Latest news with #commemoration
South China Morning Post
18 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
‘Hong Kong will take action against illegal acts,' John Lee says ahead of June 4
Hong Kong authorities will take action against anyone who threatens national security, the chief executive has warned, as the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown approaches. Asked about the legality of commemorating June 4 by lighting candles or wearing clothing with related slogans in Causeway Bay, where annual vigils had been held for decades, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said all activities must comply with the law. 'Any activity on any day must comply with legal requirements. No one should violate the law,' Lee said on Tuesday, a day ahead of the anniversary, without mentioning the historical incident. 'Therefore, enforcement agencies will take resolute and stringent action against illegal acts, in accordance with the law.' Chief Executive John Lee reiterates that acts threatening national security are serious crimes. Photo: Elson Li Lee was the first official to comment on the government's stance on commemorative activities in 2025, a year after the city's domestic national security law – known as Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city's mini constitution – went into effect.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Books about June 4 Tiananmen Square crackdown grow scarce in Hong Kong
Books about the Tiananmen Square crackdown have become increasingly scarce in Hong Kong's independent bookstores, with sellers citing widespread self-censorship fuelled by legal uncertainties surrounding the sale of politically sensitive titles under the national security laws. The disappearance of the books and the loss of the annual June 4 candlelight vigil in Victoria Park, combined with the city's changed political environment, had contributed to turning commemoration into a private experience, rather than a publicly shared one, observers said. Ultimately, this shift would alter how memories about the event were passed down by generations, one professor of communications said. As Wednesday's 36th anniversary of the crackdown approaches, the Post reviewed the archives of public libraries and university libraries and surveyed bookshops to assess the availability of books in Chinese or English on the topic. Public libraries used to house 149 titles, totalling 1,162 copies about the event, according to a list released by the Home Affairs Bureau in 2009 in response to a lawmaker's request. None of the titles are available on the public library's online catalogue, according to a recent search. In a reply to the Post, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said public libraries reviewed and withdrew materials to ensure 'their compliance with the laws of Hong Kong'.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
John Lennon's Scots holiday home won't have a plaque to say so after plans dropped
His worldwide fame as one of The Beatles means every town and city craves a connection to his legacy. However, plans to mark the Edinburgh home where John Lennon spent his childhood holidays have collapsed following a bitter fall out among officials. As a schoolboy Lennon regularly spent part of the summer holidays with his aunt and uncle at the two-storey property in the capital's upmarket Murrayfield area. He penned the Fab Four's song Rain while staying at the house and also returned to visit at the height of Beatlemania. To mark the connection, a commemorative sign was proposed by Pete Gregson of the Murrayfield Community Council (MCC), which initially backed the project in 2023. Just weeks later Mr Gregson was asked to resign by fellow councillors after they took exception to comments they claimed he wrote online about the 'situation in Gaza'. Minutes from subsequent meetings show the issue was resolved, with Mr Gregson continuing to be on the community council until choosing to leave this year. However, in the wake of his departure, the plaque proposal has now been officially dropped. MCC secretary Hamish Ross said: 'A new Community Council was formed following the 2025 election cycle. 'Local plaques are not on the agenda at the moment and the leading light behind this particular one stood down at the elections.' Lennon's aunt Elizabeth – known to her family as 'Mater' – was the sister of his mother Julia, and lived at 15 Ormidale Terrace with her son Stan Parkes and her second husband Robert Sutherland. The proposed wording on the plaque read: 'John Lennon visited Ormidale Terrace regularly until the age of 17 in 1957 to visit his aunt and cousin; he often performed for the family on his aunt's piano. 'The cupboard under the stairs was where he penned The Beatles ' song Rain, the 1966 B-side to Paperback Writer. His long summers here ranked among his happiest childhood memories, describing Edinburgh as one of his favourite cities, enjoying the Festival, the Tattoo and the rugby at Murrayfield. 'He even brought Yoko Ono here in 1969.' Marlene Wood, 62, the current owner of the £1 million townhouse, said some people liked the idea of the plaque 'but others definitely opposed it'. She said: 'We already get people ringing the doorbell to ask for a look around. 'I think some neighbours were worried the street would become a tourist attraction. The taxi drivers know the house, so I see them slowing down and people staring out.' In a letter written in 1978 to his cousin Stan, two years before Lennon was murdered outside his New York apartment, he expressed his regret at the house being sold by the family. He wrote: 'I would have bought 15 Ormidale. Wish, wish, wish.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Grand Valley commemorates deadly tornado 40 years later
Damage from the tornado in Grand Valley, Ont., on Fri., May 31, 1985. The community in Grand Valley, Ont. is holding an afternoon of commemoration on Saturday for the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Grand Valley Tornado. On May 31st of that year, a series of tornadoes ripped through the farmlands that surround the Greater Toronto Area, including in the counties of Bruce, Dufferin, and Simcoe. Grand Valley was among the communities that encountered an EF4-level tornado. At around 4:15 p.m., nearly 400 kilometre-an-hour winds ravaged through the town, resulting in two local deaths and widespread damage. On Saturday, the town scheduled a full afternoon of formalities to commemorate the events of that tragic day, including a processional along Main Street, guest speakers, emergency management displays, and the sharing of historical footage. The two Grand Valley deaths were among the 12 lives in total that were lost that day. Eight of the deaths were in Barrie, which included four children, and the two other deaths were in Tottenham. More than 150 were injured in total. The structural destruction in Grand Valley totalled 65 homes, five barns, three churches and two commercial buildings, as well as the town's library and town hall. Environment Canada later confirmed that the series of tornadoes amounted to 14, making it one of the worst tornado disasters in Canadian history. With files from CTV's Kim Phillips.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Northampton marks fire anniversary on Oak Apple Day
A programme marking 350 years since a major fire has begun with commemorations held on Oak Apple launch on Thursday signals the start of five months of exhibitions, performances, and parades to remember the Great Fire of Northampton in start of events coincides with Oak Apple Day – a national day honouring the generosity of King Charles II who played a key role in rebuilding efforts of All Saints Church, one of the buildings damaged by the blaze. Jane Birch, Mayor of Northampton, said: "This is a very special occasion. [The regeneration after the fire] was an awakening of a new town and I hope it's like what we're doing here in the Market Square and Abington Street." The fire, believed to have started from sparks from an open fire at a home in St Mary's Street, quickly spread, and residents sought refuge in the Market efforts to control it, prominent buildings including All Hallows Church - now All Saints Church - were a community effort, the town raised £25,000 to fund reconstruction. Today, commemorations include a civic parade and thanksgiving service at All Saints' Church, which was rebuilt using more than 1,000 tonnes of timber gifted by the 17th Century monarch.A wreath of oak leaves was laid at the foot of Charles II's statue by the mayor following the Mullen, operations manager at Northampton Business Improvement District, added: "It's been a phenomenal day… and it gives us the opportunity to kickstart a series of events and activities from now until 20 September." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
