aztec’s treasure

Impact Climate Technologies Partners with Texas Air Products to Expand Commercial HVAC Solutions Across TexasThe fall of the Assad regime in Syria continues to reshape the country and the greater Middle East. In Damascus, leaders of the armed group HTS have retained most services of the civilian government but vowed to dissolve Assad’s security forces and shut down Assad’s notorious prisons. “People have this sense of regained freedom,” says Syrian architect and writer Marwa al-Sabouni in Homs. Still, she warns oppression in the country has left the populace weakened and vulnerable. “Syria is up for grabs now. ... We are completely disarmed.” In northeast Syria, more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting between Turkish-backed forces and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Israel continues to seize more land in the Golan Heights and has carried out over 480 airstrikes on Syria since Sunday. Swiss Syrian left-wing activist and scholar Joseph Daher explains how civil society is attempting to rebuild democracy through “struggle from below,” and how that could unleash popular support for Palestine. “Israel wanted a weak Assad and is not happy with the fall of this regime,” says Daher. “A democratization process in the Middle East is the biggest threat for Israel.” This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. NERMEEN SHAIKH: We begin today’s show looking at the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria and how it could reshape the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan for emergency talks on Syria. He heads to Turkey next. This comes as celebrations continue in Syria over the fall of Bashar al-Assad, but many are concerned about what might happen next. In northeast Syria, more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting between Turkish-backed forces and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Israel has carried out over 480 airstrikes on Syria since Sunday. Israeli troops have also seized part of the Syrian Golan Heights. In Geneva, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights, Ben Saul, criticized Israel’s actions in Syria. AMY GOODMAN: Meanwhile, in Damascus, the head of the armed group HTS that led the coalition against Assad has vowed to dissolve Assad’s security forces and shut down his notorious prisons, including Sednaya, which has been described as a “human slaughterhouse.” We begin today’s show with two guests. Joseph Daher, a Swiss Syrian left-wing activist and scholar, author of Hezbollah: The Political Economy of the Party of God , as well as Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience , he’s in Geneva, Switzerland. And in Homs, Syria, we’re joined by Marwa al-Sabouni, award-winning Syrian architect, urban thinker and writer, author of two internationally acclaimed books, The Battle for Home and Building for Hope . We welcome you both to Democracy Now! Marwa, let’s begin with you in Homs. Just describe the scene there after the fall of Assad. MARWA AL-SABOUNI: Well, thank you for having me, Amy. The general atmosphere is an atmosphere of relief, of joy, of celebration, like you mentioned in your report. But also there’s this background of apprehension, of uncertainty, of observing what — the strikes that Israel has been conducting since the first moment of the Assad’s fall. NERMEEN SHAIKH: And, Marwa, could you talk about your piece for Middle East Eye ? You wrote, “Syrians have flown the cage. We must not lose our freedom again.” If you could elaborate on the points you make in the piece? MARWA AL-SABOUNI: Well, primarily, we were, for now over 50 years, under one oppressional regime that, you know, was denying Syrians from all liberties. And now with the lift of this regime, people have this sense of regained freedom. But like I mentioned in the piece, there are a number of dangers around us, mainly by the foreign powers, which are looking at the map of Syria, proposing division, also planning the future of Syria, mostly by the vacuum and the absence of Syrians from the political scene due to the oppressional regime. You have something that is rarely on the news, that is the control of the U.S. over the petrol in the eastern part of Syria, where the Kurdish forces, backed by the U.S., do the guarding effort for that. And for the past 14 years, even under the Assad regime, we were denied as Syrian citizens from access to fuel, from access to electricity. We don’t have electricity. Imagine living, you know, and having two hours of electricity within the 24 hours. So, it’s each six hours, you had half an hour of electricity. And imagine how this will reflect on the economy, on health sector, on production and all of that. Also you don’t have heating. You don’t have fuel for commuting. So, each car has access to only 20 liters of fuel every 15 days. So, the U.S., you know, just grabbed this piece of resource and put its hand, while the regime was here, and continues to do that until now. And so, mainly, Syria is up for grabs now. You have all those powers who can have access to those resources. And now, like your report mentioned, we are completely disarmed. We are in a sitting duck position. And God knows what could happen to the Syrians afterwards. NERMEEN SHAIKH: So, I’d like to bring in Joseph Daher into the conversation. If you could respond to what Marwa said? You’ve followed Syrian politics for decades. You wrote a book called Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience . Your response to, you know, first of all, the fall of the Assad regime, what you see happening in Syria, the celebrations across the country, Assad statues being toppled and so on, Hafez al-Assad’s tomb being burned? Your response to what’s happened, and then, also, the role of foreign powers in his fall? In particular, you’ve focused on Turkey. Joseph? JOSEPH DAHER: Thank you. Good morning. I think the key issues to understand, first of all, following the overthrow of the regime, is how little and small the popular base of the regime was. It fell just like a house of cards. It was weakened structurally, politically, militarily, economically, and was basically surviving because of the assistance of Russia and Iran. And when these two forces were themselves weakened, this allowed the opportunity for the fall of this regime, which had, first of all, initially, a military dynamic which remained dominant, but, as we can see throughout the process, people started to go out in the street, attack symbols of the regime. And we can see in the past few days a large majority of the Syrian people were opposed to this regime, in all its sects, ethnicities. We saw statues being brought down in Kurdish-majority inhabited areas, but also in the coastal areas, Damascus, Aleppo, Suwayda. So, this is the first thing to say, that for the first time in decades, Syrians have a hope for the future, to build a more equal, democratic, social society. Obviously, there is fear, but fear was existing for the past five decades. But at least there’s an opportunity to be seized. With this opportunity to be seized, a lot of challenges exist. First of all, I think, internally, the groups, the armed opposition groups, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or the Syrian National Army, are far from being democratic. Quite the opposite, they’ve shown the authoritarian behavior, policies in the past. Therefore, there will be a need to rebuild, you know, democratic movement, new popular organizations, trade unions, feminist organizations, and to rebuild basically struggle from below, to build the possibility of an alternative political structure, you know, social structure. Again, there’s another kind of threat. There’s also the ethnic division between Arabs and Kurds that must be tackled. It must be tackled. And unfortunately, Turkey is playing a very negative role by pushing, you know, SNA forces, Syrian National Army, which is acting as a proxy of Turkey to attack Kurdish-held areas. Just to precise something, autonomous administrative areas, where you have the majority of oil production, sold part of its oil to the regime. But even if, you know, the same unity came back and they had access to all the oil in the northeast, it won’t be enough for internal consumption. The vast majority of oil was imported from Iran, was provided from Iran. And after, I want to speak about the external threat. Obviously, Turkey, I talked about it, but Israel, as well. Israel has no interest to see a democratization process in Syria, just as in the larger Middle East, because it knows it will bring more solidarity with the Palestinian cause. And this is why the day after, the actor that was the regime, the Assad regime, protecting the road with Israel for the past 40 years, preventing any form of resistance, attacked all the military infrastructure’s capacity, so at least a large majority of them, throughout the country to destroy them, to make the future Syrian state weaker and also send a political message to the future people that will be in power in Syria, that any kind of hostile and belligerent position towards Israel will be attacked by Israel and could create instability. So, these are the two main threats, internal and external, as well. AMY GOODMAN: So, if you can talk about these Israeli attacks? There have been hundreds and hundreds, well over 500, attacks, as you just began. You have the U.N. the envoy, special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, condemning Israel’s assault. What Israel is trying to accomplish right now in this massive bombing campaign of Syria? And you’ve written a book called Hezbollah . Where that fits into this at this point? JOSEPH DAHER: Well, I think what we’ve seen in the past few days is this demonstration that as soon as the Assad regime fell — and again, it’s important to remind the auditors that contrary to some commentators that saw the Assad regime as a resistant actor against Israel, Israel had to intervene now to bomb massively the military structures, infrastructures of the Syrian state, because it was scared that the main actor protecting its borders for the past 40 years disappeared, and, again, sending a message, a clear message, to the future forces that will be in power in Syria that any hostile position could be punished directly. Similarly, I think there’s another thing to take into consideration, is that Israel wanted a weak Assad and is not happy with the fall of this regime. Moreover, there have been increasingly documents that have been leaked showing that Assad regime was collaborating, in a way or another, with the Israeli state. In this perspective, more largely, I think, definitely, Iran and Hezbollah are the great loser of the fall of the regime. But no resistance against Israel can be built with supporting authoritarian regimes or participating in the repression of people struggling for democracy, freedom and social justice. So, the weakening of Hezbollah and Iran is definitely the result also of Israel’s war on Lebanon and attacks in Syria against a pro-Iranian position, pro-Hezbollah position. But more largely, we have seen that these actors have not acted largely in the interests of the liberation of the region, of the popular classes, but, moreover, of the Palestinians. And one other indicator in this direction is the latest statements of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. I personally don’t disagree with — I personally disagree with their politics, while supporting the right of resistance. But they saluted the liberation of the Palestinian people — or, the Syrian population from the dictatorship of Assad. That shows us that, basically, the key importance for a future strategy of liberation for Palestine is connected to the liberation of the population of the region. And we have to come back to the statement made by Foreign Minister of Israel Avigdor Lieberman in 2011 following the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt, that a democratic Egypt is a bigger threat to Israel than Iran. Similarly, a democratization process in the Middle East is the biggest threat for Israel. AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to go — last month, the ICC, the International Criminal Court, decided to indict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. The Biden administration rejected the ICC decision, claiming it doesn’t have jurisdiction to try Netanyahu. Well, this week, a reporter asked State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller if the U.S. would support Assad standing in front of the ICC as a war criminal. This begins with Matt Miller, who’s then interrupted by the Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee. AMY GOODMAN: A jurisdictional dispute, Joseph Daher, if you could talk about that? JOSEPH DAHER: Well, who will be surprised that the U.S. has double standards? We’ve seen this continuously and that U.S. has never pushed an agenda for real democratization of the region and has foreign policy according to its own geopolitical interests. So, this is, for me, not a surprise to see the difference in this kind of behavior. We have to remind that the U.S. is the key actor allowing for the continuous genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, for the continuous annexation of lands in the West Bank. Israel would not have been able to continue its genocidal war without the support of the U.S. Actually, Israel is only the implementer of U.S. politics, according to the Palestinians. Similarly, Israel could not have been leading a war on Lebanon without U.S. support. And finally, Israel informed the U.S. of the invasion of Syrian lands, of the bombing of military infrastructures in Syria, with the support of the U.S., that also are seeking to protect its key ally in the region, Israel. So, it’s not a surprise at all to see these kind of double standards by the U.S. or any kind of Western states. AMY GOODMAN: By the way, Yoav Gallant, who was one of those charged by the ICC, for whom there is an arrest warrant, just met with Brett McGurk in Washington, D.C., this week. NERMEEN SHAIKH: And before we end, Joseph Daher, if you could talk about what you see unfolding in the next weeks in Syria? You spoke earlier a little bit about the different groups, not just HTS, that are now operating in Syria. How do you see this playing out in terms of the plan that they’ve laid out, and, in fact, of their changing political orientation, ideological orientation, as the head of HTS has suggested they will do? JOSEPH DAHER: Well, there’s a clear strategy by the HTS that started in 2016, following its break with al-Qaeda, to present itself as a rational, moderate actor, not only locally but also regionally and internationally. It has, you know, branded itself as would like to participate any kind of counterterrorist campaigns, that it’s not a threat to the West. It’s also sending messages to regional actors. And we’re seeing a change, according to regional, international actors, towards HTS. Does that mean that HTS, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is a democratic organization? No, far from it. It is an authoritarian organization with an Islamic fundamentalist ideology and that is seeking to basically consolidate its power now in Syria. One of the latest indicators is the nomination of a prime minister that was previously the head of the government of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s first priority is to consolidate its power in the region it took control over. And this is a challenge for the Syrian democratic and social aspiration of Syrian popular classes in the country. This is why I was saying that we have a lot of — Syrians, in general, have a lot of hope, but also there’s contradictions and challenges in the space that was opened by the fall of the regime. And obviously, there will be a lot of work of rebuilding to do among democratic and progressive sectors of the society to constitute a bloc to challenge the power of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, but also of the Syrian National Army. And the developments in the following weeks and months will depend on the ability of democratic and social groups to develop, and also, according, as I was saying, to regional and international developments, because a lot of the country, despite their differences, also want to see a form of authoritarian stability reimposed on Syria, that basically meaning a damage control for the region. So, again, the hope is back, but there’s a lot of challenges. There’s a lot of obstacles. But at least, for decades, we have the ability as Syrians to think of a better future. Nothing is done yet, but, again, there’s a lot of hope. And it will depend on the balance of forces within the country and the ability to constitute democratic, progressive bloc, challenging the Arabic-Kurdish division, on the ability of challenging these authoritarian local forces, but also regional and international forces, because none of them have the best interests of the Syrian popular classes. AMY GOODMAN: We just have 30 seconds, but I just wanted to ask you about the significance of the finding of the corpse of Mazen al-Hamada. Tens of thousands of Syrians in Damascus now are gathering to attend his funeral. JOSEPH DAHER: Well, it’s a tragedy, like thousands, hundreds of thousands, of other disappeared, forcibly disappeared, of political prisoners that we don’t know what happened with them. This is a reflection of the barbarism of what was the Assad regime for the past 54 years, a regime that not only killed Syrians, but attacked Lebanese, occupied Lebanon, attacked Palestinians, Palestinian national movement, and has been really a center of authoritarianism and reactionary politics, not only for the Syrians, but for the whole region. AMY GOODMAN: Joseph Daher, thank you so much for being with us, Swiss Syrian left-wing scholar and activist in Geneva, Switzerland. We’ll link to your recent piece for The New Arab , “From Syria to Palestine, liberation comes from below.” And thanks also to Marwa al-Sabouni, the Syrian architect and writer in Homs, in Syria. We lost our connection with her in the middle of the conversation. When we come back, we’ll speak with Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. He’s just left war-torn Ukraine. Stay with us.aztec’s treasure 。

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant is skipping his final college season to enter the NFL draft. Grant, a key part of the Wolverines' 2023 national championship team, announced his decision Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Fellow Michigan interior lineman Mason Graham had already declared for the draft. Both are projected as likely first-round picks. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound Grant was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He had 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. Grant helped Michigan upset Ohio State in the Big Ten regular-season finale, making four tackles. Cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland have also declared for the draft leading up to Michigan's game against No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballA frequently asked question in the agricultural sector is: Why have we not yet succeeded in producing high-quality cotton seeds? While this may seem like a simple and straightforward inquiry, it actually encompasses a range of complex research and practical challenges. The issue is not solely about developing quality seeds; it also pertains to their proper usage and the provision of ideal growing conditions. The real challenge lies in understanding why the same seed variety yields different results across different regions and for various farmers. In some areas, the same seed produces low yields, while in others, it delivers exceptional results. Understanding these variations is critical to enhancing cotton production. The process of developing high-quality cotton seeds is far from straightforward. It is a lengthy, labour-intensive, and highly intricate process that involves genetic research, climate considerations, soil fertility, and effective crop management, among other factors. Additionally, substantial time, resources, and modern technology are required to develop seeds that can thrive in various conditions. These factors not only increase seed productivity but also form the foundation of a nation’s agricultural and economic stability. Therefore, rather than merely questioning the lack of quality seeds, it is essential to appreciate the multifaceted nature of this process. Upon Pakistan’s inception, the country’s total cotton production was a modest 1.3 million bales, with a per-hectare yield of only 350 kilograms. At the time, there were just three textile mills and six ginning factories. Today, Pakistan boasts over 550 textile mills and more than 1,000 ginning factories—a remarkable transformation. The question is: How did such tremendous growth occur? The answer lies in sustained investment in cotton research and development, coupled with the production of high-quality seeds. Improved seed varieties, modern farming techniques, and the relentless efforts of research institutions have propelled the country’s cotton production to new heights. Over the years, Pakistan has enjoyed bumper cotton harvests, which have not only significantly boosted agricultural output but also bolstered the national economy. The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) has played a pivotal role in cotton research and development through its affiliated institutions in Punjab and Sindh, as well as the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Cotton Research Institute (CRI) Multan, and Cotton Research Institute (CRI) Faisalabad. These institutions have been instrumental in developing quality seeds and advancing cotton research, contributing to Pakistan’s position as a leading cotton producer and establishing a solid foundation for its agricultural economy. In addition, other organizations in Pakistan, including CEMB, NIBGE, NIAB, and several prominent private seed companies, have also played a significant role in advancing cotton research and the development of superior seed varieties. These entities have fostered innovation and contributed to the overall progress of cotton production. However, the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) remains the primary institution driving this initiative and has long served as the backbone of the nation’s cotton industry. Unfortunately, PCCC is currently grappling with severe financial and administrative challenges, which have hindered its effectiveness. Major research institutions under the PCCC, such as the Central Cotton Research Institute Sakrand and the Central Cotton Research Institute Multan, have achieved exceptional success in cotton research and seed technology. Despite facing financial constraints, these institutions remain committed to advancing cotton production. For example, the cotton variety CRIS-682 developed at the Central Cotton Research Institute Sakrand performed remarkably well in Sindh in 2024, while the variety Cyto-547 from the Central Cotton Research Institute Multan secured first place in the 2023 National Coordinated Varietal Trials (NCVT) in Punjab. Further success is expected in the 2024 national trials. These achievements underscore the expertise and dedication of Pakistani agricultural scientists, who continue to excel despite limited resources. The critical issue, however, lies in policy and priorities. If these scientists can achieve extraordinary results under challenging conditions, providing them with adequate resources and support could propel Pakistan to global excellence in cotton research and development. Another significant aspect of cotton production is the observed variation in seed performance across different regions. For example, the same seed variety may yield 15 maunds per acre in one region, while in other region, it may produce up to 40 maunds per acre. This variation is not solely due to seed quality but is influenced by factors such as soil composition, climatic conditions, and farming practices. A thorough understanding of these variables is essential for optimizing cotton yields across diverse environments. We must prioritize cotton research and development by recognizing the complexity of the issue. Improving cotton production is critical for the long-term stability and growth of Pakistan’s economy. The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, along with other research institutions, has demonstrated that with sufficient resources and support, Pakistan has the potential to become a leading player in global cotton production. For farmers, it is essential to understand that successful cotton production is not reliant on a single factor. Rather, it is the result of a collective effort involving seed quality, crop management, and various other factors. First and foremost, seed quality plays a crucial role in the success of a cotton crop. High-quality seeds contribute to the overall health and growth of the plants, help mitigate diseases, and ultimately result in increased yields. Seed quality can contribute between 25 and 30 percent to overall production. Equally important is crop management, which plays a central role in maximizing cotton production. Proper timing of sowing, effective irrigation practices, balanced fertilizer application, timely pest control, and diligent crop maintenance all directly impact yields. These factors collectively contribute approximately 40 to 50 percent of the total production. Additionally, environmental factors such as soil fertility, irrigation availability, and disease management can have a profound effect on cotton yields, contributing around 20 to 30 percent. In summary, seed quality, crop management, and environmental conditions work in tandem to determine the success of cotton production. The relative importance of each factor may vary based on regional conditions, soil types, and climate variations. By understanding and effectively managing these factors, we can significantly improve cotton yields and the overall health of the crop, thus securing the future of Pakistan’s cotton industry. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024

Georgia has had more time than Notre Dame to prepare for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night in New Orleans. And that will come in handy for a team turning to an inexperienced quarterback with the season on the line. Sophomore Gunner Stockton will start for the No. 2-seeded Bulldogs (11-2) against the No. 7-seeded Fighting Irish (12-1) after Carson Beck underwent season-ending surgery to repair an elbow injury suffered in the second quarter of the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 7. Stockton replaced Beck and completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with an interception in Georgia's 22-19 overtime win against Texas. The victory solidified a playoff bye and extra preparation time for the Bulldogs, though they didn't know their opponent until almost two weeks later when Notre Dame advanced with a 27-17 first-round playoff victory against Indiana on Dec. 20 in South Bend, Ind. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the extra time helped Stockton by giving him added reps with the first team, though the Bulldogs' game preparation was limited until they knew their opponent. "I think the biggest thing (for Stockton) is just competition and practice, the situations we put him in," Smart said. "All those things allow him to get better as a quarterback." Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns this season, with one interception. Freshman Nate Frazier leads the running game with 634 yards and eight TDs on 129 carries. Irish coach Marcus Freeman said he and his staff have "80-something plays" of Stockton to study. "He can run their offense," Freeman said. "He does things a little bit differently. He can extend plays with his legs; he's a good athlete. The thing I probably noticed most about him, he's an ultra-competitive individual." Smart downplayed the possibility that Stockton's running ability will lead to much difference in the Bulldogs' game plan. "We are who we are," Smart said. The flip side to the break between games is that Georgia will have had the equivalent of 3 1/2 byes while Notre Dame stayed sharp by winning its 11th consecutive game. "It's really just hard to manage how you keep your players in football shape and game shape," Smart said. "Do you lose some rhythm? You watch it most times in bowl games, people that have those long breaks, it can affect how you play." Notre Dame, like fellow first-round winners Penn State, Ohio State and Texas, is adjusting to playing back-to-back postseason games as part of the 12-team CFP. "Obviously, this is a first for me," Freeman said. "You almost prepared for this first round like it was maybe even a bowl game-ish-type opportunity. But then you realize once the game was over, you get back to preparation. ... "In the playoffs, you've got to prepare in a way that gives your program the best opportunity to win. Put everything on the table and then, if you're able to get the outcome you want, you've got to go right back to preparation." The Irish will go through the rest of the season without defensive tackle Rylie Mills because of a knee injury he suffered against Indiana. "The value (Mills) provided this team is tremendous," Freeman said. "And he's done an excellent job as a football player and a leader. "You've got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways. We have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year that we're very confident in." Mills had 7 1/2 sacks this season, and he and preseason All-American Howard Cross III helped the defense overcome the loss of another preseason All-American, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who sustained a season-ending hip injury in October. Cross missed the final three regular-season games because of a high ankle sprain but returned against Indiana. On offense, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard has thrown for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns against six interceptions, and Jeremiyah Love averages 7.4 yards per carry, posting 1,057 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 142 attempts. --Field Level Media

Worst TV show of 2024? Love Island All Stars & Football Focus were truly awful but nothing matched witless BBC ‘comedy’

MIAMI , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Donald B. Olson is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Achiever for his contributions in Leading Oceanography and Marine Science Innovator. Dr. Donald B. Olson has established himself as a prominent figure in oceanography, marine, and atmospheric science over his illustrious 50-year career. Currently a professor at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science since 1979, Dr. Olson's contributions span across education, research, and international collaboration. Dr. Olson's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 1974, followed by both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy from Texas A&M University in 1976 and 1979, respectively. His early academic achievements paved the way for a distinguished career focused on advancing our understanding of oceanographic systems and their impact on marine ecosystems. Throughout his career, Dr. Olson has been instrumental in fostering educational opportunities in South American oceanographic programs. He served as visiting faculty at the University of Buenos Aires and the University of Sao Paulo , pioneering graduate courses in physical oceanography tailored for fisheries and climate studies across Latin America . Additionally, Dr. Olson led a groundbreaking summer program on biophysical interactions in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology , supported by funding from the U.S. Navy to enhance biophysical models of the ocean. Dr. Olson's expertise spans multiple disciplines within oceanography, including marine ecosystem ecology, mesoscale oceanography, and mathematical physiology. He is a member of prestigious scientific organizations such as the American Meteorological Society, American Geophysical Union, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Oceanographic Society, and American Fisheries Society, reflecting his influence and recognition in the field. His prolific research has garnered numerous grants from institutions like the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation, and NASA. Dr. Olson's work is widely published, with over 150 articles in scholarly journals and contributions to various book chapters. He has also served as an associate editor for Oceanography magazine, the Journal of Marine Research, and as editor of Geophysical Research Letters-Oceans. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dr. Olson received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Wyoming , celebrating his impact on oceanographic research and education. Looking ahead, Dr. Olson remains committed to advancing oceanographic knowledge, fostering international collaborations, and mentoring future generations of scientists in the field. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner CircleStage set for govt, opposition face-off on Constitution in Lok Sabha today

Healey: Proscription status of Syria’s new rulers is not a matter for nowFarmers boost Dallewal security; to block trains, roads, milk supplyReport: Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff retires from football

Croatia's president faces conservative rival in election run-off

Trash collection to resume for parts of Anne Arundel County after strike endsHealey: Proscription status of Syria’s new rulers is not a matter for now

NFL Hall of Famer calls out George Pickens amid Steelers three-game slideIn today's Daily Fix:Assassin's Creed Shadows will have an optional feature where you don't need to worry about story decisions at all. Unofficially dubbed 'canon mode,' the feature will let you focus on gameplay while the game itself handles important dialogue options that affect the game's story. Perfect if you get nervous about making decisions, or just don't care about the story and want to go back to assassinatin'. In other news, a new trailer has leaked for Mafia: The Old Country, and it features a release window. The Game Awards are tonight, so maybe we'll see it officially revealed then? And finally, a new Mew-focused set is coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' dies at 73

THE rock ’n’ roll reunion we’ve all been waiting for kicks off in July, but the Oasis tour is not the only highlight of the coming year. Here are some dates for your diaries . . . THE 82nd Golden Globe Awards kick off 2025 on January 5, with comedian Nikki Glaser as host. Denzel Washington is up for a gong in Gladiator II, as are Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for their roles in Wicked. MARISHA Wallace debuts in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the West End from January 28. She stars as Sally Bowles alongside Billy Porter. THE Revel Puck Circus in East London has two acrobatics shows a day until January 5. For all ages. PITBULL, heads to London’s O2 arena on Friday, February 21, as part of his European tour dates for Party After Dark. TAKE a trip back to Nineties Beverly Hills for Clueless: A New Musical, which kicks off on February 15 at the Trafalgar Theatre in London. The production, which is based on Jane Austen's classic novel Emma, features new songs by Suddenly I See hitmaker KT Tunstall and Grammy award winner Glenn Slater. OUR favourite pop sweetheart Sabrina Carpenter kicks off the European leg of her Short N’Sweet tour in Dublin, Ireland, on March 3 at the 3Arena, before making her way over to the UK. FELLOW Taylor Swift support act Gracie Abrams, brings her Secret Of Us tour to the UK, starting on March 3 at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. THE Brit Awards 2025 with Mastercard take place on Saturday, March 1 at London’s O2, exclusively broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX. ANASTACIA heads to Europe for her Not That Kind tour. The I’m Outta Love hitmaker will begin her UK leg at Portsmouth Guildhall on April 16. OLLY MURS, kicks off his 15 Years of Hits – Live 2025 tour at Plymouth Pavilions on April 24, with Blue supporting. We can’t wait. BRUCE Springsteen and The E Street Band return to the UK with three dates at Co-op Live in Manchester on May 14, 17 and 20. WE will be taking a trip back to the Noughties as Robbie Williams begins his live 2025 tour at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on May 31. POP’S Dua Lipa will perform at Wembley Stadium on June 20 and 21 as part of her Radical Optimism Tour. SAM FENDER returns with his People Watching Stadium Tour at London Stadium on June 6. Third album, People Watching, is set for February. GLASTONBURY is back from June 25-29. The 1975, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young are set to headline, while Rod Stewart is playing the Sunday Legends slot. CARDIFF will host the reunion of the decade when Oasis, play the first of their Live ’25 Tour dates at the Principality Stadium in Wales on July 4. BILLIE Elish will continue her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland on July 7. IRISH post-punk band Fontaines D.C. will play Finsbury Park on July 5 with special guests Kneecap and Amyl and The Sniffers. THE Libertines fronted by Pete Doherty, will play a headline show at London’s Gunnersbury Park on Saturday 9. The Don’t Look Back Into The Sun rockers will be joined by special guests including Soft Play, Supergrass and Lambrini Girls. READING and Leeds Festival will take place on the UK bank holiday weekend on 22-24 August. The double festival will see Chappell Roan make her debut at the festival along with Travis Scott . THE National Television Awards will return to London’s O2 on September 10 to celebrate the best of British TV. OUR favourite boy bands, Busted and McFly, will be joining forces for a spectacular tour kicking off at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on September 23. SOUL-POP legends Simply Red will bring their 40th Anniversary Tour to the UK, starting on September 23 at the SSE Arena in Belfast. BEYONCE reigned supreme as she took to the stadium to perform at half-time for the Christmas Day NFL show. And I can reveal the superstar was also the Queen of festive cheer — after paying her staff bumper bonuses and her dancers double pay for joining her in a dazzling performance. Bey, inset, whose estimated net worth is more than £600million, appeared with daughter Blue Ivy at an American football game in Houston, her home city. The show — dubbed the “Beyonce Bowl” — was streamed live on Netflix and produced by her company Parkwood Entertainment. The singer, clad in a white cowboy hat and chaps, performed hits from her country album Cowboy Carter, which included her number one track Texas Hold ’Em. A source said: “Beyonce paid her staff bonuses for working on Christmas Day. "The show was a big business deal and had to happen on Christmas Day so she paid her staff and dancers double pay to make it happen. “She is also planning to bring some of her old dancers back into the mix for her next tour.” But as Beyonce and her 12-year-old daughter lit up the stadium with a flawless performance, her family has been rocked by allegations. Bey’s husband and rapper Jay-Z — real name Shawn Carter — has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. The alleged victim claims she was attacked at a Music Video Awards after-party in 2000. Both men strongly deny the allegations. Earlier this week, a judge ruled against Jay-Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, who tried to have the woman behind the allegations identified. Judge Analisa Torres refused the motion. At a time when Blue Ivy was carving out a path to fame, her spotlight has been overshadowed. KATHERINE RYAN has hit back after MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace moaned that “middle-class women of a certain age” were behind the sexism complaints against him. In an exclusive chat at the Women in Film and TV awards, Katherine, right, said: “I feel encouraged that we have moved forward so quickly that there are men of a certain age who can’t keep up with the rules. "They haven’t learned quickly enough that they are supposed to speak to us in a different way or respect us in a different way or hold space for us in a different way – I find that really encouraging.” Last month Gregg stepped down from the BBC One show after a probe into his alleged behaviour. He has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues – accusations he denies. FLORENCE PUGH has opened up on the prospect of juggling a career with starting a family. The British actress recently starred in rom-com We Live In Time, which is set to hit cinemas on New Year’s Day. It sees Florence play Almut – a former figure skater turned chef – who falls in love with divorcee Tobias, portrayed by Andrew Garfield . She said: “Part of this story is about a woman’s dilemma to either have a successful career or start a family. “And let’s be honest, that’s something that’s still very real to this day. “When men become fathers, it doesn’t set their career back – but it can and still very much does for women. “So it was really important for me that women especially got to sympathise with Almut. “It’s going to be a dilemma I have to juggle at some point – and it’s still such an important subject matter.” It comes after Florence was recently spotted Christmas shopping with her Peaky Blinders boyfriend Finn Cole in London. The couple were first linked in September. LOVE Island star Josh Denzel has announced that he is engaged – six years after appearing on the ITV dating series. While he did not find romance on the show, the reality star announced on Instagram that he had popped the question to fashion model girlfriend Ruby Wong on the slopes in Switzerland . Sharing a collection of romantic snaps on the social media site, he wrote: “My love, every day with you is a gift, and I’m so blessed to spend the rest of my life by your side. “You are my rock, my guide, and my heart. And now you’re my fiancee. I love you always.” IT IS the scandal that has rocked Hollywood. But while Blake Lively is suing her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment, it seems that she can count on her close pal Taylor Swift for support. I am told the singer has been regularly checking in with bestie Blake, who played florist Lily Bloom in the film, following claims Justin fat-shamed her and talked about their respective sex lives. A source said: “Taylor has been speaking to Blake nearly every day and is absolutely disgusted by the revelations. “Taylor sticks by her friends and understands how tough the industry can be — especially for women. She is no stranger to legal conflicts and has been offering guidance and advice.” The talent agency that represents both actors has cut ties with Justin since the legal complaint was filed against him last week. And a list of 30 demands was released that Blake made to Justin and others before she would return to filming the movie, which is based on Colleen Hoover's novel and sees Lily navigate an abusive relationship. Legal papers reveal there was a meeting attended by Blake, her actor husband Ryan Reynolds, Justin, studio bosses and lawyers to address her complaints on set. Among the demands made were that Justin’s previous “pornography addiction” and her lack of porn “consumption” no longer be up for discussion. But while Blake is fighting to get her voice heard, it seems that her friendship with Taylor is stronger than ever. The pair, left, have been close since connecting in 2015. Since then, they are regularly spotted out together and Taylor is godmother to Blake’s three daughters — even namechecking them on track Betty from her 2020 album, Folklore. JENNIFER LOPEZ chills out in her warmest winter woollies – and a pair of giant fluffy snow boots . The On The Floor hitmaker completed the look with a huge parka jacket and oversized shades during a festive getaway to Aspen, Colorado. The singer is set to ring in 2025 as a single woman after filing for divorce from her ex, Ben Affleck , in August. And she is staying focused on her career with a part in the film adaptation of Kiss Of The Spider Woman next year. Jen said: “It’s probably the most challenging and rewarding role I’ve ever had. It’s about love, acceptance and finding beauty in the darkness. “I think those themes are so relevant right now.” Perhaps some inspo for her 2025 mood board . . .From a 10-year-old to a Muppet to a president-elect, NYSE bell-ringers range from famous to obscure