Latest news with #Ow
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Singapore launches first seagrass restoration project to protect coastal ecosystems
Singapore begins inaugural seagrass restoration initiative On May 29, a team of researchers and assistants began seagrass transplantation efforts at East Coast Park as part of Singapore's first seagrass restoration project. The group collected and potted seagrass for relocation to the Sisters' Islands, marking the start of a national initiative focused on understanding seagrass reproduction and developing sustainable transplantation practices. The restoration project is co-led by Dr Samantha Lai, deputy director at the National Parks Board's (NParks) National Biodiversity Centre, and Dr Ow Yan Xiang, senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI). Launched in September 2024 with nearly S$1 million in funding from OCBC Bank, the project aims to recover seagrass meadows and enhance marine biodiversity . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Also read: World Sparrow Day 2025: Sparrows are important for the ecology and there need to protect them from extinct Seagrass meadows offer critical ecosystem services, providing food and shelter for marine life, acting as nurseries for fish larvae, stabilizing sediment, and serving as carbon sinks. The project addresses the rapid annual loss of seagrass beds in Southeast Asia, estimated at 5 per cent. Live Events Focus on seagrass reproduction and transplantation techniques Dr Ow's research, based at the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML), centers on the sexual reproduction cycles of tropical seagrass. Unlike their temperate counterparts, tropical species do not have well-documented flowering patterns. Singapore hosts 12 known seagrass species, but only two sickle seagrass ( Thalassia hemprichii ) and tape seagrass ( Enhalus acoroides ) and have well-characterized reproductive cycles. 'These two species tend to have longer lifespans and thus bigger biomasses, so their fruits and flowers are more visible,' said Dr Ow to The Straits Times. 'But for the 10 other species we have in Singapore, we really have no idea when they flower.' Dr Lai's team is focused on refining transplantation methods to ensure seagrass survival. They pair donor and recipient sites with similar water, sediment quality, and hydrodynamic conditions to minimize shock during transplantation. The goal is to increase survival rates of transplanted seagrass, which have historically been low due to human activity or marine life such as crabs. Monitoring and challenges of seagrass transplantation The research team monitors newly transplanted meadows using leaf length measurements and pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometers, which assess the plants' photosynthetic activity. The team works during low tide periods, typically lasting about two hours, and often faces weather-related challenges such as thunderstorms. Also read: Startups show off ocean-preserving tech at Paris trade fair Dr Lai noted that in one transplant site, nearly all leaves had disappeared within two weeks, but added that the rhizomes appeared healthy. 'The seagrass may grow back,' she said to The Straits Times. Beyond ecosystem support, seagrass meadows reduce coastal erosion through their underground root systems and rhizomes, while also capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. 'Seagrasses punch above their weight,' said Dr Ow. 'They occupy such a small area of our ocean space, just 0.1 per cent, but they provide so many ecosystem functions.' Public engagement and future coastal development plans Singapore's seagrass restoration efforts coincide with upcoming coastal development initiatives, including land reclamation. Dr Lai highlighted that the restoration project is taking place at a site reclaimed in the 1960s and 1970s, where seagrass has since regrown. 'This gives us hope that when we do the future Long Island reclamation, we can recreate these habitats to get the species to come back,' she said. Volunteers will play a key role in expanding restoration efforts. NParks' Team Seagrass citizen science program, established in 2007, monitors seagrass meadows in Chek Jawa, Pulau Semakau, and Cyrene Reef. These volunteer-led efforts will support transplant activities at future sites. Also read: Largest Harappan metropolis struggling for preservation Public participation has been strong. 'Growing up in an urbanised society, most of us really have no opportunity to go out and look at what's happening at our coastlines,' said Dr Ow. 'But I think it is very encouraging, having the public show more awareness not just of the seagrass, but also the natural coastal ecosystems that we have, that really helps to let policymakers know that this is what people care about.'
New Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
MSB Global posts RM1.51mil net profit, RM13.83mil revenue in Q1
KUALA LUMPUR: MSB Global Group Bhd's reported a net profit of RM1.51 million in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2025, marking a start in its first reporting period as a listed company. For the quarter under review, the company recorded RM13.83 million revenue and pre-tax profit of RM1.95 million. The company's earnings per share stood at 32 sen, based on the pre-listing share base of 477.00 million shares. In a statement, MSB Global said its revenue continued to be supported by its core business activities in the marketing, trading, and distribution of aftermarket automotive parts and components, which contributed RM9.57 million or 69.20 per cent of the total revenue. Meanwhile, it said the sale of automotive lubricants and fluids accounted for RM4.21 million or 30.45 per cent of total revenue. Export sales, primarily to Singapore, amounted to RM900,000, with the remaining contribution generated from domestic operations, it said. Managing director Datuk Ow Kee Foo said this quarter marks its first financial milestone as a listed entity, and the company is pleased to have maintained profitability while navigating a softer sales cycle. "Our consistent performance reaffirms the strength of our business model, built on trusted brand partnerships, operational discipline, and the growing demand for reliable aftermarket solutions," said Ow. MSB Global said as Malaysia's automotive aftermarket continues to expand, driven by a growing vehicle population and a rising demand for quality maintenance products, the company is confident in its ability to capture a larger share of the market. Backed by its exclusive distribution of the GSP brand and a growing portfolio of proprietary brands, the company remains committed to delivering long-term value for shareholders while scaling its presence across the nation and region, it added.
Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
Our Farm Next Door's Amanda Owen makes sad admission as she reflects on her future
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The latest episode of Our Farm Next Door has seen Amanda Owen confront the stark realities of life at Ravenseat. Ravenseat Farm was recently enveloped in a thick layer of snow, and while the Owen children delighted in the frosty scene, parents Amanda and Clive shared their concerns about the impact on their flock. Clive voiced his unease, remarking, "January and February were funny months, and anything could happen. That Beast from the East was quite nasty. The kids were little, and we had no electricity for a week." READ MORE - Gary Lineker's 'weird' set-up with ex wife and bold romance claim that shocked mates READ MORE - Royal cleaning expert shares 10-minute trick for sparkling taps using 90p item He further reflected on the challenges that come with farming, noting, "You know, everybody gets a little bit of snow, but it can be absolutely unbelievable here, and you've got to be careful, otherwise it'll have you out of business." Amanda weighed in on the situation: "When that snow hits, it can be exhausting. It can be exhausting mentally and physically. Day one, day two, yeah, it is fun, day four, five, six, seven, and beyond, it is a real test," reports Gloucestershire Live. (Image: Channel 4) Clive also revealed the heartache they've experienced over the years due to heavy snowfalls claiming the lives of many sheep, saying, "In my time, there have been some pretty, pretty awful occasions where we've lost quite a lot of sheep under snow." He lamented the difficulty of such situations, adding, "It's so vast out there that if they're not where you think they are, then it is a needle in a haystack." Reflecting on her ability to overcome previous challenges, Amanda remarked, "In those situations, it's good to look back in hindsight and say, 'You know what we got through that'." Amanda has also opened up about the particular mindset needed for her line of work, especially when faced with adverse weather. She said: "There's this thing whereby, the worse the weather gets, you should, in theory, want to spend more time inside by the fire, but when you're farming, you want to spend more time outside because you need to take care of the animals." She further shared her thoughts on facing a frosty morning: "On a day like today, when you see that light shine through the window and you know that it's icy and snowy out there, you don't pull the duvet over your head; you're like, 'Let me at it'." Amanda believes that such determination is crucial for anyone in the farming profession, musing, "Because that's what you have to do. And I always think to myself, 'the day that you don't want to do that, you've got to quit'." The Owens family's adventures are set to continue in the new episode of Our Farm Next Door, which airs tonight. The upcoming instalment promises to show: "Spring finally arrives in Swaledale and the Owens gear up for another busy lambing season - but there is still the task of putting the ancient hearth stone back in place in front of the fire." Additionally, viewers can expect to see touching scenes such as "Amanda, Edith and Clemmie enjoy a picnic as builder Richard gets on with laying a stone floor on top of new cosy underfloor heating, while the kids collect frogspawn."
New Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
MSB Global to venture into EV space
KUALA LUMPUR: MSB Global Group Bhd plans to enter the electric vehicle market by introducing its own in-house branded electric vehicle (EV) charger. As Malaysia's transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs gains traction, MSB Global managing director Datuk Ow Kee Foo said it aims to diversify its revenue streams and benefit from the anticipated growth in EV ownership here. Ow said the company plans to allocate RM840,000 or 3.14 per cent of its initial public offering (IPO) proceeds for its new in house branded EV charger. "Our group intends to market, trade and distribute our in-house branded EV charger. We target to launch our in-house branded EV charger by the second quarter of 2025. "Introducing our in-house branded charger will allow us to meet the rising demand for EV infrastructure and participate in the growth of the EV market in Malaysia," he told Business Times. Recently, MSB Global dropped 15 per cent on its ACE Market debut, closing at 17 sen, down from its IPO price of 20 sen per share. It is the sixth ACE Market listing since March to close below its IPO price. Investor demand during its IPO, which raised RM41.4 million, was also relatively weak with applications from retail investors totalling about six times the available shares for subscription. The company is allocating 22.58 per cent of the total proceeds from the public issue to buy new machinery and equipment, about 18.7 per cent for the construction of a new factory and warehouse, and another 3.14 per cent for its new in-house EV charger. MSB Global will also set aside 20.67 per cent for the repayment of bank borrowings, while the balance is for general working capital and to defray the listing expenses. Ow said the company believes Malaysia's automotive market is thriving, with a growing vehicle population driving strong demand for aftersales services, parts and components. As technological advancements and EV adoption gain momentum, he said the automotive aftermarket sector is expected to continue growing, although a shift to EVs may impact demand for certain traditional parts. "The market for automotive lubricants and fluids is also on the rise, driven by the high volume of passenger vehicles and frequent oil changes. "Overall, the automotive aftersales market in Malaysia presents a dynamic growth opportunity with a mix of traditional and evolving demands," he added.
