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Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
City of Ottawa to raise U.S. flag to celebrate Independence Day despite trade tensions
The City of Ottawa will fly the U.S. flag on July 4th to celebrate Independence Day, a decision that is drawing mixed feelings from the city's residents. Article content Since Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, the U.S. president launched a tariff war with Canada and repeatedly expressed a desire to turn it into the '51st state.' Article content Article content 'No Tyrants, No Kings' rallies have shaken up Ottawa's downtown scene, with many protestors occupying the streets in front of the U.S. Embassy near ByWard Market. Article content Article content Despite the public's response, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said that the City will fly the Star-Spangled Banner on Marion Dewar Plaza, as it does every year. This follows the city's flag protocol, which states that the flag of every country Canada has diplomatic relations with will be raised on their national holiday. Article content Article content Sutcliffe says the U.S. Independence Day is another opportunity to highlight the long, shared history between the two nations and the 'deep, lasting friendship'. Article content 'Now, more than ever, we should focus on building relationships and working together,' he said in a statement to the Citizen. Article content Nancy Wasserman, who holds Canadian and American dual citizenship, says July 4th represents the 'revolutionary spirit of the U.S. founders.' She says there is more to the flag than the Trump administration. Article content 'The fact is the American flag belongs to all Americans, not just the ones who are currently running the government,' she said. Article content Article content Wasserman is one of the founders of Indivisible Ottawa, a group advocating for Canada's sovereignty and people targeted by the U.S. administration. She says many Americans who live in Ottawa oppose the current policies and actions of the Trump administration but still believe in 'the promise' of what the flag represents. Article content 'Independence, no authoritarianism and what the Constitution says and stands for,' she said. 'It's important for all of us to remember that we can be opposed to a government but that doesn't mean we're vehemently opposed to the flag.' Article content Elliot Tepper, a Carleton University professor of international relations, says continuity between countries is important, even during times of tension. Article content 'It would be a startling change if the city broke its long-standing tradition in this period,' he said. Article content Tepper says he wouldn't be surprised if Canadians felt alienated or disagreed with the city's decision to move forward with the flag raising. He noted that the 'rupture of trust' occurred over and over again with Trump's behaviour, including threatening Canadian sovereignty. Article content 'No one will trust the U.S. government again, particularly in Canada, but our ties with the U.S. run much deeper than government-to-government relations,' Tepper said. Article content He also notes that Canada is entering a 'new era' with fewer internal trade barriers to reduce reliance on the U.S. for trade stability and predictability in the economy.


Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Spirit Airlines is celebrating July 4th with flights as low as $49 to iconic U.S. destinations
This Independence Day, Spirit Airlines is celebrating American history and affordable travel with a five-day flash sale that includes fares as low as $49 one way to iconic destinations around the country. From now through July 5, you can book a budget-friendly summer getaway to some of America's most historic and vibrant cities like Philadelphia, Boston and Washington D.C. The travel window runs from July 22 to September 13, 2025, with flights available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only (blackout dates run from August 27–September 2, over Labor Day weekend). That's a pretty sweet window for low-cost summer travel. "This July Fourth, we're helping travelers declare independence from high fares with our special five-day offer," said Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines. "Guests looking for a fun summer vacation can take advantage of our high-value travel options to explore some of our country's most notable historic destinations." Spirit's low fares can take you to Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Snap a selfie with the Liberty Bell then eat your way through Reading Terminal Market. Or head to Boston, where you can walk the Freedom Trail and dive into the history of the American Revolution. Then dig into some chowder and soak up the New England charm. Find low fares to Washington, D.C. where you can explore the National Mall, tour Smithsonian museums and check out the Star-Spangled Banner's birthplace. Fly to Charleston where you can walk cobblestone streets, visit antebellum mansions and soak up Southern charm in one of the nation's most photogenic cities. And for a dose of culture, head to the cradle of jazz. New Orleans delivers history, culture, food and nightlife like nowhere else.


Irish Daily Star
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
Hannah Hidalgo has night to forget as Olivia Miles reminds Notre Dame what it's lost
Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo had a rough night while former Fighting Irish star Olivia Miles shined as Team USA made it two wins from two games at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup on Sunday. The U.S. cruised to an 80-43 victory over Colombia in Chile, strengthening their position atop Group B after a blowout victory over the tournament hosts on Saturday. The youthful American team, comprised of college talents, has proved a class above much more experienced opposition so far, with group games against Puerto Rico and Mexico still to come. However, it was a rough night for Notre Dame point guard Hidalgo individually. The junior put up just two points, one rebound and four assists in 16 minutes, going 1 of 10 from the floor. It followed a 14-point performance against Chile in the tournament opener. Read More Related Articles Jake Paul national anthem singers perform powerful political gesture during 'Star-Spangled Banner' Read More Related Articles Mike Tyson makes desperate plea to Donald Trump after Joe Biden broken promises The 20-year-old was outshone against Colombia by former college teammate Miles, who has transferred to TCU after four seasons with the Irish. The senior was much more efficient in her 20 minutes on the court, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, going 4 of 7 from the floor en route to a commanding victory in Santiago. Mikayla Blakes led the U.S. in scoring with 15 points, while Joyce Edwards impressed from the bench with 13 points and nine rebounds. The minutes were shared across the rotation with the Americans in complete command for the vast majority of the game, and Miles said there was plenty to like about the performance. Miles and Hidalgo were teammates at Notre Dame 'We're sharing the ball really well,' she said. 'A great asset of our team is we have great bigs who run the floor, so that was really impressive tonight.' 'We played really well, very cohesively. We're getting chemistry each game. Just really excited to be out here with these girls, you can't take a minute for granted, as coach was telling us in the game.' Team USA head coach Kara Lawson was particularly impressed by her team's play in the first quarter, producing a 12-0 run at the end of the period to lead 25-10 and set the wheels in motion for a comfortable victory. 'I thought the first quarter was our best quarter,' she said. 'I thought we started with great purpose and great intensity. You know, that group got us off to a really good start on both ends.' Team USA returns to action on Monday against Puerto Rico, which edged past Colombia 68-65 in its only game of the tournament so far. The Americans' final group game follows on Wednesday against Mexico, who beat Chile 76-59 to make a winning start to the championship. In Group A, Canada leads the way with two wins from two games. Both Brazil and the Dominican Republic have won their only games so far. The top four teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals, which begin on Friday.


USA Today
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
¿Por qué Nezza cantó el himno nacional en español en el juego de los Dodgers? 'necesitaba hacerlo'
The feels are real when a student choir sings the Star Spangled Banner 3,000 students gathered to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville during the Kentucky Music Educators Conference.


The Hill
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hill
Singer performs US national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium: ‘Felt like I needed to'
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Singer and social media personality Nezza performed the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, despite being told beforehand she was expected to sing it in English. 'So we are going to do it in English today. I'm not sure if that was relayed,' an official can be heard saying in a video Nezza posted on social media. Instead, she chose to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in Spanish — a version originally commissioned in 1945. In a video posted to TikTok, Nezza shared an emotional explanation: 'I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente,' she said. 'Safe to say I'm never allowed in that stadium ever again.' The performance came during heightened tension in Los Angeles surrounding recent ICE activity, with some residents urging high-profile organizations, like the Dodgers, to speak out — and others urging them to stay silent. 'I don't feel like they should [speak out],' fan Yvonne Esquivel told Nexstar's KTLA. 'Keep sports sports. And when it's a community-action type of response, then let the community speak.' 'You know, you have differences on both sides, and I think [the Dodgers] should remain neutral,' said another fan, Walter Jones. 'Everybody has an opinion, and I think personally, when it comes to sports, it's sports.' Others disagree. 'We are really disappointed that the Dodgers, given their influence in the city and their importance to the culture, haven't said anything publicly about the horrors that people are going through,' said Mike Hurst, a longtime fan. The team has not released an official statement regarding the protests or ICE raids, but did clarify that fan misconduct will not be tolerated. During a recent game, a spectator was removed from the stands for holding an anti-ICE sign, prompting both boos and cheers from the crowd. Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández addressed the issue on social media, writing: 'This is my second home, and I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.' Manager Dave Roberts, when asked by the Los Angeles Times, said: 'I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.'