Slovenia. At age 16, she began what would soon become a successful modeling career, appearing in many high profile ad campaigns and working with some of the best photographers in the fashion industry. In 1996, Mrs. Trump moved to New York and 10 years later she proudly became a United States Citizen. Former First Lady Melania Trump is the wife of the 45th President, Donald J. Trump and the mother to their son, Barron Trump. She is the second First Lady born outside of the United States, and she is the only First Lady to become a naturalized United States citizen.

Mrs. Trump is the first modern former First Lady to break one of the transfer-of-power rituals; welcoming the incoming president and family into the White House. This American tradition commenced in the 1920s and was respected all the way to 2017, when outgoing FLOTUS Mrs. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama hosted Mrs. Melania Trump for tea while discussing the private residence.

“Mrs. Trump should have invited Dr. Biden in for the traditional coffee. Typically, the first lady would come prepared with questions, she’ll meet and talk to the chef, the full time residence staff and have an opportunity for them to break the ice. It’s a courtesy, but logistically it’s incredibly helpful. That didn’t happen,”Capricia Marshall told The New York Times. Capricia Marshall was the former White House social secretary in the Clinton administration.

In 2016 when former President Barack Obama welcomed Donald and Melania Trump to the White House, Former First Lady Michelle Obama held her head up high despite Donald’s reckless lies about her husband. Michelle Obama went on instagram and described how she felt during that time, sharing that while she was “hurt and disappointed,” she accepted that “the American people had spoken.” She went on to write, “My husband and I instructed our staff to do what George and Laura Bush had done for us: run a respectful, seamless transition of power — one of the hallmarks of American democracy.”

On January 19th, 2021 CNN reported, “Melania Trump left the White House with the worst popularity rating for any first lady at the end of her term in polling history. The latest CNN/SSRS poll had Trump’s favorable rating at 42% to a 47% unfavorable rating. The 47% is the highest unfavorable rating we ever recorded for Trump. It’s also amazingly high from a historical perspective.”

On January 20th, another protocol was broken when neither the former President nor any member of his family attended the inauguration. The Trumps also bypassed the laying of a wreath atop the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Ceremony, where the Biden’s were joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and their spouses.

As trending headlines like “Trumps’ snub of Bidens historic in its magnitude” by CNN circulated in the media early this week, we watched Melania Trump address the nation for the last time as First Lady of the United States. This was her first on camera appearance since the January 6th insurrection on the Capitol and she had not been seen in public since New Year’s Eve. During her farewell speech she spent much of her time expressing the importance of kindness. “In all circumstances, I ask every American to be an ambassador of Be Best. To focus on what unites us, to raise above what divides us. To always choose love over hatred, peace over violence and others before yourself.”

Was this Melania’s opportunity to demonstrate to the world that she is her own person? A proud immigrant from Slovenia who later became an American citizen who respects all aspects of what it means to be an American or perhaps Melanija Knavs has always been a Trump.

“Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else.” – Maya Angelou

Must-See Places in DC via Bike

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By Lia Summers

Loop of the National Mall

The National Mall is the most popular attraction in Washington, DC for good reason. The iconic buildings, memorials, and greenery are breathtaking. Biking is one of the best ways to see the glory of the National Mall. Start at the 15th Street bike trail on the Northeast Side of the White House and follow 15th street past the Washington Monument. Stay on the sidewalk and go clockwise to view the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Capitol, the Holocaust Museum, the Jefferson Memorial, and the George Mason Memorial to Ohio Drive. Continue on Ohio Drive and view the Potomac River, the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery in the distance. Hang a right on West Basin Drive to see the FDR Memorial, MLK Memorial and the DC World War I Memorial. Hang a left onto Independence Ave to see the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool and the Vietnam Memorial. Take Constitution Ave East and view the Federal Reserve, Constitution Gardens and the Lock-keeper’s House. Hang a Right onto 17th Street to get a close up view of the WW2 Memorial, the John Paul Jones Memorial and the Tidal Basin.

If you are feeling adventurous, cross the Arlington Memorial bridge on the North side into Virginia and cross to the West side of Jefferson Davis Highway to follow the trail to the Netherlands Carillon and a recently restored Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima).

Another option is to take the South side path on the Arlington Memorial Bridge and merge onto the Mount Vernon trail. Take the scenic ride along the Potomac River to the 14th Street Bridge and ride East to land back in DC at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Hains Point

Hains Point is the location where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers meet and the location of East Potomac Park. Now that the SW Waterfront has been redeveloped, there are beautiful views along the road that hugs the perimeter of the park. There are trees along the route including Weeping Willows, Horse Chestnuts, Buckeyes and the oldest section of surviving Yoshino Cherry trees on the National Mall. There are also several recreational activities in East Potomac Park including swimming, tennis and mini golf.

Pennsylvania Ave Capitol/LOC/SC

Head East from South Side of the White house to the center bike lane on Pennsylvania Ave to see the historic buildings on Federal Triangle, City Hall, the Old Post Office, the National Gallery of Art and the Capitol Building. Bike up the walkway around the Capitol to the see the East side, which is the front of the Capitol and where every presidential inauguration has been held until Ronald Reagan’s in 1981. Behold the beautiful views of the Capitol visitor center, the Supreme Court and the Jefferson Library of Congress on First Street. Bike North on First past the Senate Buildings to view Union Station.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens – Formerly known as Shaw Gardens, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a historic water lily farm started by Walter and Helen Shaw Fowler. It is set in the Anacostia River Tidal Wetlands and is easily accessible on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail North bicycle Trail. Water lilies bloom from early May to mid-September and enjoy the lotus seed pod heads for three seasons. Enjoy the beautiful marshes, bird watch, or have a picnic!

Anacostia River Trail South and Kingman Island

Starting at RFK Stadium there is a lovely bike trail that hugs both sides of the Anacostia River. This trail passes Kingman Island, several boating clubs, fishermen, and beautiful views on the West Side of the Anacostia River. Cross the Philip Souza bridge and go North on the West side of the river for a complete loop, or continue South on the East side to the Navy Yard.

Navy Yard/Nats Stadium

The Anacostia river trail ends on 11th St SE. You can then cross the highway to the Navy Yard boardwalk and continue along the Potomac River and several historic military memorials to the boardwalk at Yards Park which hosts several restaurants and Nats Stadium.

Mt Olivet Cemetery and the National Arboretum

Mt. Olivet Cemetery is an underrated attraction that features some of the oldest graves in the city. Most importantly, they allow bikes on their main roads! This iconic cemetery is one of the oldest in Washington, DC and features rolling hills, ancient marble headstones and elaborate family vaults. It’s also the final resting place of Lincoln Conspirator, Mary Surratt and White House Architect, James Hoban.

This is a challenging ride with many hills, so it’s ideal for an electric bicycle. Mt. Olivet Cemetery is located in Northeast Washington, DC off of Bladensburg Road. It’s best to drive and park at the cemetery before you ride. The National Arboretum is across the street from Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Enjoy 400 acres of gardens, a world-class Bonsai collection, and a stunning display of the Old sandstone Capitol columns.

Hispanic Heritage Awards

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The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that the 33rd Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented by Target for the eight year, will be broadcast on October 6th on PBS stations and stream on PBS.org. The historic program, which was created by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in America, is among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions.

In keeping with current COVID-19 mitigation guidance and with the safety of participants in mind, the Hispanic Heritage Awards and PBS broadcast will not include a live ceremony but will feature more intimately filmed performances and Honoree segments filmed on location across the United States and Latin America.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is thrilled to once again partner with Target and PBS to collectively celebrate and share the great promise, accomplishments, and cultural pride of the Latino community through the 2020 Awardees and powerful performances during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “More than ever, it’s important to shine the spotlight on the tremendous value Latinos provide this great country we all share, especially during this pandemic which has tragically impacted the Latino community and other communities of color at a higher rate.”

The 2020 Honorees will be announced over the coming months followed by the performers, hosts, presenters and other sponsors (visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C92ZiK5MxAs).

“Target is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the Hispanic Heritage Awards for the eighth year in a row. We’re proud to be a part of a program that highlights the amazing accomplishments of the Latinx community and the lasting contributions it has had on our country and the world, especially those working on the frontlines during this pandemic,” said Laysha Ward, Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer. “We congratulate and thank all of this year’s honorees and we are inspired by their tireless commitment to service of others.”

“While it would have been great to come together in person, we are delighted to join the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in this virtual celebration of Latino Americans and their extraordinary contributions to our country,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. “Building on our longstanding commitment to diverse stories and storytellers, we look forward to sharing the Hispanic Heritage Awards with our viewers during the sixth broadcast on PBS.”

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round, award-winning programs which inspire, prepare, and connect Latino leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce to meet America’s needs as well as promoting cultural pride. HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org.

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at nearly 1,900 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. For the latest store count or more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV— including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

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Goya Boycott

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By Eamonn Burke

A boycott of Goya foods, a major producer of beans and an essential good for many families, has launched after its CEO Robert Unanue praised President Trump in a speech at the White House on Thursday:

“We are all truly blessed … to have a leader like President Trump who is a builder,” said Unanue.

Immediately, many prominent Hispanic figures such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denounced Goya and Unanue, and hinted in a tweet she would boycott the company. Julian Castro, a former Housing and Urban Development Secretary, urged people do to the same despite the prominence of Goya in Latin American homes. The resistance comes from the public as well, as the hashtags #boycottGoya and #Goyaway have trended in recent days. Meanwhile, President Trump took to Twitter saying “I LOVE @GoyaFoods!”

Unanue, however, is not apologizing for endorsing Trump and is labeling the boycott as a “suppression of speech”. He was proud to support Trump, and also to say that Goya would be donating 2 million cans of food to American Food Banks. He also stated that he would be “honored” to be a part of the Hispanic Property Initiative, which was signed by Trump at the event with a goal of expanding “access by Hispanic Americans to educational and economic opportunities.” The CEO also has a extensive history of donating to Republican candidates and initiatives.

“If you’re called by the president of the United States, you’re going to say, ‘No I’m sorry, I’m busy, no thank you?’ I didn’t say that to the Obamas and I didn’t say that to President Trump.” said Unanue in an interview with Fox News on Friday. Republicans like Ted Cruz and Matt Schlapp and publicly defended the CEO while denouncing “cancel culture” on Twitter.

The unwavering support of Unanue is perplexing, when considering Trump’s history against Latinx people. In 2016, his presidential campaign was largely structured on restricting immigrants, especially from Mexico. In one speech he referred to the people coming from Mexico into the U.S. as “rapists.” He has relentlessly tried to end DACA, a program which protects immigrants, and offered little support to Puerto Rico in the midst of hurricane devastation. The Trump administration works closely with ICE and has detained immigrants at the US-Mexico border in concentration camps with inhuman men conditions.

It is also confusing when considering Goya’s history as a company. Goya is currently the largest Hispanic-owned company in the nation, but it began as a small store in Manhattan run by Spanish immigrants

As for President Trump, who is already unpopular with Hispanic voters, it is possible that he sees a reduction in the 26% of Latinx voters who support him.