Latest news with #Bowley
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
A vast algal bloom is devasting parts of South Australia's seafood industry.
In South Australia, where the algal bloom remained resident for weeks to months, tonnes of seagrass has washed ashore, mostly out of season. – In April 2025, Mr Steve Bowley, an oyster farmer in a small fishing town in southern Australia, noticed that the waters around his oyster farm, which are typically pristine, had turned dirty brown. He knew immediately what the problem was. A massive bloom of algae – it now covers 4,500 sq km, about six times the size of Singapore – had been spreading along the coast of South Australia state, and finally arrived in his home town of Stansbury. Shortly after, state authorities advised Mr Bowley, whose Pacific Estate Oysters farm has more than 1.5 million oysters, that he could not sell his produce due to fears they could contain toxins. Mr Bowley, 68, who is unable to sell his oysters for 82 days from July 25, told The Straits Times that he is considering giving up oyster farming and is looking for another job. 'It will be months before we open again – I am virtually bankrupt,' he said from Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula. The town is directly opposite Adelaide across the St Vincent Gulf. 'The sea here is sick. There is nothing alive under the water. It will take years to recover,' added the oyster farmer of 19 years. The spread of the algal bloom along the southern coast of Australia has not just ruined businesses such as Mr Bowley's, it is also affecting more than 450 species of marine life and threatening the region's exports of high-quality seafood. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care So far, the algae are believed to have killed more than 14,000 animals off the coast of South Australia, including fish, dolphins, eels, sharks, rays and crabs. At beaches across the state, fish, octopuses and other marine life have washed ashore, while damage to seagrass and reefs poses a long-term threat to marine ecosystems. Mr Kyri Toumazos, deputy chairman of Seafood Industry Australia, which represents the nation's seafood trade, told ST that it is too early to assess the impact of the algal bloom on South Australia's seafood exports. This is especially as some fisheries, such as those for prawns, are seasonal and have not begun fully operating. He said southern bluefin tuna and rock lobster supplies were largely unaffected, but molluscs and crabs were hit hard. 'It is early days yet to see the full impact on exports,' he added. 'Different regions are affected to varying degrees.' South Australia produced about 72,900 tonnes of seafood in the year ended June 30, 2024 – worth A$478 million (S$402 million). It is a major exporter of southern bluefin tuna, oysters, rock lobster and prawns. The top markets include Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Vietnam. According to Australian government data, Singapore is South Australia's fifth-largest seafood export market, buying A$27.6 million worth in the past year. So far, the algae are believed to have killed more than 14,000 animals off the coast of South Australia, including fish, dolphins, eels, sharks, rays and crabs. PHOTO: GREAT SOUTHERN REEF FOUNDATION IN AUSTRALIA In response to ST queries, the Singapore Food Agency said: 'While Australia is a source of seafood, there has been no impact on supply to date. Singapore's sources are well diversified, and the industry is able to obtain their supply of seafood from different sources.' South Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr Joe Szakacs, told ST that all South Australian seafood that is commercially available is routinely tested and safe to eat. 'Regular ongoing testing in open harvest areas ensures food safety standards are upheld.' Despite the size of the bloom, it has not affected the entire state and is currently located around the capital, Adelaide, including many of its beaches, as well as the Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the Spencer Gulf. But the bloom, which is affected by weather and currents, is still evolving and changing direction. A manager at South Australian fish market operator Safcol, Mr Ian Mitchell, said the bloom is having a devastating effect on the fishing industry. 'Areas that were once full of life have been devastated – they are just gone,' he added. 'Seafood is a big thing for (South Australia). We have got this disease in the water at the moment.' The algae, which can damage the gills of fish and suffocate them, were first spotted off the coast in March and then began to spread. The massive bloom is believed to be due to a series of events, starting with inland floods in 2022 that collected organic matter, which then flowed into the ocean. An upwelling of cold water in 2023-2024 brought the nutrients to the surface, and a marine heatwave in 2024 resulted in sea temperatures peaking at 2.5 deg C above normal levels. The warm water caused a blooming of the algae, which then spread and moved along the southern coast. The authorities said the algae can cause flu-like symptoms but do not pose a serious risk to human health. The bigger threat is to marine life and ecosystems. A report by a group of environmental experts released on July 24 said the algal bloom marked 'one of the worst marine disasters in living memory'. The report by Biodiversity Council, an independent expert group, warned that climate change is leading to marine heatwaves and increased risk of flooding that are creating conditions in which algal blooms can thrive. It called for the federal government to curb carbon emissions, invest in research to identify species in need of immediate intervention, and establish a monitoring programme for the Great Southern Reef, which stretches 8,000km along the country's south coast. 'This algal bloom is a devastating example of how climate change has supercharged the potential for marine catastrophes,' it noted. The federal and South Australian governments recently announced assistance packages totalling A$28 million to invest in research, clean-ups and support for the fishing and tourism industries. A report by a group of environmental experts released on July 24 said the algal bloom marked 'one of the worst marine disasters in living memory'. PHOTO: GREAT SOUTHERN REEF FOUNDATION IN AUSTRALIA But the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Mr Murray Watt, rejected calls to declare the event a natural disaster, saying this declaration – which triggers funding – is used for events such as floods, cyclones and bush fires. 'This is an unprecedented event, and one of the difficulties has been understanding exactly what its impacts are and what sort of response is required,' he told reporters. Experts believe the bloom will be reduced over the remaining winter months but could worsen in the coming summer as water temperatures increase. Mr Bowley, who moved to the Stansbury area with his wife to start oyster farming because its water was so pristine, now fears his business has no future. He wonders whether future generations will be able to swim in the local waters. 'The water is brown and green – it's very dirty and smells very bad,' he said. 'I've never seen anything like it. We don't know what exactly caused this bloom, much less how we will avoid it in the future.'
New York Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Courage hires Ceri Bowley as sporting director to lead youth development push
The North Carolina Courage has appointed Dr. Ceri Bowley as the club's new chief soccer officer and sporting director. With more than 15 years of experience in strategy and talent development, Bowley joins the Courage with a clear vision for the future. 'I'm massively passionate about talent development and making sure young players get the chance to show what they can do. That's a huge part of why I chose The Courage,' Bowley told The Athletic. 'The club's deep ties with a strong youth system, including people I've worked with before who are doing great work, really stood out.' Advertisement Bowley most recently served as the global lead of technical leadership at Double Pass, a global advisory company that specializes in optimizing talent development in clubs, leagues and federations, while also serving as a technical advisor to the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), where both NC Courage Youth and NCFC Youth compete. He was also the senior coaching pathway manager at the Premier League. Before those roles, he was the head of coaching support at City Football Group, overseeing coaching methodology and player development across multiple clubs, including Manchester City. At his new club, Bowley says the primary objective is to 'control the game.' 'When I look at The Courage, there are already clear synergies, especially in how (head coach) Sean (Nahas) sets the team up to control games,' Bowley said. 'You can see a common thread: it's about possession, but not for its own sake. Like (Manchester City manager) Pep (Guardiola) has shown, it's really about control, with and without the ball. That's the foundation of how we want to play.' The reference to the treble-winning Premier League coach is no accident. Nahas told The Athletic's 'Full Time' podcast last week that he admires Guardiola's style of coaching. 'The way he carries himself, the way he talks about the game, the way he sees the game, I think is just something I connect with,' Nahas said. A post shared by The Athletic Full Time (@tafulltime) The Courage have long been a powerhouse in the NWSL, winning back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019. But in recent years, the team has faced challenges on the pitch. The Courage got its first win of the 2025 season on Saturday against No. 1 Kansas City Current. Originally founded as the Western New York Flash, the franchise captured the inaugural NWSL title in 2016 before owner Steve Malik relocated the club to North Carolina and rebranded it as the Courage in 2017. Advertisement Off the field, the Courage was one of multiple teams named in the 2021 abuse scandal that transformed the NWSL amid multiple years of reckoning with widespread abuse. The Courage's former coach, Paul Riley, was explicitly named in the allegations. Over the years, Malik has brought in a diverse group of investors, most recently including Olympic gold medalist and soccer legend Lauren Holiday and her husband, NBA star Jrue Holiday. Fresh to the ownership group, the club said Lauren Holiday played a key role in leading the search for the club's new chief soccer officer. 'Ceri's soccer IQ, inspiring leadership style, and relentless attention to detail make him the perfect person to drive our technical vision forward,' Holiday said in a statement. Bowley says they share a common view on how he will shape the future of The Courage. 'We see the game in the same way,' he told The Athletic. 'There's such an alignment and synergy between how we see things and the kind of experiences that we've had through the game.' A native of Wales, Bowley has made an impact across all levels of the game, including a stint with Scottish giants Rangers FC, where he helped guide the team during their UEFA Champions League qualification campaign. At the Courage, he aims to bring the same long-term influence he's had in his previous roles. 'I have a duty to make sure I don't make short-term decisions that could hurt us in the long run,' he said. 'Quick fixes might be tempting, but if we make them, they need to serve us well beyond just this season into year two, three, four, and beyond. 'It's easy to fall into the trap of fighting fires, focusing only on the present without thinking about the future. But in this role, my duty is to always plan ahead. That's why I'm not making bold promises about immediate league position or roster moves. What I can say is that over the coming years, the goal is clear: to build a club that wins again.'
CBC
29-04-2025
- CBC
Jury makes 39 recommendations after inquest into 2018 death of Brennan Bowley, 23, at Barton jail
Bowley died just after 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2018, inquest held from April 7 to 22 A coroner's inquest into the 2018 overdose death of a 23-year-old man at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre ended recently with the jury making dozens of recommendations to prevent similar deaths at the facility in the future. Brennan Bowley died just after 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2018. His cousin, Maggie Cleland, told CBC News at the time that Bowley had a pouch of cocaine inside his body and it ruptured, causing him to accidentally overdose. "They lacked any kind of medical attention," Cleland said about the centre. "He was asking for help in the holding cell." Hamilton police arrested Bowley on Jan. 16, 2018 while investigating him for drug-related offences. His death was just one of several to happen in the institution in recent years. Last August, the Ontario government announced that inquests will be held for six men who died while in custody or after transfer to hospital from the centre. The inquest was held from April 7 to 22 to examine the circumstances surrounding Bowley's death. The jury's verdict, handed down on April 22, found that Bowley's cause of death was toxicity caused by mixed drugs that included fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, and the manner of death was an accident. The verdict also answered three more questions: Who died? When did they die? Where did they die? In addition to its verdict, the jury made a total of 39 recommendations — five to the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), four to the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC), 29 to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and a single recommendation to the Office of the Chief Coronor for Ontario, that it "should continue to strive to conduct inquests in a timely manner from the date of death." Jury: Warn suspects of risks of ingesting/secreting illegal drugs Among the recommendations to Hamilton police, the jury suggested that during the booking process into a police station, every individual charged with one or more criminal offences should be verbally cautioned and read a warning of the risks of ingesting and/or secreting illegal drugs and/or substances and the medical consequences of not sharing that information. "Prominently displayed signage to the same effect should be pointed out to the person. The person should be required to acknowledge that they have read the caution, or have had the caution read to them, and that they understand the caution. The time and the fact of the acknowledgment should be documented in the booking arrest form," the recommendation reads. They also recommended that utilizing clear language, notices shall be posted in the courthouse (in an area visible to where prisoners are housed) and police stations in Hamilton providing education pertaining to the protections offered through the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act and the relevant limitations of same. "Said notices should draw attention, thus encouraging their review, perhaps through the use of large font sizes, bolded text, and use of colour," the jury said. Include inmates' health-related observations in medical records To the HWDC, it's recommended that when the HPS transfers custody of an individual to the centre and provides any illness or health-related observations regarding that individual during their time in police custody, "the detention centre shall include those observations in the individual's medical records as part of the admission process to ensure detention centre health-care staff have the best available information available when assessing that individual at the time of admission and at any other time while that individual is in custody (while also ensuring confidentiality of medical information from non-medical staff)." It's also recommended that health-care management of the HWDC shall notify correctional management as soon as it becomes known that a nurse will not be present on any given shift, and applicable policy or policies shall be updated accordingly. The jury recommends to the Ministry of the Solicitor General that during incarceration, health-care staff will continue to educate inmates on how to respond appropriately to potential drug overdose risks and provide awareness of Good Samaritan legislation to encourage timely medical intervention where necessary. "Acknowledgment of these conversations should be documented within healthcare staff's records," the recommendation reads. "The Ministry shall develop a set list of questions about whether an individual being admitted to the detention centre has ingested drugs or inserted drugs into their body, and health-care staff shall be required to ask these questions of all individuals being admitted to the detention centre, regardless of whether health-care staff suspect such individuals have ingested or inserted drugs. "The Ministry should continue to explore how to optimize health-care staffing levels at all institutions with the goal of 24-hour nursing care coverage as well as ideally having more than one nurse on shift at any given time at the HWDC," the jury continued. Inquests are called by a coroner after a death to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. A jury can recommend procedures for governing bodies to adhere to, though they are under no obligation to do so.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z Spends Twice as Much as They Have in Savings, Bank of America Study Finds
People typically fall into two categories: spenders and savers. When it comes to Gen Z, most seem to be spenders. According to a new Bank of America study, Gen Z has higher discretionary and necessity spending growth than the average consumer. For example, Gen Z spending growth on entertainment is up 25.5% year-over-year, and it's up 13.8% for travel. Read Next: Check Out: Unfortunately, their saving habits are not keeping up. According to the study, the average Gen Zer does not have enough in their savings account to cover a month of spending. Data from February showed that their spending-to-savings ratio was 1.93, meaning they were spending nearly twice the amount that they had in savings. Here's a look at why this generation's spending is outpacing its savings, the long-term consequence of this behavior and how Gen Z can strike a better balance moving forward. There are several factors contributing to the fact that Gen Z's savings are not keeping up with their spending. 'Part of this is due to Gen Z starting their financial journey,' said Taylor Bowley, economist at Bank of America Institute. 'They are coming from extremely limited spending to leaving their parent's house or their college campus and spending right out of the gate. And they're really spending on experiences like travel or going to concerts.' The other big factor is that they are entering an economic environment with high levels of inflation. 'Child care is a great example of this 'tale of two cities,'' Bowley said. 'On one hand, yes, Gen Z is just starting to possibly have kids of their own and need child care services, but the CPI growth for child care has been higher than the overall inflation rate. 'What's the result? Gen Z is spending more than twice the amount of what they have in their deposit balances.' Browley noted that this gap has increased since 2023 and remains much higher than other generations'. 'Another caveat here is that Gen Z, as a generation, also operates differently than baby boomers in that they are more likely to have multiple accounts for either investing or saving, so it's possible some of their financial picture isn't as clear cut as what we see in this ratio,' she added. Learn More: Gen Zers who routinely spend more than they save are starting their financial journeys off on the wrong foot. 'They risk getting caught in a cycle of debt that can delay financial independence or big goals like owning a home or starting a family,' said Holly O'Neill, president of retail banking at Bank of America. 'On top of that, without savings to fall back on, Gen Z are more vulnerable to unexpected expenses and life's surprises — whether it's job loss, medical emergencies or car repairs.' For Gen Z, small steps can make a big difference in securing long-term financial stability. 'Create a spending plan to level up your money game,' O'Neill said. 'Whether you're just stepping into the workforce, adjusting to a new city, saving up for an epic post-grad adventure or tackling student loans, a realistic budget that evolves with you is essential.' The right savings approach depends on your personal circumstances and life stage, but she recommended starting with the 50/30/20 budgeting method. 'Allocate 50% of your after-tax income to cover needs (rent, student loans, groceries), 30% to wants (entertainment, dining out, subscriptions), and 20% to savings,' O'Neill said. 'However, don't be afraid to adjust the percentages to fit your financial priorities. The key is to make it work for your goals and circumstances.' She also recommended practicing mindful spending. 'It's tempting to splurge when you start earning money, but developing mindful spending habits early on is key,' O'Neill said. 'Living within your means — or even below them — will leave you with more money at the end of each month, giving you the flexibility to pay down debt, boost your savings or treat yourself occasionally.' In addition, it's essential to open a savings account if you don't have one already, and add to it regularly. 'A separate, dedicated savings account safeguards your deposits and helps you be intentional about saving,' O'Neill said. 'Remember the long game — saving is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get discouraged by short-term setbacks. Stay focused on your goals and celebrate your progress along the way.' To ensure you stick to your savings goals, O'Neill recommended making the process automatic by setting up reccurring transfers — even if it's just a small amount each week. 'Pay yourself first by treating savings like a nonnegotiable bill you have to pay,' she said. 'You'll be surprised how quickly it adds up.' 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Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ole Olsen puts on 'Happy Days: A New Musical'
PERU — The nostalgia of the '50s and one of the country's most beloved classic TV sitcoms is the topic of Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre's latest production. The Peru theater company is putting on 'Happy Days: A New Musical,' beginning this weekend at the Peru Depot, 154 S. Broadway St., Peru. 'Happy Days: A New Musical' is set in season four of the famous TV show and follows the kids' plans to save the diner Arnold's from demolition by hosting a dance contest and wrestling match. The adaption is written by the sitcom's creator Gary Marshall and its music is written by famed songwriter Paul Williams, writer of the number 1 chart-topping song 'Evergreen,' featured in the 1976 adaptation of 'A Star is Born.' Members of Ole Olsen have been working on the production for the last two months, a process show director Shanna Stoll described as arduous but rewarding. The theater company has worked meticulously to recreate the clothing, set design and props to accurately portray the time period and TV show. 'What I'm wanting to happen is the audience getting sucked back into that 'Happy Days' nostalgia,' Stoll, who also portrays Marian Cunningham in the musical, said. All the show's iconic characters are featured in the musical, including Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli played by Lucas Bowley, Richie Cunnigham played by Dustin Huddleston and Chachi Arcola played by Tanner Davis. This is Bowley's first Ole Olsen production. The Indiana University Kokomo student said he knew he wanted to be a part of the show once the casting call was announced. If you're a fan of the TV show, you'll be a fan of this musical, he said. 'It takes a lot of the ideas of the show that people love from different parts of the show and mesh it all together so it's the best of all of it,' Bowley said. The key to this production, Huddleston said, was the cast's ability to all 'gel together,' a must for a type of show that relies on the cast recreating the chemistry among actors of the original sitcom. For Huddleston, the hope is for the musical to allow the audience to look back in their life and fondly remember some of their happiest days. 'One of my favorite lines is at the very end, Richie says 'For most of us, and I hope for a lot of you, I hope you'll look back on these days and they'll truly be happy days,'' he said. 'Some of my greatest times were in high school and being around all my friends. So when I look back on those days, I truly do think about those days being happy days. No matter where you're at in life, you can look back at life and either you grew from it or it was a lesson you can learn from.'
