Kennedy Center Shuttered and Fenced as Trump Demands Name on Building; Peter Max Dies at 88

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., is surrounded by fencing and has replaced its usual performance lineup with an "Emergency alert" notice, as the Washington Post has noted. President Donald Trump has warned that the venue might be "ripped down" if his name isn't included, according to ABC News. The New York Times captured a moment where he was on Air Force One, looking at a poster that read "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED." The Atlantic referred to this situation as a shakedown, attributing the pressure to the board's attachment to the venue rather than any legal grounds. Meanwhile, ARTnews reported that AI companies are destroying pre-2022 physical books amid copyright battles. On a brighter note, 89% of British adults are keen on attending orchestral concerts, a ten-point increase since 2018, with younger audiences leading the charge, as noted by Gramophone. Additionally, The Guardian mentioned that Singapore plans to pay its citizens 80 cents for reading over 50 days. Lastly, artist Peter Max, known for his vibrant artwork on coffee mugs and cruise ships, has died at 88, per the Washington Post.