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Iraq and Turkey sign agreement on Iraqi water infrastructure
A Turkish official confirmed that Iraq and Turkey signed a deal on Sunday, under which the revenue from oil sales will be used to finance water infrastructure projects carried out by Turkish companies. In a press release, the office of the Iraqi Prime Minister said that both countries had agreed on a mechanism to implement a water-cooperation agreement they signed last year. The statement did not give any details about the mechanism. The Turkish official stated that the Iraqi government would establish a committee to oversee water infrastructure projects, and will invite Turkish companies to bid for these projects. Payments for the projects will be funded by the revenue generated from Iraqi oil exports to Turkey. An Iraqi official in charge of water resources said that the initial set of projects to be implemented under this agreement will include three projects for water harvesting and three initiatives for land reclamation. The first framework water agreement was originally signed by Turkish President Tayyip Erdoan in April 2024, during his visit to Baghdad. This marked the beginning of improved relations between two neighbours following years of tension. Water scarcity in Iraq has long been a problem between Iraq and neighbouring countries. Around 70% of Iraq's resources come from the neighboring countries via the Tigris River and Euphrates river. Both rivers flow through Turkey. Reporting by Tuvan Gümrukcu from Ankara, and Ahmed Rasheed from Baghdad. Writing by Darrel Butler. Editing by Jan Harvey.
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Belgium investigates new drone sightings near military base
Theo Francken, Minister of Defence in Belgium, said that police are investigating recent drone sightings in military areas. Francken, in a posting on X, said that the government had received reports of drones flying above Kleine Brogel in north-east Belgium on Saturday. He said that a helicopter and police cars pursued the drone but were unable to capture it. A drone jammer also failed to intercept it. Francken stated that the flight was not just a simple flyover, but rather a command to target Kleine Brogel. Police are investigating the incident, according to a spokesperson from Francken's office. Ministers from the government will meet this week to discuss sightings. In recent weeks, NATO countries were on high alert after drone sightings as well as other air incursions. These included at airports in Copenhagen and Munich, and the Baltic region. In September, 20 Russian drones were detected in the airspace of Poland. In Belgium, investigations are underway into the multiple sightings of drones last month over a military facility in the south-east and another base near the German border at Elsenborn. In Belgium, it is illegal to fly drones above military zones. Last month, the European Commission proposed four European defense projects, including an anti-drone system, and a plan fortifying the eastern border of Russia as part a push to prepare the continent to defend itself before 2030. Francken has called on the Belgian government to increase its spending on anti-drone defenses. (Reporting and editing by Kate Abnett)
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Russia claims that a Ukrainian drone attack caused fire to start in the Tuapse Port, which is located near Russia.
Authorities in the region said that a drone attack from Ukraine caused damage and fire to the Black Sea port of Tuapse. The facility is home to an important Russian oil terminal. The administration of the Krasnodar Region, where Tuapse lies, announced on Telegram that "An attack from UAVs (unmanned aircraft vehicles) has been repelled." "Falling drones caused damage to the port infrastructure and ignited a fire." No reports have been made of any casualties. The damage to port infrastructure is not immediately apparent. The port houses the Tuapse Oil Terminal and the Rosneft controlled Tuapse Oil Refinery. Both have been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones this year. Kyiv intensified its strikes on Russian refineries and depots, as well as on pipelines, to disrupt military logistics, increase wartime costs and strain fuel supplies. It claims that the campaign is in retaliation against Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid. According to the Krasnodar Administration, an apartment was damaged by falling drone debris in Sosnovyi village, located just outside Tuapse. It was reported that no injuries were reported. Reporting by Lidia Kell in Melbourne Editing Rod Nickel
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Nigeria vows to combat extremism following Trump's addition of nation to watchlist
The Nigerian Government on Saturday pledged to continue fighting violent extremism, and expressed hope that Washington would remain an ally. President Donald Trump had added the West African country to a U.S. Watch List over what he called threats to Christianity. The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to defend its citizens regardless of their race, religion, or creed. "Like America, Nigeria cannot help but celebrate our diversity as it is our greatest strength," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release. The ministry said that Nigeria is a country of God-fearing people who respect tolerance, faith, diversity, and inclusion in accordance with international rules. Trump announced on Friday that he would add Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producing and most populous nation, to a list of "Countries Of Particular Concern", a group of countries the U.S. believes have violated religious freedom. The list also includes China Myanmar, North Korea Russia and Pakistan. Joe Biden, the Democratic successor to the Republican U.S. president, removed the country from the U.S. State Department's list in 2021. "Christianity faces an existential danger in Nigeria. The killing of thousands of Christians is a daily occurrence. "Radical Islamists have been responsible for this massacre," he said in a post on social media last Friday, without providing any details. Nigeria is a nation with more than 200 ethnicities that practice Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions. It has a history of peaceful coexistence, and mosques and churches are scattered throughout its cities. It also has a history of violent clashes between groups. Religious differences can sometimes be conflated with other faultlines, such as ethnic divides or conflicts over land and water. Since 15 years ago, Boko Haram, an extremist Islamist group, has terrorized the northeastern part of Nigeria. This insurgency has claimed tens and thousands of lives, mainly Muslims. Trump asked the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee also to investigate the issue and provide a report to him. In the early part of this year, a U.S. subcommittee conducted a hearing about Christian murders in Nigeria. In a Friday X-post, Tom Cole, the chairman of the Appropriations committee, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole said that the designation "sends a clear message: The U.S. won't ignore Christian persecution." Reporting by Doina and Susan Heavey, in Washington; and Camillus Eboh, in Abuja. Editing by MacDonald Dzirutwe & Andrea Ricci.
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Nigeria's Dangote refining plant ramps up production in response to new fuel import duties
Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery is increasing production to meet the national demand for petrol and diesel, said it on Saturday. This comes after the government approved an import tariff on fuel that aims to protect domestic production. In a memo released this week, the government stated that the continent's largest oil producer, Nigeria, has been working to reduce its dependence on imported fuel. The 15% import duty is intended to protect recent multi-billion dollar investments in domestic refinery. Anthony Chiejina is a Dangote Group spokesperson. The company spent $20 billion on the construction of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery. He said that the new tariff initiative will discourage the dumping substandard fuel products. He said that the Dangote Refinery is currently increasing output. The refinery launched last year, but it has been struggling to compete with cheap imports. Chiejina stated that "our refinery is currently loading more than 45 million litres per day of petrol, and 25 million litres per day of diesel which exceeds Nigeria’s demand." The refinery, which began producing petrol in September 2024 has been able to reduce the price of fuel at the pump and eradicate shortages. Local fuel traders claim that the price cuts are part of an undercutting strategy. They warned that if the measure was poorly implemented it could cripple the fuel importation, create a monopoly in refining, and make Nigeria vulnerable to fuel shortages on the long-term. Billy Harry, the head of Nigeria's Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, said that if importers of petroleum products are not managed properly, they will lose their business. He added: "If local refineries do not have proper regulation, monopoly can harm the market."
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Scientists attempt to prove link between Amazon Gold Mining and disability in babies
Indigenous women in the Amazon say they are afraid of getting pregnant. The rivers that were once the lifeblood for their people are now contaminated with mercury due to illegal gold mining. This poses a threat to the unborn children. Alessandra Korap, a leader from the Munduruku tribe, said that "breast milk is no more reliable." The family of Rany Ketlen, aged three, lives in Sai Cinza a Munduruku village surrounded by illegal mining. They struggle to understand why Rany is unable to lift her head or suffer from muscle spasms. Scientists could have an answer soon. Rany is among at least 36 children in the area who have neurological disorders that cannot be explained by genetic testing, according to the preliminary results of a study on the effects of mercury contamination. Scientists have warned about the dangers that mercury poses to Indigenous children living in the Amazon. However, no study has established a causal relationship between disabilities and these communities. This study could soon establish this link. Eat the fish poisoned by mercury or go hungry. Rosielton Saw is Rany's dad. He has been a miner in their village, following his father Rosenildo, for many years. The older man, sitting in the one-bedroom wooden house of the family, said that he was aware that the mercury the family used was harmful. Rosenildo Saw stated that mining 30 grams of gold a week is "enough" to sustain oneself. Surubim is a carnivorous, mercury-accumulating fish. The family eats it regularly. Rany Ketlen drinks the broth because she has severe swallowing issues. Recently, health officials from the government have reported that dozens of patients in other parts of the region suffer from similar disorders. A lack of testing and medical care have made it difficult to get a complete picture of the issue or determine the exact cause. Researchers are now collecting data about neurological disorders that have been linked to mercury poisoning. These range from acute brain malformations to memory problems, and will be concluded by 2026. Scientists involved in this latest, unpublished study, supported by Brazil's top public health institute, say that the main suspect is mercury, which seeps into waterways from miners who use it to bind the tiny specks gold they extract from riverbanks. This is a largely illegal trade fueled by record high prices for precious metal. Mercury has contaminated the river fish, a staple of Indigenous communities, and it has accumulated at alarmingly large levels in placentas and breast milk, as well as offspring, and is often more than twice or three times higher than the threshold that pregnant women should be concerned about. Zildomar Munuruku, chief of Zildomar and also a nurse said that despite the advice from health officials, he could not tell his people to stop consuming fish. He said, "If we follow their rules we will starve." MERCURY WILL LINGER EVEN IF MINING STOPS. Next month, world leaders and diplomats will gather in the Amazon to attend the United Nations Climate Summit, also known as COP30. The Brazilian organizers called it "Forest COP" to focus global attention on threats facing tropical rainforests, their inhabitants and illegal mining in the region. Since he took office again in 2023, Brazilian President Luiz-Inacio Lula Da Silva has forced thousands of Indigenous miners from their lands. Mercury is not broken down by air, water or soil. This causes a long-lasting health crisis. The Health Ministry released a statement saying that the Brazilian government had increased monitoring of mercury levels within the Munduruku Indigenous Territory. It also trained public health officials on how to recognize early signs of Mercury poisoning. Paulo Basta is a researcher with the public health institute Fiocruz who has been studying mercury contamination in Indigenous peoples for over three decades. The new data, papers and interviews reviewed by indicate that the humanitarian crisis caused by illegal mining in the Amazon will have lasting consequences for the current and future generations. In a 2021 study, Basta and colleagues found that 10 out of 15 mothers in three Munduruku village villages tested had high mercury levels. In a previous study, 12 out of 13 Yanomami villagers where mining was prevalent had dangerous levels of mercury in their bloodstream. Basta's team collected nearly all 546 cases registered in the government databases as of March 2025. Basta stated, "That is just the tip." Tens of thousands people live in the Munduruku Yanomami and Kayapo territory. It is not easy to prove causation. Basta's research team is currently working on a study that will provide the missing piece of the puzzle: proof showing mercury causes disabilities. They are testing babies in their first year of life by following 176 women during pregnancy. The researchers' preliminary findings showed that in Sai Cinza where Rany Ketlen lives with her family, mercury levels were five times higher on average for mothers than what the Brazilian Health Ministry considers to be safe, and three times as high for babies. Raylene Ketlen, Rany's one-year old sister, is among them. She has yet to show any symptoms. Cleidiane Carrvalho is a nurse and a former researcher who has spent years trying to link researchers with sick Indigenous children. She was worried that without their studies, the crisis would be "silenced and neglected forever." It has been difficult to prove a causal connection between mercury contamination and health problems. Researchers at Fiocruz found that Indigenous communities are often lacking in basic health care and vulnerable to infectious diseases. These can all cause neurological disorders. In small Indigenous communities, marriages between close cousins are more common, and can lead to genetic disorders. The 36 patients without inherited genetic disorders are likely to have mercury poisoning, but this does not exclude other causes, according to Fernando Kok, geneticist and Fiocruz researcher at the University of Sao Paulo. The tests that detect mercury in the body are only snapshots of what a person ate recently, and cannot be used to prove a previous contamination as a source of neurological issues. Kok stated, "It is a perfect crime because it leaves no sign." (Reporting and editing by Brad Haynes, Claudia Parsons and Adriano Machado; reporting by Ricardo Brito and Manuela Andreoni)
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Amman Mineral, an Indonesian copper miner, is one step closer to obtaining export permits
Amman Mineral Internasional, a copper miner in Indonesia, said Saturday that the Indonesian energy ministry had endorsed the export of 480,000 dry metric tonnes of concentrate. The recommendation is valid for six-months from October 31. Amman Mineral requires the support of the Trade Ministry to obtain an export permit. The ministry said that Amman has not yet applied for one. Amman, in a press release, said that the return of copper concentrate exports had allowed it to avoid overloading its storage facilities. It added that this would allow mining to continue. Indonesia has been banning the export of copper concentrates, raw minerals and other raw materials since mid-2023 to encourage domestic processing. Amman, however, was permitted to export up until December 2024. By that date, it was expected to have commissioned a smelter which would process the concentrates into copper casthodes used in making wires, cables, and electronic devices. The smelter temporarily halted operations in July and August of this year due to damage to its flash-converting furnace and sulphuric acids plant units. Amman added that repairs could be completed in the first half 2026. The smelter was already partially operational. (Reporting and editing by Muralikumar Aantharaman; Bernadette Cristina, Stanley Widianto)
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Japan’s KEPCO Buys Majority Stake in Ireland’s Simply Blue Energy
Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) has signed a share subscription agreement with Ireland’s Simply Blue Group’s offshore wind development arm, Simply Blue Energy OSW (SBE OSW).The strategic investment marks KEPCO’s first investment involving management participation in an offshore wind developer.KEPCO will acquire a majority stake in SBE OSW through its wholly owned subsidiary, KPIC Netherlands BV.Simply Blue Energy OSW is actively engaged in multiple offshore wind projects across Europe and elsewhere and possesses extensive experience and expertise in offshore wind development from the early stages of project formation.With KEPCO’s investment, SBE OSW aims to accelerate the expansion of its offshore wind portfolio. “This investment represents a pivotal moment for us at Simply Blue Energy OSW Ltd. The support from KEPCO provides the strength and resources needed to scale our operations and advance our offshore wind initiatives. Together, we are poised to deliver significant contributions to the clean energy transition,” said Hugh Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO, Simply Blue Group.“We are honored to embark on a partnership with Simply Blue Energy, a developer possessing a pioneering spirit and extensive expertise in the field of offshore wind power. Through this collaboration, we aim to further advance offshore wind development for both companies and contribute to achieving a carbon-neutral society,” added Toru Kuwahara, Executive Vice President, and General Manager of Global EX Division of KEPCO.
NBA-Pistons beat Mavericks in Day of the Dead colors and Mexico City roar
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 122-110 in front of an Arena CDMX sold-out audience on Saturday. This was the annual Mexico City Game, which combined top-flight NBA basketball with Day of the Dead festivities and a festive atmosphere.
This match marked the 11th year in a row that Mexico City sold out and cemented the reputation of the capital as the strongest international market for the league. The 20,000-seat stadium was transformed into a colorful display of sport and culture at 2,200 meters above sea level by fans wearing bright jerseys.
Bickerstaff said to reporters that it was important to perform well.
It's an honor to represent the NBA in foreign cities. It's a big deal in Mexico City. The fans were incredible - supportive, energetic and involved in every game."
Detroit won with a dominating fourth quarter. They outscored Dallas 35-17, and Jalen Duren scored 33 points, a new career high. He also had 10 rebounds.
Bickerstaff stated, "That's what we are capable of." We just need to be more consistent in that regard.
Dallas' eighth appearance in Mexico brought excitement and exhaustion to the team.
Jason Kidd, Mavericks' coach, said: "The altitude really is there." The players played hard, but it was obvious that they were suffering. The experience was still incredible. The fans' passion for the game and their knowledge was evident.
Cooper Flagg said that he was impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the crowd, his first appearance in an international setting.
He said, "It was incredible... the crowd was amazing." "It was amazing to be somewhere new, and feel the support."
When asked what message he'd send to Mexican prospects who are chasing the NBA dream, 18-year old Maine player added: "It's not really about where you come from. It's more about how hard you want to work and what sacrifices you're prepared to make."
The NBA's relationship with Mexico continues to grow. With 34 NBA matches now being played in Mexico, and the G League Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico enhancing the league's footprint. Saturday's game was another exciting chapter in the NBA's global expansion story. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Jamie Freed)
(source: Reuters)