Latest news with #Craig
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Dunedin Airport Art Protest
Remember that its a climate emergency and in 2018 our government committed to halving emissions by 2030 under the terms of the historical Paris Agreement? Tuesday July 22nd 2pm at Dunedin airport Recently I began a small ongoing 'art meets activism project' with my colleague, Craig Hilton, in which a person simply stands in a high profile place with a small A3 sign saying 'It's a Climate Emergency'. This well dressed person (me) stands somewhere quietly with a small A3 sized sign around my neck saying 'It's a Climate Emergency' and any interesting interactions with passersby or the authorities are documented by Craig. He is not obviously part of 'the protest' but just standing somewhere close by in case something happens which is worth documenting. Yesterday we went out to Dunedin airport, which is jointly owned by the Dunedin City Council, who declared a climate emergency in 2019 and the government, who declared one in 2020. You might think someone standing there with a small and uncontroversial sign reminding the airport of its owners stated policy wouldn't provoke much of a reaction at all? Well, you'd be wrong. It only took a couple of minutes before airport security and police turned up and asked us to leave. It should be noted that I approached the information desk as soon as we arrived and introduced myself and said I'd be wandering around a little bit with this sign and they didn't seem to think it would be a problem. Our timing wasn't random – we were there to greet some of the passengers coming off one of Jetstar's three new direct flights a week from the Gold Coast to Dunedin. These new international flights have provoked a price war with Air New Zealand with both companies offering a greater range of discounted international flights. Remember that it's a climate emergency and in 2018 our government committed to halving emissions by 2030 under the terms of the historical Paris Agreement? The man from airport security he made it clear he wanted us to leave immediately. We hadn't interacted with any of the passengers coming off the plane and I doubt they even noticed me but apparently we were both causing 'a problem.' As a long-time climate activist and artist I can't help but notice the increasing disconnect between the reality of the terrifying and ongoing ecological catastrophe which is overwhelming the planet and the head down 'business as usual' approach which is being promoted by this government, as well as much of the mainstream media. As a passionate believer in free speech and the right to protest, I find it surprising that an old man standing quietly at the airport with a small sign can provoke a police response. Many people stand at the airport holding small signs to highlight themselves to arriving passengers for 'legitimate business reasons' and it's obvious that my tiny sign wasn't the problem, it was the words on it. I elected not to leave until I was trespassed and was duly taken round the corner to the police part of the airport and given a formal trespass notice from the airport for two years. As a climate activist I stopped flying on planes many years ago so this was hardly an imposition. To be clear – I am not saying I don't want anyone to ever fly again but I do want people to understand that their holiday choices have real world implications which affect us all. A return flight from Dunedin to the Gold Coast for one person produces roughly 1.3 to 2.6 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. The average New Zealander individually produces around 7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2-e) per year so if two people take a return trip to the Gold Coast then this one return flight will produce up to five tonnes of emissions which is a big whack of someone's annual total and recent climate models (see – 'The Mortality Effects of Carbon' by Daniel Bressler -published in the journal 'Nature Communications' in 2021) predict that just four return flights with around 250 people on board could produce enough emissions to kill someone by heat related causes by the end of the century, not counting all of the fires and floods etc. I would like people to be more aware of their carbon footprints and try to do the best they can to reduce them at a time when people and animals are already dying all over the world from the effects of this ongoing climate emergency. I am not against people making important visits to see their relatives and for other important reasons but I do want people to know the true possible costs of a quick holiday in the sun.
Glasgow Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Former Celtic star ties the knot with TV presenter
Craig Gordon, who was previously goalkeeper for Celtic and now plays for Hearts, married partner Summer Hyland on Thursday, July 17. Sharing a picture of the pair on their big day on Instagram, they wrote: "Mr & Mrs Gordon. 17.07.25. We did it." READ NEXT: Popular Glasgow Rangers pub unveils 'amazing' new feature Fans of the couple flooded their post with well wishes. One person wrote: "Congratulations you guys that's amazing news." Another said: "Massive congratulations." A third person added: "Congratulations guys hope you have many more happy times together." READ NEXT: Chewin' the Fat star will be guest of honour at Glasgow event Summer and Craig have been together since 2017 after they first crossed paths during their time at Celtic. The couple, who have two young sons, became engaged in December 2022. Craig also has two daughters from his previous marriage.
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
2Moreish Dance music group are creating waves with early signs of success with Get Up Stand Up...but who are they?
Craig and Debbz are also known for their many TV and Film appearances including This Morning, Judge Romesh, Chopping Block, Outlander and Christmas in the Highlands and are set to film in new TV comedy Sitcom, All Together Tavern, this October and recently were spotted at the engagement party for GB News Star Nana Akua and businessman Stephen Gillen in London Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Kirk Turnbull has been working with QFX as he flies to the UK for live sets on stage with the Dance legends and is producing the next 2Moreish release Craig and Debbz have reportedly been in and out of the QFX recording studios at Kirk's home in the Czech Republic while writing lyrics and creating everything from scratch alongside Kirk who co-wrote the track with the couple and produced the music. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kirk even said it is going to be a belter, and it looks like it is, heading that way after receiving early reports of success after DJ Pools picked it up and it has been reported as creating huge waves in the dance music and club scene in Europe and the USA alongside Canada, Australia and New Zealand as several top spot DJs have been spinning the new Get Up Stand Up tune. Success is there music making as Craig and Debbz creating the 2Moreish music with co writer and producer QFX star Kirk Turnbull It has even had excellent radio airplay and is set for a July 28 official release date, which includes a radio edit and extended mix The trio were back in the studio recently working on a follow-up to this new music track but nothing has been said except that it's all laid down and was described as 'awesome' by Kirk, Craig and Debbz The couple were recently seen promoting the music track at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh and it drew huge crowds seen dancing and singing to the tune and it is already trending on Tik Tok Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The official music video has just been finalised for the radio edit too as reported on social media There has been discussions for live appearances for 2Moreish but nothing confirmed yet 2Moreish Get Up Stand Up is released on Monday, July 28.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jurors in the James Craig trial can ask witnesses questions. How it works and what they've asked
At the murder trial for James Craig, the Colorado man accused of poisoning and killing his wife, lawyers aren't the only ones asking witnesses questions. Jurors, too, are able to ask witnesses questions about their testimony, thanks to a unique law in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Opening statements in the case were presented in the case on July 15 and the trial is tentatively scheduled to last around three weeks. Craig, a 47-year-old dentist, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, solicitation to commit evidence tampering, and solicitation to commit perjury. Prosecutors say he poisoned his wife, Angela Craig, with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a medication commonly found in eyedrops. They also accuse him of plotting in jail to kill four other people, including the lead detective investigating his wife's death. Colorado's Arapahoe County is one of several jurisdictions across the country where jurors are explicitly allowed to ask questions during a criminal trial. Since Craig's trial began, jurors have asked witnesses at least a dozen questions, written on pieces of paper and then slipped to the judge to read out loud. Here's more about juror questioning – and what jurors are asking witnesses in Craig's trial. A 'growing' practice Jurors being able to ask questions 'isn't a brand-new idea,' according to Nadia Banteka, a professor at Florida State University College of Law. 'Historically, jurors played a more active role in fact-finding during early Anglo-American trials,' she told CNN in an email. 'But as the adversarial system evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries, jury questioning largely disappeared.' Judicial reform efforts 'aimed at improving juror comprehension and trial accuracy' helped revive juror questioning in the 1980s and 1990s, according to Banteka. Today, the practice of allowing jurors ask questions is 'growing, but it's far from universal,' she added. How it works Juror questioning isn't a free-for-all, according to Banteka. Instead, it's a 'highly structured and judge-controlled' process. Typically, jurors are instructed to write down their questions after a witness testifies. Then 'the judge reviews those questions privately, usually with input from the attorneys, to determine whether they comply with the rules of evidence,' she said. If a question is deemed appropriate, the judge reads it aloud anonymously to the witness. And jurors can't just ask anything they want. Their questions must be 'relevant, non-prejudicial, and not call for inadmissible evidence,' Banteka told CNN. 'They also should not suggest bias, challenge the witness's credibility directly, or resemble arguments,' she explained. 'Jurors often are told not to discuss their questions with each other and not to speculate if a question isn't asked,' Banteka said. 'The jurors' role is not to take over the investigation, but to clarify what they feel confused about.' What jurors have asked so far The jurors, a majority of whom are women, have generally stayed engaged and observant throughout the first days of Craig's trial. They appeared particularly focused on the testimonies of Caitlin Romero, the former office manager for Craig's dental practice, who says she saw a foil packet of potassium cyanide delivered to his office; Michelle Redfearn, the wife of Craig's long-time dental practice partner and Angela's friend; as well as Craig's daughters. Rose Spychala, one of the nurses who treated Angela Craig at the hospital on March 15 – when she was hospitalized for the third and final time – demonstrated the equipment used while treating her and testified that James Craig took photos of his wife from the hallway. A juror asked whether she had ever seen other families take photos of a patient while receiving emergency medical care. Spychala said no – she hadn't seen it before. After Romero's testimony, jurors asked her several questions, including about Craig's computer, how packages to the office were usually addressed and whether she had her original text chains with Craig. David Lee, who worked on processing the digital evidence from cell phones belonging to Craig and his wife and a computer and DVR, was asked whether it's possible to tell if data had been altered. He said that it is generally possible, although it depends on many variables. Cassie Rodriquez, a customer service representative for Midland Scientific, where the cyanide order was placed, and Angel Amerine, Craig's onetime dental assistant, were also asked to clarify details about their testimony. Where juror questions are allowed A majority of states permit jurors to ask questions in some form, especially in civil cases, according to Banteka. The specifics vary by jurisdiction. In some states, jurors are allowed to ask questions only in civil trials – and some, only if the judge and parties agree. Colorado is one of three states that explicitly requires judges to allow jurors to ask questions in both civil and criminal trials, according to The Associated Press. At least six states forbid the practice outright. The conflict comes down to different understandings of the role of the jury, according to Banteka. Jurors who can ask questions tend to be 'more engaged and attentive,' according to Banteka. Asking questions can also help clarify confusing testimony and reduce misunderstandings. 'Judges in states where juror questioning is routine report that trials run smoothly and that jurors ask thoughtful, appropriate questions,' she said. Studies have shown jurors often leave the trial feeling more satisfied with their role and more confident in their verdict, she added. And a juror's questions can offer attorneys a 'rare window' into how the jury is thinking. But in other jurisdictions, there's concern that asking questions can undermine the neutrality of the jury. 'A juror who asks a question may start to form theories about the case too early, which can bias their interpretation of later evidence,' Banteka said. 'Critics also argue it blurs the line between advocate and fact-finder, shifting the trial away from the traditional adversarial model,' she said. Another worry is that a juror's questions 'may inadvertently assist the prosecution in meeting its burden of proof.' If the prosecution fails to present needed testimony, a juror's question might fill in the gap. 'Courts have sometimes cited this risk in barring the practice of juror questions, warning that jurors could become 'mini-prosecutors' despite their best intentions,' Banteka explained. Asking questions can also alter the group dynamic amongst jurors. 'A juror who poses multiple questions may come to dominate deliberations, or others may defer to their perceived authority,' Banteka said. 'Ultimately, it's a balancing act between promoting juror understanding and preserving the formal structure of the trial,' she added. Craig's trial is taking place in the same courtroom where James Holmes was tried for opening fire in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. In that trial, jurors were also able to ask questions. Like in the Craig trial, they wrote their questions on paper and passed them to the judge. Jurors asked witnesses more than 100 questions, according to The Associated Press. CNN's Andi Babineau and Eric Levenson contributed to this report. 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The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Irish cycling community ‘devastated' at the death of champion ‘stalwart of road scene' aged 52
THE Irish cycling community is mourning the sudden death of a cycling star, 52, who made eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Craig Sweetman late of Mornington, Co Meath and Skerries in Dublin attended the 'Peter Bidwell' race in Donore last Saturday evening. Advertisement 1 Craig Sweetman has sadly passed away Credit: He was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday. 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. "His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare longterm committment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. "He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. Craig was also 2nd in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. Advertisement Most Read in The Irish Sun He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Bizarre moment Tour de France rider snatches cardboard sign off stunned fan... but had brilliant reason for doing it Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. Advertisement He will lie in repose at his home tomorrow (Wed) evening from 5 – 8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday morning to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
