Latest news with #Graham
The Journal
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness?': US ambassador to Israel slams Occupied Territories Bill
THE US AMBASSADOR to Israel has told the Irish government to 'sober up' and asked if drafting a bill to ban trade in goods with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine was an 'act of diplomatic intoxication'. Ambassador Mike Huckabee is one of a number of US politicians who has levelled criticism at Ireland for progressing the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of importation of Goods) Bill. Republican senator Lindsey Graham and Republican congressman Pete Stauber have also taken to social media in the last 24 hours to express their opposition to the bill. 'I hope that Ireland will reconsider their efforts to economically isolate Israel, as they are in a fight for their very existence,' wrote Graham in a post on X. He added that he does not believe it would be 'well received' in the US and that it 'certainly would not go unnoticed'. Stauber said Ireland was 'making a serious mistake' and described banning good from Israeli businesses operating in Palestine as 'antisemitic' and something that would have 'serious ramifications for American businesses'. 'Ireland must reconsider,' he said on X. Graham and Stauber both shared an opinion piece published by The Hill , in which its authors outlined potential legal risks for US companies arising from the bill. The opinion piece also failed to mention the reason why the bill was drafted and did not reference Palestine or the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice that ruled Israel's occupation and settlements illegal. Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication? It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland! Call @IsraelMFA & say you're sorry! — Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) July 16, 2025 Huckabee took a different approach in his criticism. 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness & propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication?' he asked in a post on X. 'It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up Ireland!' he said, telling the government to call the Israeli foreign affairs ministry and 'say you're sorry!' Advertisement A major pro-Israel organisation, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), has also weighed in on the topic, saying it was 'deeply concerned' by the proposed legislation. 'The bill singles out Israel and will only fuel already rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism in Ireland. We continue to stand with the Irish Jewish community,' it said on X. We're deeply concerned by proposed legislation in Ireland that would boycott Israeli goods, products and materials from the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem. The bill singles out Israel and will only fuel already rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism in Ireland. We continue to… — ADL (@ADL) July 16, 2025 Accusations of antisemitism from pro-Israel politicians, Israeli government officials and partisan interest groups have been levelled at the Irish government throughout Israel's war on the Gaza Strip in Palestine, where more than 58,000 people have been killed since October 2023. After Ireland intervened in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where Israel faces accusation of committing genocide in Gaza, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin. The closure also followed Ireland's recognition of the State of Palestine. The bill to ban the importation of goods from illegal Israeli settlements has existed in some form since 2018, but now that it has entered the pre-legislative process, it has attracted international attention, both positive and negative. The government's bill has replaced the Occupied Territories Bill first drafted by senator Frances Black. At an Oireachtas committee hearing yesterday , former justice minister Alan Shatter compared it to legislation passed by Nazi Germany. At the same hearing, Irish-Palestinian woman Fatin Al Tamimi, who is vice-chairwoman of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said that passing the bill would give Palestinians hope. 'When Ireland starts, everybody will follow on because it's a legal obligation, it's a moral obligation for all countries, including Ireland. 'It is important for Ireland to start, and then everybody will follow.' Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Euro 2025: Quarter-final previews
With the group stages done and dusted, half of the nations that started Euro 2025 still hold out hope of going all the way. The quarter-finals, which will all be live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player between now and Saturday, kick off tonight with Norway and Italy's meeting in Geneva, before the favourites England, Spain and France are in action over the coming days. On this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Shelbourne midfielder and former Republic of Ireland international Rachel Graham cast an eye ahead to each of the last-eight fixtures, the majority of which appear finely poised on paper. A Norway team full of talented individuals may have a 100% record at the tournament so far but their performances against Switzerland, Finland and Iceland weren't always convincing, which could open the door for Italy, who have not advanced from the group stage at a Euros in the two previous editions. "They should have won all those games handy enough but they didn't," Graham said of a Norwegian side containing the likes of former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. "I think Italy have shown good defensive qualities. It's going to be a really tough game for them. It will be their first knockout stage game since 2013, so it's kind of new territory for them. "The momentum is maybe with Norway, they're off the back of three wins, but I just think Italy are probably flying high on confidence, getting out of the group first of all and how they've performed in their games and putting it up to Spain is a big achievement." Graham expects Italy to sit back, soak up pressure and try to hit Norway on the counter-attack with the prize at stake being a semi-final against either Sweden or England. Reigning European champions England have bounced back strongly since their opening defeat to fellow contenders France. But Sweden also have the wind in their sails after winning three from three in their group, capped by an impressive dismantling of Germany. "I think you would read into it," said Graham of that latter result, pointing to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd as one who's been very impressive in the Swedish ranks. "I think Germany are a top team so if they're scoring four goals against them, you need to read into it. It's not luck. "They look really good when they're counter-attacking, they're really fast going forward and England do (have) Lucy Bronze who will go forward, so that could be space where they might look to get in behind. "(Alex) Greenwood is playing left-back, who is more naturally a centre-back so that could also be somewhere they target. "So I definitely would read into (the Germany result). I know it was ten players but still to get four goals against Germany is definitely something you would be worried about if you're playing them next." And while England will be slight favourites, Graham expects it to be close run. "I think it's going to be a really tight one. The last couple of games, they played have been draws," she said. "They played each other in the semi-finals of the last Euros which England won 4-0 which I would say is still in the back of the minds of the Swedish players and there's still probably a bit of hurt left from that because that's a big defeat. "So I think it's going to be a really tough game for both teams. England are maybe the favourites going in but I don't think it's going to be a 4-0 game, I think it'll be one goal that decides it." Host nation Switzerland left it late to emerge from their group and passage to the knockout stages will be deemed as a success, according to Graham. But this is where the journey is expected to end against the World Cup holders Spain who have already scored 14 goals at the tournament. "I think their previous meetings, they're not going to be anything to be too hopeful for," Graham said of this quarter-final match-up. "For Switzerland, they've (lost) 5-1, 5-0 and 7-1 in their last three games against each other, obviously in Spain's favour. "Spain have won games comfortably. They've scored so many goals, buckets of goals, so I think for Switzerland it's going to be a case of just try and keep the score down as best they can." However, the Spanish have shown some defensive vulnerabilities, failing to keep clean sheets against Belgium and Italy. "Spain have shown some weaknesses. They do commit their back line very high and leave space in behind," Graham said. "Possibly you might catch them out or even set pieces you might catch them out but I think it will take something from the gods coming down if Switzerland want to beat Spain with the form that they're in." A mouth-watering semi-final awaits for Spain - provided France get past Germany of course. The Germans, the powerhouse of European football once upon a time, have fallen off their pedestal to a degree, compounded by a 4-1 loss against Sweden last time out. And for a side who have lost their captain Guilia Gwinn to injury and have stand-in right-back Carlotta Wamser suspended after her red card against the Swedes, the task does not get any easier against a French side that topped the proverbial group of death by beating England, the Netherlands and Wales. "(Germany) have probably been the most underwhelming team," said Graham. "They haven't had the best of luck but even still, they haven't wowed anyone like the other teams have. A couple of good wins, got out of the group but nothing that you'd be thinking that they're going to go and challenge Spain or challenge France. "So the most underwhelming team I would say so far and then to play France, who have been one of the best teams, I don't really see past France."
AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Men jailed for felling Britain's iconic 'Sycamore Gap' tree, Lifestyle News
LONDON — Two men were each jailed for over four years on Tuesday (July 15) for cutting down Britain's 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a much-loved and well-known global landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie. The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historic Hadrian's Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty last month of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down with a chainsaw. They filmed what prosecutors described as a "moronic mission" on Graham's mobile phone and later bragged about it, before the pair's friendship descended into acrimony as the widespread anger at their actions became clear. Both had denied any involvement in the felling of the tree, which featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and also damaged part of Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago and now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Graham and Carruthers did, however, accept their responsibility when speaking to probation officers, their lawyers said. Carruthers' lawyer Andrew Gurney described it as "drunken stupidity". Sentencing them to four years and three months in prison, Judge Christina Lambert told the men they had cut down the tree out of "sheer bravado". The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity which looks after the site, said last August there were signs of life at the base of the tree, giving hope it might live on. Last week, the Northumberland National Park said the largest part of the tree would go on display in an installation located not far from where it once stood. [[nid:720133]]
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Graham's rowing team goes the distance, sets new Arctic Ocean speed record
They've done it! Jimmy Graham's four-person rowing team set a world record by rowing more than 584 nautical miles across the Arctic Ocean. The former New Orleans Saints tight end fought through the wind and rain along with Andrew Tropp, Hannah Huppi and John Huppi to become the first all-American team to make this voyage on "the Arctic Challenge." They set off on July 4 from Tromsø and reached Longyearbyen on July 14, ultimately spending 10 days on the Norwegian seas. And their efforts shattered the record set in 2023 by Ocean Revival, whose four-person team made the trip in a little over 15 days. Graham's team partnered with the Million Meters Club to raise funds from supporters to benefit the Covenant House New Orleans and Laureus Sport for Good New Orleans, two youth charities based out of Louisiana. Supporters interested in donating can find more information here. It's an impressive feat. Graham's team spent a year and a half preparing for this challenge and overcame inclement weather with a disciplined approach, rowing in two-hour shifts with brief opportunities to rest on the choppy polar ocean. As for what's next? Graham has talked before about sailing around the world or getting more mileage out of his piloting license, but we're guessing he'll enjoy some time on dry land before planning his next adventure.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From bragging posts to iconic vid – the damning evidence that led to arrest of idiots who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE two idiots who felled the historic Sycamore Gap tree have finally been jailed for their shocking crime. Now, we reveal the damning evidence that led to their conviction, from bragging posts to a shocking video of the chopping. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 The two men who chopped down the Sycamore Gap tree have finally been jailed Credit: EPA 10 The historic tree had stood by Hadrian's Wall for more than a century before it was felled in September 2023 Credit: AFP 10 Video footage extracted from one of the criminals' phones shows how Carruthers cut down the tree using a chain saw late at night Credit: PA Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were jailed on Tuesday for four years and three months each. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, who investigated the felling, said he knew he'd solved the crime when he saw the tree's "fantastically famous outline" on one of the perpetrator's phones. He revealed that officers were "tipped off" about Graham and Carruthers' involvement a few weeks after the shocking felling of the historic tree in September 2023. The tip-off stated that the pair of ground workers were responsible for chopping the tree down, even keeping a piece of the wood as a trophy. This led to the arrest of both men and seizing of their phones. Speaking to the Daily Mail, DI Meikle said a video recovered from Graham's device was incredibly dark, with details almost impossible to see. However, after sending it to be digitally enhanced, investigators discovered they had found evidence of the tree being destroyed. Gasps could be heard at Newcastle Crown Court as the now iconic grainy black and white video - accompanied by the sound of a revving chainsaw and cracking wood - was shown for the first time. DI Meikle said: "I'm always impressed with what our digital forensic units are able to achieve. "But, as you have seen from the video, as the person filming moves back, it shows us that fantastically famous outline (which) was undoubtedly the Sycamore Gap tree. Men who cut down iconic Sycamore Gap tree sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in jail "I was very pleased to have that evidence." Graham's phone also housed multiple other pieces of damning evidence, including photographs of a wedge of the tree trunk taken by the criminal as well as that of a chainsaw in the boot of his Range Rover. The pair of idiots not only chopped down the history tree but also damaged Hadrian's Wall during their "moronic mission". In just two minutes and 41 seconds, the two men chopped down the tree, which had stood next to the historic wall for more than a century. At their trial, the court heard how the pair had only recently admitted to responsibility for the felling in interviews with the Probation Service. They accepted they drove 30 miles through a storm to chop down the iconic landmark in the early hours of September 28, 2023. 10 Pictures recovered from Graham's phone show a piece of the iconic tree, and the chainsaw used for the shocking act, in the back of his vehicle Credit: PA 10 DI Meikle said he knew he'd solved the crime when he saw the tree's 'fantastically famous outline' on Graham's phone footage Credit: PA 10 The pair of idiots had travelled from Carlisle overnight to commit the shocking act of vandalism Credit: PA Mrs Justice Christina Lambert said: "I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone." As they fled the scene, Carruthers forwarded the sick video to his partner. The wedge of the iconic tree - which was photographed in their vehicle - has never been found. Following their shocking crime, and as news broke of the vandalism, the pair shared social media posts about the tree, with Graham saying to Carruthers "here we go," as they "revelled" in reports of the crime. Although prosecutors said the friends had chopped the famous tree down for "a bit of a laugh," and suggested Carruthers was so obsessed with the Sycamore Gap that he wanted the wedge as a special souvenir for his newborn daughter, neither has offered any proper explanation for why they did what they did. This week, Carruthers claimed he had drunk a bottle of whisky and could barely remember chopping down the tree - although the judge said this was implausible due to the skill and coordination of the crime. Andrew Gurney, representing Carruthers, said he had made the admissions in a pre-sentence report. 10 Judge Mrs Justice Lambert delivered the sentencing of both criminals this week Credit: PA 10 Daniel Graham, 39, has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree 10 Adam Carruthers, 32 - who chopped the tree down with a chainsaw - has also been jailed for the same time He said: "He does wish to cleanse his conscience of what he has done. People want to know 'Why? Why did you conduct this mindless act?' "Unfortunately, it is no more than drunken stupidity. He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life. "There's no better explanation than that.' Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, said there had been a 'high degree of planning and premeditation'. He said: "This was an expedition which required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for about 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment for about 20 minutes' walk in each direction. 'The felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way.' On the other side, Graham continued to blame his accomplice, insisting cutting the tree down had been Carruthers' "dream" and "his show" which he simply went along with. The criminal also claimed he was "shocked" that Carruthers had followed through with his plan.
