Latest news with #RobertMorgan
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Beachgoers are ‘hiding in cars' as ladybirds swarm beaches in biggest ever plague since 1976
BEACHGOERS have been left scrambling to their vehicles, after a swarm of ladybirds descended on the UK. A string of Advertisement 5 The UK is seeing the biggest swarm of ladybirds since 1976 Credit: Getty 5 Beachgoers in Weston Super Mare were left covered in the beetles Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan 5 Ladybirds like to forage in coastal areas Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan And the hot weather has also brought with it the biggest swarm of ladybirds since 1976. Social media clips show huge plagues of the red beetles invading the beaches of Western Super Mare, crawling over tourists and coating cars . Horrified sun-seekers raced to their motors, clambered inside and shut the doors, to avoid the stream. The bugs have all been seen flocking to a restaurant in the popular tourist destination, landing on tables, customers and dinner plates. Advertisement Read more news stories Meanwhile, residents of the South East reported seeing "millions" of ladybirds, with researches explaining that they like to forage in coastal areas. 'There was loads flying about,' one resident said. 'One landed on my face and other ones were landing on my dogs .' This comes after England's third test match against India was stopped last week, due to a swarm of ladybirds attacking the cricketers. Advertisement Most read in The Sun England's vice-captain "That's a first that the crowd have got that today." England Test against India STOPPED after swarm of ladybirds cause havoc on pitch Ecologist and ladybird specialist, Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said of the large swarms: "Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. "This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through Advertisement "If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds." Tim Coulson, a professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford , encouraged people to 'learn to love' ladybirds. Why are ladybirds swarming the UK? The UK is currently experiencing a significant surge in ladybird populations , primarily due to a combination of warm weather and an abundance of their main food source: aphids . Warm temperatures speed up the life cycles of insects, including both aphids and ladybirds, leading to faster reproduction and increased numbers. This creates a plentiful food supply for ladybirds, allowing their populations to swell. Ladybirds play a crucial role in the ecosystem as natural predators of aphids, which can be a major pest for plants. This isn't the first time the UK has seen such a remarkable ladybird boom; similar high numbers were recorded in the summer of 1976, one of the hottest and driest on record. This historical context highlights the strong link between sustained warm weather, high aphid populations, and the resulting increase in native ladybird numbers. He said: 'Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids means ladybirds have a lot to eat. Advertisement 'People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species. 'Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. 'A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India , should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of Earth in a healthy state.' Dr Peter Brown, an associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, revealed that the last year lady bird number were this high was in the Advertisement He said: 'In 1976, there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK.' According to the British Entomological and Natural History Society, over 23 billion ladybirds swarmed the southern and eastern coasts of England that summer . 5 The hot weather has caused the influx of ladybirds Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan 5 Beachgoers fled to their cars to escape the bugs Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan Advertisement
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Beachgoers are ‘hiding in cars' as ladybirds swarm beaches in biggest ever plague since 1976
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEACHGOERS have been left scrambling to their vehicles, after a swarm of ladybirds descended on the UK. A string of heatwaves have hit the nation so far this year, bringing scorching temperatures and droughts. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The UK is seeing the biggest swarm of ladybirds since 1976 Credit: Getty 5 Beachgoers in Weston Super Mare were left covered in the beetles Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan 5 Ladybirds like to forage in coastal areas Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan And the hot weather has also brought with it the biggest swarm of ladybirds since 1976. Social media clips show huge plagues of the red beetles invading the beaches of Western Super Mare, crawling over tourists and coating cars. Horrified sun-seekers raced to their motors, clambered inside and shut the doors, to avoid the stream. The bugs have all been seen flocking to a restaurant in the popular tourist destination, landing on tables, customers and dinner plates. Meanwhile, residents of the South East reported seeing "millions" of ladybirds, with researches explaining that they like to forage in coastal areas. 'There was loads flying about,' one resident said. 'One landed on my face and other ones were landing on my dogs.' This comes after England's third test match against India was stopped last week, due to a swarm of ladybirds attacking the cricketers. England's vice-captain Ollie Pope said of the incident: I've never seen that, no." "That's a first that the crowd have got that today." England Test against India STOPPED after swarm of ladybirds cause havoc on pitch Ecologist and ladybird specialist, Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said of the large swarms: "Many species of aphid-feeding ladybird such as the seven-spot ladybird are being seen in very high numbers this year. "This is a consequence of the high aphid numbers and warm weather. People are reporting many sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey through iRecord, which is fantastic. "If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them. Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds." Tim Coulson, a professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, encouraged people to 'learn to love' ladybirds. Why are ladybirds swarming the UK? The UK is currently experiencing a significant surge in ladybird populations, primarily due to a combination of warm weather and an abundance of their main food source: aphids. Warm temperatures speed up the life cycles of insects, including both aphids and ladybirds, leading to faster reproduction and increased numbers. This creates a plentiful food supply for ladybirds, allowing their populations to swell. Ladybirds play a crucial role in the ecosystem as natural predators of aphids, which can be a major pest for plants. This isn't the first time the UK has seen such a remarkable ladybird boom; similar high numbers were recorded in the summer of 1976, one of the hottest and driest on record. This historical context highlights the strong link between sustained warm weather, high aphid populations, and the resulting increase in native ladybird numbers. He said: 'Warm weather means more aphids because they can complete each generation faster – insects, including ladybirds and aphids, tend to speed up their lives in warm weather. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, and an abundance of aphids means ladybirds have a lot to eat. 'People should learn to love the ladybirds. They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species. 'Much in the way that wolves keep deer numbers in check in some parts of the world, ladybirds keep aphid numbers down. 'A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of Earth in a healthy state.' Dr Peter Brown, an associate professor in ecology and conservation at Anglia Ruskin University, revealed that the last year lady bird number were this high was in the summer of 1976, one of the hottest and driest on record. He said: 'In 1976, there were a lot of seven-spot ladybirds on the beaches as they searched for food and people thought they were invading – they were not, as they are native to the UK.' According to the British Entomological and Natural History Society, over 23 billion ladybirds swarmed the southern and eastern coasts of England that summer. 5 The hot weather has caused the influx of ladybirds Credit: Jam Press/Robert Morgan
AU Financial Review
23-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Controversial Creative Australia chairman retires early
The chairman of federal arts funding body Creative Australia has retired before the expiry of his first five-year term, in a move the government says was unrelated to his role in the Venice Biennale fiasco. Robert Morgan, an advertising and marketing executive, joined Creative Australia's board as chairman in July 2021 on a term due to expire in August 2026, but has now been replaced by his deputy, former Sydney Festival director Wesley Enoch.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Creative Australia chair to retire following Khaled Sabsabi biennale controversy
The chair of Creative Australia is departing the organisation, with the arts minister, Tony Burke, announcing on Friday Robert Morgan's intention to retire. The First Nations playwright and creative director Wesley Enoch will serve as the acting chair and is expected to replace Morgan. Morgan presided over the controversial board meeting in February that voted to withdraw the 2026 Venice Biennale commission from Lebanese-Australian arts Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino. Two weeks later Morgan fronted Senate estimates with Creative Australia's chief executive, Adrian Collette, where the pair gave evidence that the board made the decision to cancel Sabsabi's commission because it feared a 'prolonged and divisive debate'. Both told the Senate hearing they would not resign, despite admitting that the Australian Pavilion could remain empty at next year's biennale as a result of the board's decision. Morgan and the board also faced public criticism from more than 600 of Australia's most recognised writers, publishers and academics in an open letter that accused them of compromising Creative Australia's integrity. The organisation is now in the midst of an independent review examining the governance processes behind the Sabsabi commission and the board's subsequent decision to withdraw it. Announcing Morgan's intention to retire on Friday, Burke said the chair had played a pivotal role in the transition of the Australia Council to Creative Australia, and implementing the Labor government's national cultural policy Revive. In a statement Morgan said his four years in the position had been a great honour. 'I have great confidence Creative Australia will continue to deliver its mandate to support Australia's rich and diverse cultural life for all Australians under Wesley's leadership,' he said. The Guardian has contacted Morgan for further comment.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
On This Day, May 17: Aristides wins first Kentucky Derby
On this date in history: In 1792, 24 brokers met in New York City and formed the New York Stock Exchange. In 1875, Aristides was the winner of the first Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. In 1943, the Memphis Belle became one of the first B-17 to complete 25 missions in World War II, securing the plane and crew's reputations as rockstars. The plane was the subject of a documentary at the time and a film about the crew was made in 1990 starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and Harry Connick Jr. Ten days after the 25th mission, the pilot, Capt. Robert K. Morgan and co-pilot, Capt. James Verinis, met the king and queen of England, to whom Morgan explained the origin of the plane's name. In 1954, in a major civil rights victory, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. In 1970, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl set sail from Morocco in a papyrus boat called the Ra II, modeled on drawings of ancient Egyptian sailing vessels. His mission was to prove his theory that ancient civilizations could have sailed to the Americas. He arrived in Barbados 57 days later. In 1973, the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee opened hearings into a break-in at Democratic National headquarters in Washington. In 1987, two Iraqi Exocet missiles hit the frigate USS Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 seamen. Iraq apologized for mistaking the ship's identity and the Stark's top officers were reprimanded and retired. In 1989, 1 million people demonstrated for democratic reforms in Beijing. The number of students fasting to support the drive reached 3,000. In 1999, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost his bid for re-election when voters chose Ehud Barak, head of the center-left Israel One coalition, to succeed him. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In 2005, Los Angeles voters elected Antonio Villaraigosa as the city's first Hispanic mayor since 1872. In 2007, the United States' "minority" citizenship topped the 100 million mark, about one-third of the total U.S. population, the U.S. Census Bureau said. Hispanics made up the largest group, ahead of Black Americans, 44.3 million to 40.2 million. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the sentencing of a juvenile to life in prison for a non-homicide case, calling the practice unconstitutional, and cruel and unusual punishment. In 2018, the Senate confirmed Gina Haspel to be the first female director of the CIA, ending weeks of speculation over whether her past role in using torture as an interrogation technique would derail her nomination. In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2021, Cyclone Tauktae made landfall in western India with sustained winds of 115 mph. The storm would go on to kill 174 people and cause more than $2 billion in damage in India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
