President Donald Trump announced Sunday the closure of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years, beginning in the summer, citing "Construction, Revitalization, and Complete R," according to Vox. The closure follows a series of high-profile boycotts and cancellations.
The announcement came amidst a backdrop of other significant global and domestic events. Tensions remained high between the US and Iran, with both nations weighing diplomatic options against escalating military actions, according to Vox. Domestically, the Trump administration faced legal challenges regarding its visa freeze and scrutiny over potential influence on federal judges, Vox reported.
Internationally, several political transitions were underway. Costa Rica and Thailand experienced political shifts, according to Time and Phys.org. Mexico also saw humanitarian efforts, Phys.org noted. Geopolitical tensions were escalating in the Middle East and Ukraine, and controversies continued to plague international sporting organizations, Phys.org reported. Marius Borg Høiby was arrested amidst rape charges, further complicated by his mother's connection to the Epstein controversy, according to Time. In Japan, an Australian woman tragically died in a ski lift accident, Time reported.
The announcement of the Kennedy Center closure also occurred as First Lady Melania Trump faced scrutiny for a lucrative media deal. According to Vox, the deal would pay her at least seven times the income of the average American household. Vox drew parallels to Eleanor Roosevelt, who in 1932 accepted $1,800 (over $40,000 in 2025 dollars) for 12 radio broadcasts sponsored by a cosmetics company.
Other global developments included rising discussions on universal basic income, escalating tensions involving Israel and China, and controversies surrounding FIFA, Vox reported. The unveiling of Olympic mascots and the emergence of new chatbot technology also captured international attention, according to Time. American speedskater Jordan Stolz was potentially on the rise, Time noted.
Meanwhile, the US housing market remained sluggish, Phys.org reported. The entertainment industry experienced both surprising successes and promising new releases, and scientific advancements continued to provide insights into geological phenomena like Tibet's tectonic activity, Phys.org noted.
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