Scientists predict bright future for fly ash in water treatmentIran said on Sunday that it would hold nuclear talks in the coming days with the three European countries that initiated a censure resolution against it adopted by the UN's atomic watchdog. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would take place on Friday, without specifying a venue. "A range of regional and international issues and topics, including the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the nuclear issue, will be discussed," the spokesman said in a foreign ministry statement. Baghaei described the upcoming meeting as a continuation of talks held with the countries in September on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On Thursday, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution denouncing Iran for what it called a lack of cooperation. The move came as tensions ran high over Iran's atomic programme, which critics fear is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon -- something Tehran has repeatedly denied. In response to the resolution, Iran announced it was launching a "series of new and advanced centrifuges". Centrifuges enrich uranium transformed into gas by rotating it at very high speed, increasing the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235). "We will substantially increase the enrichment capacity with the utilisation of different types of advanced machines," Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman, told state TV. The country, however, also said it planned to continue its "technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA". During a recent visit to Tehran by IAEA head Rafael Grossi, Iran agreed to the agency's demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, has said he wants to remove "doubts and ambiguities" about his country's nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran and world powers reached an agreement that saw the easing of international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed biting economic sanctions, which prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On Sunday afternoon, the United Kingdom confirmed the upcoming meeting between Iran and the three European countries. "We remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback if necessary," London's Foreign Office said. The 2015 deal contains a "snapback" mechanism that can be triggered in case of "significant non-performance" of commitments by Iran, allowing many sanctions to be reimposed. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group think tank, told AFP that Friday's meeting was set to happen earlier, but "those plans were derailed as a result of Iran-Israel tensions" over the Gaza war. Though the parties will be meeting "without knowing what the incoming Trump administration wants to do", Vaez said that "after a lose-lose cycle of mutual escalation, now both sides are back to realising that engagement might be the least costly option." Tehran has since 2021 decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices monitoring the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, it has increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium and the level of enrichment to 60 percent. That level is close, according to the IAEA, to the 90 percent-plus threshold required for a nuclear warhead, and substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. pdm/smw/amiIran says will hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK on Friday
PORT HARCOURT – In a bid to effectively tackle the malfeasance of oil theft in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working closely with other security agencies cracked down on economic saboteurs, recovering 80,000 litres of stolen crude. According to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma on Sunday, the troops in several operations between November 18 to 24 November 2024, achieved desirable results across its joint operations area. Lt. Col. Danjuma said: In deliberate operations conducted in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), over Eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled. “Additionally, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated. “Troops also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted. “In a related vein, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted.” Speaking further, the Army Spokesperson said the troops in the course of their operations in Rivers State, gunned down one armed vandal who opened fire on the operative and recovered one pump action rifle with five cartridges. He added that over 20 illegal refining sites with 169 cooking drums and 29 metal container receivers were destroyed, while over 15,000 litres of stolen product was recovered at Obiafu in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. “At Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered. Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. “They responded and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene. While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. “Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. Clearance operations was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded. “These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.” In Bayelsa State, the army said several operations were conducted with successes recorded, emphasising that at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. He stressed that around Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered. The operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately. In Delta State, Danjuma said troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites. Additionally, troops on pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. He added, in Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities. “During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area. “These included, the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered. Others included, the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles. “Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately. Lt. Col. Danjuma quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, to have commended the troops for their resilience. Maj. Gen. Abdussalam assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure increase in oil and gas production, reassuring that efforts would be sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements operating in the region.
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: Tension Peaks As Armaan And Abhir Get Into A Fight Once AgainThe NFL is warning team security directors and the players' union about recent burglaries targeting professional athletes' homes. The bulletin obtained by Newsweek warns that "organized and skilled groups" are burglarizing the homes of professional athletes "across multiple sports leagues." "Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes' homes on game days," the bulletin said. "It is important for players to maintain situational awareness, practice social media safety and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of becoming a target." The FBI is investigating the incidents as international organized crime, according to a report by NFL.com . Newsweek reached out to the FBI for comment. Full List of Athletes Being Targeted The Missouri home of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was broken into on October 6. The Cass County Sheriff's Office described the incident as a first-degree burglary in an incident report obtained by Newsweek . Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's home in Leawood, Kansas was broken into the next day. The Chiefs were reportedly playing a game against the Saints at Arrowhead Stadium at the time of the break-in. The burglars stole $20,000 in cash. "Leawood Police Department will not have any comment on any open investigations. We do not want to compromise any investigative leads that might have been developed by detectives," the Leawood Police Department told Newsweek . Linval Joseph, a Dallas Cowboys and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle, was also the target of a burglary. The incident happened on Monday at his residence in Sunfish Lake, Minnesota. "This is an active investigation. Therefore, reports are unable to be released at this time," the West St. Paul Police Department told Newsweek . Several players in the NBA have also reported home burglaries recently. In November, the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis was burglarized. Two months before that incident, burglars broke into the home of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley and stole jewelry. What does the NFL bulletin say? The NFL bulletin claims that the groups are gathering information on potential victims from public records, media reports and social media. "Some groups also conduct extensive surveillance on targets, their residences, neighborhoods and security measures," the bulletin said. "Surveillance tactics have included attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in a neighborhood." There are reports of burglars entering through side doors, balconies or second-floor windows, according to the NFL bulletin. The bulletin said burglars have scaled walls or used patio furniture or ladders to gain access. Glass was reportedly broken in several cases. "Thieves have focused on master bedrooms and closet areas, looking for high-end jewelry, handbags, cash and watches," the bulletin said. "They have also targeted safes and office areas looking for small valuables and cash." The NFL bulletin also gave players several recommendations related to social media. Players were advised to avoid updating social media with daily activities until the end of the day, posting photos of "expensive items" and sharing images or comments about their residence or hotel accommodations. The bulletin also told players to "be wary of unknown individuals trying to gain information about your location or residence." The bulletin provides multiple home security recommendations, including installing a "comprehensive" home security system, motion sensor lights and doors with deadbolt locks and reinforced frames. Athletes who believe they have been burglarized are being asked to contact their local police and avoid entering the residence. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.