Washington, D.C
2 giant pandas to land in DC Tuesday. They’re destined for the National Zoo – WTOP News
After 11 months, the District’s panda lovers will no longer have to bear the pain of a panda-less National Zoo.
(AP/Roshan Patel)
AP/Roshan Patel
(left)
left
(Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
(Courtesy NBC Washington)
Courtesy NBC Washington
(Getty Images/Foreverhappy-Mee)
Getty Images/Foreverhappy-Mee
Fans of the Smithsonian National Zoo are pining in anticipation as two new giant pandas from China are expected to land in D.C. Tuesday, nearly a year after the zoo’s exhibit was devastatingly vacated.
It’s been 11 months since three of the famed bears left the District, leaving local panda lovers in a lurch. Now, they will no longer have to bear the pain of a panda-less National Zoo.
Officials said Monday that Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, were heading to D.C. — prompting panda-monium with the bears much-anticipated return to the nation’s capital now in sight.
The “Panda Express” — a FedEx Boeing 777 cargo jet carrying the bears — is scheduled to land Tuesday.
It marks the continuation of the giant panda conservation program partnership between China and the U.S.
11 months of despair for DC with no pandas
On the afternoon of Nov. 8, 2023, beloved bears Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji boarded the “Panda Express” at Dulles International Airport.
The three bears flew 19 hours to the Wolong Panda Reserve in Chengdu, China. It was a tough goodbye for zoo staff and fans with uncertainty about whether the black-and-white bears would ever return.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian first arrived at the National Zoo in December 2000. In 2020, Mei Xiang gave birth to Xiao Qi Ji, becoming the oldest panda in the U.S. to give birth.
The zoo’s panda exhibit brought in millions of visitors each year. But it’s been unoccupied since November. In the panda’s absence, the zoo upgraded the enclosure, making improvements to help visitors get a clearer view of the pandas among other changes.
What do we know about Bao Li and Qing Bao
The pandas left southwest China on Monday, ready for travel with snacks such as bamboo shoots and carrots as well as medications in hand, according to the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Last May, the National Zoo announced the two pandas would be transported to the zoo by the end of 2024.
They’re the first pair of pandas China has sent to D.C. in 24 years.
One of the pandas arriving Tuesday is a descendant of the Smithsonian’s former “panda family.” Bao Li is the son of Bao Bao, who was born at the D.C. zoo in 2013.
“He reminds me a lot of his grandfather, Tian Tian,” panda keeper Mariel Lally told CNN. She will be taking the journey to D.C. with Bao Li and Qing Bao.
‘Panda diplomacy’ in a black-and-white world
The National Zoo was the first in the U.S. to take part in what’s become known as “panda diplomacy.”
When a mass exodus of pandas over the past couple of years took place as panda leases between U.S. zoos and China expired, some feared the partnerships were coming to a close.
But around the time the Smithsonian’s pandas departed last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled that China would send new pandas to the U.S., calling them “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.”
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Metro is marking it’s 50th anniversary with gear featuring original Metro concept art an it’s wildly popular.
The hottest T-shirts in D.C. have nothing to do with U.S. soccer or even America’s 250th birthday. People are waiting in long lines for Metro gear.
Those lines have spilled out the door of the transit agency’s pop-up shop in the 300 block of 7th Street in Southwest D.C. and onto the hot sidewalk.
Metro is marking its 50th anniversary with designs that apparently people, such as Matthew Peterson, just have to have.
“I use Metro like every day and I’ve used all the lines,” Peterson, who has lived in D.C. for eight years, said. “I don’t even have a car. and it’s been essential to getting around so I just wanted to be able to commemorate it, and they’ve got cool marketing and cool merch.”
The shop features original Metro concept art on shirts, hats, postcards and other items. Katrina Gross picked up a shirt for her friend.
“They are pretty hot. I was surprised by how many people are here,” Gross said.
Tanner Holcomb also grabbed a shirt.
“I think these are really cool. There are some really nice vintage designs and I’m excited to wear it around,” Holcomb said.
The pop-up shop is open through July 10.
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Washington, D.C
White supremacist group demonstrates on Capitol Hill ahead of America 250 celebrations
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A self-proclaimed white supremacist group demonstrated on Capitol Hill on Independence Day, ahead of the America 250 celebrations in the District.
The group, Patriot Front, is recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a white nationalist hate group that is an offshoot of Vanguard America, a now-inactive neo-Nazi group known for leading the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va.
George Washington University’s Program on Extremism explained, “Patriot Front is a white nationalist and fascist organization that promotes the idea of a homogenous, white ethno-state in the United States. The group advocates for the preservation of white European culture, viewing multiculturalism, immigration, and diversity as existential threats to its vision of America.”
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of uniformed members of the group could be seen wearing white masks, carrying drums, combat shields, and flags. The group could be heard chanting, “Reclaim America,” as they marched past the U.S. Capitol building towards Union Station. Group members were also seen crowding several Metro stations.
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In this image provided by Mark Sherman, members of the group Patriot Front wear masks as they march through Washington before Independence Day events honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Mark Sherman via AP)
Some of the flags included the Confederate flag and the fascio flag, which combines “fascist imagery with American patriotism” and was first used in fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, according to GWU.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Patriot Front is considered one of the U.S.’ most visible white supremacist groups, frequently participating in localized “flash demonstrations.”
As described in Patriot Front’s manifesto, the group claimed, “The time of the Republic has passed in America as the system grows too weak to perform its duty. … The damage done to this nation and its people will not be fixed if every issue requires the approval and blessing from the dysfunctional American democratic system. Democracy has failed in this once great nation.”
According to U.S. Park Police, no injuries were reported, and there is no threat to public safety.
Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department told DC News Now, “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was tracking First Amendment activities that occurred this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood. MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors.”
DC News Now reached out to the Southern Poverty Law Center for comment but has yet to hear back.
Washington, D.C
Celebration to suffocation: Washington’s air turns world’s worst after July 4 fireworks extravaganza
WASHINGTON: A massive July 4th fireworks display left Washington, DC, briefly recording the worst air quality among major cities worldwide on Sunday, according to global air quality monitoring platform IQAir. The massive 40-minute fireworks display was held as part of America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.The US capital dropped to 26th place on IQAir’s global air quality rankings by Sunday evening as pollution levels gradually improved.Code Red air quality alert issuedAs the city officials declared a ‘Code Red’ air quality alert, authorities urged residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and warned that the air was “unhealthy for seniors, children and people with medical conditions,” adding that even healthy individuals could experience adverse health effects due to elevated pollution levels.Ahead of the celebrations, Kisha Davis warned that the combination of extreme heat and fireworks-related pollution could pose serious health risks. “The air quality today is like running a marathon while smoking a cigarette,” she told CNN, adding that the fireworks would further worsen pollution.Hundreds needed medical assistanceEmergency responders treated hundreds of people during the Independence Day celebrations.The DC Fire and EMS Department reported 96 patient contacts and 40 hospital transports, while George Washington University Hospital recorded 289 patient contacts. The US Department of Health and Human Services also reported 314 patient contacts, although authorities have not confirmed how many cases were linked to the heat or poor air quality.The fireworks display, organised by Freedom 250, featured around 850,000 fireworks launched from 10 locations across the National Mall, Potomac River barges and West Potomac Park. The event was expected to challenge the Guinness World Records mark for the world’s largest fireworks display, although no official confirmation had been issued by Sunday.
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