Latest news with #SamTaylor
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Meeting details between Ian Murray and These Islands revealed
On December 4 last year, Ian Murray and special adviser Callum Munro met with Sam Taylor from These Islands in Dover House in London. The National requested notes taken during the meeting as it had been described as a 'meeting to discuss energy opportunities' in the department's publicly available log. We were given one page of notes – with three short bullet points of information. READ MORE: International community must stop Israel's Gaza City takeover plan 'ST [Sam Taylor] noted the current priorities of These Islands and priorities going into 2025. Energy is a large part of TI's focus and an important priority for Scotland,' the first bullet point read. 'This is a complex issue and sometimes challenging to cover in a way that reflects those complexities.' The second point said Taylor had an interest in the Scottish Government's hydrogen strategy and 'noted that there are discussions within SG as to whether hydrogen could be a major export opportunity for the future'. Finally, the notes said: 'It was agreed the importance of high quality information available to the public on matters around energy and wider issues.' SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart (above) said in response: 'These Islands, throughout the whole debate about Scottish independence, haven't been the most forthcoming when it comes to accurate and relevant information, and quite often it seems like quite a lot of it is just made up to suit the particular views on the Union. 'So it's quite extraordinary that they would sit down with the Secretary of State and make this claim about energy, given the UK Government's own failure to reduce bills to £300, with bills going up instead.' In response, These Islands chairman, Kevin Hague said: 'Contrary to Mr Wishart's unevidenced accusation, we believe it is broadly accepted that These Islands provides much needed clarity in policy areas, such as energy, where populists have been prone to mislead. 'We continue in this mission.' The Scotland Office have been contacted for comment. It comes after the SNP claimed energy bills must come down by more than £450 to hit Labour's General Election pledges. In May, UK energy regulator Ofgem announced that the average annual energy bill for a dual-fuel household would drop by seven per cent from July 1. The move was described as 'nothing to shout about' by money saving expert Martin Lewis, who highlighted that the drop would essentially cancel out price rises in April, bringing costs back into line with where they were in January. READ MORE: Germany to stop weapons exports to Israel after Gaza takeover plan Despite this, Scottish Labour politicians, including Anas Sarwar, celebrated the upcoming price drop. The SNP said that the price cap remains around 10% higher than it was in July 2024, before which Labour were pledging to cut bills by £300. And, proposals to bring in zonal pricing were rejected by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The proposals would have set lower electricity prices in areas where supply far outstrips demand, such as in Scotland. The UK Government were urged to set out how they would cut bills after rejecting plans for zonal pricing.
ABC News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
River Torrens swimming proposal floated, but ecologist resists 'community pool'
In the minds of many Adelaideans, the River Torrens has collected some unwanted baggage over the years — it can evoke images of murky waters and muddy shallows, as well as intermittent algal blooms and a submerged car or two. But the river has not always possessed this rather regrettable tendency to dredge up unpleasant associations, and there is a renewed push to restore it to a more swimmable state. A public forum was held last night on the subject of making River Torrens-Karrawirra Parri, especially the Torrens Lake along the CBD, safer for swimming. The idea has periodically raised its head over the years and is now being floated again by business consultant Sam Taylor, a former Adelaide City Council candidate who wants it to become an election issue. Mr Taylor has put the topic back on the agenda as part of the council's current Central Ward election campaign, which was triggered by a court ruling that voided the 2022 result. "You only have to look at every postcard of Adelaide and the Torrens is right there, so there's something that pulls the heartstrings," he told ABC Radio Adelaide yesterday. "This has been a place of gathering and a place of swimming for many thousands of years, that existed certainly before the new city started unfortunately polluting the place." Amid South Australia's devastating ocean algal bloom, Mr Taylor said the environment was also at the core of his proposal — making the river safe for bathing would, he argued, secure its broader health. "Swimming is a great human goal, but from my perspective I'm really seeing this as a proxy not only for the environment … but as a real symbol for, 'We're a can-do place'." Mr Taylor has linked the idea to "swimmable cities" — a movement encouraging the cleaning of urban waterways to better support recreational use of them. The idea has gained currency along stretches of Melbourne's Yarra River, and was given an extra push by the use of the Seine for events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "A lot of these things point to what our first peoples in Australia have known for many years — that the health of our waterways and the health of our communities are interconnected," Swimmable Cities co-founder Matt Sykes said. The proposal for Torrens swimming has the in-principle support of Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, who said she had just got back from Switzerland where river dips were a popular pastime. "I think it's a very important aspiration," she said. "We need real attention [on] upstream polluters. We know that there's too much nitrogen going into our rivers, we know that there's too much rubbish that's going into our rivers and we have to clean them up seriously. "If we clean them up, we get rid of the carp, I'll be the first to get in the water." According to the city council's website, activities on the Torrens Lake that involve "primary body contact" — including swimming — are "not permitted due to the condition of the water". "You are encouraged to obey all signage, particularly when the lake is closed, and use the waterway at your own risk," it states. While the thought of dipping as much as a toe into the Torrens might send shivers down the spines of many locals, that has not always been the case. From the late 1800s, before public pools were built, the River Torrens was a popular area for residents to escape the heat of summer. But swimming came with hazards as well as tragedies — old newspaper records on Trove indicate that drownings in the river were fairly common. To help curtail the high number, the Gilberton Amateur Swimming Club — which had its first meeting in early 1915 — introduced free swimming classes. The Adelaide Park Lands Association's website states that the decline of river swimming coincided with rising pollution levels in the 1960s — a problem that has continued to blight the catchment in decades since. "When we have a large flood or rain event, very large volumes of water containing all sorts of stuff off the roads, from people's backyards, are washed into the river," University of Adelaide urban ecologist and Green Adelaide chair Chris Daniels explained. "There's this continual battle, if you like, between cleaning up the river and improving it as much as we can, and then dealing with a sudden influx of a large amount of material, particularly plant material and other forms of pollution. "We also continually monitor the river for bacteria — particularly E. coli which comes from faeces from ducks and dogs and all sorts of other sources, and also cyanobacteria, which can build up in the summer months." But Professor Daniels added that the river's reputation for pollution did not always reflect the reality. "The view that rivers are bad if they're brown is one that isn't actually true," he said. "A river that's very closely associated with vegetation and life is always brown. When you have completely sparkly clear water like you might get in a New Zealand melt-stream coming off glaciers — that runs over a rocky substrate — it's clear because there's nothing in it." Thanks to environmental restoration, an "enormous amount of improvement" has taken place in the river's general health over the past 25 years. "The [Torrens is] in so much better condition now than it was, but it's always going to vary in quality because it depends on rainfall and inflows," Professor Daniels said. On the subject of whether the Torrens should be made safer for swimmers, he said that was the "wrong question to ask". "If you want the river for swimming — in perpetuity, without testing — that people can have faith in, you'd want to get rid of all of the trees, all of the plants, all of the fish, all of the birds, you'd want to make sure there's no inflow into it," he said. "Do we really want to do that? Why are we making it like a community swimming pool? I don't quite understand why people want that to be its function. "Its function as an urban river is to be a repository for biodiversity, to be a high-quality habitat." But Mr Taylor described his own vision in not dissimilar terms, and said ecology needed to be at the forefront of river management. "It's really about something deeper, if you excuse the pun, than just a surface-level, 'Let's look at something recreational to do in the city'," he said. "It's something that I think is quite deeply connected to our sense of place."
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
In These Novels, Murder's the Thing
History Lessons Daphne Ouverture, the main character in HISTORY LESSONS (Soho Crime, 373 pp., $25.95), has chosen a life of the mind, and believes she likes it that way. As a junior professor specializing in French colonialism at the Ivy-esque Harrison University, she prefers 'spending her time with the dead over the living. At least the dead never sassed her back or asked why she was single.' But could the dead, as Daphne wonders, teach her how to live? She's about to find out when someone murders a colleague, a creepy anthropology professor named Sam Taylor. Daphne doesn't really want to play amateur sleuth, but she can't shake the mysterious text Sam sent her the night he died — and then someone attacks her on her own doorstep. I've longed for an academia mystery that hearkens back to classic authors like Helen Eustis and Amanda Cross, and Wallbrook, who knows this world well, delivers. 'History Lessons' brilliantly mixes pointed satire, fabulous characters (especially Daphne's two besties) and a thoughtful meditation on whose fortunes get to rise, and whose are ground down on the altar of power. The House at Devil's Neck Over four books, Mead has perfected his take on the locked-room mystery, one that owes a debt to John Dickson Carr. THE HOUSE AT DEVIL'S NECK (Mysterious Press, 288 pp., $26.95) reminds readers of a date — Aug. 31, 1939, the day before Germany invaded Poland — adding historical weight to what is already a dizzyingly plotted affair. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
7NEWS
25-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Banish a bad brew forever: Soul Origin serves up Aussies favourite coffee crafted with premium beans
If you have ever been disappointed by a lacklustre cup of coffee and found yourself considering a switch from barista-made brews to crafting your own at home, you're not alone. But there's one place Aussies keep turning to for guaranteed great coffee, every single time. Soul Origin, one of Australia's leading fresh food brands, is serving up specialty coffee made from premium beans, banishing a bad brew forever. More than just a fancy label, Specialty Coffee is the gold standard of coffee, sourced directly from farmers, graded and crafted with care and precision to ensure each sip is delicious. Freshly prepared in-store by skilled baristas, Soul Origin coffee is available in espresso-based beverages with 15 different varieties, including hot or iced options. Whatever your coffee preference, Soul Origin caters to every taste. Thanks to the newly launched SO Guarantee Offer, if your coffee isn't meeting your standards, the team will replace it — no fuss or guilt, just a great cup of coffee. 'At Soul Origin, Specialty Coffee is more than just a drink; it's an experience,' Soul Origin's National Coffee Manager, Sam Taylor tells Best Picks. 'We've put our heart into making sure every bean delivers an unforgettable coffee moment. If it doesn't meet our standards, we'll replace it, no questions asked.' And if that wasn't enough, Soul Origin is introducing a limited edition single-origin coffee from Tanzania's Mimba Farm for shoppers to try first-hand in store. The coffee embodies unique flavours like salted caramel, strawberry cola and root beer spice, it's your chance to switch up your regular coffee order and treat your tastebuds to something totally new. Launching June 26, this limited-edition flavour is only available for short time, so if you love experimenting with different tastes and flavours, you'll want to get in quick. Soul Origin is well-known for its generosity, premium coffee beans and always serving quality-made fresh delicious and nutritious food daily, always great value. Being part of the Soulmates Loyalty Program is a great way to get a variety of exclusive rewards and offers that make being part of the Soul Origin Community even more special. Easy to join with endless benefits, if you're a regular coffee drinker, you could be rewarded for your daily purchases — it's almost too good to be true. What else can you get out of the Loyalty Program? A free coffee for joining the program Exclusive deals and opportunities to sample our products Every five visits you'll receive a $5 reward Special birthday treats on your birthday 'We are proud of our Soulmates Loyalty Program, known for consistently delivering SO much good stuff including rewards, exclusive offers and treats,' says Soul Origin's Chief Operating Officer Adam Neill. So whether you're looking for exceptional barista-made coffee, an iced drink or something from the delicious and freshly made range of food on offer, Soul Origin is your one-stop-shop. To find your closest store, visit the Soul Origin website here.
West Australian
17-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
GWS Giants dealt massive injury blow with Sam Taylor suffering a broken toe
Greater Western Sydney have suffered a massive blow with gun defender Sam Taylor facing over a month on the sidelines. 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire revealed the All-Australian suffered a broken toe during last week's win over Brisbane. Taylor was able to play out the match, but is now expected to miss the next up to five weeks. 'A huge blow for GWS with All-Australian full-back Sam Taylor out for 4-5 weeks with a broken toe,' McGuire tweeted . 'He sustained the injury against Brisbane but played through the pain. He'll spend the next 2-3 weeks in a moon boot.' The blow comes just as the Giants recaptured their best form with the win over the Lions, which came after a shock loss to Port Adelaide in Canberra. But now they will be without Taylor for matches against Gold Coast, West Coast, Geelong and Essendon over the next month. Brent Daniels is also facing another stint on the sidelines after suffering an adductor tendon injury against the Lions. The small forward, who has only managed six games, will undergo scans to determine his rehabilitation period. Meanwhile, youngster Aaron Cadman knows his apprenticeship is over and feels he's ready to explode in the back half of the AFL season. The 2022 No.1 draft pick lived up to his billing after his career-best haul of five goals and 13 marks helped steer the Giants to a comeback win over Brisbane. His breakout performance - which included a speccy mark against Lions swingman Eric Hipwood - added to reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan's haul of six goals and 12 marks. The 21-year-old's slow burn to good form echoes the words of inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, who believes players only come of age at AFL level when they reach 50 games. Set to chalk up the milestone against Gold Coast, Cadman agrees there is truth in Sheedy's declaration. 'I know that I can be, hopefully, one of the top players in the league,' Cadman said on Tuesday. 'This is my third year, so I've still got a lot of growing to do as a player, physically and mentally. 'I know they're saying your apprenticeship is over at 50 games once you're past 50, but I feel like I've still got a lot of room to grow. 'Obviously, big thanks to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in 50 games. 'Even picking me 50 times where I probably wouldn't have picked myself, and just having faith in me and knowing what I am capable of.' Cadman has long been touted as the man to lead the GWS forward line for years to come, after the Giants traded up to secure the top selection in the 2022 draft. The left-footer managed just six goals from a dozen appearances in his 2023 debut season, before hitting new heights last year with 30 goals across 23 games. GWS's faith is clear, but Cadman admitted it took time for him to shake off the expectations that come with being a top draft selection. 'I feel like in my first two years, that was something that weighed on me a little bit,' Cadman said. 'Now I know what I am capable of, and just continuing to show that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where I was picked. ' Cadman credits Hogan as the man who has helped make him ready for what looms at AFL level. A 17-year-old Hogan has faced similar expectations after being drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2012 mini-draft. 'Me and Jesse can relate to each other a little bit,' Cadman said. 'Even on and off the field, just sharing his mistakes and helping me learn from those things has been super helpful for me. 'It's a great relationship we have down there. It's almost like half the time, we don't even have to say anything.' - With AAP
