‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’ French politician tells U.S.
Global News
The statue, gifted to the U.S. on the 100th anniversary of its independence, has long been a defining feature of the New York City skyline and an emblem of the free world.
A French politician says the United States should return New York City’s iconic Statue of Liberty, which was gifted by France 138 years ago.
The statue, which was given to the U.S. on the 100th anniversary of its independence, has long been a defining feature of the New York City skyline and an emblem of the free world.
At a party convention for the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Raphael Glucksmann, a member of European Parliament, told his colleagues that America should return the gift as the country no longer embodies or protects the values of democracy and freedom.
“We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom, give us back the Statue of Liberty,” he said, according to media reports.
“We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.”
His comments come amid a flurry of protests against the Trump administration both domestically and from the international community.
In Canada, American flags flown outside government buildings, schools and sports arenas are being taken down.
Over the weekend, flags flying in Mississauga, Ont., were removed following Mayor Carolyn Parrish’s approval.
Citing "a more contested environment", British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin said the exercises would begin in September.
Only one in four (23 per cent) Canadians approve while, 16 per cent are unsure either way. Forty-two per cent were found to strongly disapprove.
Countries around the world are grappling with skyrocketing costs for key commodities like oil and fertilizer as the war with Iran continues to upend global trade.
The U.S. Central Command said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.
Water treatment centres in the Persian Gulf region are under threat amid the Iran war, with desalination plants in areas like Bahrain taking damage from strikes.
John Gradek said that the price of jet fuel is up about 30 per cent and the cost of fuel represents about 30 per cent of an airline's operating costs.
Iran's unrelenting attacks on shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf pushed oil back above $100 a barrel on Thursday.
Concerns were raised in a document sent to British Prime Minster Keir Starmer in December 2024 when he was considering appointing Peter Mandelson.
Canada and a group of dozens of other countries have agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves as the Iran war threatens the global supply.
Iran's military command said on Wednesday the world should be prepared for oil to hit US$200 a barrel, as three more ships came under attack in the blockaded Gulf.
Iran launched new attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab countries, while Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran and Lebanon, where it is battling Hezbollah militants.
The department said it is also seeing fewer Canadians take government-assisted travel options as flights gradually resume in certain parts of the region.
The war has sent oil prices surging, upending global travel, pushing airline tickets on some routes sky-high, and sparking fears of a deep travel slump.