New signage was put up only a day after the board of trustees approved the change. AP
New signage was put up only a day after the board of trustees approved the change. AP
New signage was put up only a day after the board of trustees approved the change. AP
New signage was put up only a day after the board of trustees approved the change. AP

Kennedy Centre adds Donald Trump's name to Washington landmark


Thomas Watkins
  • English
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Workers at the Kennedy Centre in Washington added Donald Trump’s name to the famed arts venue on Friday, just one day ⁠after a board the President chairs voted to ​rename it.

The move has infuriated Democrats, who called it illegal, while John ​F Kennedy’s family denounced it as undermining the slain ‌president's legacy.

“The Kennedy Centre is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” Joe Kennedy III, a grandnephew of JFK, said on X. "It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”

The White House said the centre's board of trustees, hand-picked by Mr Trump, voted unanimously on Thursday to add his name to what was enshrined as a living memorial to the Democratic president.

Congress named the performing arts centre as a living memorial to Mr Kennedy in 1964, the year after he was assassinated. Federal law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the centre into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person's name on the building's exterior.

The US Institute of Peace in Washington has had Donald Trump's name added. Thomas Watkins / The National
The US Institute of Peace in Washington has had Donald Trump's name added. Thomas Watkins / The National

The Kennedy Centre is the latest building in Washington to have Mr Trump's name added to it. The US Institute of Peace was recently renamed after him.

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

A Dog's Journey 

Directed by: Gail Mancuso

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott

3 out of 5 stars

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail

Updated: December 19, 2025, 9:59 PM