News
Fire Destroys Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange Dating To 1600s, Collapsing Its Dragon-Tail Spire
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – A fire blazed through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings Tuesday, destroying roughly half of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange and collapsing its famed dragon-tail spire, while bystanders hurried to assist emergency services in saving priceless paintings and other treasures.
During renovations, the blaze started on the building’s roof, but authorities said it was too early to determine the cause. The red-brick structure, with its green copper roof and distinctive 56-meter (184-foot) spire shaped like four interwoven dragon tails, is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of the capital, near Denmark’s parliament, Christiansborg Palace.
Fire Destroys Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange Dating To 1600s, Collapsing Its Dragon-Tail Spire
As fire devoured the spire and drove it plummeting down the scaffolding-covered edifice, bells tolled, and sirens screamed. Huge billows of smoke ascended above downtown Copenhagen, visible from southern Sweden, separated from Denmark’s capital by a thin strait.
“A piece of Danish history is on fire,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Instagram, lamenting the loss of “irreplaceable cultural heritage.”
There were ambulances on the scene, but no reports of injuries.
Firefighters pumped water from a nearby canal and sprayed it into the doorway of the Old Stock Exchange’s gilded hall, which hosts gala dinners, conferences, and other events and displays many paintings.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was “touching” to see how many people came together “to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building.” Soon after the fire broke out, one man rushed off his bicycle to aid, while public members assisted first responders in transporting large items of art to safety.
Among the pieces on show in the building was a massive 1895 painting by Danish artist P.S. Krøyer, “From Copenhagen Stock Exchange.” No information has been revealed on which works of art were saved from the blaze, although camera footage shows the Krøyer painting being removed.
Brian Mikkelsen, chief executive of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which controls the Old Stock Exchange, was spotted with his team going through a binder containing images of artworks that needed to be conserved. Work was done on the adjoining parliament and national archive building. According to Mikkelsen, rescuers used crowbars and other tools to retrieve valuables and save them from the fire.
“We have been able to rescue a lot,” a moved Mikkelsen told reporters. “It is a national disaster.”
According to Jakob Vedsted Andersen, a Greater Copenhagen Fire Department spokeswoman, the fire started on the roof Tuesday morning and swiftly spread, collapsing parts and damaging around half of the building. He said no other structures were in danger, but it could take firemen 24 hours to clear the situation.
Fire Destroys Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange Dating To 1600s, Collapsing Its Dragon-Tail Spire
Tim Ole Simonsen, another fire department spokesman, stated, “The fire started in the part of the building where work has been going on, but that’s all I can say about it.”
René Hansen of the coppersmith firm refurbishing the roof informed TV2 that 10 people were on the roof when the fire alarm sounded.
“After five minutes, smoke began to rise from the floor to the ceiling,” Hansen said.
Tommy Laursen of the Copenhagen police said it was too early to determine what started the fire, but officers would be allowed to access the building in “a few days.”
According to Denmark’s armed services, an army squad of up to 90 members was deployed to seal off the area and “secure valuables.”
King Frederik posted on Instagram that “an important part of our architectural heritage” was being destroyed. He also stated in an email that “this morning we woke up to a sad sight.”
The exchange, built in 1615, is a prime example of Dutch Renaissance design in Denmark. After the Copenhagen Stock Exchange left in 1974, the Chamber of Commerce moved into the building.
The roof, brickwork, sandstone, and spire were all being rebuilt, and Mikkelsen stated that the royal family, government leaders, and other dignitaries would be invited to observe the work later this year.
“That won’t happen now,” he stated.
The structure’s future was unknown, but Engel-Schmidt, the cultural minister, stated on the social media site X that he would do everything he could “so that the dragon spire will once again tower over Copenhagen,” describing it as “a symbol of Denmark’s strong history as a trading nation.”
The adjacent Christiansborg Palace has burned down multiple times, and in 1990, a fire broke out in an annex of the Danish parliament known as Proviantgaarden. However, the Old Stock Exchange remained unaffected.
Fire Destroys Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange Dating To 1600s, Collapsing Its Dragon-Tail Spire
Police closed a prominent route in Copenhagen and notified the public that the area would be roped off for some time. Several bus routes were redirected, and the Danish media reported massive traffic congestion.
Queen Margrethe, who turned 84 on Tuesday, scaled back her celebrations due to the fire, according to broadcaster TV2. A band from the Royal Life Guard was supposed to perform for the former monarch outside Fredensborg Castle, where she is staying for the spring and summer, but it was canceled.
The Copenhagen fire was similar to the one at Notre Dame in April 2019. The 800-year-old cathedral in Paris also lost its spire. Its rehabilitation is scheduled for completion this year. When Windsor Castle in England caught fire in November 1992, troops and workmen rushed to salvage precious works of art. The fire destroyed the state dining room and other areas of Queen Elizabeth II’s vacation palace.
SOURCE – (AP)
News
Trudeau Accused of Sowing Divisions Between Sikhs and Hindus
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Leader, has accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of sowing “divisions” that culminated in the violent altercation between Sikh separatists and Hindu devotees outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario.
Justin Trudeau initiated the question period by condemning Poilievre’s reticence regarding the violence in South Asian communities as “deafening.”
Poilievre refuted the assertion by accusing Trudeau of exploiting the matter to divert attention from domestic economic concerns.
“Consequently, he implements divisions in his residence.” Poilievre stated, “These divisions are the consequence of his actions.”
“Currently, sectarian riots are occurring on the streets of Brampton.” This has never occurred before the tenure of this prime minister. Is he accountable for the divisions he has incited and the ensuing violence?
Trudeau Must Assume Responsibility
Mr. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Leader, requested that the Prime Minister assume responsibility for the divisions and violence in Canada. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Poilievre’s refusal to obtain security clearance to review foreign interference documents.
Trudeau, who has frequently employed a phrase in the question period recently, urged Poilievre to undergo the security clearance procedure to receive a briefing from Canada’s intelligence and security agencies regarding potential threats to the country.
Trudeau’s remarks exacerbate an already precarious police situation, which has the potential to further deteriorate the diplomatic relationship between Canada and India.
Police dispersed a second day of demonstrations outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, on Monday. The temple has been the site of violent clashes that have resulted in arrests and a public safety alert.
During the Indian consular officials’ visit to the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton on Sunday at midday, violence erupted.
Peel Regional Police issued a public safety alert on Monday evening regarding the presence of weapons at a demonstration near a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont. The demonstration had been the site of violent clashes between demonstrators the previous day.
Canada India Tensions
Social media videos depict demonstrators holding banners in support of Pro-Khalistan separatism, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and engaging in physical altercations with other individuals, some of whom are holding India’s national flag.
Later, an off-duty Sergeant of the Peel police in Brampton, Ontario, was identified as one of the pro-Khalistan protesters.
In the interim, the violence prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a rare comment during a period of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
“I unequivocally condemn the intentional destruction of a Hindu temple in Canada.” “The cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats are equally appalling,” he shared on social media.
No amount of violence will ever undermine India’s resolve. We anticipate that the Canadian government will maintain the rule of law and ensure justice.
Last September, Trudeau expressed that there were credible allegations that the Indian government was involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which marked the beginning of the deterioration of relations between the two countries. India has vigorously denied the charge.
News
Police Officer Suspended for Joining Pro-Khalistan Protest
A Brampton, Ontario, police officer was suspended on Monday following the viralization of a video on social media that showed him participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple.
According to CBC News, the suspended Peel Regional Police officer, Harinder Sohi, was videotaped brandishing a Khalistan flag while other participants in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. He was not wearing a police uniform.
Sohi served as a Sergeant for the Peel Regional Police.
In an email to CBC News, Media Relations Officer Richard Chin informed the organization that it is “aware of a video circulating on social media that depicts an off-duty Peel Police officer participating in a demonstration.”
“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act,” according to him.
“We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is complete.”
Peel Regional Police have previously stated that three individuals have been charged in connection with the violence that occurred during the visit of Indian consular officials to the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple on Sunday.
Social media videos appear to depict demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and engaging in a physical altercation with other individuals, some of whom are holding India’s national flag.
The videos appear to depict fist battles and individuals striking each other with poles on the grounds outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.
According to Peel police, the event was ultimately relocated to two additional locations in the neighboring city of Mississauga, where additional demonstrations were also conducted.
Peel police acknowledged the protest on Sunday at noon and announced that they had increased their presence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple to preserve public safety and order.
“We acknowledge the right to peacefully and safely protest; however, we will not tolerate criminal activities or violence,” stated Chief Nishan Duraiappah in response to the videos’ dissemination.
“Those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested, and charged.”
The violence elicited condemnations from Canadian political leaders at all levels of government and also prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a rare comment during a period of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern regarding the “deliberate attack” and requested accountability from the Canadian government, which Justin Trudeau heads. He anticipated that the government would uphold the rule of law and ensure justice.
PM Modi expressed his strong condemnation of the deliberately targeted assault on a Hindu temple in Canada in a post on X. The contemptible endeavors to intimidate our diplomats are equally repulsive. No amount of violence will ever be able to undermine India’s resolve.
In the interim, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its “profound concern” regarding the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, and it anticipates that those who engage in violence will be prosecuted.
The Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, was the site of violent acts committed by separatists and extremists yesterday. We condemn these actions. “We urge the Canadian government to guarantee that all places of worship are safeguarded from such attacks,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the MEA.
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India Slams Trudeau Over Pro-Khalistani Sikhs Attack
India Slams Trudeau Over Pro-Khalistani Sikhs Attacking Canadian Hindus
News
Pro-Khalistanis Sikhs Attack Hindu Temple in Brampton
Police in Brampton, Ontario, were summoned to the Hindu Temple after a group of pro-Khalistanis Sikhs attacked Hindu worshipers on Sunday. According to the Hindu Canadian Foundation, supporters of the Khalistaani movement in Canada helped to carry out the “attack.”
Following its posting on X, a video of the attack with demonstrators brandishing Khalistan flags at the Hindu Temple’s front entrance quickly became viral, inciting indignation among the Hindu community in Canada and India.
Chandra Arya, a Liberal MP from Canada, denounced the violence and claimed that under the country’s “freedom of expression,” extremists are getting away with it.
According to Arya, he began to think there might be some truth to the claims that Khalistanis have successfully infiltrated Canada’s law enforcement forces and political machinery.
Today, Canadian Khalistani fanatics have crossed a line. The attack by Khalistanis on Hindu-Canadian worshipers within the Hindu Sabha temple’s grounds demonstrates the extent and blatantness of Khalistani violent extremism in Canada.
In a post on X, he stated, “I start to believe that there is a sliver of truth in the reports that Khalistanis have successfully infiltrated not only our political apparatus but also our law enforcement agencies.”
It is understandable why Khalistani fanatics are receiving a free pass in Canada under the guise of “freedom of expression.” As I’ve been saying for a while, Hindu Canadians must stand up, defend their rights, and hold politicians responsible for the safety and security of our community,” he continued.
Peel Regional Police said they were aware of the demonstration in the city’s northeast and are investigating the situation.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states, “We respect the individual right to protest, but it is still our duty and responsibility to maintain public order and ensure everyone’s safety. ” Therefore, we request the public’s help participating in and supporting a nonviolent and legal protest.
Peel police warned that any acts of violence, threats of violence, or vandalism would be looked into and said they would be more visible and present to keep an eye on the situation.
Taking his X account, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also conveyed his dissatisfaction after learning of the “acts of violence” outside the Hindu Sabha.
“In Canada, religious freedom is a fundamental virtue. In their house of worship, everyone ought to feel secure. Brown stated in his letter that he is “completely confident that Peel police will do everything in their authority to keep the peace and hold those accountable who commit acts of violence.” “I strongly condemn any acts of violence outside of a place of worship,” Brown added.
“The violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton was unacceptable,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also posted on X.
Every Canadian has the right to freely and securely follow their religion. “Swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident” was how he praised the cops.
As Ottawa frequently rejected New Delhi’s demands for tough measures against Khalistani radicals in Canada, the incident took place during a time of poor relations between India and Canada. Instead, it sparked a huge diplomatic dispute by accusing India of targeting Khalistani people inside its borders.
India Accuses Trudeau of Harboring Pro-Khalistanis Criminals
India Accuses Trudeau of Harboring Pro-Khalistan Criminals in Canada
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