WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center’s new leadership wants to prove to critics that the building is damaged beyond simple repair. It’s starting with Congress.

Matt Floca, the performing arts institution’s new executive director and chief operating officer, is leading a series of tours this month that show water damage and intrusion to expansion joints, marble slabs and exterior pavers. Participants are guided through the building’s water and HVAC systems, as well as the parking garages and loading docks that are said to need repairs.

The sessions began earlier this month while Congress was in recess and included staff for a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrats on Capitol Hill. A representative for Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser was also included on the tour.

Similar access has been provided for several corporate and individual donors and in the coming weeks, Floca is expected to provide tours for the lawmakers themselves and members of the media.

Once one of Washington’s relatively few apolitical spaces, the Kennedy Center has become a source of controversy during President Donald Trump’s second term. Shortly after returning to office, Trump ousted the institution’s previous leadership and replaced it with a handpicked board of directors.

The president’s name was added to the building’s facade and its programming took a Trump-friendly turn, serving as a venue for events such as the premiere of first lady Melania Trump’s documentary, “Melania.”

Trump’s move to shutter the building for two years starting in July, which was approved by the board last month, has spurred lawsuits and an outcry that the closure is merely a response to plunging sales as artists canceled Kennedy Center performances in droves.

The tours are intended to cut through that and show that the Kennedy Center, which began construction in 1965, is in genuine need of a fundamental update.

“As the July closure approaches, the Trump Kennedy Center is leading with transparency and making sure Congress and the public understand what’s at stake and why the work can’t wait,” Floca said in a statement.

In addition to staff for Schumer, Jeffries, and Bowser, the recent tour included representatives for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Mark Warner, D-Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., along with Reps. Sam Graves, R-Mo., and Rick Larsen, D-Wash.

By virtue of their positions, these lawmakers are ex officio members of the Kennedy Center’s board. Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said working with both parties was a “top priority” as the institution implements Trump’s vision for the renovation.

None of the participants discussed the tour on the record.

Trump has suggested changes at the Kennedy Center could be so dramatic that the steel supporting the structure could be “ fully exposed.”

According to a lawsuit filed last month against Trump, the Kennedy Center and others in the administration, “Demolition, new construction, major reconstruction, major renovation, or major aesthetic transformation of the Kennedy Center would permanently destroy historic fabric, degrade the monumental core’s vistas and public grounds, and compromise the Kennedy Center’s memorial purpose and architectural integrity, causing permanent, irreversible harm that no subsequent remedy can fully undo.”

The Kennedy Center is entering a critical period before its anticipated July closure, which will produce staff reductions.

In the meantime, the Kennedy Center is still hosting shows, including the musical “Chicago,” which Trump attended this month. Performances of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” are on the calendar from June 18 through July 5. Comedian Bill Maher will be presented the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on June 28, just before the closure begins.

The Kennedy Center is part of Trump’s broader effort to leave a lasting imprint on the Washington cityscape. He demolished the East Wing of the White House last year and wants to replace it with a ballroom, an effort that is also tangled in litigation.

The president also unveiled plans on Friday for an arch that would stand between the Lincoln Memorial in the east and Arlington National Cemetery toward the west and within a traffic circle connecting Washington with northern Virginia.

Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds on Monday night should spark a rethink for Michael Carrick ahead of the trip to Chelsea.

After a weekend that saw plenty of Manchester United’s rivals slip up, the expectation was that Michael Carrick’s Reds would push home their healthy advantage in the race for the Champions League. Had they beaten Leeds, United would have been sitting ten points clear of Saturday’s opponents.

Instead, the worst half of football since Ruben Amorim left ensured the gap remains at seven points. There is little to miss about the Amorim era, and it is clear United would not have been comfortably in the top five had he kept his job after the previous clash with Leeds.

However, Carrick may wish to take a leaf out of the Amorim playbook following the defeat to Leeds. Kobbie Mainoo’s absence from the matchday squad was a huge problem for United as soon as the team news came out. Since being revitalised post-Amorim, Mainoo has been undroppable alongside Casemiro.

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The duo know each other so well and have strengthened the core of this team with their superb performances. In his absence, the decision was made to start Manuel Ugarte. Monday was the Uruguayan’s first start under Carrick and eyebrows were raised as to why he was given the nod.

When Ugarte has played, he has been the defensive midfielder, given the task of protecting the back four. With Mainoo absent, United needed Ugarte to be a ball-playing midfielder and that is not his game. The 25-year-old may have been afforded more grace had it not been for a series of poor performances since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.

Ugarte really struggled throughout the game. His passing was off and he could not cope with the Leeds press.

He hesitated on the ball inside ten minutes leading to jeers from the home fans and from then onwards, Ugarte struggled. Remarkably, the midfielder played the full 90 minutes and Carrick was quick to defend him post-match.

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“Since I’ve come in, and he’s played and come on, he’s been fine,” the interim boss said. “I think tonight was a tough game, not just for Manu.

“It was one of those games when it was a tough night. I actually thought, especially when we went down to 10 men, that he did a lot of covering for other players to be able to attack.”

You would expect nothing more than a staunch defence of Ugarte from Carrick but should Mainoo be out for Chelsea on Saturday night, the Reds must revert to a plan used by Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes played deeper for United earlier this season. The captain may be better suited to an attacking midfield role, but considering the current options, he would look more comfortable alongside Casemiro. The experienced duo could then possibly support a returning Mason Mount to the starting line-up.

United need to be careful with Mount as he returns from injury, but he offers the Reds a stronger option than Ugarte in midfield. Plus, against his old club, the 27-year-old would be eager to make a good impression.

Mount was a favourite of Amorim’s when fit, but he is still waiting to forge a connection with Carrick due to injuries. The Chelsea game is the perfect chance to do just that and re-establish him as an option for United.

A charity shop worker who has volunteered for different organisations shared what it’s really like behind the scenes and how one nightmare situation could impact stores

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Working in a charity shop can be fulfilling yet demanding at times. Volunteers must follow many rules in stores, which involves turning away disrespectful items that are unsuitable for donation.

However, above all else, those working in charity shops are benefiting the environment, with some volunteering while others likely earn wages. Now one individual who has both worked and volunteered across several charity shops revealed what it’s genuinely like. In the social media post, they stated: “Some charity shops treat their volunteers like volunteers – they can come and go as they please and do whatever job they want (obviously within reason), and can say no a lot easier.”

In the Reddit post, they went on: “However, some charity shops have policies that state volunteers should be treated like staff – they have a set time expected to work, they have one job they do, and in some cases, where there is only one staff member, volunteers could have key-holder responsibilities.

“Obviously it depends on the specific charity, and in some cases the manager of the shop, but I would curious to know what other people think especially those that have worked/volunteered in charity shops.”

Numerous people responded to the post sharing their experiences within the charity sector. One acknowledged: “Many organisations wouldn’t survive if they didn’t treat volunteers as staff members.”

Meanwhile, another disclosed: “I ran a charity shop. I had a mix of both. When I took over the shop it was a free for all, turn up when you like and you’ll get given a job but it was a nightmare.

“People had their favourite jobs and would get really annoyed if they turned up and someone else was already doing it. I talked to everyone, worked out what they were happy with and came up with a rota for the till so it was always covered.

“But then the behind the scenes stuff was more relaxed, we had a guy who only wanted to deal with the books so he came in twice a week to sort the deliveries, I didn’t mind when because he was happy to leave us a pile to restock with.

“Same with the clothes deliveries, we had deliveries every day so people who wanted to sort, tag and rotate the rails could come and go as they please but they all knew if they wanted the good stuff when it would be in. I asked them for general availability but it was never strict.”

What’s it like working in charity?

Working in a charity shop can provide a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It does, however, present its own difficulties.

It can prove challenging for those earning lower salaries compared to the private sector. Staff members often benefit from flexible working arrangements, strong team spirit, and a collective dedication to a meaningful cause.

Amanda Lyons worked at the Golden Trats beauty salon for seven years.

Steven Lyons’ gangster moll Amanda Lyons has been pictured with rich celebrity clients who dubbed her the ‘Tartan Tart’.

Lyons was make-up artist to TOWIE mega stars James ‘Arg’ Argent and Chloe Simms and can be seen in throwback snaps with the reality TV pair in Marbella in 2012 where she worked as part of the famous Golden Tarts beauty salon.

The 38-year-old worked for Golden Tarts at branches in La Cala de Mijas and Puerto Banus in the Spanish City from 2010 to 2017.

Lyons also provided glam looks to TOWIE’s Gemma Collins and Lydia Bright.

An online beauty account Lyons created in June 2014 reveals her packed client list.

Strictly Come Dancing and Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison can be seen thanking her for make up looks alongside other TOWIE legends Georgia Kousoulou and Jessica Wright.

Lyons later moved to Dubai in 2018 to focus on family life with husband Steven Lyons, 45, after giving birth to her first son in 2016.

The following year, Golden Tarts posted online about Lyons glamming up celebrities in the United Arab Emirates for an OK magazine photo shoot.

Lyons spent a lot of her childhood in Spain after her heroin dealer dad Richard Hayes settled there and became a central figure among Scottish crooks living in the Costa Del Sol.

Hayes operated out of the popular holiday resort of Fuengirola and was dubbed the ‘Godfather’ of Scots criminals in the area by Spanish cops.

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But his criminal enterprise came crashing down when he was nabbed by armed police over a £3.6million cannabis bust in 2007.

Steven Lyons moved to Spain after he was shot in the leg in 2006 and his 21-year-old cousin Michael was killed in a shooting at a garage owned by his family in Glasgow.

He met Amanda shortly afterwards and the pair began dating, but Amanda wasn’t content to just be a gangster’s moll.

A source told the Record Amanda’s glam pals in Spain didn’t think she had anything to do with her husband’s criminal dealings and were stunned at her recent arrest.

She said: “Amanda and Steven come from similar backgrounds and fell quickly in love.

“Amanda wanted her own career and she was working more or less full-time hours at Golden Tarts to make her own cash but when she fell pregnant things changed.

“Her priorities shifted and mixing with celebrities started to mean less to her and her and Steven both wanted more kids.

“They decided to move to Dubai to settle down and Steven left the day-to-day running of his criminal enterprise to his pal Ross Monaghan so he could just oversee things from the desert.

“Everyone thought Amanda was just busy being a mum after that, but she started to get involved in helping Steven in organised crime and a lot of people have been left stunned by that.”

Amanda Lyons has been described as an “active member” of the clan’s criminal operation after she was cuffed at Dubai Airport last month just days after Steven was detained by cops in Bali.

She is now facing years behind bars.

The pair were arrested as part of a two-year joint investigation into the Lyons mob, with ten more of their crew being nicked in Scotland and five in Spain.

Steven Lyons was deported from Indonesia and put on a plane to Amsterdam last week and is being held in the Netherlands on a European Arrest Warrant.

He is now facing extradition to Spain where he is wanted on money laundering charges.

Spanish police branded the Lyons gang “a highly sophisticated criminal organisation characterised by violence” as they made their first official comments since the arrests last week.

Speaking of Amanda Lyons, a spokesperson said: “The partner of the gang leader was arrested at Dubai’s international airport. She is considered to be an active member of the criminal organisation.

“The so-called Lyons Clan is one of the most violent criminal organisations that have originated in Scotland in the last few decades.

“In Spain 18 raids and searches took place last week as part of the police operation, mainly on the Costa del as well as Barcelona.

“Electronic devices, large amounts of cash, company documents, high-end watches and cryptocurrency wallets were seized.

“The investigation was developed over more than three years by the Civil Guard’s Central Operative unit UCO and has been carried out in close co-operation with Police Scotland and coordinated by EUROJUST.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Convenience chain 7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its locations this year.

According to earnings filings published last week, 7-Eleven’s North American operator plans to close 645 stores in the 2026 fiscal year — outpacing the 205 locations it forecasts it will open during that same time.

Seven & i Holdings Co., the Japan-based parent of the convenience chain, noted that these closures “include the conversion to wholesale fuel stores.” Financial documents show that 7-Eleven Inc. has steadily opened new wholesale fuel stores in North America over recent years, which accounted for more than 900 locations as of December 2025.

The company did not immediately explain the closures or specify which locations could be impacted. The Associated Press reached out for further information.

According to the company’s website, there are over 86,000 7-Eleven stores across 19 countries today. 7-Eleven Inc., the brand’s North American operator based in Texas, oversees more than 13,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

The convenience giant has closed hundreds of underperforming locations over the years, and the latest cuts arrive as higher prices strain consumers worldwide. The U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran has especially rattled energy markets, with drivers now facing soaring gas prices.

Consumers were facing stubborn inflation even before the war. In North America specifically, Seven & i noted in its April 9 report, “although the economy remained robust, personal consumption also began to soften” for the 2025 fiscal year — “particularly among low-income households, as inflation continued to weigh on spending.”

Openings for Seven & i subsidiaries outside of North America are set to outpace the stores they’re closing — including Seven-Eleven Japan, which expects to close 350 stores and open 550 locations, per financial filings.

Seven & i expects its revenue to fall 9.4% for the current fiscal year, totaling a projected nearly 9.45 trillion yen (about $59.5 billion).

The company has been looking for new opportunities for growth, and last year outlined a wider transformation plan aimed at boosting its convenience store offerings. Among goals, Seven & i has said it would invest in more fresh food offerings and expand its “7NOW” delivery service.

The changes also arrive under new leadership. Stephen Hayes Dacus became Seven & i’s CEO last spring.

“I just restocked my fridge and freezer, for it all to be turned off again”

Residents living in Deansgate’s West Tower have said they are ‘so angry’ after being told the electricity in the plush tower block will go off AGAIN this week.

The plush 44-storey West Tower, which is part of the Renaker development along Deansgate and offers penthouse homes worth over £2m, first suffered a power cut last Wednesday evening (April 8). The electrics went off in the apartments, leaving no hot water and no way to use any facilities in each home. The management team first sought to reassure residents that works were ongoing to rectify the problem, before emails the following day told residents it would likely not be resolved until Monday.

Some residents stayed in budget-friendly hotels over the weekend. The outage left hundreds with the options of either staying in their apartments, which can also rake in anything between £1,400 and £15,000 per month, or moving into hotels with an offer of £120-per night and £40-per-day food reimbursements.

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The plush block is known to be home to several high profile residents – including Premier League footballers and social media influencers. The original email from The Residences also suggested a number of budget hotels residents could consider, including Motel One, Premier Inn or Romzzz Aparthotels which are ‘well within the £120 budget’.

The Manchester Evening News reported last week that the cause of the power outage was identified as a ‘fault with the busbar within the Deansgate Square site’. A busbar acts as a central connection point which conducts and distributes electricity in industrial, commercial and residential systems.

However an update email sent from The Residences to West Tower tenants on Sunday (April 12) it was confirmed that a temporary source of power had been found to restore electricity to apartments. Residents were able to return home one day ahead of schedule, with works ongoing to restore a permanent source of power.

They were also told that work was ongoing to organise reimbursements for food and drink costs incurred during the outage, but also that the cost of itemised items that had spoiled in fridges and freezers would be covered.

Those living in the block have now told the M.E.N they are ‘so angry’ after being informed by the management company that power is due to be turned off for eight hours on Thursday (April 16). This is for the power supply to be fully transferred from the alternative power source back to the original national energy infrastructure.

The planned power outage for all apartments is expected to take place for eight hours between 10am and 6pm, when electricity is expected to be fully restored. Essential parts of the infrastructure, like alarms and lifts, will remain functional.

“I’m so angry having just restocked my fridge and freezer, for it all to be turned off again,” one resident said. “We weren’t told that it would be switched off again and one day of notice is shocking.”

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Residents have been urged to heat water in water boilers before the outage so a sufficient supply lasts. Coworking spaces with power will remain open in communal areas along with hot drinks and shared cooking facilities.

An email sent to those residing in the tower block read: “We are preparing to transfer West Tower’s power supply from the alternative power source back to the national energy infrastructure. To complete these essential works we will need to temporarily switch off electricity to all apartments to complete these works.

“These works are scheduled for Thursday 16th April 2026, with a planned power outage for all apartments between 10:00AM and 6:00PM. Power is estimated to be returned by 6:00PM to all West Tower apartments. During this period, the lifts and life safety systems (fire alarm system, smoke vents, sprinklers) in the building will remain fully operational.

“Please ensure that all electrical and portable appliances, such as hairdryers and straighteners, are unplugged before the outage begins. If you will not be returning to your apartment prior to Thursday please let us know so we can assist in unplugging appliances.

“A member our team may need to enter your apartment towards to the end of the reinstatement works to complete a safety check. Please take this as formal notice that emergency access may be required to any apartment within the building to carry out electrical safety checks.”

It continued: “Thank you for your patience and understanding while we complete these necessary works to restore West Tower back to the national energy infrastructure. We sincerely apologise for the disruption and appreciate your continued cooperation as we work to restore permanent power.”

Casemiro made a bold declaration upon joining Manchester United

Casemiro is poised to depart Manchester United this summer, having fulfilled a pledge he made more than three years ago.

The ex-Real Madrid star reportedly messaged his agent in 2022, vowing to address the team’s issues following the dreadful defeat at Brentford under Erik ten Hag early in the 2022/23 season. As he prepares to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires, United are close to securing a return to Europe’s elite competition, despite Monday night’s home defeat to Leeds.

Following a challenging period at the Theatre of Dreams, Casemiro’s purple patch for United has arrived at an opportune moment, with vital contributions keeping their European ambitions alive. He also scored the goal as 10-man United chased a point against Leeds.

A Telegraph report from early 2023 revealed that United’s poor start to that campaign, including losses to Brighton and Brentford, spurred the five-time Champions League winner to swap Madrid for Manchester.

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The Brazil international finalised a £70million summer switch to the Premier League, bringing an end to his trophy-laden stint at Los Blancos. Casemiro’s time in the Spanish capital concluded after Real signed of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco.

Following a dismal 4-0 loss to the Bees, the then-30-year-old is said to have messaged his agent: “Tell them I’ll fix this.”

Casemiro’s journey during his four-year spell at United has been anything but straightforward, with him facing criticism from the likes of Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

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The former Liverpool defender, in particular, delivered a damning assessment of the Brazilian’s stint at Old Trafford, calling for Casemiro to quit the Premier League. However, this season’s performances have forced Carragher to backtrack and acknowledge the midfielder had silenced his doubters.

Confirming his impending exit, he said: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life. From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.

“It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months. We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.”

In a recent question and answer session with the club, he added: “The affection they have for the club is what I will miss most. Of course, the club, but the fans are so connected to the club regardless of the result.

“Next game, they will be there supporting the players and the club, that is what I will miss most.”

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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