Latest news with #Abigail
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Spanberger raises $10.2 million in second quarter in Virginia governors race
Former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D) gubernatorial campaign said it raised $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2025. The haul is the highest amount ever raised by a statewide candidate in Virginia in the second quarter of an election year, according to Spanberger's campaign. The average grassroots donation to Spanberger's campaign was $29, while 92 percent of donations were $100 or less, according to Spanberger's campaign. The latest haul brings Spanberger's fundraising total going back to when she announced her candidacy in November of 2023 to over $27 million. 'Across the Commonwealth, Abigail hears from Virginians who are feeling squeezed by high costs, frustrated by the chaos coming out of Washington, and are ready to elect a Governor who will put Virginia families first — not blind loyalty to a political party,' Spanberger's campaign manager Samson Signori said in a statement. 'Over the next four months, our campaign will use every minute to make sure Abigail's winning message reaches every community in Virginia.' Republican nominee and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle- Sears (R ) has not released her second quarter fundraising numbers yet. In April, Sears' campaign said it raked in $3.1 million in the first quarter, setting a record for Republican candidates in the state. 2024 Election Coverage According to the Virginia Public Access Project, prior to the second quarter filing period, Earle-Sears had raised over $9 million and Spanberger raised over $22 million. A Roanoke College survey released in May showed Spanberger with a wide 43 percent to 26 percent lead over Earle-Sears, with 28 percent of voters saying they were undecided. However, another May poll released by the business group Virginia FREE showed Spanberger leading by 4 percentage points. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'lean Democratic.'
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Abigail Aroha Jensen Is Awarded The 2025 Residency For An Artist From Aotearoa New Zealand At Gasworks, London
Gasworks, the Jan Warburton Charitable Trust and the Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa are delighted to announce that Abigail Aroha Jensen will travel to London in October as the ninth New Zealand artist to undertake a residency at Gasworks. Nearly 80 applications were received for the 2025 residency, with the Gasworks selection committee commenting on the extremely high standard of applications. Abigail is interested in the repetition and stagnation of culture, images, language, motifs and sound, and how mauri (life force) may transfer between the object and the body. Her work is often site-specific and responds to desolate land sites, fantasy worlds, 'the archive', and local histories related to labour, colonial entanglements and online habitats. Abigail's studio practice involves harvesting and weaving with harakeke (flax) and other found materials, rope making, drawing, painting, screen printing, sound, installation and improvisation. These ways of making demand a sustained repetition of specific gestures, which in turn influence visual and sonic artworks. During her residency at Gasworks, she plans to spend time developing her research around mauri, collecting materials, foraging for new flora and fauna and sketching in the studio. She will also visit and document sites of interest to compose the score for her first film, NZ Forever. Abigail lives in Ngāruawāhia, Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand. Recent exhibitions include: Rope Play, (a series of acts), sites across Aotearoa including; Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Pōneke Wellington, Heretaunga Hastings, Ōtepōti Dunedin, Ōtautahi Christchurch, Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Köln, Germany and the Busan, South Korea (2022- present); Spring Time is Heart-break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū (2023); Glittering Images, Grace Aotearoa (2024); I nside my papahou: puoro tuatin i. H er site, Désirée – ā whakamātao owha co- commissioned by Te Tuhi and the Busan Biennale Organising Committee, South Korea; (2024) cab-sous vide, The Dowse Art Museum, (2024) What thrives on these soils, at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga, Hastings Art Gallery, and Bootleg, The Physics Room, Ōtautahi Christchurch, (2025). About the residency The Gasworks residency offers an early / mid-career artist, opportunities for self -led professional development, artistic exchange and experimentation and development of new international networks, and as such can be significant for the advancement of their career. Alongside the time for extensive practice-based research and access to artists in London with similar interests, Gasworks provides opportunities for the artist to develop new work and showcase their practice, work ethic and conceptual focuses to an international audience, including curators and collectors, unavailable in Aotearoa New Zealand. The residency provides return flights to London, 24/7-access to a private studio space in the Gasworks building, accommodation in a house shared with three or four other international artists in residence with Gasworks, plus living and materials allowance. The critical nature at the heart of Gasworks encourages the fostering of active dialogues with local creative practitioners, including artists, curators and writers, as well as direct engagement with important London-based artist-run spaces, collectives, galleries, museums, patrons and collectors. The three-month, fully funded residency will take place from October – December 2024 and is delivered through a partnership between Gasworks, the Jan Warburton Charitable Trust and the Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa. The 2025 residency is made possible by the very generous support of individuals and trusts, including the Jan Warburton Charitable Trust, Jenny and Andrew Smith, Shirley-Ann and Rick Mannering, Dame Jenny Gibbs, Bath Street Arts Trust, Tim Melville and Rosemary and Tim Auld. This will be the ninth consecutive Gasworks Residency for a NZ artist. Previous artists in residence at Gasworks are Sriwhana Spong, Katrina Beekhuis, Hikalu Clarke, Christina Pataialii, Sarah Rose, Campbell Patterson, Sorawit Songsataya and Shiraz Sadikeen. About Gasworks Established in 1994, Gasworks is a non-profit contemporary visual art organisation working between UK and international practices, offering a cohesive space of critical dialogue and studio-driven practices. Gasworks run a highly respected international residency program offering artists the opportunity to research new work in London. Events, workshops and open-studio events are organised to engage the wider community, as well to provide the resident artists an opportunity to develop and expand their professional networks. Through Gasworks, curator and patron visits ensure that the artists are provided with an active landscape to ensure the exposure of their artistic practices. About Jan Warburton Charitable Trust The Jan Warburton Charitable Trust (JWCT) was established by Dunedin based collector and philanthropist, Jan Warburton, to support the development of contemporary art in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on late-emerging and mid-career artists. The residency for a New Zealand artist at Gasworks was developed by the Trust in 2016 and has been supported over the years by a number of individuals. Without their continuing generosity, the residency would not be possible. About Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa The Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa (OCAA) works in partnership with other organisations and individuals, both from New Zealand and internationally to enable and facilitate the presentation of work by New Zealand artists at major overseas exhibitions; and to encourage exchange and dialogue between visual arts practitioners from New Zealand and their international counterparts. OCAA was formed in early 2024 and is based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Prior to the formation of OCAA, OCAA's director, Stephanie Post worked with Gasworks and the Jan Warburton Charitable Trust to develop the residency. OCAA is delighted to continue this work fundraising for and facilitating the annual residency at Gasworks and is extremely grateful to all those who support the funding of the residency.
Mint
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Fourth of July: Washington DC, NYC Macy's fireworks light up the sky on 249th US Independence Day
Fourth of July celebrations: Americans paraded down main streets in patriotic red, white and blue on July 4 to mark 249 years of Independence. US citizens celebrated the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with flags, hot dogs and fireworks display. From Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, St Louis, San Diego, Seward, Alaska to New York City and Philadelphia fireworks illuminated the skies on 249th US Independence Day. As fireworks remain the centre of US Independence Day celebrations, let's have a look how United States' citizens celebrated the nation's birthday. Fourth of July celebrations: Fireworks celebrate Independence Day on July 4 inside Philadelphia stadium before FIFA Club World Cup Quarter Final match. The origin of elaborate fireworks display across the US can be traced back to Founding Father John Adams. In a letter dated July 3, 1776, addressed to wife, Abigail, Adams mentioned that commemoration of America's independence 'ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." Fourth of July celebrations; Fireworks celebrating 249th US Independence Day during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Biggest and most dazzling fireworks crackled up the skies during this year's Macy's Fourth of July celebrations. A record-breaking 80,000 fireworks illuminated the skies 1,000 feet above the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. New York City skyline was lit like never before on Friday after more than 30 different colours and patterns illuminated the night sky of New York City. The 30-minute-long pyrotechnics featured 11 fresh effects. Fourth of July celebrations: Fireworks light up the St Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch on July 3, Incessant rains lashed south-central Texas on Friday, causing flash flood emergency for parts of Kerr County. Heavy rains in Kerville caused Guadalupe river to overflow which resulted in cancellation of July Fourth fireworks displays, Reuters reported. The site where US Independence Day celebration scheduled to take place was submerged by swollen river.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
When a 6-year-old led fund-raising campaign for underprivileged girls
Bengaluru: On an early morning in late April, over 20,000 runners hit the road for the annual TCS World 10K here. Many put on impressive performances, with 11 of them cracking the elusive sub-30-minute mark. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the crowd was someone equally impressive — six-year-old Abigail Lisa, who was cheering her father Joshua from the sidelines. Abigail was the leader of a campaign that raised over Rs 3.2 lakh for NGO Reaching Hand's underprivileged girls' initiative. "Nine years ago, I was a runner who raised funds, now I feel like a fundraiser who runs," said Joshua, a seasoned runner and IT professional. Abigail's mother, Mounika, also an IT professional, is involved in fundraising efforts too. Last year, the family raised almost Rs 1.5 lakh toward the same cause. Abigail, an avid football fan, was designated "kindness leader" and helped raise funds through various methods. "I reached out to my neighbours, friends, church people," said the class 1 student, who made videos and created an online appeal to gather contributions from friends and family. "We have been blessed with two little girls, so it hurts even more to see those who don't have anyone or any place to stay," said Joshua when asked why the campaign focussed on the cause of underprivileged girls. The idea to involve Abigail in the campaign stemmed from the desire to start teaching her the importance of social work. "Causes like these drive our country, and we feel it is important that younger children like Abigail are aware of them," said Mounika. "She will grow up knowing there are groups that aren't as lucky as we are, and she will learn to stand up for them." "Nothing is impossible, that is what we have learned from this experience," said Joshua, proud of how far the family's fund-raising efforts have come over the last decade. "I learnt there are little girls who sleep in the cold and are bitten by mosquitoes, and they suffer so much. We must help poor people and give them a better future," said Abigail, reflecting on the journey of the campaign. — Aryan Thumboochetty
NDTV
04-07-2025
- General
- NDTV
The Fireworks Origin: Why America Lights Up The Sky On 4th Of July
New Delhi: Every year on July 4, skies across the United States light up with fireworks to mark the country's Independence Day. The US gained independence in 1776 after the 13 colonies declared their separation from British rule by adopting the Declaration of Independence. People across the country celebrate this day with parades, concerts and dazzling displays of fireworks. But why do Americans light fireworks on Independence Day? The tradition dates back to July 4, 1777, when Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with bonfires, ringing bells and fireworks. Boston also marked the day with its own fireworks display. In fact, Antarctica was also lit up with fireworks, according to a report. So, a day before the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, founder of the nation, John Adams, wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail. In the letter, he predicted how future generations would celebrate Independence Day. He wrote, "The country's independence should be celebrated with Pomp and Parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forevermore." The idea to celebrate the day with fireworks came from medieval Europe. People there celebrate their special day, including festivals, weddings, or military victories, by lighting up the sky. They enjoyed the colourful explosions as a fun and grand way to mark special events. In Minneapolis, fireworks are part of local celebrations, too. During the Aquatennial festival in late July, and after baseball games at Target Field, people light up the sky for the crowd with fireworks. But the use of fireworks may decline next year onwards, according to a Bloomberg report. The US is heavily dependent on China for fireworks. It manufactures about 99 per cent of consumer fireworks globally and supplies 90 per cent used in professional shows. With the introduction of a 30 per cent tariff on Chinese products, it could affect the fireworks sales as well.
