Latest news with #USIndependenceDay
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Opposition TDs decline invitation to Fourth of July celebrations at US embassy
A number of Opposition TDs have said they will decline their invitation to attend Fourth of July celebrations at the US embassy. With 10 days to go until the event, TDs and senators have come out to publicly state that they will be boycotting, with at least one protest already planned. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said he "couldn't think of anything worse" than to attend the event at the present moment. Mr Sheehan said his stance is down to "what the US government is involved in, both in terms of illegal wars overseas but also in terms of the persecution of people in the US". Party colleague Ciarán Ahern echoed this sentiment, adding that the current US administration is doing its best to undermine global co-operation on issues such as climate and trade at every step. Sinn Féin's foreign affairs spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the party will continue to engage with the US administration to safeguard Irish interests and raise concerns about international issues, in particular Gaza, but added: However, it would not be appropriate to attend a celebration given US policy in the continued arming of Israeli forces to commit genocide. Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Patricia Stephenson confirmed that she would not be attending, but said she does not speak for everyone in her party. She said it would not be appropriate to attend because Donald Trump's administration "does not necessarily align with the values of our party". Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, who did not attend last year, said that he has not seen an invitation but is unlikely to attend. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger will not attend the event, but will be protesting as part of the Dublin 15 Palestine Group. Aontú and Independent Ireland did not rule out attending, citing the importance of maintaining the important relationship between the two countries. Peadar Tóibín said that as long as his diary is clear, he has no issue attending the event, given the tens of millions of Irish living in the US and the many shared ties and objectives. While people will have, obviously, difference of opinions in terms of the Trump regime, potentially, there is no doubt in my mind, that we need to continue to build a positive relationship with the American administration. Independent Ireland said it will discuss it as a party over the coming days but leader Michael Collins said communication is very important when it comes to negotiating peace. Mr Collins said it is also important to keep lines of communications open with the newly appointed ambassador. US businessman Edward Walsh was sworn in as the US ambassador to Ireland last week and is due to move into the Phoenix Park residence soon. The annual event sees politicians and other well-known public figures attend the US Independence Day celebration at the ambassador's Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park. Last year also saw politicians boycott and members of the public protest near the venue over the US providing support to Israel as it continued its bombardment of Gaza. Read More Pentagon report says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites only set back programme months
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
US condemns 'repression' of Independence Day celebrations in Hong Kong, China News
HONG KONG — The United States condemned what it described as Hong Kong's "repression of US Independence Day celebrations" after media reports on Tuesday (June 24) that some schools had received "friendly reminders" warning students against taking part in such events. The Education Bureau had sent the notice to schools in the former British colony, warning that students who take part in US Independence Day activities could be at risk of violating Hong Kong's national security law, the South China Morning Post reported. It did not say if the schools were international or local campuses. The Education Bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We condemn the Hong Kong government's repression of US Independence Day celebrations and interference in US consulate-hosted events. Its attempts to characterise these activities as 'unlawful' only further reveal its insecurity and fear of freedom," a spokesperson for the US Consulate said. The US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau will host a private reception in Hong Kong to celebrate July 4 and to deepen the "longstanding friendship between the people in Hong Kong and the United States", the statement said. The National Security Law, which punishes offences such as acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism, with terms of up to life in jail, was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the law is necessary to restore stability following anti-government protests in 2019 when then leader Carrie Lam called on universities and schools to urge students not to participate in the sometimes violent demonstrations. Some Western governments have, however, criticised the law as being used to suppress free speech and dissent. [[nid:718938]]
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US condemns ‘repression' of Independence Day celebrations in Hong Kong
The Education Bureau warned that students who take part in US Independence Day activities could be at risk of violating Hong Kong's national security law. PHOTO: AFP HONG KONG - The United States condemned what it described as Hong Kong's "repression of US Independence Day celebrations" after media reports on June 24 that some schools had received "friendly reminders" warning students against taking part in such events. The Education Bureau had sent the notice to schools in the former British colony, warning that students who take part in US Independence Day activities could be at risk of violating Hong Kong's national security law, the South China Morning Post reported. It did not say if the schools were international or local campuses. The Education Bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We condemn the Hong Kong government's repression of US Independence Day celebrations and interference in US consulate-hosted events. Its attempts to characterise these activities as 'unlawful' only further reveal its insecurity and fear of freedom," a spokesperson for the US Consulate said. The US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau will host a private reception in Hong Kong to celebrate July 4 and to deepen the "longstanding friendship between the people in Hong Kong and the United States", the statement said. The National Security Law, which punishes offences such as acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism, with terms of up to life in jail, was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the law is necessary to restore stability following anti-government protests in 2019 when then leader Carrie Lam called on universities and schools to urge students not to participate in the sometimes violent demonstrations. Some Western governments have, however, criticised the law as being used to suppress free speech and dissent. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Trump statue goes missing in Slovenia
"Melania" appeared on the banks of the River Sava in July 2020, four months before her human inspiration left the White House. Now, four months after the erstwhile Melanija Knavs resumed residence at Washington's most famous address, her larger-than-life-size avatar has apparently made an undignified exit from her Slovenian hometown, Sevnica. All that remains of the massive bronze statue are the feet – and the two-metre-tall tree stump they were standing on. Melania Trump sculpture in Slovenia set on fire on US Independence Day New Melania Trump metal statue unveiled in Slovenia The symmetry would probably appeal to the whimsical US director Wes Anderson – who often features bizarre heists in his films. But even in his back catalogue, there has never been anything quite like the case of the cursed First Lady statue. Because this is not the first time a Melania Trump tribute has met a sticky end in Sevnica. The first iteration was unveiled in July 2019. Carved from a single piece of wood by a chainsaw-wielding local artisan called Ales "Maxi" Zupevc, it lasted a year before an unidentified perpetrator decided to turn it into a Fourth of July bonfire. Luckily, US artist Brad Downey – who commissioned Maxi to create the wooden original – had already made a cast of the statue. It duly made a comeback in bronze, at the same site. At its unveiling, Mr Downey said the new version had been designed to be "as solid as possible, out of a durable material which cannot be wantonly destroyed". But, as it turns out, it can be chopped off at the ankles and taken away. Local police say they are treating "Melania's" disappearance as "theft" and have launched an investigation. Brad Downey has always insisted that his work was political. He chose Maxi as a collaborator because his upbringing had been similar to that of the First Lady. And he argued that Melania Trump benefitted from a fast-tracked US citizenship process, while other immigrants suffered under her husband's "xenophobic" policies. Now he suspects the statue's disappearance "has something to do with Trump getting re-elected". Meanwhile, in Sevnica, the local authorities have mixed feelings. They condemned "any form of interference with private or public property". But, they added, "the image of the US First Lady was not something anyone was proud of".
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Trump statue goes missing in Slovenia
"Melania" appeared on the banks of the River Sava in July 2020, four months before her human inspiration left the White House. Now, four months after the erstwhile Melanija Knavs resumed residence at Washington's most famous address, her larger-than-life-size avatar has apparently made an undignified exit from her Slovenian hometown, Sevnica. All that remains of the massive bronze statue are the feet – and the two-metre-tall tree stump they were standing on. Melania Trump sculpture in Slovenia set on fire on US Independence Day New Melania Trump metal statue unveiled in Slovenia The symmetry would probably appeal to the whimsical US director Wes Anderson – who often features bizarre heists in his films. But even in his back catalogue, there has never been anything quite like the case of the cursed First Lady statue. Because this is not the first time a Melania Trump tribute has met a sticky end in Sevnica. The first iteration was unveiled in July 2019. Carved from a single piece of wood by a chainsaw-wielding local artisan called Ales "Maxi" Zupevc, it lasted a year before an unidentified perpetrator decided to turn it into a Fourth of July bonfire. Luckily, US artist Brad Downey – who commissioned Maxi to create the wooden original – had already made a cast of the statue. It duly made a comeback in bronze, at the same site. At its unveiling, Mr Downey said the new version had been designed to be "as solid as possible, out of a durable material which cannot be wantonly destroyed". But, as it turns out, it can be chopped off at the ankles and taken away. Local police say they are treating "Melania's" disappearance as "theft" and have launched an investigation. Brad Downey has always insisted that his work was political. He chose Maxi as a collaborator because his upbringing had been similar to that of the First Lady. And he argued that Melania Trump benefitted from a fast-tracked US citizenship process, while other immigrants suffered under her husband's "xenophobic" policies. Now he suspects the statue's disappearance "has something to do with Trump getting re-elected". Meanwhile, in Sevnica, the local authorities have mixed feelings. They condemned "any form of interference with private or public property". But, they added, "the image of the US First Lady was not something anyone was proud of".
