u777bet Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dele Alake, has called on investors worldwide to take advantage of Nigeria’s geo-data digital platforms to access information on the country’s rich mineral resources. Alake also announced plans to fund more geological research and leverage the findings from both private and public institutions to build additional data. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, on Wednesday noted that the minister highlighted the benefits while addressing Chief Executive Officers of global mining conglomerates at the ongoing annual Mines & Money Conference, held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, United Kingdom. The minister said Nigeria has adopted digital technology to market its minerals, making business enquiries easier and promoting transparent transactions. He listed three web platforms—Nigerian Mineral Decision Support System (NMRDSS), Electronic Mining Cadastral (EMC+), and National Geo-Data Centre—as key information resources for serious investors. Describing the NMRDSS as a web application that provides read-only access to geo-scientific and geo-economic data, Alake said it allows users to analyse mineral occurrence locations and make informed decisions regarding mining activities. He said, “By providing publicly available data about the geology and mineral wealth of Nigeria, this dynamic resource, updated regularly to keep the data as current as possible, enables investors to explore the environment of their chosen mineral occurrences. It answers queries on hydrology, demography, geography, urban planning, and transportation. Explaining EMC+, the minister said it is an online, real-time system for administering mineral titles throughout their lifecycle, offering efficiency and transparency. “This means investors can research and plan their application for titles remotely, as long as they have the necessary data for the application process,” he noted. Related News FG, France sign MoU to boost mining Benue govt set to enact electricity law Niger invites Russian firms to exploit uranium, other resources He also assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to acquiring more geological data to enhance the value of these platforms. On certifying the quality of the data, Alake, who also serves as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group comprising African mining ministers, commended the efforts of African geoscientists in developing a new coding system to certify research reports. He stressed the need for value addition and beneficiation in the downstream segment of the mining value chain, stating that recent exploration has positioned Nigeria as a key player in supplying critical minerals to the world. “The deliberate investment in accurate geoscientific data, particularly for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earth minerals, has positioned Nigeria as a key player in the global transition to a green economy. This transition aligns with our commitment to sustainability and our role in the global fight against climate change,” he said. He urged major mining companies to partner with the Tinubu administration in its efforts to diversify the economy in favour of the solid minerals sector, adding that such collaboration would unlock the country’s vast mineral resources. He concluded his address with a strong pitch to top decision-makers in the global mining sector: “The future of Nigeria’s solid minerals is brimming with promise... Our doors are open to partnerships, and we invite you to join us on this transformative journey.” Chief executives at the event included Barrick’s President and Chief Executive, Mark Bristow, Traxys’ Chief Executive Officer, Mark Kristoff, and Anglo-American’s General Counsel, Kate Southwell. Earlier, the Minister engaged with investors at the Ministry’s exhibition booth, answering enquiries about mining opportunities.Iron ore prices are forecast to maintain an average of $100/tonne in 2025 as China’s sluggish property sector continues to subdue demand, says BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions. According to a report published Nov. 15, BMI analysts say they expect iron ore prices to continue to be hit by a weak demand outlook, barring additional support measures from China in the coming months. “Iron ore prices are likely to remain highly sensitive to potential stimulus announcements, with market sentiment skewed towards expectations of further support in light of anticipated rekindled trade tensions under a second Trump presidency,” the report notes. “The extent of any provided stimulus will be crucial in determining whether it can turn the tide for the iron ore market,” it adds. Demand subdued On the demand side, BMI’s report points out that steel production in China, and thus demand for iron ore, still remains sluggish, with property sector weakness adding to the grim picture. According to the World Steel Association, during the first nine months of 2024, China’s production of crude steel declined by 3.6% year-on-year, with production in September falling by 6.1%. While China’s manufacturing PMI surprised to the upside, returning to an expansionary territory for the first time in six months, registering a reading of 50.1 in October compared to 49.8 in September, BMI says the “ongoing property downturn still shows little sign of reversing.” During the first nine months of 2024, investment in the real estate sector declined by 10.1% y-o-y, after falling by 10.2% over January-August 2024, while new construction floor starts contracted by 22.2%, BMI data shows. “The recently unveiled raft of stimulus measures presents an upside, however, our country risk team highlights that addressing the property market downturn will be a multiyear effort, given the scale of unfinished projects and unsold housing stock,” BMI notes. Elevated inventories While China’s imports of iron ore remain elevated, rising by 4.9% y-o-y over January-October 2024, with demand turnaround expectations and a lower price environment acting as a tailwind, BMI says they were likely adding largely to stocks. Data shows a strong build-up of iron ore inventories at Chinese ports, rising by 31% year to date to 149.9 million tonnes (mt) as of Nov. 8, which has the potential to place a cap on prices in the coming months. Outside of China, steel production and demand for iron ore remain muted so far. According to the World Steel Association’s report, global crude steel production declined by 1.9% y-o-y over January-September 2024, with September registering a sharp decrease of 4.7%. Supply healthy On the supply side, iron ore production remains healthy across major miners, BMI notes. Iron ore shipments and production broadly increased for most majors, with miners aiming to maintain their production levels. BHP saw record iron ore production in FY2024 (year ended June 30) of 260mt, a 1% y-o-y increase, and FY2025 production to come in at 255-265.5mt. Fortescue maintained its iron ore shipments guidance for FY2025 at 190-200mt, slightly up from 191.6mt reached in FY2024. Vale’s iron ore production guidance for 2024 has been recently revised upwards to 323-330mt from the previously expected 310-320mt. Lastly, Rio Tinto’s 2023 iron ore shipments rose by 3% y-o-y to 332mt, with the Australian miner setting its 2024 guidance at 323-338mt. Long-term outlook Looking beyond 2024-2025, BMI analysts maintained their view that iron ore prices will likely follow a multi-year downtrend, as cooling steel production growth and higher iron ore output from global producers continue to loosen the market. In the long term, they forecast prices to decline from an average of US$110/t in 2024 to US$78/t in 2033. While significantly lower than US$156/t in 2021, the US$97/t annual average that we forecast for 2024-2028 would still be higher than the 2016-2020 average of US$78/t, BMI says. “China’s slowing demand growth will be the main driver of lower prices, a trend that is now already in its early stages,” BMI’s report notes. “A structural shift away from industrial, steel-intensive sectors towards services and less steel-intensive infrastructure will have a negative impact on iron ore demand. This shift in China’s economic growth trajectory is expected to depress steel consumption and production growth rates. “While domestic steel production was allowed to significantly outstrip steel demand over the past decade, with the resulting surplus exported, we expect production growth to be brought more closely in line with domestic consumption patterns in the coming years.” Based on these forecasts, BMI expects China’s annual iron ore consumption to peak before the end of the decade, while iron ore demand across Asia more broadly will continue to grow, but at a very slow rate.

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Ojiezele Osezua Sunday, the lawmaker representing Esan South-East Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State House of Assembly, has said that his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Osezua defected to the ruling APC party in the State on Monday at the Party’s Secretariat in Benin City. The two-time lawmaker noted that Section 109, Subsection (1) G, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, permits him to leave his party when there are irreconcilable differences. “Section 109, Subsection (1)G, is that the only reason you can leave your party is when there are irreconcilable differences. The PDP that sponsored my second tenure election is into that challenge”, he said. He said the division in his former party, PDP, had given him room to join the All Progressives Party (APC) to pay the debts owed the party. Osezua was first elected to the State House of Assembly between 2019 and 2023 on the platform of APC. He, however, defected to the PDP in 2020 alongside the immediate past governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki. He was also among the 10 lawmakers that were inaugurated by the former Governor Obaseki at night. His defection to APC came barely three months after his party, PDP lost the Governorship Election conducted on September 21, 2024, in the State to the former. Speaking during the defection, he said he was leaving his party to join the APC. While describing his defection as a homecoming, he said he was leaving the PDP due to irreconcilable differences in the State and at the national level. He also hinged his defection on the debt he owed the APC that must be paid. He, however, thanked the members of the State executive council of the party for receiving him. “In 2019, APC was the ladder that brought me to the Assembly but unfortunately we have some challenges which led us into PDP in the company of the immediate past governor. “Today, I am still indebted to the APC, because having sponsored me, I was supposed to spend four years but I only spent one year before I left, which means I am still indebted to the APC. “Today defection is the debt I have come to repay”, he added. Receiving the defected lawmaker to the party, Jarret Tenebe, the Acting State Chairman of APC, lauded the legislator for joining the party, saying “More people will defect to the party in the coming months. “It is not the fault of APC for PDP to have a crisis in their party that will make their members cross the carpet and today we are happy. You will recall that during the election campaigns, I said our doors are opened and the door is still open.”Conor McGregor will appeal the decision to award a woman more than £200,000 after the UFC star was found liable of assaulting her in a hotel. Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a High Court civil case. Following eight days of evidence and three days listening to closing speeches and the judge’s charge, the jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating before returning with its verdict. Read more: Nicola Hanney will 'never let anyone take her power' after surviving coercive control and abuse Read more: Dee Devlin accompanies Conor McGregor in court as sex assault case jury resumes deliberations McGregor shook his head after the jury read out that Ms Hand had won her case against him before declining to comment as he left court. But he took to social media to say: "I will be appealing today's decision." "The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. " "I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide." Speaking outside court, Ms Hand said: “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be – speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice. "I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends tremendously. It’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. "

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: The chicken shops located in Motinagar of Esamia Bazaar, that were sealed by the GHMC on Friday for operating in unhygienic conditions, were reopened the same night, sources said. "The chicken was stored in buckets and carton boxes in unhygienic manner. Animal blood was seen in premises and rancid smell was unbearable with rats in primises," said a GHMC official. Officials also seized chicken from the shops. The shops were sealed following instructions of Mayor G. Vijayalakshmi who visited the place on Friday morning. However, AIMIM members held a protest and GHMC officials returned the 70 kg chicken that was confiscated. The seal and locks of the shops were broken and the outlets became operational. AIMIM MLC Mirza Rahmath Baig was present in support of the chicken vendors. According to shopowners and AIMIM members, GHMC officials spotted a rat in the chicken stock and sealed the shops. They claimed that the building belonged to the GHMC and the corporation was responsible for its sanitation and not those running the outlets.

Sean "Diddy" Combs will remain in custody for at least several more days as a U.S. judge considers his bid to be released on US$50-million bail from the Brooklyn jail where the music mogul has been held for 10 weeks. After a nearly two-hour hearing in Manhattan federal court, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said on Friday he would rule on Combs' bid for home detention "promptly." Combs' lawyers this month proposed a bail package backed by his US$48-million Florida mansion. It also called for Combs to be monitored around the clock by security personnel and to have no contact with alleged victims or witnesses. Combs has been denied bail three times since his arrest, with multiple judges citing a risk he might tamper with witnesses. The rapper and producer pleaded not guilty on Sept. 17 to charges he used his business empire, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to sexually abuse women. During the hearing, defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo disputed prosecutors' contention that a 2016 hotel surveillance video of Combs assaulting former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, showed there was a risk he would act violently if released. "There's a zero per cent chance of that happening," Agnifilo said. Combs apologized in May after CNN broadcast the video showing him kicking, shoving and dragging Cassie in a hotel hallway. Agnifilo said he had never denied the incident, but said the video was not evidence of sex trafficking. "It's our defence to these charges that this was a toxic, loving 11-year relationship," Agnifilo told the court. Earlier, prosecutor Christine Slavik said Combs tried to bribe hotel staff to delete the surveillance footage -- demonstrating he was committed to concealing his crimes by illegal means. Even from behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Combs had communicated with his lawyers through unauthorized channels, and sought to run a social-media campaign to sway potential jurors, Slavik said. "The defendant here has demonstrated that either he cannot or will not follow rules," Slavik said. "The defendant, simply put, cannot be trusted." Regarding Combs' attempted social-media campaign, defence lawyer Alexandra Shapiro said he had a right to respond to news coverage of the case that could paint him unfavorably for potential jurors. Upon being led into the hearing by the U.S. Marshals service, Combs, wearing a beige jail-issued outfit, blew kisses toward his family seated in the second row of the courtroom's audience. Combs denies wrongdoing Prosecutors said the abuse included having women take part in recorded sexual performances called "freak offs" with male sex workers who were sometimes transported across state lines. Combs, 55, has denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers have argued the sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual. Combs' lawyers questioned why jail was needed when federal prosecutors in Brooklyn last month allowed the pre-trial release on a US$10-million bond of former Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, who has pleaded not guilty to sex-trafficking. The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, which brought the charges against Combs, countered that Jeffries is 80 years old with no criminal history, whereas Combs has prior arrests. They also said federal agents recovered rifles with defaced serial numbers from Combs' residences. This week, Subramanian ordered prosecutors to destroy their copies of handwritten notes that Combs took in jail, pending a decision on whether they were subject to attorney-client privilege. A government investigator photographed the notes during a sweep of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Combs has been jailed. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Rod Nickel)

The nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine and the subsequent Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East seem to have temporarily eclipsed all news across the world of other kinds of violence, specially those by disparate extremist groups. In the process, the consequences of, and aspects of, newer trends in extremist violence are being lost sight of, and this could have consequences for the future. A RAND study published a couple of years ago in the United States, under the preferred headline ‘Changing Face of Hate, domestic extremist violence’, had indicated that important changes were constantly taking place in the realm of domestic terrorism and violent extremism. The obiter dicta of this study was that it is imperative for law enforcement officers to properly understand the nature of the changes that were taking place across the spectrum to be able to prepare for future eventualities. The study, no doubt, had special relevance for the U.S. Yet, in a subliminal fashion, it did contain lessons for other countries as well. While India did not have to contend with the kind of militant organisations that existed in the U.S. in the latter half of the 20th century, the situation post the Second World War in India had not been a peaceful one, even as India gained independence. Early post-Independence history As anyone aware of India’s post-Independence history would know, in the initial years, communal violence of varying intensity and a resurgent Communist movement, intent on embarking on a revolutionary path, had caused major problems for India. The ‘Tebhaga Movement’ in Bengal and the Communist uprising in Telangana in the late 1940s, were stark reminders of what the Communists were attempting, but fortunately they could not succeed. The revolutionary spark, however, had not been completely extinguished. In the late 1960s, and for many years thereafter till the end of the 20th century, Communist extremism did prove to be a major bane for the Indian state. The Naxalite Movement (as it came to be known) did have enough ideological appeal left to spur a left-wing renaissance. For a time, it attracted the best and the brightest of youth in the country, though in course of time, the movement descended into mindless violence. During its heyday, left-wing extremists or Naxalites could establish sizeable pockets of influence across West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Ideological appeal may not be enough to sustain a movement, but it is an important magnet, specially for ideologies such as left-wing extremism. It would, hence, be a mistake to believe that countries are easily insulated from the infiltration of pernicious doctrines. The takeaway from ideologies such as Naxalism is that they continue to lurk not too far below the surface. Strict vigil is, hence, called for. The right wing’s spread The world has moved on since, and practitioners of revolutionary ideas have changed tack. Left-wing ideas seem to have given way to right-wing philosophies, and the second seems to have many new adherents. This may seem a relatively recent phenomenon, but has been gaining ground for some time, specially across Europe. In the recent period, for instance, Germany has turned increasingly xenophobic. Domestic politics in that country today is highly polarised. France faces an uncertain future, unsure whether further concessions would have to be made to the right wing, damaging France’s image as a ‘middle-of-the-road nation’. This is also accompanied by a steady erosion of trust in liberal values. As of now, the right-wing in Europe is no longer a fringe element. This has implications not only for Europe but also for much of the world. Europe, already traumatised by the Ukraine conflict, seems to be losing most of its earlier bearings, and at times appears rudderless. Most European leaders appear unable to recognise the reality, or deal with a situation that it is not ready or prepared for. For much of the world, the change is unprecedented and will require many an adjustment. In retrospect, it is even possible to view the Brexit verdict of 2016 (in the United Kingdom) as an early pointer to the shifting of the political centre rightwards in Europe. All of this has implications for much of the world, India included. ‘Radicalization of mainstream right ideas’ and ‘mainstreaming of far right ideas’ across Europe will have an impact for countries across the globe. It would entail effecting a shift from dealing with left-wing extremist ideas and threats to many newer kinds of threats of the right extremist variety. This may not be easy and will entail a reconfiguration of all that needs to be done by those in-charge. It is bound to have many consequences for democracy and national sovereignty. The world also cannot overlook, or ignore, its ‘date with destiny’, viz., the year 2001 unleashing of the largest mobilisation of right wing (Jihadist sympathisers) in the West in recent times. It upended an unprecedented fractured threat landscape in the West, apart from certain other regions of the globe, causing governments to come under immense pressure. Misinformation and disinformation aggravated problems and helped feed right-wing extremist ideologies and movements. The COVID-19 pandemic, in turn, helped to exacerbate a situation already in the making, with social isolation, unproven grievances, and little known factors acting as drivers for a radicalisation of ideas and mobilisation. Today, a cross pollination of right-wing extremist ideologies is helping exacerbate situations of violent extremism of the right-wing variety. The rise of the Islamic State coincided with this, and, in course of time, was to cast a shadow over vast swathes of territory across the entire West Asia and extend its tentacles to many other regions as well. It was a different kind of catalyst for change in so far as extremist right-wing militancy was concerned and led to rising levels of insecurity in multiple regions. A definitive assertion that pro-Jihadist criminal activities, alongside individual home grown supporters backed by small cells (each comprising few operatives) were responsible for much of the disruption and violence in several regions of the globe, may have to wait. But that there is a threat cannot be ignored. In a milieu of this kind, law enforcement agencies are often required to take a ‘leap of faith’ so that situations do not become critical; agencies are left unprepared to deal with the consequences. The focus It is in the fitness of things that law and order agencies across the globe are taking a closer look at the rising dimensions and implications of right-wing terror and the role of right-wing terror modules. A few years ago, there was an avalanche of protests in India, specially in the south of the country, against action taken by the government in cracking down on organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), both of which were termed as pro-right-wing extremist Muslim bodies. It was not unusual that there should be protests of this kind for what is seldom apparent to many are the underside of these agencies, which are little known to most, but over time do have sinister connotations. Undoubtedly, this was precipitated by concerns over the growing dimensions in India and across the globe of right-wing terror modules and the increase in right-wing militancy. To establish a connection has not been easy, but, over time, it has been possible to reach an understanding about the spread of right-wing tendencies among sections of the Muslim community, including youth, students, women and the working class. It is often said that it is necessary to ‘break an egg to make an omelette’. Growing concerns across the world about right-wing and Islamist militancy did call for the adoption of certain harsh measures, which need to be handled with care. Security is not a ‘zero-sum-game’ and ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty’. This is the message that is sought and sent out in the context of both growing right-wing extremist militancy and the yet-to-be extinguished left-wing extremist violent activities. M.K. Narayanan is a former Director, Intelligence Bureau, a former National Security Adviser, and a former Governor of West Bengal Published - November 23, 2024 12:16 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Ukraine / Russia-Ukraine Crisis / Israel-Palestine Conflict / unrest, conflicts and war / USA / terrorism (crime) / India / history / West Bengal / Telangana / Andhra Pradesh / Kerala / European Union / Germany / France / politics / Brexit / United Kingdom / Coronavirus / society / Islamic State

With kids spending considerable time on the internet every day, parents need to understand how to identify where predators are lurking and how to safeguard their children. On Thursday at 7 p.m., New Jersey 101.5 presents a special Town Hall broadcast, “Targeted: Protecting New Jersey Children from Online Predators,” confronting the crisis of online child predators, and how children and parents are affected. In what is an alarming statistic, the FBI estimates that 500,000 predators are online daily, with kids between the ages of 12 and 15 most at risk. These predators are lurking on social media sites, online gaming platforms, chatrooms, and anywhere else popular with kids. We will bring listeners the most up-to-date information about the ever-changing ways predatory behavior manifests itself on the internet and connected devices. The program’s on-air guest panel includes John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven and former commander of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Alicia Kozak, internet safety expert and founder of The Alicia Project; Stephanie Lyon, licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor of clinical psychology at Rutgers University; and Gina Cavallo, a consultant and vice president for the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Online, the program will be streamed live and available for embedding at facebook.com/nj1015/live. The broadcast may also be accessed via nj1015.com, the New Jersey 101.5 YouTube channel, or the free New Jersey 101.5 app.Mint Primer: Are foreign tourists giving India a miss?

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday ruled out negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, denying that China was interfering in its operation. Mulino also rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US vessels in response to Trump's threat to demand control of the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans be returned to Washington. "There's nothing to talk about," Mulino told a press conference. "The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There's no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat and tears," he added. The canal, inaugurated in 1914, was built by the United States but handed to Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed some two decades earlier by then-US president Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos. Trump on Saturday slammed what he called "ridiculous" fees for US ships passing through the canal and hinted at China's growing influence. "It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!" If Panama could not ensure "the secure, efficient and reliable operation" of the channel, "then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question," he said. An estimated five percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long, hazardous route around the southern tip of South America. The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Mulino said the canal's usage fees were "not set at the whim of the president or the administrator" of the interoceanic waterway, but under a long-established "public and open process." "There is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything to do with the Panama Canal," Mulino said. On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social alleged, without evidence, that Chinese soldiers were "lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal." Mulino denied that allegation, too. "There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God," he added. Panama established diplomatic relations with China in 2017, after breaking off ties with Taiwan -- a decision criticized by Trump's first administration. On Tuesday, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US embassy in Panama City chanting "Trump, animal, leave the canal alone" and burning an image of the incoming US president. jjr/fj/dr/ahaImmune globulin (human) by Grifols for Tachycardia (Tachyarrhythmias): Likelihood of Approval

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