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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
White House orders probe of Smithsonian museums to remove ‘partisan narratives'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Smithsonian's vast network of museums boasts of millions of artefacts for public display. WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump's administration has ordered a sweeping review of some Smithsonian museums to ensure their exhibitions laud American exceptionalism and 'remove divisive or partisan narratives'. Mr Trump has moved to assert control over major American cultural institutions since starting his second term in January, while also slashing arts and humanities funding. The Smithsonian is one of America's most hallowed institutions, with its vast network of museums boasting tens of millions of artefacts for public display. A letter to the institution's secretary, Mr Lonnie Bunch, published on the White House website on Aug 12, said the administration would carry out a 'comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions'. 'This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,' said the letter, signed by three senior White House officials. It will target eight major museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian, the letter said. The review aims to assess 'tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals' across exhibitions, educational materials and digital content ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding in 2026. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Singapore HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops Asia Malaysia's anti-graft agency busts arms smuggling ring masterminded by senior military officers Asia Mixed reactions among Malaysia drivers on S'pore move to clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services Singapore 4 taken to hospital after accident near Sports Hub, including 2 rescued with hydraulic tools Business Singapore life insurance sales surges in first half, led by boost in investment-linked plans Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History removed in July a label referring to Mr Trump's two impeachments , a move its parent institution later denied came under White House pressure. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History removed in July a label referring to President Donald Trump's two impeachments. PHOTO: VALERIE PLESCH/NYTIMES The review requires that the museums submit extensive documentation, including exhibition plans, wall text, educational materials, grant information and internal guidelines, within 30 days. The Smithsonian said in a statement to The New York Times that its 'work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history'. 'We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind… and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress and our governing Board of Regents,' it said. AFP
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
US to probe Smithsonian museums to remove 'partisan narratives'
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump's administration said on Tuesday (Aug 12) it had ordered a sweeping review of some Smithsonian museums to ensure their exhibitions laud American exceptionalism and "remove divisive or partisan narratives". Trump has moved to assert control over major American cultural institutions since starting his second term in January, while also slashing arts and humanities funding. The Smithsonian is one of America's most hallowed institutions, with its vast network of museums boasting tens of millions of artefacts for public display. A letter to the institution's secretary Lonnie Bunch, published on the White House website on Tuesday, said the administration would carry out a "comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions". "This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions," said the letter, signed by three senior White House officials. It will target eight major museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian, the letter said. The review aims to assess "tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals" across exhibitions, educational materials and digital content ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History removed last month a label referring to Trump's two impeachments, a move its parent institution later denied came under White House pressure. The review requires that the museums submit extensive documentation - including exhibition plans, wall text, educational materials, grant information and internal guidelines - within 30 days. The Smithsonian did not respond immediately to AFP's request for comment. It said in a statement to The New York Times that its "work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history".
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Oil falls as IEA raises supply forecast, investors await US-Russia meeting
LONDON :Oil prices fell on Wednesday after the IEA noted supply overtaking demand this year, while investors awaited Friday's meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brent crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to $65.67 a barrel at 0831 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures edged down 53 cents, or 0.8 per cent at $62.64. Both contracts settled lower on Tuesday. Trump and Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine, which has shaken oil markets since February 2022. "Oil prices drifted lower on expectations that Friday's summit would not result in additional sanctions on Russia, ensuring the country's oil continues to flow predominantly to the south and east," said PVM Oil analyst Tamas Varga in a note. The International Energy Agency on Wednesday raised its forecast for oil supply growth this year following OPEC+'s decision but lowered its demand forecast due to lacklustre demand across the major economies. Long-term support, however, came from OPEC's updated monthly report on global supply and demand, Varga said, which raised its global oil demand forecast for next year and trimmed its estimate for growth in supply from the United States and other producers outside the wider OPEC+ group, pointing to a tighter market. Investors also awaited further cues after an industry report showed U.S. crude stockpiles climbed last week. Crude inventories in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, rose by 1.52 million barrels last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories dropped while distillate inventories gained slightly. Analysts polled by Reuters expect today's Energy Information Administration report to show crude inventories fell by about 300,000 barrels last week. The EIA on Tuesday in its Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO) forecast Brent prices to average less than $60 per barrel in the fourth quarter, which would be the first quarter with average prices that low since 2020, stating that growth in the global oil supply would surpass growth in demand for petroleum products.
