Latest news with #Demeter
Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Fir forests dying in Greece, as heat peaks and snow cover wanes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Forest entomologist Dimitrios Avtzis (right) talking to Katerina Kolirou, the head of the local forest service near the village of Kalavryta, Greece, on July 9. KALAVRYTA, Greece - On the wooded slopes surrounding the village of Kalavryta in southwestern Greece, hundreds of dying fir trees stand out among the dark green foliage, their brittle, reddish needles a stark reminder of how drought slowly drains the life from nature. Fir trees are known to need cooler, moist climates. But prolonged droughts in recent years linked to a fast-changing climate in Greece are leaving them exposed to pest infestations, scientists and locals said. 'In the past, we used to see a few dead trees scattered amongst the healthy ones,' said Ms Katerina Kolirou, head of the local forest service in Kalavryta, a village famed for its forests of the Greek fir species Abies cephalonica. 'Now, unfortunately, among the dead ones, we try to spot the few remaining healthy green firs.' Less water and moisture mean that fir trees become more vulnerable to attacks by pests that bore into their bark to lay eggs and create tunnels, disrupting the trees' ability to transport nutrients between roots and branches and leading to their death. 'These are wood-boring beetles,' said Dr Dimitrios Avtzis, a forest entomologist and research director at the Greek agricultural organisation Demeter, a state research agency, as he cut into the bark of a decaying tree in Kalavryta and found a beetle that he later placed in a vial for examination. 'They don't form populations as large as bark beetles, but they are just as destructive to the tree.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Across the globe, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with the average temperature exceeding 1.5 deg C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. A drone view shows dying fir trees among the healthy ones, near the village of Kalavryta in Greece. PHOTO: REUTERS Temperatures in Greece rose by the same amount between 1991-2020, but in some northwestern mountain areas there was a larger 2 deg C increase, said director of research at the National Observatory of Athens, Dr Kostas Lagouvardos, who led a study on rising temperatures and snow cover. This, in turn, reduced the number of days the soil was covered by snow, another vital source of moisture for fir trees. He estimated a 30-40 per cent snow-cover decrease over the years. Dr Dimitrios Avtzis removing a bark beetle from an infested fir tree in Greece. PHOTO: REUTERS Fir forest decline, also seen on the Greek mainland and the Ionian Islands, is not unique to Greece. In the province of Huesca in Spain, also in the Mediterranean region, a different species of fir in the Pyrenees mountains, the Abies Alba, has also shown signs of declining in recent years, a development that scientists link to extreme heat. In Kalavryta, authorities plan to remove dead and infested trees to limit the damage. But this might not be enough to save the forests. 'We cannot stop climate change,' Dr Lagouvardos said. 'What we can try to do is mitigate it, or find solutions. But we cannot create snow.' REUTERS
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spetz Retracts and Clarifies its News Release From May 14th
TORONTO, ON / / May 15, 2025 / Spetz Inc. (the "Company" or "Spetz") (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC:DBKSF) at the request of CIRO the Company wishes to retract the news release dated May 14 titled "Spetz Announces Strategic Partnership with Sonic Labs Ahead of Closing Their Current Financing Round". Spetz and Sonic Labs have engaged in ongoing discussions regarding potential areas of collaboration and have verbal commitments, nothing has been signed and there can be no guarantee the partnership will proceed. These discussions culminated in a verbal agreement in early May 2025 to work together on a non-binding basis to grow institutional awareness, participation, and infrastructure support for the Sonic ecosystem. No commercial consideration has been exchanged. Sonic Labs has confirmed its intention to participate in Spetz's current private placement financing. The transaction has not yet closed. The Company will provide a further update on the status of the private placement. There is no guarantee that the private placement will close. About Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company operating at the intersection of AI-driven marketplaces and blockchain infrastructure. The Company owns and operates the Spetz application, an AI-powered platform connecting consumers with service providers, as well as SonicStrategy, a leading blockchain staking and infrastructure business. About Sonic LabsSonic Labs is the core development team behind the Sonic blockchain, a high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer 1 built for DeFi and real-world applications. With sub-second finality, low fees, and a rapidly growing ecosystem of developers and applications, Sonic is quickly establishing itself as one of the most scalable and accessible blockchains in the market. The team includes pioneers in DeFi and blockchain infrastructure, including Andre Cronje, and is supported by a global developer and investor community. Company ContactsMitchell Demeter, Spetz Inc CEOEmail: mitchell@ +1-345-936-9555 Forward-Looking Statements NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities laws, reflecting management's expectations regarding objectives, plans, strategies, future growth, results of operations, and business prospects of the Company. Words such as "plans," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are subject to business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected outcomes. Factors influencing these outcomes include economic conditions, regulatory developments, competition, capital availability, and business execution risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents Spetz's expectations as of the date of this release and is subject to change. Spetz does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. None of the securities issued in connection with the acquisition will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, and they may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption. We seek Safe Harbor. SOURCE: Spetz Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Spetz Inc. (CSE: SPTZ) Announces Acquisition of Sonic Strategy
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2025 / SPETZ INC. (the 'Company' or 'Spetz') (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC:DBKSF) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Sonic Strategy Inc. ('Sonic Strategy') previously announced on February 3, 2025. Pursuant to the acquisition, the Company has issued 13,999,999 common shares in the capital of the Company to the shareholders of Sonic Strategy in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Sonic Strategy. The Company has also issued an aggregate of 700,000 common shares to two arm's length entities as an advisory fee. All of the shares are subject to restrictions on trading until July 18, 2025. In addition, an aggregate of 4,116,658 shares issued to certain principals of Sonic Strategy are subject to restrictions on trading until the later of July 18, 2025 and the date that is 10 trading days after the Company has announced that it has filed a business acquisition report in respect of the acquisition. Sonic Strategy is a blockchain staking company focused on the Sonic blockchain. With the completion of the acquisition of Sonic Strategy, Spetz will further strengthen its capabilities in blockchain infrastructure and staking solutions. As part of the acquisition, Mitchell Demeter will join the Board of Directors of Spetz and will remain as CEO of Sonic Strategy, leading its continued growth and expansion within the blockchain industry. Mr. Demeter is a recognized innovator in the cryptocurrency space with a track record of building successful ventures across the sector. His leadership will be instrumental in aligning Sonic Strategy's development with Spetz's broader vision. Following the acquisition, Sonic Strategy will focus on expanding its validator operations, increasing staking adoption, and integrating with the broader Spetz ecosystem with the goal of unlocking new blockchain-based revenue opportunities. The company aims to drive growth in staking solutions, validator-as-a-service (VaaS), and enterprise blockchain adoption. 'This acquisition enhances Spetz's technological capabilities by integrating blockchain-based revenue streams, reinforcing its presence in decentralized finance, and positioning it for continued innovation in the Web3 space,' said Yossi Nevo, CEO of Spetz Inc. 'We are thrilled to officially welcome Sonic Strategy to Spetz and to have Mitchell Demeter join our Board of Directors. His expertise will be key in driving the next phase of blockchain innovation within our company.' 'We're excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings and look forward to scaling Sonic Strategy's staking infrastructure under the Spetz umbrella,' said Mitchell Demeter, CEO of Sonic Strategy and newly appointed Board Member of Spetz Inc. Spetz also announces that Bhavuk Kaul has resigned from the Board of Directors. We thank him for his contributions and service to the company and wish him the best in his future endeavors. About Spetz Inc. Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company that operates an AI marketplace application and has investments in blockchain and cryptocurrency. The Spetz application is a global online, AI-powered marketplace platform that dynamically connects consumers to nearby top-rated service providers in around 30 seconds. Spetz is available in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. The Spetz vision is to reinvent how people around the world connect to services in their moment of need by instantly matching them with the top-rated service providers anytime, anywhere. Spetz Website: Investor Information: Company Contacts: Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Nofar Shigani, CFO Phone: 647-956-6033 Phone: +972 526238108 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information herein constitutes 'forward-looking information' under Canadian securities laws, reflecting management's expectations regarding objectives, plans, strategies, future growth, results of operations, and business prospects of the Company. Words such as 'plans,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are subject to business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected outcomes. Factors influencing these outcomes include economic conditions, regulatory developments, competition, capital availability, and business execution risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents Spetz's expectations as of the date of this release and is subject to change. Spetz does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. None of the securities issued in connection with the acquisition will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, and they may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption. We seek Safe Harbor.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Planet Parade in Orlando: All 7 planets can be seen in the night sky this week
Astronomy enthusiasts will be treated to an alignment of planets in the night sky this week that will look like a 'parade' when viewed from Earth. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will all be visible in the night sky this Friday for a short window of time. In the name of celestial celebration, Seminole State College is hosting an event: The Great Planet Parade of 2025 Star Party. The staff of the Emil Buehler Planetarium and members of the Central Florida Astronomical Society will be set up with telescopes next to the pond on the college's Sanford/Lake Mary campus from 7-10 p.m. this Friday. The public event is free and open to all ages with no pre-registration or ticket required. Derek Demeter, the planetarium director at Seminole State College, explained this phenomenon, which happens every three to five years. 'If you were to take a trip above the solar system and see it from a bird's eye view, you'll see the sun in the center. The Earth is the third planet. All of the planets will appear to be on our side of the sun,' he said. 'On a normal given night, we might only see two or three. It's a much more rare opportunity to see all of them in the sky at once.' The planets, from our perspective, will appear as if all in a line in the sky. While people at home can witness this phenomenon, it helps to have a telescope for a few of the planets that can't be seen as easily. 'There are only five visible planets in the sky — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The other planets, Uranus and Neptune, are not visible to the naked eye,' Demeter said. 'Technically, the amount that you can see with just your eyes in the sky is only five. In order to get those other two, you would have to use a telescope to see that.' Demeter encouraged visitors to show up early for the event for the best chance to see all of the planets at once. 'What we're going to do is look at Mercury, Venus and Saturday first around 7 p.m. Then we're going to take a look at the other planets that are much higher in the sky. So there is a limitation on Mercury and Saturn because they're getting really low in the sky right now,' he said. 'We have a very small window of around 20 to 30 minutes of a window between 7-7:30 p.m. to catch Mercury and Saturn.' While the event is weather-dependent, Friday's forecast predicts partly cloudy skies. Demeter said with conditions that are partly cloudy or clearer, 'We will be out here.' Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@ The Great Planet Parade of 2025 Star Party is from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 28 at 100 Weldon Blvd. in Sanford. The event is free to attend and open to the public. More information:
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Restored Rites of Eleusis to Return for 39th Year at Spring Mysteries Festival
Spring Mysteries Festival, the premier event dedicated to the revival and celebration of ancient spiritual traditions, is thrilled to announce the Restored Rites of Eleusis will be performed in Seattle, Washington this coming spring. The sacred rituals, once lost to time, will be brought to life through an immersive experience during the festival, a vibrant celebration of the ancient Greek Mysteries held in honor of Demeter, Persephone and the agricultural cycles that define the seasonal rhythms of the Earth. The Eleusinian Mysteries, which date back over 2,500 years to Ancient Greece, were deeply rooted in themes of life, death and rebirth. For centuries, they were held in secrecy and exclusivity, open only to initiates who experienced profound spiritual awakening through symbolic rituals, including the myth of Demeter and Persephone. The Restored Rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries at the Spring Mysteries Festival will carefully recreate these sacred rites, blending historical authenticity with modern interpretation to create an awe-inspiring, immersive experience. 'We are honored to bring back the ancient spiritual rites that have been preserved in myth and lore for millennia,' said Belladonna LaVeau, the festival organizer. 'Spring Mysteries Festival is not just a celebration—it is an opportunity for profound personal growth, connection to the earth and the divine and a chance to experience the legacy of one of the most powerful spiritual traditions of our time.' Beyond the rituals, Spring Mysteries Festival will feature a rich array of workshops, performances, and artistic expressions inspired by the themes of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Participants will have the chance to explore aspects of pagan spirituality, ancient mythologies, sacred arts and holistic wellness practices. There will be opportunities to engage in guided meditations, learn about herbalism, delve into the history of the Eleusinian Mysteries, and connect with like-minded individuals on a shared journey of spiritual discovery. Tickets for the Spring Mysteries Festival are now available. For more information about the event, to purchase tickets, or to learn more, visit or follow the festival on Facebook at About Spring Mysteries Festival The Spring Mysteries Festival is an annual event that gathers people from all over the world to celebrate the ancient mysteries of Demeter and Persephone and the cycles of life, death and rebirth. The festival offers a transformative spiritual experience through rituals, workshops and performances based on the timeless wisdom of the ancient world. Now in its 39th year, the festival is recognized as a leading event in the pagan and spiritual communities. 360-793-1945
