Latest news with #theRedeemer
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Tourists roast White House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and more
By Ben Barry Some of the US's most famous tourist spots have been slammed in online reviews, with the Statue of Liberty dismissed as a "poor man's Redeemer" and the White House dubbed a "dump for Trump". Millions flock to the States' top attractions every year - but it appears not all are impressed. Sites like the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore have all come in for criticism on the online review site TripAdvisor. For example, a recent visitor to the Washington Monument said it was "shorter than expected" - and a "boring gray color". They suggested that "they should add lighting, make it more interesting." Another reviewer said the Monument was "too tall, I hurt my neck looking at it" and rated it 0/10 - warning other people it was a "horrible place to go". Meanwhile, another tourist seemed annoyed that the Statue of Liberty - one of the most recognizable sights in the world - had been gifted to the USA. They said, "I am not going that far to see a French building." Another tourist described the iconic statue as a "poor man's Christ the Redeemer" - comparing the Statue of Liberty to the 38-meter-tall statue of Jesus that stands on top of the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The sightseer added: "Long queue just to get through the security, and then queue again to get on the boat. "Usual tourists just stopped everywhere to take selfies and walk really slowly. "The statue is not as impressive compared to Christ the Redeemer." The White House, currently occupied by Donald Trump, was also not a fan favorite. Tourists hit out and its heavy-handed security and perimeter fences keeping people away. One tourist compared the White House to former wrestler John Cena, who is known for the trademark line "you can't see me". They said: "The White House is like John Cena… You just can't see it. "Between the crowds and the fencing, it's very challenging to see the White House at all. "It was probably one of the least impressive things I saw while in DC." Another tourist said it was "heavily guarded" and "too small". Adding: "This heavily guarded house for Trump is a dump - don't waste your time." The Grand Canyon National Park attracts around six million visitors a year, making it the second most visited national park in the US. Despite its high tourist numbers, some visitors are less than impressed, with one calling it "the big hole in the ground". One person said, "Honestly, the desert is all just dirt, so that was no surprise, but the way everybody talks about the Grand Canyon. "I thought there'd be some stuff to do there, or at least something to do. "Oh yeah, that's right…You can walk around on the dirt and look at the giant gaping hole in the ground, and take pictures of the dirt. "Big whoop. Not even worth the drive." One tourist said it was "pretty cool," - but there was too much canyon. "They said: "A bit much though, maybe less canyon next time would be better if you guys can fix that." Finally, Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The site attracts more than two million visitors a year - but one said rock face wasn't "diverse enough", adding: "It might as well be a cast of Friends." Another tourist was shocked to find that a "perfectly good mountain was ruined to create this." They said: "The Barbie version my niece showed me was miles better, and did not ruin the environment by creating the absolute eyesore that is the real Mount Rushmore." The post Tourists roast White House, Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and more appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Local Germany
22-03-2025
- General
- Local Germany
EXPLAINED: Why are the lights going off in Germany for an hour on Saturday?
Created by environmental organisation WWF to raise awareness of climate protection, famous monuments and landmarks around the world will be switching their lights out for Earth Hour, which starts at 8.30pm on Saturday 22nd March. The lights will go out for 60 minutes at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and Cologne Cathedral, for example, as well as the Colosseum in Rome, the Sydney Opera House, New York's Empire State Building, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Private households and companies can also get involved in the annual campaign and, as well as switching their lights off for an hour, they're invited to spend those 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet . The WWF say 517 cities and municipalities across Germany have so far signed up to Earth Hour to help protect the planet from irreversible changes – we're currently on track to breach by 2030 the 1.5C global temperature increase limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement if things don't change. This year, the campaign will be even harder to miss with hundreds of singing performances planned across the country. WWF are also calling for climate and environmental protection to be firmly enshrined in the new government's coalition agreement and shape its governance work, said WWF Germany Climate Director Viviane Raddatz. Advertisement The WWF launched Earth Hour in 2007 and, last year, saw lights turned off in thousands of locations in more than 180 countries and territories.
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Associated Press
Colombian diplomat hit by a stray bullet in Sao Paulo as a robbery attempt was taking place nearby
SAO PAULO (AP) — A Colombian diplomat in Brazil was wounded by a stray bullet on Friday and hospitalized to undergo surgery, authorities said. Vice Consul Claudia Ortiz Vaca was passing by a robbery attempt on a vehicle in central Sao Paulo, local police said. An off-duty police officer witnessed two suspects approach a car and intervened, security officials said in a statement. It's unclear whether the gunshot came from the officer or one of the suspects, and where she was struck by the bullet. The Colombian Consulate in Sao Paulo said in a statement that Ortiz Vaca was undergoing surgery and in stable condition. One suspect was arrested, and the other escaped, according to police. Local authorities said they would investigate the case. Violent street crime is common in Brazil, and foreigners sometimes become victims. Last December, an Argentine tourist was shot in Rio de Janeiro after he mistakenly drove his car into a low-income community on his way to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Gastón Fernando Burlon, president of the Argentine Chamber of Student Tourism, was then taken to a local hospital.
