Latest news with #Exeter
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts raise red flags over proposal to mine valuable metals from ocean floor: 'These risks must urgently be assessed'
Experts raise red flags over proposal to mine valuable metals from ocean floor: 'These risks must urgently be assessed' A Canadian firm's interest in mining a remote part of the Pacific Ocean's deep seafloor has drawn scrutiny from watchdogs who think the activity could harm marine life, including an endangered sperm whale, according to England's University of Exeter. What's happening? The Metals Co. intends to explore parts of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Eastern Pacific in search of nodules that hold valuable metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, per Exeter and the International Seabed Authority. Studies spotlighted by the university have found whales and dolphins in the zone. "We know remarkably little about these ecosystems, which are hundreds of miles offshore and include very deep waters," Exeter's Kirsten Young said. "It's very hard to predict how seabed mining might affect these species and wider ecosystems, and these risks must urgently be assessed." Why is the Exeter report important? Underwater activity can have a direct, harmful impact on marine life. The Natural Resources Defense Council reported that powerful sonar blasts can be particularly devastating to whales, dolphins, and other species. Young said that noise from mining could travel hundreds of miles, creating a threat to the creatures that rely on sound for communication. "Chronic ocean noise can mask social and foraging communications and whales could be displaced from critical habitats. The behavior and impact of sediment plumes created by mining is also poorly understood but could affect food webs," the expert continued. It's part of the consequences human activity has on land and sea. Biodiversity's greatest threat is habitat loss, for example. On land, that includes melting ice sheets and more acres being used for agriculture, according to the United Nations. In the oceans, scientists are studying how warming waters are changing currents, which influences marine life. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that seas hold 91% of the excess heat that's being trapped by Earth. The extent to which ocean warming is harming marine animals is still being studied, but coral bleaching is a worrisome example linked to it. What's being done to help? The studies cited by Exeter shine an important spotlight on deep-sea mining and its ecosystem impacts. Exploring ocean concerns, especially those caused by human activity, can help you make informed decisions about efforts, companies, and investments to support. Your voice as an advocate can contribute to policy changes that protect ecosystems where vulnerable species live. It starts with contacting your representative. Big changes can start with local action. Even joining a litter cleanup in your hometown can keep plastic pollution from traveling to the ocean. Should we be digging into the ground to find new energy sources? Definitely No way As long as it's not near me As long as it's clean energy Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Exeter hope to add more attacking talent
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he is still hoping to add some more attacking options to his squad before the season starts. Caldwell has already brought in Reading forward Jayden Wareham on a permanent deal, while teenager Kieran Wilson signed his first professional contract and has featured in pre-season. City have also kept the bulk of their attacking talent from last season, such as Sonny Cox, Josh Magennis and Jack Aitchison."We're always looking to strengthen," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon after his side's 4-1 pre-season win at FC United of Manchester. "We have one loan space still still available that we'll look to bring in, hopefully before the start of the season - we're still looking for two or three others on top of that."Probably the attacking areas to give us a bit more speed and threat and areas higher up the pitch would be an area I think we can get better." On-loan Brentford youngster Ethan Brierley scored one and supplied an assist for another goal in the win at FC 21-year-old has joined the Grecians on a season-long deal and Caldwell has been impressed with what he has seen so far from him."It's great for any player that's coming into a new club to get a goal and to get an assist because I think that builds confidence," he said."I think you can see the quality that he has."We've got a great relationship with Brentford and he's a player we've watched for a number of years and I think now is the time for him to go and show how good a player he is at League One level."
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cheerleading squad at Exeter special school champions inclusivity
A special school is running what it believes is the first fully inclusive cheerleading squad for children with additional needs in Devon and Sapphires are based at Southbrook School in Exeter and practise twice a week in their lunch team is being supported by the Exeter Emeralds, a 100-strong cheerleading group from the University of Exeter, which competes nationally. They help the fledgling squad adapt their routines for each child's ability and share their love of the a wheelchair user who is in the squad, said: "This has opened up so much dancing for me." The group has inspired her to want o be a wheelchair dancer on Strictly Come Dancing when older. Zoe Barnes, one of the Southbrook Sapphires coaches, said: "As far as I know, we are the only special needs cheerleading squad in all of Devon and Cornwall."It's phenomenal what they have achieved. We are so proud of them."She added: "They've exceeded all our expectations." 'Meet amazing people' The teachers say that children who previously have not shown an interest in sport are now turning up for cheerleading music and the fun nature of it, they say, is helping keep the children interested and fit, with the routines adapted to the ability and needs of each dancer. Casey, who is also in the squad, says she "loves the group because she gets to meet amazing people and learn things from them".Lucy Gezink, another Southbrook Sapphires coach, said: "The aim is to make everyone welcome. "Absolutely anyone can join," she said, adding that at the school, "we have learning difficulties, physical difficulties but everyone is included no matter what their needs". The club has been running at Southbrook for two years but things really took off for the squad when the cheerleaders from the University of Exeter got Exeter Emeralds visit regularly and have provided inspiration and support, adapting their routines and choreography. The experienced team recently invited the Sapphires to attend their annual showcase to see them in action and also Valenzani, of the university squad, which came second at the national university championships this year, said: " It's one of the highlights of our year. It's been lovely to see them grow as cheerleaders and as performers." She added people did not realise how inclusive cheerleading was. "The England team takes out a Para-cheer team to the World Championships every year. It's very inclusive."The Southbrook Sapphires are now hoping to pick up a few tricks and stunts from the Emeralds ahead of next year's showcase at the University of Exeter.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Acclaimed conductor Roger Norrington dead at age 91
Roger Norrington, a conductor acclaimed for historically informed performances during more than a half-century leading orchestras in Europe and the United States, has died. He was 91. Norrington died Friday at his home, his son Tom said Saturday. Norrington lived outside Exeter, England. Norrington conducted both period-instruments and modern orchestras, asking both types to play without vibrato and usually at faster tempi than modern practice. 'He was an extraordinary dramatist. He made things happen emotionally,' Myron Lutzke, an Orchestra of St. Luke's cellist who helped persuade Norrington to become music director, said Saturday. 'He had his detractors, certainly, and some of them were some of my best friends. But for me, he got the music off the page. He made the concert experience transformative.' Born on March 16, 1934, Norrington was the son of Arthur, president of Trinity College, Oxford, and the former Edith Carver. A violinist and boy soprano in his youth, Roger attended The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Dragon School, Westminster School, Cambridge and the Royal College of Music, where he studied under conductor Adrian Boult. In 1962, Norrington founded the Schütz Choir, originally dedicated to the works of Heinrich Schütz. He became music director of Kent Opera from 1969-84, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta from 1985-89 and New York's Orchestra of St. Luke's from 1990-94. He was principal conductor of Camerata Salzburg from 1997 to 2006, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2011 and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra from 2011-16. 'Orchestras didn't generally use vibrato until the 1930s,' Norrington told The Guardian in 2007. 'It is a fashion, like smoking, which came in at about the same time. Smoking is now going, so maybe vibrato will too. ... I have discovered, all the way from Monteverdi to Mahler, is that when music is played as it should be, the sound is wonderful, the expression is wonderful and the instruments match together.' Norrington was nominated for four Grammy Awards and won in 2001 for a recording of Nicholas Maw's Violin Concerto with Joshua Bell and the London Philharmonic. Norrington retired after conducting the Royal Northern Sinfonia in an all-Hadyn concert on Nov. 18, 2021. 'I have enjoyed every minute of over 50 years of making music with some of the most wonderful and talented musicians in the world,' he said in a statement. 'The time has come to step off the podium.' His first marriage, to Susan McLean May, ended in a divorce in 1982. He married the choreographer Kay Lawrence in the mid-1980s; she died last year. Norrington was made a Knight Bachelor in 1997. He is survived by Tom and two children from his first marriage, Ben and Amy.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ground broken for new care home in Exeter
Members of south Huron council break ground in Exeter for new long-term care home. (Source: Municipality of South Huron) A long-term care home is bringing 160 beds to the community in Exeter. On Friday, members of South Huron council broke ground at the location of the future Southbridge Exeter long-term care home in Huron County. Ontario's Minister of Long-Term Care, Natasha Kusendova-Bashta, said the facility is part of the government's initiative to fix long-term care. 'Thanks to this investment, 160 residents will have a new, safe and modern place to call home,' said Kusendova-Bashta. By 2026, the home expects to welcome its first residents. The care home will bring five 32-bed resident home areas with dining areas, lounges, activity rooms and outdoor amenities. It will also offer 96 private rooms and 32 basic rooms. Ontario aims to bring 58,000 new and upgraded long-term beds across the province by 2028.
